View Full Version : pp stargazer problem
sand2snow22
05-31-2009, 10:07 PM
2005 X2, MCX, DBW. Had the dealer install Stargazer over the winter. They water tested it over in the spring. Finally got the boat out today, but it was giving me problems. No skiing today, but when surfing it would go up to 10 MPH, beep, but then fall to 7 or 8 MPH before slowly climbing back to 10 MPH.
Wakeboarding, similar problem. It would go up to 23 or 24 MPH, down to 20, before settling on the desired speed of 22.2 MPH. I played with the CS and KPW values, but nothing really worked? Any ideas? I know I probably have to calibrate it, plus give PP a call in the morning.
Thanks.........
sand2snow22
06-01-2009, 12:53 PM
Spoke with PP this morning, very helpful. They think my CS number of 1575 was too low. Bumped it to 2000. They said keep raising by 100 until the problem goes away.... Will update after next outing!
russlars
06-01-2009, 01:07 PM
Spoke with PP this morning, very helpful. They think my CS number of 1575 was too low. Bumped it to 2000. They said keep raising by 100 until the problem goes away.... Will update after next outing!
Just curious as to what the CS number is on your PP? I am familiar with the KPW but not the CS.
sand2snow22
06-01-2009, 03:13 PM
Just curious as to what the CS number is on your PP?
CS is 2000. KPW is 150. What are you running?
TallRedRider
06-01-2009, 03:52 PM
I think he means, what is a CS number? Like him, I know what the Kpw means, but not the CS.
sand2snow22
06-01-2009, 04:01 PM
Got it, here you go:
CS & CR (Control Settings)
CS is a control parameter for the speed based modes. (Trick, Wakeboard and under 24 mph Slalom) This
adjustable parameter allows you to tune the engagement of the system so it is ideal for your boat. Heavily
weighted boats may need a higher CS to engage and control properly. Factory value is about 800.
Example:
1. You are set for 22 mph, but system overshoots and goes to 26 mph before settling back. CS should be
lowered. (Try adjustments of 20 at a time)
2. You are set for 23 mph, but boat will not get to 23 mph and engage.
CS must be raised to allow for a faster engagement point.
CR is for RPM modes including slalom & jump. Factory setting about 1900.
Auto CR/CS Set
Go to the “Control Settings” page same as in previous versions. On this page you will see CR/CS and “AUTO
CRS SET”. The new CR/CS setting combines both the CR and CS from previous versions. This setting can also
be automatically calculated and set by selecting the “AUTO CRS SET” option.
While on the “AUTO CRS SET” page, bring the boat to over 3500 RPM (you may have to go as high as 4200
RPM). At which point the system should engage and settle back to 3000 RPM and a message will come up to
show you the CR/CS setting has been corrected. You will see this change to the CR/CS setting at the top of the
page. Return the boat to idle, press the MENU Key to return to the Main screen. And you are done.
russlars
06-01-2009, 05:44 PM
Perfect. Just what I needed to know. Thanks.:)
well did it work, im going through the same thing.
sand2snow22
06-02-2009, 06:25 PM
well did it work, im going through the same thing.
Haven't had a chance to take the boat out, yet.
could you post your results, i have the same boat as you and would like to know what settings to use
sand2snow22
06-29-2009, 02:50 AM
Finally got back on the water tonight. Started with the CS at 2000, but had a hard time getting the system to engage at wakeboarding speeds. KPW was 160, this might have been too high. Sometimes it would engage and sometimes it wouldn't? In slalom mode we set it 30.4 and 32.3, captured RPM's and still had problems with the system engaging?
At one point, and I hate to say it, I wished I had the MC cruise back :(
At the end of the evening, playing with the settings going back to the dock. I found the best bet to be a CS number of 1700 and 'hitting it' softly. The system would engage early and take over. Besides UMP, who hits it softly for watersking? If you hit it too hard, the system never engages. Even if you let up near your desired speed! Almost like the MCX has too much power for the GPS :rolleyes:
CS 1700, KPW of 160, hitting it softly worked at surf speeds, wakeboard speeds and slalom speeds. However, at surf speeds to avoid the dreaded, up to 11 MPH, down to 8 MPH and slowly back to 10 MPH, I found if you hit it pretty hard right before the system engages it will remain pretty close to 10 MPH! Oh, fun times! :D
Once back in the garage, I changed the KPW value to 100. We'll see if this helps? I will call PP in the morning. Something still isn't right. It shouldn't be this difficult. We have non-GPS PP Wakeboard Pro on our other boat (same year, same engine), after one phone call to PP we had that system dialed in. It holds ANY speed like a dream!
Also, at the bottom of my post #6, I have yet to calibrate the "AUTO CRS SET". I will follow the instructions and see if this helps? Unless PP tells me not to. Hopefully I will speak with them tomorrow.........
Craig
06-29-2009, 06:50 AM
We have PPSG for our mechanical throttle and we have to hit it very softly when in trick mode.
I trick at 18.0 mph and if I am not picked up very carefully we will get a couple of oscillations in speed before it settles in.
I haven't tried messing with the CR/CS setting, but I did mess with the Kd value which helped a little bit.
sand2snow22
06-29-2009, 10:45 AM
Spoke with Gary from PP. He is going to e-mail me a 'control' test. I will have to perform this the next time on the water and get the results back to him.
rspiecha
06-29-2009, 03:26 PM
What I have noticed with my stargazer wakeboard edition, don't play with the throttle as pulling up the skiier. Just learn the amount that takes to get them up and let it alone. If you are adjusting the throttle as your pulling up and acellerating, it will not engage and simply go past the engagement speed. At least this is what I have learned.
Rob
sand2snow22
06-29-2009, 03:46 PM
What I have noticed with my stargazer wakeboard edition, don't play with the throttle as pulling up the skiier. Just learn the amount that takes to get them up and let it alone. If you are adjusting the throttle as your pulling up and acellerating, it will not engage and simply go past the engagement speed. At least this is what I have learned.
Rob
Yes, Gary made it sound my stargazer wakeboard edition is RPM based, so the system takes over pretty early around 20 MPH. You are right, you can't really adjust the throttle up or down otherwise it won't engage. That's been my experience, too......
sand2snow22
07-20-2009, 12:21 AM
Problem fixed. It's a known problem that MC has had some grounding issues. Under Control Settings I ran a Device Test, RPM's held around 1350, everything was golden until I turned on the heater or tower lights, etc. and the RPM's kicked up?
As usual and much respect on this site, Perfect Pass has been a pleasure to work with. Gary told me to cut the ground wire running into the control module and run it to the battery. Retested in Device test and no longer a problem when turning on accessories.
Also, boat holds speed very well. Surfing KDW value of 180, wakeboarding KDW value 150-160. You can still overshoot and miss the engagement if you give it to much throttle.