Marine Electronics Forum - Fluxgate Compass Connection
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clusterchuck
05-11-2009, 11:49 AM
I recently picked up a raytheon fluxgate compass to use with my R41xx radar. I want to utilize the Marpa feature. I have 2 questions. When you move this compass it sounds like something inside is sliding up and down. Is this normal? How should it be connected to the radar head? Thanks, Capt. Clusterchuck
Birdman
05-11-2009, 12:12 PM
clusterchuck (like the name!),
It's normal for that "thingy" loose inside. It's a little weight hanging from the center of it like a pendulum. I can't remember the inter face on that unit, I think it was a NMEA unit if not mistaken... I'd call Raymarine. I've ONLY seen it connected directly to their AP, never seen it directly to a plotter. Make sure you can do that.
TTaxi
05-11-2009, 12:21 PM
Not sure, but doesn't ARPA require at least a rate("gyro") compass heading unit rather than the slower-update fluxgate?
Birdman
05-11-2009, 12:33 PM
Good point, yes.
Ccluster, in that case the fluxgate won't work by itself. Further, even if it did, the RM Fluxgate is a real peice of junk. It is a terrible piece of equipment. To do what you want, I'd suggest getting a KVH 1000 Heading sensor. They are about $300 I think, and WELL worth it. Much less sensative to interference, which the RM fluxgae is terrible with, and work great. The KVH unit outputs a fast NMEA heading which will work for you.