Compass on steering pedestal

[Brunson Russum]

I am considering installing a new pedestal steering system. Mounting a compass on top of the pedestal sounds logical. I am concerned, however, about the affect of the diesel engine which sits below the cockpit soul. Should this be a concern?Thanks,Brunson Russum"China Cat"

 

[Chris Hyland]

Compass

Hey Brunson, I don't think you'll have any problems with magnetic interference from the diesel engine. The only two possible issues are the alternator and the starter. The starter is used for a few seconds. The alternators are pretty clean. The diesel as I’m sure you know doesn’t use a spark for ignition.Finally, Catalina sells that boat with a pedestal steering system with a compass mounted on it. I don’t think you’ll have a problem.Best of luck,Chris

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners]

Should be fine

Just look at the millions of boats built with a set up like you're looking at. You should be fine, maybe a slight variation but if you having swung by a professional, you'll be better off than 90% of the other folks!LaDonna

 

[John]

a couple of comments

1. The engine can have an effect regardless of whether it has a spark ignition or not, since it has a heavy iron block, which might result in interference due to induced magnetism. This is taken care of with compensation.2. A proper compass compensating system must be installed if not already present in the binnacle or included with the compass. This would probably include horizontal compensating magnets, and a vertical heeling compensator. You can do an acceptable job of compensating yourself. The comapss maker will probably provide direcitons (Ritchie does). 3. Errors in the compass are deviation, not variation. Variation is the regional misalignment of magnetic N with true North. Local variation is marked on charts. As part of the compensation process you wil make a compass deviaiton card which is used, along with local variation, for converting from magnetic to true and back.jv

 

[Don]

No problem

as long as you keep anything magnetic at least two feet away from the compass. Everything else is minimal.