tiller pilot losing the plot

[Above-the-Fold 15]

My old Autohelm tiller pilot sporadically yaws 40 degrees to port, which can be disconcerting. Can't figure out why. Anybody in Auckland repair them?

 

I think the new models have  the compass in the instrument itself. Would a new one be a drop-in replacement? 

 

The reason I ask that is that I'd prefer not to be running new wiring, putting in new plugs, etc.

[Island Time 1,235]

Likely not worth repairs.

Parts no longer available. No need to change wiring, just the plug,its pretty easy.

[Crazyhorse 47]

As IT says but before you bin it are you able to pull it apart? Had a old navico that did the same and found the problem. A fluxgate needs to sit as level as possible to operate as even 1 degree of tilt is about 10 degrees of error! They should sit on in a gimbal which allows it to stay horizontal when heeled over and over time the can either stick of simply not tilt! A bit of silicon spray, give it a shake and it might just work. Did for me but wont last that long as the gimbal pivot pins have probably worn over time.

[Crazyhorse 47]

Another thought, voltage drop. If the TP isnt getting a good supply through a bad connection, everytime the motor operates it will rob the fluxgate of power.

[Above-the-Fold 15]

Thanks to all.

 

The TP itself sits in a wee box  built into the starboard seat. I'm not sure where the fluxgate compass is but I don't think we have moved anything major. recently. It does its trick whether under sail or power, so it's not a power-drop issue... unless there is a bad connection somewhere. 

[waikiore 399]

Shift your toolbox or anything metallic further away, if its an Autohelm they can be serviced, Grant at Lustys or Paul at Dynamic Marine