Chart Plotter & Auto Pilot Heading off by 60 degrees

[jpdewitt]

2012 Ranger 29

My auto pilot heading and chart plotter vector are suddenly off by 60+ degrees.

The only recent changes made to the boat were as follows:

1. Reconnected the Fusion wired remote that had become separated from the radio. Connection is behind the helm about 12 inches from the radio.

2. Installed a Fusion BT dongle to the back of the radio.

Before I dig back into the closet and disconnect and test if above were the causes -- Has anyone else experienced a change in chart plotter or auto pilot heading that were caused by either of the above installations.

Thanks in advance for your assistance

John & Della
R29 Sunny Tug

 

[SJI Sailor]

I don't know the CCU location on RT but I can say that this happens periodically to our C30 with no known reason (e.g. nothing has been moved around).

One thread suggests turning off the house power for a few minutes to let things reset.

Personally, what I do is to use the dealer mode compass setup functions. I occasionally run the full calibration mode, but easier is simply to change the "fine adjustment" so it agrees with the magnetic compass. Instructions are here: http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14196&p=94315&hilit=Dealer+mode+compass#p94315

 

[Chimo]

Don’t know if this helps but had the same issue a month ago. Heading and autopilot off 60 deg and chaotic steering. I checked the Garmin compass location and moved the electric dinghy inflation pump that I had stored next to it. I then turned off the dc power switches to reset the system (learned from Garmin during a different issue). When I powered back up the problem seems solved. I recognize poor scientific method since I changed two variables so I don’t know which was the potential fix but I didn’t want to take the time to take the boat out. I just wanted fix.

Hope this helps

PS: In the process I learned again not to leave my phone or my keys etc. near the compass on the dash.

 

[S. Todd]

The one time mine went haywire on our R25SC the fix was simple. The autopilot compass is located in the "cave" or mid-cabin on that boat. Granddaughter's bag was sitting next to the compass and in that bag was her electric toothbrush. Moved it and all was good.

 

[knotflying]

As stated above check the compass ball. Have you stored anything metallic near it? There is also a flimsy plastic knurled nut that secures it in place. If it is hit it can break. You may have to purchase as new bracket. If you need to change the bracket you will have to go into setup wizard and recalibrate.

 

[jpdewitt]

I did the wizard on the GHC10 on flat water. Was very easy. Took about 5 minutes and the heading on the GHC 10 Auto Pilot and the heading vector on the chart plotter are spot on. However when I turn off the GHC 10 AP the chart plotter reverts to a north up configuration. Need to figure out how to sync up chartplotter and AP.

John & Della
2012 R29 Sunny Tug