RC42 Compass Safe Distance from Charger?

[akio.kanemoto]

Greetings,

Based on the results of another thread, I have in my hot little hands, a new 100A Mastervolt Chargemaster - a very solid piece of gear (shame about the green colour.. but I digress..)

I currently have a Simrad RC42 unit installed very close to the center of roll and pitch of my boat. It is located right at the base of the mast, right at the water line. I am about to install the charger, and due to wiring limitations, the only location it can go is approximately 1 foot away (horizontally) from the RC42, with the cables to the batteries passing within inches. If this is not suitable, I can move the RC42 *up* to provide approximately 2.5 feet of vertical separation from the charger, however this will bring the RC42 to almost deck level, which is about 3 feet above the waterline (but is still on the CL).

Does anybody have thoughts on whether either the existing location of the RC42 (1 foot away from charger), or the new location (2.5 ft vertical separation) are suitable, and if not... just how important is it to have the RC42 on the centreline near the WL. I have a midships mounted engine, so there are very few options to mount it away from it, or speakers, or fridge compressor.. or.. or...

I've emailed Navico support with this query already, however have been EXTREMELY disappointed with their service so far on other issues (last time it took them over a MONTH to reply!)...

Thank you!

[colemj]

You can't have your charger 1' away from it. 2.5' is going to be tough also. Don't worry about height - the AP will learn the difference and correct for it. If you have to mount it off centerline, I think that the Simrad AP computer has adjustments for that. BTW, ours is mounted 8' off centerline with no problems, but we are a catamaran.

On the other hand - it is very easy to move around, so just connect it and see if it works OK. If not, move it and try again.

Mark

[akio.kanemoto]

Originally Posted by colemj

You can't have your charger 1' away from it. 2.5' is going to be tough also. Don't worry about height - the AP will learn the difference and correct for it. If you have to mount it off centerline, I think that the Simrad AP computer has adjustments for that. BTW, ours is mounted 8' off centerline with no problems, but we are a catamaran.

On the other hand - it is very easy to move around, so just connect it and see if it works OK. If not, move it and try again.

Mark

Thank you for the reply. I think it will be a little different from a mono, since there's a lot more movement... I will extend the cable and fiddle though.

Regarding distance from the charger - is the no-no in general because it might have residual magnetism in it - or because it will generate a strong field *during* use?

I haven't installed it yet, so don't know how it will affect the RC42, but when I calibrated it before, in one location, it was showing the local field strength as being 21%.. so I moved it to the current location, which is now down to some 11% or so.

The manual, from memory states that anything up to 30% is "acceptable", but when nearing 30%, it's better to move to a different location.

Is this what you are thinking when suggesting not putting it near the charger? I.e. if I put the charger there, calibrate and it comes to say 15%, would you leave it there or still move it?

[colemj]

Originally Posted by akio.kanemoto

Thank you for the reply. I think it will be a little different from a mono, since there's a lot more movement... I will extend the cable and fiddle though.

Regarding distance from the charger - is the no-no in general because it might have residual magnetism in it - or because it will generate a strong field *during* use?

I haven't installed it yet, so don't know how it will affect the RC42, but when I calibrated it before, in one location, it was showing the local field strength as being 21%.. so I moved it to the current location, which is now down to some 11% or so.

The manual, from memory states that anything up to 30% is "acceptable", but when nearing 30%, it's better to move to a different location.

Is this what you are thinking when suggesting not putting it near the charger? I.e. if I put the charger there, calibrate and it comes to say 15%, would you leave it there or still move it?

Like I said - if it works, go for it. A charger is a bulky ferrous thing to put next to a compass, when turned off and an active thing when on. If it works statically, but not when charging, then you could probably work around that by not charging when the AP is on. A lot of people have this issue with HF radios and manage just fine.

It's easy to experiment and not necessary to get it perfect. Good luck!

Mark