Fluxgate location

[dan miles]

I have had some problems with my autohelm 4000. The problems I have seem to be common to C30's. I need to check my steering cables for tightness and check the location of the fluxgate sensor for the compass. My question is: on a 1999 C30 with edison wheel where might the previous owner have had it mounted and what does it look like? Thanks, Dan

 

[J Smmonds]

Here's where to look

The Fluxgate could be anywhere. To see what one looks like just take a look in a West Marine catelogue or even online. They are circular about 2 inches in Dia and about 1.5 inches high, black with a single wire leading from them. If you don't think it has been removed you should be able to follow the wires from where the 4000 is mounted. My fluxgate is at the base of my mast post, some are behind the ladder into the cabin. There are tons are articles in these forms on AH4000's. Incidently guys, Raymarine just returned mine saying that nothing is wrong with the instrument, so onto tightening the steering cables....... JS

 

[RonD]

On my C320

The Fluxgate compass was located on a transverse structural member in the bilge area under the ladder (just forward of the engine). You had to unscrew a small sole-plate to get access to it. This took some searching to find! This was the factory installation location -- they might have followed a similar installation approach on the C30. The ideal location is on the boat's longitudinal centerline, away from any large metallic objects and strong electrical currents.