Garmin autopilot problem

[Diver Down]

We have a Garmin autopilot that has had some intermittent calibration issues since it was installed. I wonder if it may be related to the location of the electronic compass. This unit is currently mounted on the forward bulkhead of the generator room (beneath galley sole). If there are other 53/58 motoryacht owners with a Garmin autopilot, please let me know where your compass is located. Both the pump and compass of the previous owner's autopilot (Wood Freeman) were mounted under the flybridge compass, but Garmin's instructions were to mount the compass as close to the waterline and centerline as possible.

 

[Boatsb]

Did the installer check for magnetic interference?

 

[rsmith]

Generator makes electricity how? There's your answer.

 

[Boatsb]

Generator makes electricity how? There's your answer.

Probably right. Then again I've seen some interesting installs that seemed to work. Maybe if they shut off the gen. it will not be a problem.

 

[SeaEric]

Did the installer check for magnetic interference?

This is crucial. You MUST check the location with a magnetic compass, under different conditions. My install was affected when the DC engineroom lights were turned on and off. It took some serious work to find the best location for zero interference.

Also, the rudder feedback sensor that Garmin suggests is "optional" isn't. You need it.

 

[tonytrakovich]

There is an app for an iPhone from Gemeco that may be able to help. It is a free app that helps you select Gemeco transducers but also has a dead rise indicator, a magnetic field sensor, and a wire sizer. You can check magnetic field then turn on the gen and check again?

 

[Boatsb]

I'm not sure an app is the best way to check it. A good handheld compass is best. Also both ac and DC wiring, transducers, sounders, relays, chargers, transformers, generators, alternators, compressors. .. can cause problems. Distance is your best friend d.

 

[Beckytek]

I put a small metal bucket near the sender one day and the autopilot stopped working. It doesn't take much interference to screw things up.

 

[Fanfare]

For what it is worth, my autopilot compass is mounted beneath the inboard berth of my guest state room. That puts it close to the waterline and just about on the centerline. I simply cut a small hinged hatch through the wood under the mattress and in front of the center water tank. The nearest metal is the port shaft, but nothing there is magnetic, just bronze or stainless. I added a label on the drawer under the bunk saying nothing metal in these drawers, compass below.

 

[Diver Down]

Jim, thanks for the suggestion. I checked this space yesterday and I think it may work. I'll post an update after the compass relocation.

 

[Tim Powell]

Mine is under the step going down to the state rooms grate place on the 52C. The DC water pump is closs to that and every time the pump came on the auto pilot went crazy. The auto pilot is new just this past year i cused it for about 3 months befor finding the problen it was intermiting with the fresh watter DC pump coming on and off. (We used it to wash down the reels and chair on the way home with fresh watter.) When at the dock the AC pump was on and at sea if the gen was running the AC pump still cane on overriding the DC pump. The DC pump came on when no dock lines and gen off. I just turned off the DC pump it is a back up any way. So you can belive a electric device close to the compas will cause problems.