fluxgate compass on a RIB?????

[nickjaxe]

Hi all just wondering has anybody any experience with fluxgate compasses on a small RIB, normal magnetic is no good on our boat due near by electronics ect, the one I was thinking about is the NASA fluxgate, they cost about £130, do they have a remote sensor and will they stand up to the riggers of RIB use,if anybody has any ideas how we can use our magnetic compass near to electronics ect please tell how.
Thanks in advance Nick.



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[SteveA]

A magnetic compass might still be OK if you could fit masses either side as compensation as is done on steel boats - then have the compass adjusted.

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[tome]

No problem at all fitting one to a RIB, just make sure you keep it clear of any steering compass and not too close to the outboard. Best place I've found is in the bow. Make sure you carry out a calibration after you've fitted it.

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[bedouin]

Fluxgate compasses detect direction from the local magnetic field in a very similar way to normal steering compasses. It is unlikely that a fluxgate compass would be any more immune to interference than a conventional compass sited at the same location.

The advantages of fluxgate are that they can to some extent autocorrect themselves for constant deviation, and the sensor can be mounted remotely from the display, allowing it to be positioned away from sources of interference.

On the other hand, most boat electronic systems don't draw enough power to cause serious interference to a magnetic compass (fluxgate or magnet) provided the wires don't run right alongside. Why not switch the electronics on then wander round the boat with a hand-bearing compass to try out the various locations.

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[nickjaxe]

Lots of good advise thank you all.

Regards Nick in Cheshire.

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