ComNav Commander P2 & P2VS Installation & Operation Installation
Document PN 29010074 V4.1 - 48 -
Compasses
P Series autopilot systems are usually supplied as a complete System Kit, with one of several
types of available compasses; the compass type chosen typically depends on the type and
intended use of the boat.
•
a Fluxgate Compass (optionally with a Heading Rate Stabilizer)
•
a Magnetic Compass Sensor, for use with the traditional type of externally-gimballed
magnetic compass, such as the ComNav 5” & 6” Binnacle Compasses
•
a Tri-Axis Rate Gyro Compass
•
a Vector G2 (or G2B) GPS Compass or other NMEA compass
Refer to the appropriate section below for specific installation instructions for your
Fluxgate/HRS or Magnetic Compass.
Note: if you have a Rate Gyro compass, a Vector G2/G2B or other NMEA compass,
please also refer to the Installation & Operation Manual that came with it.
Compass Deviation
When first installed, most Fluxgate & Magnetic Compasses will exhibit Deviation effects
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.
Magnetic Deviation is the error between the compass reading and the boat’s actual Magnetic
heading. Deviation is a result of magnetic fields induced in the boat’s hull (especially on steel
boats) by various factors. It can also be caused by electromagnetic fields from objects such
as engines, davits, galley equipment and the like, from the boat’s electrical/electronic
systems & wiring, and even from ordinary electronic items such as PCs, cell phones,
CD/MP3 players & AM/FM radios.
If you have a ComNav Fluxgate Compass (with or without an HRS), or a 45° Compass
Transducer
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, the Commander P2 can electronically compensate for the Hard-Iron portion of
the Deviation
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. The compensation procedure is done during the Sea Trials.
If you have a magnetic compass, it will have to be manually compensated for Deviation. A
professional compass adjuster can (& should) do this job.
If you have a Tri-Axis Rate Gyro Compass, you can calibrate the compass during the Sea
Trials.
If you are using a fluxgate compass other than a ComNav Fluxgate Compass, or a magnetic
compass not supplied by ComNav, you should contact the dealer or manufacturer you
purchased it from, for instructions on how to install it, set it up, and compensate it.
Common Installation Considerations
Caution! Do not permanently install any compasses until Sea Trials are complete.
You may have to relocate the compasses, during the trials.
Avoid running the cable from any Fluxgate Compass, Heading Rate Stabilizer, Magnetic
Sensor or 45° Compass, parallel to antenna cables, AC power, or DC wires/cables carrying
heavy current.
Any excess cable or cables should be individually coiled up, in a suitable location near the
destination. ComNav recommends that compass/HRS/sensor cables NOT be shortened
(unless specifically stated otherwise, in the next sections).
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The ComNav Heading Rate Stabilizer (by itself), and the Vector G2 & G2B GPS Compasses, are not affected by
Deviation.
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System packages with the 45º Compass (PN 20640006) were discontinued early in 2008.
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Soft-Iron effects must be dealt with by installing the compass far enough away from sources of Deviation.
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