I have the Raytheon 4000 Plus autopilot, version 14. This year it searches from stbd to port in ever increasing arcs until we're doing a very large "S" track down the bay.
I reset all the settings to the "dealer setup", did the deviation and heading circle process, and moved all the heavy metal (bikes, tool bag) off the boat.... no joy!
At this point I am assuming something is wrong with the fluxgate compass but.... I can't find it! I've gone thru all the lockers and spaces I can think of, short of pulling up the covers over the rear water tanks, which I will do next time I have my drill on the boat. Any suggestions on where it might be? I realize this is an after-markert add-on so it depends on the installer, but has anyone found theirs in an unusual location.
Also, has anybody else had this problem and a solution?
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Where is your autopilot computer located? Who did the installation?
Finding the fluxgate compass? Try 1) the bilge; 2) beneath the 'floor' of the aft cabin closet; 3) in that small compartment near the aft cabin closet (beneath the mattress); 4) near the electrical panel, including behind the inspection port cover under the chart table; 5) if you have the u-shaped dinette then inside the under-settee compartment by the mast.
Suggest calling Raymarine tech support in New Hampshire. Leave a short message if they can't answer. They've been diligent about calling back, in my experience.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Thanks Larry...
I have looked in some ofthose areas but you gave me some other ideas. I left an email with Ray Marine but have not gotten a response (as of yet), but I'll keep trying.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
You might search this forum for old posts about the "Catalina cocktail" which are the settings that work with the 4000+ on a C36. I know we had the same problem, as did many others, until changing the settings. They are counter-intuitive as I recall and include using the setting for hydraulic steering, which we obviously don't have. Good luck!
Dave C
"Corvus"
Mk II #2116
I have yet to find the fluxgate but , thanks to Dave's suggestion, I searched the historical files used the "cocktail" settings and that seems to have solved the problem. I do find that the "response setting" of 1 rather than the 2 suggested works fine.
What's particularly embarrassing is that, when I searched the past history, I found that I had actually posted the cocktail settings about 6 years ago when I first got the boat and had comletely forgotten about it. I attributed this to a medical condition I have called DRS (don't remember s--t), which comes with age I believe.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ