I appear to be travelling in reverse on plotter!

[Thepipdoc]

I have a 2 Raymarine plotters a RC530 and a RL70C both of which show that I'm travelling in reverse! When I opt for the "Course Up" or "Head Up" mode I move towards the bottom of the screen. This is very confusing as I'm sure you can imagine.

Even the boat symbol that Raymarine use is the wrong way around so it appears that the bow is following the stern when I'm moving forward!

I'm sure I've done something wrong on both plotters, but can I find the solution to the problem? Hell no!
Someone please tell me how to correct this.
(please don't say turn the plotters upside down!)
Thanks.

 

[MYAG]

I have a 2 Raymarine plotters a RC530 and a RL70C both of which show that I'm travelling in reverse! When I opt for the "Course Up" or "Head Up" mode I move towards the bottom of the screen. This is very confusing as I'm sure you can imagine.

Even the boat symbol that Raymarine use is the wrong way around so it appears that the bow is following the stern when I'm moving forward!

I'm sure I've done something wrong on both plotters, but can I find the solution to the problem? Hell no!
Someone please tell me how to correct this.
(please don't say turn the plotters upside down!)
Thanks.

I have heard of this problem before and generally it is to do with the Fulxgate Compass being disturbed/needing calibration. There might be a poor connection, things may have moved or you may have unknowingly placed something metallic near the compass without realising etc etc. Either way, check the connections and recalibrate. If you dont have the manual the Raymarine website will have the info. Its a straightforward procedure.

 

[Solitaire]

I have a 2 Raymarine plotters a RC530 and a RL70C both of which show that I'm travelling in reverse! When I opt for the "Course Up" or "Head Up" mode I move towards the bottom of the screen. This is very confusing as I'm sure you can imagine.

Even the boat symbol that Raymarine use is the wrong way around so it appears that the bow is following the stern when I'm moving forward!

I'm sure I've done something wrong on both plotters, but can I find the solution to the problem? Hell no!
Someone please tell me how to correct this.
(please don't say turn the plotters upside down!)
Thanks.

Your fluxgate is fluxed!

This can happen and it will need replacing.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Thanks for both replies.
Now I'm going to ask another silly question. Where/what is a fluxgate compass?

 

[Thepipdoc]

Thanks for both replies.
Now I'm going to ask another silly question. Where/what is a fluxgate compass?

Googled "fluxgate compass" so I have an idea what it looks like.
I just need to find it now!

 

[noelex]

(please don't say turn the plotters upside down!)
Thanks

That would be silly
You need to travel everywhere in reverse.

Thanks for both replies.
Now I'm going to ask another silly question. Where/what is a fluxgate compass?

They look like this:
Usually mounted near the centre of the boat. There will be a wire from the autopilot leading to it

 

[rich]

When your in north up are you traveling north or south,not on the plotter, the boat.

 

[Solitaire]

Googled "fluxgate compass" so I have an idea what it looks like.
I just need to find it now!

It will be tucked away somewhere on the boat. What boat is it? It can been "hidden" anywhere. You do have autopilot?

Check out here - http://www.raymarine.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=699

Cost about £90 plus fitting to replace.

 

[Thepipdoc]

When your in north up are you traveling north or south,not on the plotter, the boat.

I think that when in North Up I'm travelling north. I may be wrong with this becuase this is from memory.

It will be tucked away somewhere on the boat. What boat is it? It can been "hidden" anywhere. You do have autopilot?

I do indeed have an autopilot.

 

[Solitaire]

I do indeed have an autopilot.

Then I would suggest this is your problem (fluxgate) - had the same problem on my boat and with clients'. Change the fluxgate.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Found it!
Now that I have found it is there any way I can test it?

 

[rich]

Disconnect the autopilot from the plotters, and see what happens.

 

[MYAG]

Found it!
Now that I have found it is there any way I can test it?

Yes you can, these two links should help you. Try them in order to save you replacing things without need.

http://raymarine.custhelp.com/cgi-b...WFyY2hfdGV4dD1iYWNrd2FyZHM*&p_li=&p_topview=1


http://raymarine.custhelp.com/cgi-b...2hfdGV4dD1jYWxpYnJhdGlvbg**&p_li=&p_topview=1


As I said, all the info is on the Raymarine website if you get stuck. Good luck.

 

[Solitaire]

Found it!
Now that I have found it is there any way I can test it?

Nope! You have seen what is happening so it is fluxgated

 

[aquapower]

Try disconnecting the auto pilot from the plotter, the plotter should show you boat position and track, this will eliminate the fluxgate.

 

[Thepipdoc]

According to the Raymarine FAQ's (Thanks MYAG) the following readings should be found when carrying out a check of the Fluxgate compass.
The first 3 are exactly as they should be but the 4th test says SCREEN to blue. Is this a typo for Green or is SCREEN correct and it means earth or something simmilar?

I'm hoping its a typo because I get an open circuit when I check GREEN to BLUE and this would confirm beyond doubt that the fluxgate is 'fluxed" ( to use a previously used phrase)

1.Red to Green 4 ohms Measurement is taken between the two colors

2.Red to Yellow 4 ohms As above

3.Green to Yellow 8 ohms As above

3.SCREEN to Blue 8 ohms (this is what I should get but instead I have an open circuit when checking GREEN to blue)

 

[rich]

Is SCREEN the earth wire, metal braid?

 

[MYAG]

According to the Raymarine FAQ's (Thanks MYAG) the following readings should be found when carrying out a check of the Fluxgate compass.
The first 3 are exactly as they should be but the 4th test says SCREEN to blue. Is this a typo for Green or is SCREEN correct and it means earth or something simmilar?

I'm hoping its a typo because I get an open circuit when I check GREEN to BLUE and this would confirm beyond doubt that the fluxgate is 'fluxed" ( to use a previously used phrase)

1.Red to Green 4 ohms Measurement is taken between the two colors

2.Red to Yellow 4 ohms As above

3.Green to Yellow 8 ohms As above

3.SCREEN to Blue 8 ohms (this is what I should get but instead I have an open circuit when checking GREEN to blue)

It is NOT a typo.

"SCREEN" is a terminal named on the SmartPilot. You will have 5 possible wires to test. BLUE, YELLOW, GREEN, RED and one called SCREEN.

Connect your meter from SCREEN to BLUE. You should see 8 ohms.

Connecting GREEN to BLUE is meaningless.

Follow the rest of the troubleshooting guide.

 

[MYAG]

Is SCREEN the earth wire, metal braid?

Yes, its the shielding of the cable from the compass to the Smartpilot .

 

[MYAG]