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[QUOTE]cbuf - 4/18/2013  9:47 AM

Definitely the compass.  With all the banging a trolling motor does on the front of the boat, the compass somehow loses the oil that floats the magnet.  The compass controls the direction the unit thinks it is going.  When the oil gets low (through evaporation through cracks) the compass bottoms out on windy days or just gets hung on something because the level is low.  The result is spinning or not finding it sense of direction.  I replaced my head in the summer of last year, when I took it out their was less than a 1/4 inch.  If you took the unit and tilted it more than 2-5 degrees she would not spin to point in the right direction.  The replacement unit was filled to the top with oil.  It is a simple check.  Unscrew the 4 screws holding on the top of the unit.  Check the compass, pull it out to inspect it.  check oil level, spin is in circle make sure no hang ups, tilt it and do the same.  It will be pretty cut and dry if that is the issue.  You will notice it not moving correctly.

I hope that helps[/QUOTE]

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cbuf

Posted 4/18/2013 9:47 AM (#635694 - in reply to #635338)
Subject: Re: Autopilot

Posts: 190

Definitely the compass. With all the banging a trolling motor does on the front of the boat, the compass somehow loses the oil that floats the magnet. The compass controls the direction the unit thinks it is going. When the oil gets low (through evaporation through cracks) the compass bottoms out on windy days or just gets hung on something because the level is low. The result is spinning or not finding it sense of direction. I replaced my head in the summer of last year, when I took it out their was less than a 1/4 inch. If you took the unit and tilted it more than 2-5 degrees she would not spin to point in the right direction. The replacement unit was filled to the top with oil. It is a simple check. Unscrew the 4 screws holding on the top of the unit. Check the compass, pull it out to inspect it. check oil level, spin is in circle make sure no hang ups, tilt it and do the same. It will be pretty cut and dry if that is the issue. You will notice it not moving correctly.

I hope that helps