Simrad TP32 Autohelm

[alanfw]

My autohelm stopped working on the weekend. I've had the boat for a couple of months now, and the Simrad TP32 came with the boat. Never used one before, but didn't take long to fall in love with it, so I'm very disappointed! Just wondering if anyone has experiences that might help me because Simrad aren't interested in repairing - but will happily charge me almost full retail to replace it! 

Normally I only use it for holding a course and for small course changes, but I tried to auto-tack on the weekend and it wouldn't do it, and since then it hasn't worked. Won't even adjust the length of the rod while in standby (ie motor shows no sign of operating).

Any tips on repair or resetting? Can the motor be easily replaced?

 

[Zonker]

I would check for 12V power at the plug and corrosion at the plug. What you describe could be just a weak connection (computer gets confused) / low voltage. Then the connection gets a little worse and nothing happens.

 

[cyclone]

Wiring/connector plug info for a Navico TP300C to locate power supply. Should be the same for the Simrad TP32.

 

[Zonker]

Is the TP300C same as the newer Navico/now Simrad TP32?

 

[cyclone]

Is the TP300C same as the newer Navico/now Simrad TP32?

My understanding is that the TP300C was rebadged to the TP32 when Navico became Simrad. 

 

[alanfw]

I would check for 12V power at the plug and corrosion at the plug. What you describe could be just a weak connection (computer gets confused) / low voltage. Then the connection gets a little worse and nothing happens.

That's what I'm hoping!

 

[alanfw]

Autohelm now working! Tried a reset button combination I found in another forum. VERY annoyed that Simrad's Aussie distributors didn't mention anything about a reset option despite me specifically asking in the email if there was something I should try before sending it for repairs! They were fully focused on me buying a new replacement  :angry:

 

[harrygee]

Well done.

How about sharing your new knowledge?

Cheers

 

[alanfw]

Well done.

How about sharing your new knowledge?

Cheers

Power off, hold down left, right, nav and tack buttons and power on while holding down. Of course, it could also have just been the extended off period that allowed the system to discharge and reset on power up 

 

[harrygee]

Thanks for that and I'm glad you found a solution.

Sounds like you need to be an octopus.

Cheers

 

[brucephenry]

Also, for reference here is the TP10-20-30 maintenance manual (pretty near the same as your TP32).

Sourced from https://media.schoonerchandlery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/21202305/01-TP10-20.pdf

View attachment Simrad-TP10-20-30.pdf

 

[brucephenry]

Holy crap! I just stumbled across page 17 in that manual...
 

The PCB Assembly is a common item to all Wheelpilots and Tillerpilots. However, when the PCB is used in the TP10 or WP10 those components concerned with NMEA and CANBUS data are present but not in use,[...]

and the table at the bottom of the page that shows all of the solder connections to turn a TP10 into a TP20. (Well, that and a cable.)