Compass Setup - On The Water; Compass Compensation; Magnetic Compass Sensor - ComNav Commander P2 Installation & Operation Manual

ComNav Commander P2 Installation & Operation
Compass Setup – On the Water
The final part of compass setup is normally performed after all other installation and setup
procedures for the Commander P2 system are completed, so that all net electrical and
magnetic effects of the installation on the compass(es) are taken into account.
This part of compass setup requires taking your vessel away from the dock, and out onto a
body of open water (the sea, a lake, a river, etc.), and should be done in relatively calm
conditions.
It is important that there be sufficient sea room to put the boat through a series of fairly slow
& wide circle turns, and to run the boat for several minutes in a straight line at various
headings, without encountering obstacles, other marine traffic, etc. You should also avoid
areas around bridges, underwater power lines, and pipelines, as these can affect your
compasses.
Caution!
while doing any of the circle turns & other manoeuvres described below.

Compass Compensation

The specific procedure you will follow depends on the type(s) of compasses you have
installed. Each is described below.

Magnetic Compass Sensor

If you have a magnetic compass with a ComNav Magnetic Sensor attached, the compass
must be properly compensated for deviation. It is recommended that a professional compass
adjuster do this.
Once the compensation is completed, follow the instructions below to synchronize the
Magnetic Sensor with the Earth's Magnetic North direction:
1) Power up the autopilot. Double-press the STANDBY/ON/OFF button to bring up the
2) Shut off the autopilot, then power it up in the Dockside Setup menu.
3) Ensure that the "An. Compass Type" is set to "Mag".
4) Select Compass Setup & press the
5) After the Commander P2 has auto-detected the compass, it will ask you if you want
6) Highlight "Exit" and then press the
7) Now do the Compass Calibration procedure, on page 104.
Document PN 29010074 V3.1
Note: some of the steps performed here require that you be familiar with
the STANDBY mode & menu of the Commander P2 system (see page
111).
Be sure to keep a proper lookout for other vessels, and any hazards,
Note: during all these procedures, the INVALID HEADING alarm may
occur. You can cancel any such alarm, or leave it active.
Standby menu. Select "Compass Source", and make sure it is set to "Analog".
to SET NORTH NOW? (see Figure 77). Press the STARBOARD ARROW button.
Manually steer the vessel so that it is pointing to Magnetic North. Hold it on that
Fn
heading and push the
and reference it as 000° Magnetic. When this is done, the Commander P2 will
automatically return to the Dockside Setup menu.
restart and automatically go into STANDBY mode.
- 100 -
Fn
button.
button. The Commander P2 will store the current heading
Fn
button. After a brief pause the autopilot will
Getting Started