Autopilots

[Brettoh]

Why the hell is everything so difficult?
Started researching and learning about Autopilots for he Alloy cat.

Seems the critical part is keeping the compass away from any metal or electrical device that MAY influence it.
I have an anchor winch up front. All the wires etc in behind the helm/dashbaord and on the other side of that bulkheadis the cabin. Stereo speakers are positioned either side next to the seats. Wires for different things running under each gunwale. Batteries in the back, live bait pumps too, lights in the ceiling etc etc and Simrad says mount the compass more than 2 meters away from electrical stuff keep it low and close to the centreline of the boat. Cant happen. How critical is this ? Can it be calibrated out?
What hurdles or wins have you had with your Autopilot.

[chocolatemoose]

yep they can be a pain. newer systems with Solid state heading sensors are somewhat better. a magnetic field indicator is a handy tool to keep in the tool box if you a putting a few pilots in. short answer. there is always going to be some form of interfearance. evern just from the local field

[scottar]

Away as far as possible from strong magnetic fields is more important than down low and central. As an example, mine is halfway down my port side gunwale up under the coaming for more or less the reasons you have mentioned. As Moose posted, things like satellite compasses are the ultimate work around but can raise the price by a fair wack. Most manufacturers do have calibration functions but there are limits as to how much variation they can deal with.

[Brettoh]

Away as far as possible from strong magnetic fields is more important than down low and central. As an example, mine is halfway down my port side gunwale up under the coaming for more or less the reasons you have mentioned. As Moose posted, things like satellite compasses are the ultimate work around but can raise the price by a fair wack. Most manufacturers do have calibration functions but there are limits as to how much variation they can deal with.

Cheers. hmm .that could be an option . I have all of the outboard controls running down one side under the coaming and the cables that feed the anchor winch under the other side coaming. Obviously the cables will only carry current or load when I am operating the winch. I wont be using the Auto when winching so I wonder if that would work. Ive tried but I cannot get an answer out of the supplier I have talked to other than it must be 2 meters away from any possible magnetic field.>

[scottar]

Sounds like a Navico reply. Yep. Anchor winch cables should only generate a field under use. We used to work on a distance of a metre for most other items. Unfortunately some manufacturers like to outline installation parameters that they know are virtually impossible to achieve as they then have an easy out with performance issues.

[Brettoh]

I wonder if a roof mounted Simrad HS60 would solve the problem. They are a little more expensive buy about $300.?

[scottar]

If it does everything it says in the advertising blurb, yes it should. You would need to talk to a dealer you trust to confirm there are no inherent "niggles". I've not personally used the Simrad - only Furuno and JRC. They will work even on a steel vessel that is effectively a floating bar magnet to such an extent a qualified compass adjuster had issues with the magnetic compass.

[MikeC90]

Have a google for 'dangar marine, autopilot installation'. Stu has been refurbishing an older steel boat for many years now and has a youtube channel following his progress (quite amusing). There are a few recent episodes stepping through the installation of a Raymarine autopilot system, FLIR cameras etc, assisted by a Raymarine guru. Might provide some insight as to what did and didn't work, even if his system is different to what you are looking at???

[Greg P]

Im am running a HS 60 withg a NAC2 pilot computer through my NSS12 Evo3 - works well now. Had problems with the original Point 1 AP initially then went to a precision 9 compass. HS 60 is miles ahead of both previous units.