Fluxgate compass

[PabloPicasso]

I've just joined my good pal for a summer cruise. His Old Raymarine fluxgate compass has failed, and now the autohelm won't steer.

We could try and find a repacement on ebay.

But is there a new replacement that would work easily?

Many thankss

 

[lustyd]

In theory as long as it's ST1 it'll work. You could also use a ST1 to N2K/STNG converter and start the process of a full upgrade, giving you access to any modern compass. If no intention to upgrade I'd go for eBay. The one I sold there last year was essentially imaculate as I imagine most will be when removed.

 

[PabloPicasso]

In theory as long as it's ST1 it'll work. You could also use a ST1 to N2K/STNG converter and start the process of a full upgrade, giving you access to any modern compass. If no intention to upgrade I'd go for eBay. The one I sold there last year was essentially imaculate as I imagine most will be when removed.

Pardon my ignorance. What is ST1?

 

[Martin_J]

Remember that they always rattle... so a rattly noise if you shake it gently isn't necessarily a failure.

I guess you're sure you (the guest) didn't just bring something magnetic aboard ..

Whereabouts are you..? Someone nearby might have a spare..

 

[pandos]

I've just joined my good pal for a summer cruise. His Old Raymarine fluxgate compass has failed, and now the autohelm won't steer.

We could try and find a repacement on ebay.

But is there a new replacement that would work easily?

Many thankss

There is a test for these which may reveal it is a wiring fault rather than a compass fault.

Also I think some faults can be fixed if you have good soldering skills and eyesight...

I swapped mine out a few years for one that came from the for sale section..

 

[PabloPicasso]

Remember that they always rattle... so a rattly noise if you shake it gently isn't necessarily a failure.

I guess you're sure you (the guest) didn't just bring something magnetic aboard ..

Whereabouts are you..? Someone nearby might have a spare..

Currently in Cowes Haven. Heading to Poole tomorrow.

If anyone can help....

 

[PabloPicasso]

There is a test for these which may reveal it is a wiring fault rather than a compass fault.

Also I think some faults can be fixed if you have good soldering skills and eyesight...

I swapped mine out a few years for one that came from the for sale section..

20% down on tested ohms values, sadly

 

[pandos]

20% down on tested ohms values, sadly

Typical readings are 4 to 10 ohms if the readings are all down I wonder would a few good squirts of contact cleaner on the windings help? Just a thought..

Raymarine FAQs

 

[PabloPicasso]

Might be worth a try

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Pardon my ignorance. What is ST1?

SeaTalk 1. Early / superseded Raymarine comms protocol.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Remember that they always rattle... so a rattly noise if you shake it gently isn't necessarily a failure.

I guess you're sure you (the guest) didn't just bring something magnetic aboard ..

Whereabouts are you..? Someone nearby might have a spare..

Currently in Cowes Haven, heading over to Poole

 

[PabloPicasso]

There is a test for these which may reveal it is a wiring fault rather than a compass fault.

Also I think some faults can be fixed if you have good soldering skills and eyesight...

I swapped mine out a few years for one that came from the for sale section..

What, and how, do you do the test?

 

[PaulRainbow]

What, and how, do you do the test?

Raymarine Fluxgate Compass Test

Multi-meter should be set to:

(a) Resistance scale

(b) 200 ohm scale

The following procedure should then be followed:

1. Disconnect the transducer from the system.

2. Connect one multi-meter lead to the red wire and the other lead to the green wire and a reading

as indicated in the test data table should be present.

3. Follow the above procedure for all the color combinations indicated in the test data table.

4. If all readings match those indicated assume the compass transducer is functioning correctly.



Compass Test Data:

Compass Cable Colors​	Resistance Measurements​	Comments​
Red to Green​	4 ohms​	Measurement is taken between the two colors​
​	​	​
Red to Yellow​	4 ohms​	As above​
Green to Yellow​	8 ohms​	As above​
Screen to Blue​	8 ohms​	As above​
All other combinations​	Open Circuit​	​

You are looking for a short or open. A +or - 2 Ohm reading is allowed.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Yes we did that. Approx 20% lower on each test.

So that seems to be within allowed limits?

 

[pandos]

What, and how, do you do the test?

It is in the link I provided..(as Paul Rainbow's post) also they mention a replacement core.. not sure if that part is still available.

 

[PabloPicasso]

I found the problem after fixated perseverance. A broken wire, easy enoufg to reconnect once located.

But of course, it was hidden from view behind cabinetry in an inaccessible corner.

Boat is steering itself beautifully now.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I found the problem after fixated perseverance. A broken wire, easy enoufg to reconnect once located.

But of course, it was hidden from view behind cabinetry in an inaccessible corner.

Boat is steering itself beautifully now.

Result. They do always seem to be hidden away, presumably to stop people randomly storing magnetic-field-affecting objects nearby.

 

[lustyd]

They do always seem to be hidden away

If by hidden you mean almost always have a sticker showing there's one in the cupboard then I agree

 

[Sticky Fingers]

If by hidden you mean almost always have a sticker showing there's one in the cupboard then I agree

not in my new-to-me boat. Took hours of scrabbling around in hideyholes to find it.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Therw was no space to be able to reach in and get my head in and see it at the same time.

I used my phone as a mirror, and had to reach in at full stretch with one arm, strip a bit more cable, push open the connector block, and get the cable into the right position to make a good re-connection

As easy as many other jobs aboard a boat.