fluxgate compass - The Hull Truth

the edge · 03-09-2005, 05:32 AM

Hello:
Recently Purchased aRaymarine ST6000SIG
Where is the best location on my 28' Topaz for the fluxgate compass .

Thanks
Tim

Tightline Rod's · 03-09-2005, 06:26 AM

you need to find an area that almost dead center on your boat!... and it needs to be clean and free of other electrical wiring!....

the edge · 03-09-2005, 06:46 AM

Thanks:
Is Exposed to the weather OK

Tightline Rod's · 03-09-2005, 07:58 AM

personally I would not expose it .....

yachtjim · 03-09-2005, 11:10 AM

Down low is the best.* Out in the weather is out of the question becuse that would mean you are mounting it high.* Try under one of the steps going down to the cabin, or in the bilge mounted on a platform below the cabin.

the edge · 03-09-2005, 05:20 PM

Thanks Jim

u-cat · 03-09-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Tightline Rod's - 3/9/2005 5:26 AM

you need to find an area that almost dead center on your boat!... and it needs to be clean and free of other electrical wiring!....

If your autohelm is tied to a gps and the fluxgate is calibrated to the gps, why wouldn't the best location be directly beneath the antenna?

Birdman · 03-09-2005, 05:35 PM

It doesn't need to be dead center on the boat.* The closer to the center, the better, but that is not that important.* More important is that is not near any magnets, motors....** and is as level as possible.* I mounted mine under the gunnel on the stbd side of my boat.* Works fine there.

gotumon · 03-09-2005, 07:35 PM

Keep it as low as possible and be sure that you mount it on a bulkhead that goes from side to side . By keeping it low, you eliminate the affects of roll.

elflacoloco · 03-13-2005, 01:30 PM

If you have a regular handheld compass then place that compass where you intend on putting the fluxgate to make sure you have no interference. The best place to put a fluxgate compass is on the center line as far down and as far toward the keel as you can. The rule of thumb is you want 3 feet of clearence. If you mount the compass way up front in the bow you could experience problems with pitch and yaw in a following sea. In that case you either go with a rate compass or you have to add more rudder in a following sea. The best way to find out is to answer the question is your boat hard to steer in
following sea?

flaco loco