Fluxgate Compass Position

[MrFish]

I am ready to install the fluxgate compass unit of my Raymarine Tiller Pilot. I find the best position (0.3 to 0.5 of Water line length) is along side the battery box - about 8" (20cm) away ffrom the batteries. The battery wires go away from where I want to mount the fluxgate.
The other possible position is close to the base of the mast (keel stepped) - which has tricolour & foredeck light cables, and the VHF aerial cable running nearby.

I prefer the battery box position, as the distance is greater at 20cm from the potential influences.

What have other people done when installing fluxgate compasses in the below decks area? What actual difference does it make?

Thanks in advance for the responces

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[tome]

Finding a good location for fluxgate compasses can be difficult. One method is a hand-bearing compass at the proposed location to see if there is any significant deflection.

I wouldn't put it anywhere near a battery box or any cables carrying high current.

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[steve_cronin]

A lot of builders fit them up high inside the sugar scoop stern. (If your boat has one) Just remember that it's there though when waving magnetic items around in the cockpit.

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

I am lucky in having a long keel boat, with an encapsulated lead keel. I have secured the fluxgate sensor right in the middle of the boat, on top of the keel/below the cabin floorboards. It is as near a dammit in the middle of the boat & as low as possible to minimise sideways accelerations during rolling. The signal wire does pass by (closest is about 6 inches) the battery/engine main switch, but is coax and anyway I dont need the compass when starting the engine!
Hope you find somewhere suitable.
Cheers
Mike

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[jerryat]

Hi!

I put mine (for a VDO steering compass) on a plywood bracket in the forward hanging locker, facing forward. The top is around 4" below the deckhead. Alignment took a little while but was easily done.
I chose the top of the hanging locker to avoid 'things ferrous' being shoved inside on the floor and because the wet weather gear has no magnetic 'bits'!

Has worked without problems for 13 years.

Hope this helps.

Good sailing!


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[sjohn_gibson]

I read all the instructions and ended up, like you, with it along side the battery box. Cut the wire and hard wired it in - a tidy job.

Then the problems started. Swung it (calibrate) as per instructions - no joy. The error was well outside the limits. Stripped it out spliced the wire back to it original length and then with duck tape I tried it in various locations while we drove round in circles - ureka.

Lesson don't hard wire it in until you are sure you have got a good location.

Best of luck.

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[MrFish]

Thanks everyone
I shall have to experiment a bit, by the sounds of it. And not install it permanently until I've proven the position is workable.
Thanks again
Ian

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