[CA] [CA11] Autopilot upgrade

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum rfadler,

Should the vessel's batteries be fully charged and the vessel be operation under power and the autopilot drops into standby when operating in Auto (not Track) mode, then the reported issue may be indicative of insufficient power to the autopilot course computer. Insufficient power may result from any of the following:
- depleted batteries - fully charge vessel's batteries and then test the system while under power with the engine(s) charging the electronics batteries
- deteriorated batteries - it has has been noted that the batteries have been load tested
- poor electrical path to autopilot course computer - the power and ground paths should be inspected from the autopilot course computer through any breaker/fuse panels to the batteries and grounding point to ensure that the conductors are in good shape, are free of corrosion, and are tight.
- a failing drive unit - a drive unit which is failing or in need of service may draw excessively high current, causing the reported symptom. Should the first three items listed above have been verified, then it would be recommended that the drive unit be replaced or sent to Raymarine’s Product Repair Center to be bench checked / serviced.

Should no fault be found with the drive unit, then would would indeed be correct that an ACU-400 would be required if replacing the current autopilot with an Evolution autopilot. Raymarine offers the T70161 EV-400 Sail which includes all of the Evolution autopilot component listed on the T70161 EV-400 Sail web page. The EV-1 CCU (supplied with the T70161 EV-400 Sail will be installed in place of the currently installed fluxgate compass.