ComNav 2001 Autopilot System
P/N 29010017 V1.0 - 16-
COMPASS
Locate and mount the compass in a position
which minimizes magnetic interference. It should
be at least three feet away from such equipment
as radios, radars, depth sounders, and engine
instruments. The compass can be used as a
steering compass if desired. If the amount of
cable supplied is too short to reach the rear of the
autopilot, obtain an extra plug-in length of cable
from your dealer. Cutting and splicing the
compass cable is NOT recommended.
If the heading displayed by the autopilot does not
agree with the compass, place the master select
switch in the STANDBY position and press the
GYRO (WIND) OFF key together with the up or
down ARROW key to adjust the offset by the
amount of the error.
We recommend that the services of a qualified
compass adjuster be used to select the best
installation location and to compensate the
compass properly for deviation, including that
caused by heeling error. Care must be taken not
to place compensating magnets too close to the
compass, as this will cause the Flux-Gate Sensor,
mounted underneath the compass, to read
incorrectly.
The use of a pair of 3-1/4 inch (83 millimetre)
Compensating Quadrantal Spheres is
recommended to correct compass deviation on
steel vessels, or on other vessels with magnetic
compensating problems due to interference from
adjacent iron masses such as an engine block or
winches.
The fluxgate sensor supplied with the autopilot
can be mounted to a wide variety of "externally
gimballed" compasses.
The sensor should not be mounted to "internally
gimballed" compasses (where the compass card is
gimballed and the bowl of the compass is not)
because the compass card does not remain
parallel to the sensor when the vessel rolls or
pitches. This results in large errors between the
compass and autopilot.
Remove the rear cover from the autopilot. Fasten
a pair of voltmeter probes between the SIN and
GND testpoints on the Compass Interface Circuit
Board (see figure 7). Turn the master select
switch on the autopilot to the STANDBY
position. Hold the sensor either above or below
the compass, and rotate it until a maximum level
is observed on the voltmeter.
Move the sensor towards or away from the
compass until a new maximum level is observed.
This is the optimum distance from the compass to
mount the sensor, any closer, and the sensor may
interfere with the operation of the compass.
The accuracy of the sensor, and its sensitivity to
external fields, will slowly worsen as it is moved
further from the compass. If the reading on the
autopilot display decreases when the heading on
the compass is increasing, turn the sensor over.
Rotate the sensor until the heading on the display
of the autopilot matches the reading on the
compass and tighten the mounting screw. Rotate
the compass through 360 degrees, comparing
readings every 20 degrees. If the compass is
compatible with the sensor, the readings should
agree within +/- 2 degrees (4 degrees total error).
MOUNTING THE SENSOR TO NON-
STANDARD COMPASSES
**** IMPORTANT ****
It is important to remember that the
compass is a vital part of the autopilot
system. Locating it properly, particularly
on steel hulled vessels, is essential to
ensure proper operation of the autopilot.
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