Auto Pilot problem after winter
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 400
Forum Description: 400 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2882
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:08
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Auto Pilot problem after winter
Posted By: walter_9
Subject: Auto Pilot problem after winter
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 11:32
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I put my Hanse 400 in the water today, but it seems the Autopilot is not working anymore. I hear the click-click but nothing is moving. Any quick fixes that I have missed?
------------- Walter www.ocean-nomads.com |
Replies:
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 14:36
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Hi,
What you hear is the clutch engaging and disengaging. There are 3 things to check:
1) cables from pilot computer to the motor (actuator). The most probable cause is that one of the cables providing power to the motor got loose.
2) mechanical connection between the actuator and the rudder. This is either an arm or a chain depending on model.
3) while engaged (in auto mode) can you turn the wheel ? If not it is possible that there is a mechanical block in the system.
If both (cables and actuator) are OK and the system doesn't block when engaged then probably there is some damaged part (motor or computer)
------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 14:42
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Hi Walter, now I noticed you are in Greece. ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 14:52
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Sorry for this simple question, but sometimes the reason can be very simple. Did you switch on both instruments (for is20 and Autopilot AP24) and the switch for the Autopilotcomputer/motor in the navstation?
If yes, forget my question....  ------------- Blake 370 
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Posted By: walter_9
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 19:21
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Thanks for the Reply. I will check all tomorrow again. It did not seam any cables where loose and the wheel is locked when autopilot is engaged. The thing is that there where lots of Hanse's with the same problem in this marina and it seemed strange to me. Peter, there are no stupid questions and that's why I asked it in the first place. Wanted to see if it was something minor that I did not check myself. Panos, I am in Croatia now but the yacht will be back in Greece in a couple of days. She will be chartered and of course used for fun! I'm a Dutch guy in Athens and the boat will be in Kalamaki (unfortunately) Thanks for the response and I will inform you on the progress on the problem. It would be nice to solve the problem before sailing back (70 hours) Walter ------------- Walter www.ocean-nomads.com |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 19:30
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Good luck walter ------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 19:57
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Hi Walter, Our boat (currently in Salamina for maintenance) is also in Kalamaki (pear #6). Will return to water on Monday. If your autopilot is blocked during engagement this excludes loose mechanical connection. The cables to the motor are the biggest suspects. What make/model is it? ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: walter_9
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 20:49
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Its a Hanse 400 from 2008 with Simrad AP24 and other Simrad instruments. The rudder system is Jefa. I do not know what serial number is. Pier 6 that's where lots of Hanse's are lying! Is your Hanse only private or also for charter? I charter boats myself www.ocean-nomads.com and true a selection of Greek companies. How is Salaminas for winter maintenance? Where is this yard? I was thinking to go to Oropos next winter. My wife's family has a house on Eretria so it's sort of on the way. Walter ------------- Walter www.ocean-nomads.com |
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 21:39
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Hi Walter, Yes MMBW Nicole is with the other Hanse's at the end of the pear (facing south west). We bought the boat for our personal use, but we plan charter it a few weeks per year to cover some expenses. She is only offered fully crewed (skipper/captain plus deckhand plus hostess). We employ a full time skipper who also takes care of the boat on a daily basis. As for the autopilot Peter-Blake might be right because the Simrad system consists of three components: control unit (powered by one switch), the brain+amplifier unit, which is powered by another one, and the jefa motor(including clutch) powered by the amplifier. It is possible that power to one of them is missing (blown fuse or open circuit) or you just forgot to switch it on. ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: MYTHOS NIKOS
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 07:55
Hi Walter!  Wellcome!! Good luck with your AP! OROPOS and nearby HALKOUTSI is very good and lower cost soloution. I live in HALKIDA and some friends get hauled out there .I also charter my boat but only in skiperd basis.Call when you r back home! ------------- GREEK MYTHOS 400e#498 [URL=http//www.mythos-sailing.com |
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 12:27
Hi, You keep your boat in Chalkida ? My Business is in Inofyta . ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
MYTHOS NIKOS wrote:Posted By: MYTHOS NIKOS
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 11:05
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Hi Panos! ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΘΗΚΑΜΕ ΣΤΙΣ 17-8-08 ΣΤΟ ΛΑΥΡΙΟ ΕΝΑ ΒΡΑΔΥ ΠΟΥ ΔΙΑΝΥΚΤΕΡΕΥΣΑΜΕ ΚΑΙ ΜΑΣ ΞΕΝΑΓΗΣΕΣ ΣΤΟ ΥΠΕΡΟΧΟ ΣΚΑΦΟΣ ΣΟΥ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΣΥΖΥΓΟ ΜΟΥ ΚΑΙ EIΠΑΜΕ ΝΑ ΚΟΙΤΑΞΟΥΜΕ ΝΑ ΚΑΝΟΥΜΕ ΤΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ OWNERS CLUB!! ------------- GREEK MYTHOS 400e#498 [URL=http//www.mythos-sailing.com |
Posted By: alettaenmarcel
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 14:03
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blalbxmlk-mklzxv.,m????? ------------- Kids Dingys 72-79 ,Several Windsurfboards 79-86 OK dingy competitions 86-92 , Trotter Pandora Race 92-98, Friendship 28 Sport 98-05, Hanse 370 06-...... |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 17:36
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Yes ,marcel. This forum should stay english spoken.
------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 19:01
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Hi, 1)select strange text, press right mouse button and select "copy" 2)open google,language tools 3)paste copied text in Translate window 4)select Greek as origin language 5)press :translate You get following output : Met in Lavrio 17-8-08 ON A NIGHT TO OUR XENAGISES night and in the magnificent VESSEL WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND MOU EIPAME looking to do GREEK OWNERS CLUB!! Not a perfect translation, but you know what we are talking about. The Pandora's box is wide open. No secrets left. ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 06:21
  ------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: MYTHOS NIKOS
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 07:52
OK GUYS!!! I am sorry! Obviously Iam not a comp expert! Anyway it looks you made some fun out of it. The TEXT is asfollows: Hi panos. We've met the 17-8-08 in Lavrion when I had an overnight there .You took around your lovely boat me and my wife and among other talking we talk about starting the Hellenic HANSE OWNERS CLUB! [3 in Halkida].------------- GREEK MYTHOS 400e#498 [URL=http//www.mythos-sailing.com |
Posted By: alettaenmarcel
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 11:25
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thank you Mythos
You are a good guy
 Marcel
------------- Kids Dingys 72-79 ,Several Windsurfboards 79-86 OK dingy competitions 86-92 , Trotter Pandora Race 92-98, Friendship 28 Sport 98-05, Hanse 370 06-...... |
Posted By: walter_9
Date Posted: 03 April 2009 at 19:55
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2 days ago I got the replacement part for the AP. The whole black box needed to be replaced after all. I don't know how, but I think water has entered the box and that resulted of non responsive engine. I could manually hold the AP and needed to give it a push to start in the first place. Installed everything in Patra yesterday and sailed back to Athens with the AP (20 hours, wind on the nose). After installing and commissioning all worked! Thanks for the help all, Walter ------------- Walter www.ocean-nomads.com |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 08:32
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Just for my understanding:
Black box? every part is black from the AP
Do you mean the AP-Motor or the AP Computer or the AP-Display?
What was changed exactly? ------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: walter_9
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 18:59
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The AP Motor! I replaced the motor, reconnected, installed the AP on the Simrad display, did the sea trial and all was working again. I think water in the motor has been the problem. The location of this part is not the best because it gets wet all the time, salt and fresh. It seems the case is well sealed. Probably the wire connections that cause the problem. I will see if I can do anything about this to avoid this from happening again. Walter ------------- Walter www.ocean-nomads.com |