Auto-pilot ?

[Capt. DQ]

In need of some advice here Guys,

Just purchase the Ray-Marine ST-6002/S1 Auto-pilot system, has anybody ever mounted the compass in the ceiling above the salon of the FBC, I know they recommend to mount it as close to the center part of the boat and as low as possible, but interference from the 12v bilge pump when running or the 120v raw water pump for A/C running would be within 3' of the compass if mounted below. So just above the ceiling is looking pretty good to me and nothing to interfere, was just wondering if anybody has done this. 31's are low profile boats anyway.

R,
DQ

[ScottD]

DQ, I have a Raymarine ST8001 (same as yours but with a knob) and mounted the fluxgate in the ceiling. It works fine and stays dry and easy to run the cables. I think it's better there than in the bilge.

ScottD

[Capt. DQ]

Thanks Scott that is what I was thinking, just need to hear it from somebody that has it working for them.

R,
DQ

[IRGuy]

If I am wrong please someone here correct me, but I believe a flux gate compass is immune to outside magnetic and electrical interferences, since it works on a different principal than responding to the earth's magnetic fiels, as a traditional compass does.

[Capt. DQ]

The Electronic's man said DO NOT install within 3' of electric motors or 12v pumps or you have problems.

R,
DQ

[In Memory of Vicroy]

The fluxgate compass DOES read the earth's mag. field, just does it electronically rather than float a magnet in fluid. Anyway, I mounted the fluxgate for my Sitex SP 70 on the centerline in the 'attic' above the cabin ceiling as far forward as I could get it. Has worked fine for year. The transmitter for my 150 watt SSB radio is about 2 or 3 feet from it and when I key the mike on the SSB see no problem with the pilot. Try not to run any high amp 12v wires close to it tho.

UV

[Capt. DQ]

UV,

You mounted your fluxgate compass vertical and not horizontally correct?

DQ

[In Memory of Vicroy]

Yep, built a little horizonal shelf and it sits on that....as I remember it had a "this side up" or an arrow or something to indicate the up side. The black box for the pilot is in the attic too, along with the automatic antenna tuner for the SSB and the SSB transmitter box - I have the Icom 802 sideband with a small remote control head. There is a lot of room up there and it stays dry. I have a hatch in the ceiling over the galley sink for access.....4 screws hold it up there, been meaning to put some hinges and a cam lock, but only think about it when I need to get up there, which is not often, maybe twice a year to fog everything with CX. If you needed more room for electronics boxes up there it would real easy to build some shelves, like a radio rack.

UV