Simrad AP50, Installation Manual

Page: 44 / 142

Installation
20222410 / B
35
2.10 RC25 Rate Compass
Figure 2-31 RC25 Rate Compass Mounting
The heading sensor is the most important part of the AP50
system and great care must be taken in choosing the mounting
location. The heading sensor can be mounted at any location
where there is a minimum of magnetic interference and
minimum movements. It is not recommended to use the RC25
on steel vessels. However, if this is done, it should be installed 1
meter above the steel deck to obtain optimum performance.
Note !
In order to prevent excessive movements, an autopilot heading
sensor should not be installed on the fly bridge or on the mast.
The rate compass can be deck-mounted or on the bulkhead,
athwartship or alongship. The heading offset feature of the
AP50 will compensate for the mechanical offsets that may be a
result of the selected location and orientation of the RC25.
If the compass is deck-mounted or bulkhead-mounted
athwartship with the cable gland pointing aft, little if any offset
correction is required. When the cable gland points forward, a
180° correction is required.
When mounting the compass on a bulkhead alongship, a +90° or
-90° correction is needed, dependent on whether it is a port or
starboard bulkhead.
Select a location that provides a solid mounting place free from
vibration as close to the vessel's center of roll and pitch as
possible (i.e. close to the water line). It should be as far as
possible from disturbing magnetic influences, such as the
engines (minimum of 2 m), the engine ignition cables, the air-
conditioning, any refrigerators, other large metal objects, and
particularly the drive unit.
Use the supplied mounting kit and drill the holes through the
center of the slots in the sensor or the mounting brackets.