I have an older Navpilot system with the FAP 7002 processor. Now for the second time the FAP 7002 has somehow burned out when I inadvertently overrode the autopilot for a few seconds. Both times the system blew the 25 amp fuse when I initially overrode the autopilot. When I replaced the fuse, both times it gave me the "drive unit is overloaded" error message when I replaced the fuse and tried to re-engage the autopilot. And then after getting that error message a few times, both times it started just immediately blowing the fuse when I tried to engage the autopilot. Both times the only fix was to replace the FAP 7002, at which point it was instantly fixed, so the "drive unit is overloaded" error wasn't the actual problem.
I can't believe that the system would be designed so that just overrriding the autopilot would blow the entire processing unit. I opened up the unit both times and the 2 internal fuses were not blown and there was no obvious damage. Does anyone have any tips for resetting the FAP 7002 when this happens without having to replace it (these units are getting hard to find!). It would also be nice to avoid the problem in the first place, as it's easy when things go south quickly to forget the autopilot is on and try to turn the stearing wheel.
I can't believe that the system would be designed so that just overrriding the autopilot would blow the entire processing unit. I opened up the unit both times and the 2 internal fuses were not blown and there was no obvious damage. Does anyone have any tips for resetting the FAP 7002 when this happens without having to replace it (these units are getting hard to find!). It would also be nice to avoid the problem in the first place, as it's easy when things go south quickly to forget the autopilot is on and try to turn the stearing wheel.