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Deck Hand
Posts: 36
Home Port: Tacoma, Wa
IP Logged | The autopilot/chartplotter are off by 40 degrees from my magnetic compass. I talked with Ray Marine (I have an RL80 system) and they suggested completing new sea trials and reset. I have done that twice without positive results. The next suggestion is to check the connections and finally see if the fluxgate has gone bad. I have looked but have not been able to locate the fluxgate, has anyone had this problem or know where the compass is located? Appreciate any suggestions!! |
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Admiral
Posts: 1204
Home Port: Clinton, CT
IP Logged | Jeff,
I had a similar issue with my autopilot but the reset worked for me. Just curious, are you able to use your autopilot to maintain a course? The reason I ask is that if you can maintain a course you might just need to offset the degrees during setup which could align your autopilot to your compass. Just a thought since you mentioned a static 40 degrees off.
Unfortunately I have no idea what a fluxgate is but if it is like the FluxCapacitor in Back to the Future, you have a much cooler 411 than I. |
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Admiral
Posts: 708
Home Port: Wrightsville Beach, NC
IP Logged | The compass is under the last companionway panel before the master stateroom on my boat. You can try checking there. They try to put it low and on the center line of the boat if possible. |
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Admiral
Posts: 442
IP Logged | There is indeed a "flux valve" or "flux gate" for a remote compass.. You tell people this and they think you are pulling their leg |
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Deck Hand
Posts: 20
Home Port: Clinton CT.
IP Logged | Brian:
A related problem. I have all Northstar electronics. The compass reading on the autopilot is consistently off from the GPS heading; usually about 20 degrees lower. Is the answer to do a reset of the Autopilot? This is the first Autopilot I've had and the first time I've had an integrated electronics package, so its all new to me.
Thanks!
Edited by dberlin 7/27/2010 6:19 AM
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Admiral
Posts: 1204
Home Port: Clinton, CT
IP Logged | That is certainly the place to start and something you'll want resolved before making the long run to Martha's Vineyard.
Reseting the system is not just pushing a little red button like with other electronics. What you are actually doing is calibrating the system.
There should be instructions with the unit that explain things in a step by step manner. I have Raymarine so others will have to provide the details but in essence you will get to the proper screen on the unit and then enter the calibration process which involves moving the boat in a slow circle a few times (at least two.) Once completed, you can then fine tune the unit to within a degree or two of the compass.
Autopilot integrated with the chartplotter is wonderful for long runs but you should still always remain at the helm with eyes on the water looking out for boats or other obstructions.
Edited by shelbri 7/27/2010 7:04 AM
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Deck Hand
Posts: 36
Home Port: Tacoma, Wa
IP Logged | Thanks for the input I'm heading to the boat tonight (it's 84 in Seattle !!!!) and I'll check the companion way. Brian is right about setting the integrated autopilot and chartplotter, we had to make (5) 360 turns at 5 minutes a turn before we could reset unfortunately it didn't work and the local distributor says the compass may be bad. |
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Admiral
Posts: 706
Home Port: Live in NJ. Boat in Connecticut & Rhode Island
IP Logged | I found mine under the bench seat in the 2nd stateroom. Pull the seat up and look in there. Mine was mounted to the side of the cabinet. I seem to remember finding it when I pulled out the drawers. |
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Deck Hand
Posts: 36
Home Port: Tacoma, Wa
IP Logged | Thanks everyone I found it last night next to the bed in the guest stateroom over the holding tank! Just need to find the processor and check the connections. I think that is located behind the seat in the salon next to the TV. |
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411 fluxgate compass
