spx5 compass

[TiggerToo]

Over the summer cruise, I noted Tigger's Raymarine SPX5 compass (connected with the autopilot) showed different headings from the binnacle compass (and a hand bearing compass).

I recalibrated the system, using the "2 slow turn" method indicated by the instructions. Although this resulted in slightly improved deviations, the unit still gave erratically different values: sometimes coinciding with the binnacle compass, sometimes not.

I checked that there was no spurious electrical/metal object near the autopilot compass (mounted on a bulkhead in the port rear cabin). Also the deviations varied from time to time on the same headings. Sometimes by as much as 10 degrees.

Any ideas?

 

[Anwen]

My old boat had an SPX5, and I never noticed any significant deviation from the binnacle compass, although after I installed the wheel drive, the motor affected the latter significantly and I never bothered to have it swung again. In practice, I used to sail to waypoints rather than headings, so any deviation in the fluxgate wasn't a big deal. If you don't regularly sail to an intended heading, and use waypoints, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Wont it be metal objects near the fluxgate rather than the display head which could cause a problem?

 

[RupertW]

I have the same issue but don't consider significant even though we usually do sail to headings. Essentially we hit the Auto button based on the planned course on the binnacle compass, and then adjust the compass again by a degree or two once it settles down. The heading shown on the autopilot is of interest, but not used in any way.

 

[FulmarJeddo]

I had a similar problem with the compass mounted on the forward end of the saloon table. After talking to a fellow club member with a similar boat and SPX5 I moved the compass to a higher position in one of the hanging lockers. This moved it away from the keels and there is a lot less error now. In the aft cabin are you too close to the engine or some other ferrous object?

 

[knuterikt]

Over the summer cruise, I noted Tigger's Raymarine SPX5 compass (connected with the autopilot) showed different headings from the binnacle compass (and a hand bearing compass).

I recalibrated the system, using the "2 slow turn" method indicated by the instructions. Although this resulted in slightly improved deviations, the unit still gave erratically different values: sometimes coinciding with the binnacle compass, sometimes not.

I checked that there was no spurious electrical/metal object near the autopilot compass (mounted on a bulkhead in the port rear cabin). Also the deviations varied from time to time on the same headings. Sometimes by as much as 10 degrees.

Any ideas?

If you are certain that there are no magnetic objects affecting the binnacle and hand bearing compass?
Have you been swinging the binnacle compass?
Check for any magnetic objects close to the rate gyro compass.