More AP 26 woes

Renovator

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Well to start another thread, I am having issues with my AP26. I keep getting the "Rudder Response Failure" code after a few minutes of operation. A little history, when I purchased this boat last year the AP was not working properly. AP would turn motors hard over to port when placed in auto mode and give Rudder Feedback Failure. I replaced the LF3000 feedback unit and went through the dockside and seatrial settings and unit seemed to work OK for the next several trips out but after about 3 months I started to have a few Response Failure codes come up while in operation and noticed that the AP was not keeping a consistent course, it would "drift". I would correct course by either turning the rotary knob or tapping the port/starboard while underway but at some point in time that started to cause the AP to turn hard over to whatever direction you were headed. It nearly threw one of the guys over the side as we were running about 30 knts at the time. I actually repeated this a couple of times in case it was an anomaly, it wasn't. I don't do this anymore!!!

This past weekend the Atlantic was like a lake, absolutely beautiful with no wind or wave action and still the AP would not keep a course. Any thoughts in what direction I should I go. I will recheck all connections, compass is mounted down in the center of the bilge and I don't think would be effected by anything. Dockside rudder test seems to work fine. This is my first boat with an auto pilot so I am on the learning curve, sure would like to get it working properly. Does Simrad offer good support? I am not the original owner.
Thanks, Ron.
 
Be careful using the AP at planning speed until it is fixed. From the sound of things it could be anything from a loose connection to a bad junction/CPU.

The failure codes are probably a key. Do you have the manual? (if not they are online at Simrad's website).