Compass

[FreeBeeTony]

Can a compass just go bad? All of a sudden seems like mine is about 90* off.
The only thing I added this year near the compass is the ckt breaker for the windlass...........and it really not that close.

What else can cause this? I know magnets can cause this but I didn't add anything else.

Any ideas?

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: Compass

If possible, take the compass off the boat away from anything and check it.
If it works, put it back on and move one thing at a time away from it.

I would think it went bad, not knowing what you have, it would be some weird number off or not rotate.

Good Luck,

Mike

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Compass

Voltage from wires can make your compass not read right.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Compass

Voltage or current?

There is no current when the windlass is not in operation.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Compass

You are correct..it would have to be a magmetic field caused by current flowing through the wire. Voltage by itself will not do anything.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Compass

hey fbt.

All of a sudden seems like mine is about 90* off.

i'd think ya need to verify that with an outside sorce. then ya can move fwd. energized wires or metal objects effect yer compass. if the windlass breaker was the last thing installed, to me it's suspect.

twisting wires together will reduce the magnetic effect.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Compass

Where was the boat when you experienced the problem........on the trailer? If so, forget what you see and make your assessment on the water.

And no, never had one, nor saw one go bad.....but you could have jarred one of your zeroing magnets loose from where it was.

Just a note: If you have a GPS, they are super at helping you to setup your compass.

And yepper, no current in the wire, coppper wire at that, which is non-magnetic, no interference with the compass. And yepper #2, twisting reduces, if not eliminates the radiated magnetic field caused by current flow.....depends on the variables as to how much.

Mark

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Compass

I verified the heading with a GPS..........the compass is off ~100*.

I am going to remove it to see what happens.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Compass

I verified the heading with a GPS

that's the ticket fbt. now ya know it's off.

good thing ya didn't have to use it as a back up......

i suppose compass go bad just like anything else manmade. maybe a magnet moved or fell off. let us know how it turns out....an adj. or a replacement, a wire group located to close.....what kind a compass ya got. i don't have one. my eagle gps let me down last summer too, oh well, it was gettin pretty old. i'm an inland boater anyways. don't really need one..........but i am interested in compasses. if ya get a new one. are ya gonna dial it in for devation yerself?.........

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Compass

Did you mount new speakers close to the dash?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Compass

I just realized that I added a speaker............it's under the compass, at least 12" away......

Am going to remove the speaker tonight and see if it helps.

Is there anything I can put inbetween the speaker and compass to break-up the magnetic field?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Compass

The speaker was the problem............just forgot I added it!!!!

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Compass

Good you found it and posted it. Gives the next guy food for thought when placing speakers in the cabin.
Shielding? You could try alum wrap an area around the bottom of your compass.
Magnettic flux lines are hard to control or shield from. Hope you didn't cut holes in your cabin walls for flush mount speakers.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Compass

good call too nova II 260........

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Compass

No holes were cut.............

I don't think aluminum will shield the magnetic field............think I need iron.........may need to relocate the speaker.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Compass

There's a material called "mu" metal. It's made of soft iron which easily contains the magnetic field.....essentially contains it with very little fringing "flux"....the stuff that can leak out and affect the compass. I really don't see that as being a plausible solution in a recreational boat due to the fact that in order to contain the magnetic field, you have to enclose the speaker with the metal. Not very practical.

Suggest you move the speaker to another location. How far away? Move it around and watch the compass for movement. When it quits moving you are out of range.

Nova II you picked right up on that. You didn't by chance have a similar problem did you? Grin

Mark