Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 01-08-2015, 09:13   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Belfast, ME
Boat: Beneteau 49
Posts: 104
Raymarine flux gate compass problem

Our Raymarine flux gate compass reads between 5 and 40 degrees different than magnetic compass and GPS derived course. Boat is a Beneteau 49, fluxgate compass location is below the starboard aft cabin hanging locker. The MPPT controllers (2) for our solar array are located about 2-1/2 feet from the FGC (installed about 2 years ago) and their wires are lead within 6 inches of the compass. The deviation does not seem to vary with the amount of power produced by the solar array.

The control head was replaced 1 1/2 years ago with an ST70. The course computer is about 8 years old. We cannot access the sea trial menu to try to recalibrate, although we can access the dockside calibration wizard. A Raymarine technical rep said that an ST70 control head cannot access this menu in a 6000 series course computer. He also recommended using a hand held compass to see if the solar controllers have upset the FGC.

Can anyone offer a suggestion how how to re-calibrate our FGC?
Utahsailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2015, 11:35   #2
Registered User
 
senormechanico's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,141
Re: Raymarine flux gate compass problem

Is the magnetic compass accurate?
What about course drift from the water's current?
Several variables here.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"


Ayn Rand
senormechanico is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2015, 11:46   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: canada
Posts: 4,634
Re: Raymarine flux gate compass problem

sounds like you need to find the proper control head first step.
smac999 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2015, 10:52   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Belfast, ME
Boat: Beneteau 49
Posts: 104
Re: Raymarine flux gate compass problem

Magnetic compasses have been swung, its not current, same error at all states of tide & currents.

To calibrate, will have to find an old control head- not the greatest solution. Their newest compasses are 9 axis, solid state, no calibration required, can be mounted anywhere but only work with the latest course computers.
Utahsailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2015, 11:04   #5
Registered User
 
transmitterdan's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2011
Boat: Valiant 42
Posts: 6,008
Re: Raymarine flux gate compass problem

Did you try putting a known good hand bearing compass next to the FGC? This is the first basic troubleshooting step. Drive the boat in a slow circle and note whether the two match within a few degrees. Make a list of headings according to the FGC and the real compass. If you see a wide range in the difference do that a couple more times. If it is a calibration issue the differences will be consistent. If the error is random then it may indicate some electronic failure or interference. VHF and SSB radios are a good source of interference. Solar controllers are also notoriously noisy.

The autopilot control head should be able to access the compass calibration function. That's the one where you make slow circles with the boat.
transmitterdan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
compass, marine, raymarine

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Simrad Rate Compass vs Fluxgate Compass Yeti Marine Electronics 5 06-10-2014 09:31
Magnavox MX35 Flux Gate Detector ??? Paul Mazza Marine Electronics 2 29-04-2014 18:29
S hemisphere compass to N hemisphere compass blewett_john General Sailing Forum 7 07-11-2013 06:49
Compass Deviatrion-Compass Card Paul Bradbury General Sailing Forum 6 05-02-2006 14:34

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:02.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.