ComNav Commander P2 & P2VS Installation & Operation System Overview
Document PN 29010074 V4.1 - 32 -
Heading Rate Stabilizer
PN 20320009
Perhaps the single greatest factor affecting Autopilot performance is the quality of the
compass heading information it receives.
•
Compass error due to pitch and roll, high turn rates and high-speed turns are
common to both fluxgate and magnetic compasses.
•
Northerly turning error is another phenomenon that affects both types of compasses,
particularly at higher latitudes; it is caused by the increase in the vertical component
of the Earth’s magnetic field lines, as the boat gets closer to the North or South
magnetic pole.
•
The sideways acceleration of a boat in a high speed turn will also affect the accuracy
of compasses.
ComNav’s Heading Rate Stabilizer minimizes the effects of these factors.
Figure 10 – Heading Rate Stabilizer
The Heading Rate Stabilizer measures the horizontal component of the rate of change in the
boat’s heading, and adjusts the compass reading to minimize the effects of pitch and roll, fast
turn rates and northerly turning error.
The heading output provided to the Autopilot is dramatically improved in terms of dynamic
responsiveness and stability, enabling the Autopilot to perform more accurately and
efficiently, in all Latitudes.
The ComNav Heading Rate Stabilizer is designed to be used in combination with ComNav’s
Fluxgate Compasses – either the Standard or the Heeling Coil model (PNs 20320003/8
connect directly to the HRS, PNs 20320004/7 require adapter PN 31110050).
It is supplied with an attached 12 metre (40’) cable, which is wired directly into the
Commander P2’s SPU
5
.
Note: a ComNav Fluxgate Compass with an HRS is the only recommended Heading
sensor for use in a Commander P2VS system, when a Rudder Follower Unit is
not used.
5
There is also a “plug” model of the HRS, PN 20320005, which can be wired to the SPU with an adapter (PN 31110024).
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