Raymarine RL70C plotter problem

AlanRD

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I have two RL70C Plus plotters, one at the binnacle (with v5.09 software) and one at the chart table (with v3.20 software). I do not know their dates of manufacture but they were probably installed when the yacht was built in 2001.

The binnacle plotter is the master and the chart table instrument the slave. The chart cards are in the binnacle plotter.

Question 1 - The depth soundings on the chart table plotter are large, bold and coloured blue. They are easy to read.

The depth soundings on the binnacle are small, not bold and coloured red. They are very difficult to read.

The chart settings for both plotters are the same and are as follows:-

Chart text - On
Chart text size - Large
Spot soundings - Custom
Icon display - Detailed

As the settings are the same how do I make the spot soundings on the binnacle plotter large, bold and blue like the master plotter, or is there a fault with the operating software?

Question 2 - The 'Custom' settings in Chart Set-up appear the same as the 'On' setting. There does not seem to be any way to adjust the Custom settings. What are the differences and how are the Custom settings adjusted?

Question 3 - If there is a problem with the binnacle plotter can it be swapped with the one at nav station? At least I could then read the depths when steering.
 
Try switching "Data boxes on" and select depth depth as one of the data boxes to be displayed on the outside unit.
 
[ QUOTE ]
the OP is stating "Soundings" not depth

[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry misread the question
 
Thanks for that. If nobody can answer Q1 I may have to change the plotters round. As both plotters can take the cards I could have them in the binnacle instrument to avoid having both instruments on at the same time.

You have raised another query however. the boat is a Beneteau with a large grp binnacle. The top of the binnacle has to be removed to change the plotters but appears to be held in position by only four small screws. As the binnacle has a big stainless steel 'handle' on the top which takes a lot of weight with people swinging round it this does not seem to be much. Does anything else hold the top in place or is removal straight forward?
 
You will find at the base of the binnacle,under the cosmetic shrouds, 2 or 4 20ish mm bolts that holds it all on
Stu
 
Sounds interesting and worrying. The only access is going to be from under the cockpit floor. It also sounds as if the bolts hold the whole binnacle, not just the top.

Removal of the whole binnacle is probably a step too far.
 
I think you will find that the hoop goes thru the cosmentics to a firmer bit which is bolted as I said, the top cosmetic on my 351, which is a similar one, was held on with 4 small screws and came off quite easily.
Stu
 
Thanks Stu I think that is just what I wanted to hear. Are you saying the hoop fits over two uprights inside the lower part of the binnacle and when the screws are removed the top just lifts off. No disconnecting of bolts under the floor, no removal of the wheel or steering cables, etc.
 
Not sure about the 361, but the 343 is as Stu describes. Undo the four bolts and the top "panel" where the instruments are fitted just lifts off, leaving the main binnacle frame including the grab handle in place.
 
Why are the software versions different - this is presumably a likely cause of the difference (though if the newwer version is worse it is perhaps more difficult to address)
Have you tried posting this as a question to RayMarine on their support site ?
 
I placed a posting on the Raymarine Customer Support web page several days ago but am still waiting for an answer. On past experience it can take a long time to get an answer.

I have now spoken to a very helpful whizz kid at Raymarine in the UK. He tells me that one plotter is an HSB1 model and the other an HSB2. I don't know why the models are different as they came with the boat when I bought her second hand.

The binnacle plotter with the very small numbers is the older version. However nobody could explain why there is an option to vary the text size which does not work. I am hoping somebody here might know.

The good news is that the plotters can be swapped over so I should at least be able to read depth soundings at the wheel.
 
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