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Carver 4207 autopilot

Posted: November 10th, 2013, 8:04 pm
by agskinner1
Hi folks,
New member of this website, but this is our second Carver. Our first was a 1987 3207 aft cabin with twin 5.7 Crusaders. It was a big boat for a 32 footer, but the 4207 is absolutely HUGE inside for a 42 footer!! We do most of our cruising in the Gulf Islands and south towards Olympia, Washington.
We have only owned this boat for a few months, but I'm having some trouble with the Robertson AP200 autopilot. I'm trying to find out where the fluxgate compass and the computer is located. Has anyone had any luck finding these components on a 4207?
Thanks for your help
Al

Re: Carver 4207 autopilot

Posted: November 11th, 2013, 7:59 am
by waybomb
The autopilot would have been installed by somebody other than Carver, so the components could be anywhere. For the computer, I would think right behind the control would be a good place to start looking.

If it is in the arch compartment, open it up and look in there. If the computer is not there, then look under the seat on the bridge where the arch meets the deck.

If the control is in the bridge itself, then access is through the seat back cushions in the seat in front of you.

As for the fluxgate, they are supposed to be mounted near the center line of the boost away from metal and electronics. It could be anywhere.

Good luck

Re: Carver 4207 autopilot

Posted: November 11th, 2013, 7:20 pm
by agskinner1
Thanks for the advice,
I found the computer and steering pump under the console. The problem I've been having is that when I turn the autopilot on, it would just turn to starboard and stay there. A fella I know that repairs gyro compasses for the military, told me to spray all of the connections with this special contact cleaner he gave me before I think about replacing the old Robertson AP200. I sprayed all of the connections with the cleaner, but I can't take the boat out until next weekend to see if this helped. Still didn't find the fluxgate compass, but the readout on the control is reading the right compass reading, so I'm hoping that the compass is OK.

Re: Carver 4207 autopilot

Posted: November 12th, 2013, 1:26 pm
by waybomb
I'd have to agree with your buddy - connections are always a problem.