I've been through re calibration a couple of times, but our autopilot has become unreliable at random times with the displayed instrument heading way out of sink with the binnacle compass, and the boat wandering off course. I'm beginning to think something might be going on with the flux gate compass. It seems Raymarine no
longer services this 20+ year old model, or makes a replacement, and the only products available are used on ebay. Buying used doesn't seem a good idea, especially with no mention of it being reconditioned.
1) can anyone help diagnose to verify this is the source of trouble?
2) There appear to be a couple sources selling OEM internal flux gate workings for replacement. Has anybody gone this route?
Thanks for your input
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
On my previous boat I once dropped a magnetic screw tip behind the waste tank. The fluxgate compass was mounted nearby and it took several days of diagnosis and searching to figure out the erratic steering. When I replaced that steering with an EV 100 wheel pilot I installed the sensor core in the aft cabin high on the back of the hanging locker, almost the same as the 36 MKII locker.
When I converted that locker to a pantry and stored canned food on the top shelf the autohelm got confused. Again it took a few days to puzzle out and move the canned goods away from the sensor core.
Perhaps you moved something that is confusing the flux gate?
You can update all the autopilot electronics and use your existing drive unit, I changed to the EV 200 two years ago. Pricey (about $2100) but the new system works well and integrates with everything via N2K.
Denis
Brazen Article #1925
2001 Catalina 36 MKII