is often overlooked or not in position when the sensor is installed (because you're
using your toolbox when installing it!)
3. next to the boat motor-
if your boat uses an outboard motor, oftentimes when the
spot for the sensor is chosen, the installer forgets that the outboard is a large mass
of metal which changes position on the boat from storage location to its position
when in use. Check that your sensor's location will not be affected by the motor in
either position.
4. stereo speakers-
contain strong magnets. Placing the sensor near them will cause
extreme compass errors.
5. nav station-
communications equipment in your nav station (VHF or SSB) contain
speakers. Placing the sensor within close proximity will result in error.
6. electric motors-
all electric motors create magnetic fields which can cause signifi-
cant errors. Since some motors, like refrigerators and bilge pumps, switch on and
off at unpredictable times, keep the sensor away from them.
7. other magnetic compasses-
compasses mounted or stored down below, including
some sensors from your other electronic gear, should be kept away from the sensor.
This is a partial list. Use common sense.
A distance of approximately 5 feet is usually sufficient for eliminating any inaccuracies
caused by an object that is a source of magnetic interference. If this proves next to
impossible on your boat, position the sensor in the best place possible. The Sailcomp
103AC's AutoComp 1000 heading sensor has an
automatic compensation feature
which will compensate out any error as
long as there is not so much interference
that it overloads the sensor. If your boat
has severe magnetic interference problems,
it would be prudent to connect and power
the system before installing your sensor. If
the display flashes an "
Er1
" message, then
there is so much magnetic interference at
the sensor's location that the sensor is over-
loaded and cannot be compensated. The
sensor must be moved to the next best location where you
do not
get the"
Er1
" mes-
sage.
(see "
Er1"
, pg. 37)
8
INSTALLATION
