Simrad EVO2 Radar/Chartplotter Misalignment

[Bob Bradley]

My new 45C has Simrad EVO2 electronics. I've been experiencing a significant misalignment problem between the chartplotter course and the Radar Course To Steer line. In the following pics (sorry about the quality - I was running the boat while taking them) I have set a course to a point just east of the Lords Passage buoy off Fishers Island. That shows on the chartplotter screen. On the radar screen, I am navigating directly toward the buoy - it is the blip in my heading line. The course to steer line wants me to steer well to the left of the buoy, despite the fact that the waypoint is well to the right of the buoy. I have the latest software available installed and have done a hard reset of the system. Any suggestions other than the obvious one (call Scott and buy a Furuno system)?

 

[Bob Bradley]

Later at the dock, I set a course to a waypoint across the river from me, at the foot of the dock at the marina there. The radar wants me to steer well to the left of the target. By the way, the radar returns are accurate. In the pic above on the first post, I am running directly toward the buoy and it appears properly on my heading. Here's the pics from at my dock:

The crosshairs on the radar screen are approximately where the waypoint on the charplotter is.

 

[Avenger]

Probably a stupid question, but could this be a true North vs. magnetic setting issue? Or, chart datum set incorrectly?

 

[Bob Bradley]

I doubt that its a compass (T vs M) issue, and I'm not technical enough to know much about the chart datum.

 

[Boatsb]

You know the answer.

Although if you call I may know what needs to be changed.

 

[MadHatter53]

Maybe it’s the antenna or the elect compass. Move the antenna/compass until it lines up then see how it is in real-time.

 

[Pascal]

It doesn’t seem to be a compass or heading issue. It looks to me like your waypoints are not where they should be on your radar screen. It s pretty clear on the second example. I don’t think it’s a datum or offset issue as if that was the case you would notice your position would be off on the plotter.

Not familiar if you put your radar cursor on the waypoint shown on the radar screen, does it show the same coordinate as the WP on the plotter?

 

[Captain Ralph]

Unplug all SimNet/N2K from the box.
This will help determine if its in the box or coming in remotely.
When it clears, plug your SimNet/N2K devices in one at a time.
I have a feeling a weather station or extra heading sensor is messing you up.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Thanks guys. I just got home from pulling the boat to get the props worked on.

Pascal, I'm not sure. The system is new to me and I don't remember if the crosshairs move in sync with one another. My old Raymarine did. I'll check that when I'm back at the boat. Same with Ralph's suggestions. I won't be able to try til next weekend. Appreciate the input. And yes, Scott, I do know the answer and cannot wait to deep six this Simrad crap.

 

[Logging dog]

I’m no expert on this but I run surveying instruments in the Gulf of Mexico. Our magnetic declination here is only a degree or so. I found a declination at an airport near you and it was 13 degrees! You might need to play with some of your digital compass settings.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I do know the answer and cannot wait to deep six this Simrad crap.

Let me know before this happens please.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Let me know before this happens please.

And deny me that satisfying "glub glub glub"?

Reading the other thread about getting the starter off the Onan MDJE (my old genny) made me recall just how satisfying that sound is. I drained the oil and antifreeze and made structure out of it.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Was just thinking, Radar zero degree alignment not preformed?

 

[Bob Bradley]

The radar seems to pick up targets accurately. In the first pics I posted, the target on my heading is displayed where it should be. Only the waypoint is located incorrectly on the radar screen. When I run in overlay mode the radar returns appear away from the corresponding chart items.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Then I think you need to ensure radar bearing is perfect. After that, sounds like your flux gate needs re-initializing. A COG and heading disagreement will cause the problem you’re experiencing. The COG, most likely, will be correct as it’s generated by GPS. It’s possible your compass is picking up some ferrous metal or stray current. For example, I found a 13 degree flux gate swing just by energizing my port engine ignition circuit. Moved the compass and right on track.

 

[Bob Bradley]

I guess I have to find the damn thing. It's probably under a bunk in the master - that's where it was in my 43, but I haven't traced anything just yet. I'll be back out there this weekend and will check it out. I'm really not sure how to re-initialize it.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Recall the compass is menu driven, who cares where the compass is unless your looking to make sure no tools, spares, golf shoes are stacked on top of it.
Center the radar is also menu driven.
You can download the user and install guides from Simrad also.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Well, thanks guys. The recalibration solved the course alignment problem. Heading vs CTS seem correct now.

Of course it is Simrat after all so a new problem appeared 5 min later. I'll put that in the next thread.