Chartplotter and The Compass

1970Columbia34 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Were going to order our new Garmin 545s Chartplotter this weekend I had planned on putting it on the 1" tube bar of the Edson pedistal. Do I need to worry about how far or close I am to the compass? that is also mounted on the pedistal. Here is some pictures to help I wanted to mount the Chartplotter at top of the bend of the 1"bar. the compass is just below that in the chrome plated housing.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Yes, you would want to check that the chartplotter didn't cause the compass to deviate. The power connection to the chartplotter should have its leads twisted to minimize their magnetic interference. The very top is probably the best place to mount it, as the farther it is from the compass, the less likely it is to cause deviation or error in the compass.

Congrats on the new Garmin BTW, I use a couple of their GPS units on my boat (192C and 76CS) and the 276C in my truck.

1970Columbia34 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Last weekend I ran a 14/2 wire up the pedistal, would if help if i ran the wires for the power and the tranducer in the 1" stainless steel tube on edson pedistal? would the shield the wires/ current better. I had to run the heavy wire due to the long run from the battery to the gps location

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Yes, running the wires up the tubing is going to help... but twisting them together will help a lot more.

1970Columbia34 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

so do both? will the transducer cable effect it all?

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Transducer?? you mean depth transducer? or are you talking about the GPS mushroom antenna??

1970Columbia34 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Depth Transducer

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007

Probably not too much, since they probably twisted the wires inside the cable for it already. To be safe, route it as far from the compass as possible...

Valiente · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2007

You might notice that the 20-22 gauge wires that lead to the binnacle light are invariably twisted. Follow that general plan, but be prepared that you're going to have to "swing" the compass to compensate.

You might want to consider using a hand compass to see just how far the distorting electrical field from the Garmin unit extends. Then you could perhaps install a non-magnetic strut from the top of the SS tube to bring the Garmin display even a foot higher from the compass. I have a steel boat and have the same issues with a binnacle compass, but have found that on the aft deck, if I lift my watch (which has a bearing compass) from hip level to upper chest, it can suddenly read a proper bearing. My five-foot tall wife would have to put it practically to her eyes to get out of the boat's magnetic field!

I have one of these inside the pilothouse,

plus a fluxgate compass with the sensor atop the aluminum pilothouse roof. They agree quite closely, but for propriety's sake, I don't want another pair of massive balls on the binnacle.

So to speak.

Idiens · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2007

I would expect trouble anyhow. I moved my second compass nearer to the Raymarine wind instrument display. Bad news, now I have to find another home for it.