Auto-Pilot Lesson Learned

[JackK]

I had an interesting problem on Sunday. While cruising home from fishing, I engaged the auto-pilot. Instead of holding a steady course, the boat flipped into a quick, unexpected turn to port. I turned the unit off and back on (my patented first go at electronic problems).

Now I received a msg ... "Heading Data Shifted". I read the manuals cover to cover and couldn't find anything with this error. I contacted Furuno for tech support. An email arrived a couple of hours later ... "You probably have placed a large metal object near your heading sensor."

Ooops ... I moved my tool kit to the hanger closet next to the head. It was easier to get at there. My heading sensor is mounted on the outside wall of that closet (under the flip up seat cushion). Live and learn.

Jack

[Pitou]

GHOSTS ! Similar to your situation Jack, I had to move my heavy metal tuna casting bag when I put that on top of my sensor. My heading sensor is beneath the forward cushion of the 1/4 berth next to the microwave. When running the microwave off the inverter or genset when underway and the auto-pilot is on a hard turn to port occurs and straightens out when the microwave shuts down. Nothing like MAGNETIC NORTH !

[SpaceCoaster]

I had the same thing happen as you Jack. I removed my stove and put it in the same closet. Removed the stove and it ran just fine.