Simrad Autohelm AP20

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Jerry
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:12 pm

Simrad Autohelm AP20

Post by Jerry »

I am getting an error message - Compass data missing - and cannot find the problem. I have checked all the connections but have not reset the computer or purchased a new PCB board. The compass is the standard RFC35 that was installed with the AP20. I really do not want to try the reset unless it is absolutely necessary. Or purchase a new PCB board until I am certain it will fix the problem.

Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

Jerry Pelfrey
Freedom 38, #113
San Carlos, Mexico

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Michel
Posts: 546
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:48 am
Location: Zaanstad, the Netherlands, EU

Re: Simrad Autohelm AP20

Post by Michel »

Jerry,

I have the same equipment as you have, except I have the RFC35R rate compass. I never had lost compass data.

Perhaps you can open the compass housing and have a look inside at the board and the connections. Perhaps the compass in dead; try to find out if it provides a signal. If you checked all connections, did you measure integrity of the cabling? I cable may have been squeezed somehow. If you connect a core wire to the ground mantle on one end of the cable, you can measure conductivity between the core wire and the ground mantle on the other end with a multimeter. I find Simrad / Robertson quite reliable and robust.

Good luck,
Michel
Michel Capel, Freedom 44 #4 1981 'Alabama Queen', NED8188, cat ketch with wishbones, home port Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, 52*42.238'N 005*18.154'E.

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GeoffSchultz
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Location: BlueJacket: Guatemala
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Re: Simrad Autohelm AP20

Post by GeoffSchultz »

I would agree with Michel. Assume that the problem is with the compass and not the computer. This is one of the reasons that I carry a spare compass (or two).

-- Geoff
BlueJacket
1997 Freedom 40/40
http://www.GeoffSchultz.org

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