TP10

Posted By: jimg
Date: 6/6/08 7:38a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Simrad TP 10 disengaging (Joshua Muri)

I have a TP10 also, and every time it did that it was traced directly to a bad connection at the plug. Those two prong 12 volt waterproof connectors that are sold for autopilots and such have very small contact points , both within the connector and at the two prongs of the connector. The slightest bit of corrosion on the brass pins will cause a loss of power, as will any corrosion at the very small screws within the cord to plug connector. I tried two different types of these over a period of many years before I gave up and got a waterproof household type plug, which has much larger contact areas. No more loss of autopilot at the worst possible time. I doubt if the problem is within the autopilot itself. Try taking your connector apart and cleaning and tightening all the contact points and see if that makes a difference. Use a multimeter to check for power to the pilot.