T&T: Autopilot help needed

[Peter Bennett]

Could you define "goes nuts"?  What the pilot does should give some
clue as to the cause of the problem.

If the pilot changes course when a pump starts, then returns to the
original course when the pump stops, that would be an indication that
wires supplying power to the pumps are too close to the compass.
Since multiple pumps in different locations cause the problem, the
offending wire may be the main power or ground feed to the DC
distribution panel.

Friday, July 6, 2007, 1:46:16 PM, Robert wrote:

RF> We are now heading North on our GB 46 Europa up the East side of Lake
RF> Michigan, bound for a GB rendezvous in Sault Ste. Marie and then on
RF> to Lake Superior. We are experiencing "issues" with our Simrad
RF> autopilot. We are the second owners of this boat and are still learning it.
RF> The autopilot appears to be the gateway to the system (Furuno)
RF> network. Here is the issue...underway any time anything that draws 12V is
RF> activated the autopilot goes nuts. Turn on the water (pressure pump
RF> activated) flush the head (Vacuflush), etc. The 12V motors are placed in
RF> different parts of the boat. Water pressure pump is in the
RF> stern...vacuflush is under the cabin sole (near the Simrad compass.) I even
RF> experienced this when I activated the air horn breaker and the air pump
RF> started compressing...
RF> Any ideas?
RF> Bob Falk
RF> GB 46 Europa
RF> Geronimo

-- 
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI    Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Ennos 31 "Honeycomb"
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter 
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca