Maretron SSC300 User manual

Revision 1.0 Page i
SSC300
Solid State Rate/Gyro Compass
User’s Manual
Revision 1.0
Copyright © 2015 Maretron, LLP All Rights Reserved
Maretron, LLP
9014 N. 23rd Ave #10
Phoenix, AZ 85021-7850
http://www.maretron.com
Maretron Manual Part #: M003069

SSC300 User’s Manual
Page ii Revision 1.0
Revision History
Revision
Description
1.0
Original document.

Revision 1.0 Page iii
Table of Contents
1General..............................................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................1
1.2 Firmware Revision.....................................................................................................1
1.3 Features....................................................................................................................1
1.4 SSC300 Accessories.................................................................................................2
1.5 Quick Install...............................................................................................................2
2Installation..........................................................................................................................2
2.1 Unpacking the Box ....................................................................................................2
2.2 Choosing a Mounting Location..................................................................................2
2.3 Mounting the SSC300 ...............................................................................................3
2.3.1Mounting the SSC300 to a Horizontal Surface...........................................3
2.3.2Mounting the SSC300 to a Vertical Surface ...............................................4
2.4 Connecting the SSC300............................................................................................6
2.4.1Connecting to NMEA 2000®Interface ........................................................6
2.4.2Connecting to NMEA 0183 Interface..........................................................8
2.4.3Connecting Both NMEA 2000®and NMEA 0183 Interfaces.....................10
2.4.4Checking Connections..............................................................................10
3Calibration........................................................................................................................10
3.1 Rate of Turn Zero Offset Calibration........................................................................10
3.2 Installation-Offset Correction (First Time)................................................................10
3.2.1Maretron Display Product Offset Correction.............................................11
3.2.2Manual Installation-Offset Correction .......................................................11
3.3 Magnetic Deviation Calibration................................................................................11
3.3.1Maretron Display Initiated Deviation Calibration.......................................12
3.3.2Automatic Power-Up Deviation Calibration...............................................13
3.4 Installation-Offset Correction (Second Time)...........................................................13
4Variation...........................................................................................................................13
4.1 Variation Input via NMEA 0183 Interface.................................................................14
4.2 Variation Input via the NMEA 2000®Interface.........................................................14
4.3 Variation Input via Manual Entry..............................................................................15
4.4 Variation Source Selection ......................................................................................15
4.4.1Variation Source Selection via Maretron Display......................................16
4.4.2Variation Source Selection via NMEA 0183 Interface...............................16
5Rate of Turn.....................................................................................................................16
5.1 Rate of Turn Damping Period Selection with Maretron Display...............................16
5.2 Rate of Turn Damping Period Selection by NMEA 0183 Interface ..........................16
5.3 Rate of Turn Zeroing ...............................................................................................16
6Maintenance ....................................................................................................................17
7Troubleshooting...............................................................................................................18
8Technical Specifications...................................................................................................19
9Technical Support............................................................................................................21
10 Installation Template........................................................................................................22
11 Maretron (2 Year) Limited Warranty.................................................................................23

SSC300 User’s Manual
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Table of Figures
Figure 1 –Mounting the SSC300 to a Horizontal Surface......................................................... 4
Figure 2 –Mounting the SSC300 to Vertical Surface ................................................................ 5
Figure 3 –NMEA 2000®/ NMEA 0183 Interface Connector Locations ..................................... 6
Figure 4 –NMEA 2000®/Power Connector Face Views ............................................................ 7
Figure 5 –SSC300 with NMEA 2000®Connection Only ........................................................... 7
Figure 6 –NMEA 0183 Connector Face Views......................................................................... 8
Figure 7 –NMEA 0183 Cable/Wire Color Coding...................................................................... 8
Figure 8 –SSC300 with NMEA 0183 Connection Only............................................................. 9
Figure 9 –Troubleshooting Guide ........................................................................................... 18
Figure 10 –Horizontal Mounting Surface Template ................................................................ 22
Figure 11 –Vertical Mounting Surface Template..................................................................... 22
Table of Appendices
Appendix A –NMEA 0183 Interfacing .....................................................................................A1
Appendix B –NMEA 2000®Interfacing....................................................................................B1
Appendix C –Connecting to a PC Via NMEA 0183.................................................................C1
Appendix D –Configuring the SSC300 to Transmit True Heading Data .................................D1
Appendix E –Configuring the SSC300 to Transmit the HDT Sentence for …and Radars...... E1

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1 General
1.1 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Maretron SSC300 Solid State Rate/Gyro Compass.
Maretron has designed and built your compass to the highest standards for years of reliable,
dependable, and accurate service.
Maretron’s SSC300, implementing the second generation of Maretron's award-winning solid
state compass technology, is a solid state, rate gyro electronic compass that provides better
than 0.7° heading accuracy through ±45° of roll and pitch angle, and better than 1° roll and pitch
accuracy in static conditions. Each SSC300 is factory calibrated for maximum accuracy. It
delivers precise, reliable heading and rate of turn information ten times per second, and vessel
attitude including pitch and roll readings once per second.. A micromachined 3-axis rate gyro is
used in conjunction with the 3-axis accelerometer by advanced stabilization algorithms to
provide accurate, stable readings during dynamically changing conditions such as hard turns or
rough seas, making it an ideal heading sensor for autopilot or radar overlay applications.
Maretron’s SSC300 is certified to the NMEA 2000® network standard and compatible with the
NMEA 0183 digital interface standard. It connects directly with any NMEA 2000® network, and,
with the optional NMEA 0183 cable accessory, with NMEA 0183 listeners to share information
with navigational software, chart plotters, autopilots, and dedicated instrument displays –
including Maretron’s graphical displays and N2KView® software.
The SSC300 can be automatically calibrated for deviation. Its dynamic accuracy is improved
with advanced digital filtering of the 3-axis magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis rate
gyro.
The SSC300 is engineered and manufactured to the highest standards (IEC 60945 Maritime
Navigation and Radiocommunication Equipment). Its compact waterproof housing will provide
years of reliable performance.
The Maretron SSC300 is designed to operate within the harsh demands of the marine
environment. However, no piece of marine electronic equipment can function properly unless
installed, calibrated, and maintained in the correct manner. Please read carefully and follow
these instructions for installation, calibration, and usage of the Maretron SSC300 in order to
ensure optimal performance.
1.2 Firmware Revision
This manual corresponds to SSC300 firmware revision 1.0.
1.3 Features
The Maretron SSC300 Solid State Compass has the following features.
Better than 0.7° heading accuracy in status conditions
Better than 1.5° heading accuracy in dynamic conditions
Better than 1°/second rate of turn accuracy

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Better than 1° pitch/roll accuracy
Three-axis magnetometer, Three-axis rate gyro, and Three-axis accelerometer
Outputs NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 data simultaneously (optional NMEA 0183 cable
accessory required for NMEA 0183 output)
IP67 waterproof enclosure
1.4 SSC300 Accessories
Maretron offers the following accessories for the SSC300:
FA-CF-ST Micro/Mid Field Attachable Connector (Straight Female)
MARE-004-1M-7 SSC200/SSC300 Compass NMEA 0183 10 meter
connection cable
1.5 Quick Install
Installing the Maretron SSC300 compass involves the following six steps. Please refer to the
individual sections for additional details.
1. Unpack the Box (Section 2.1)
2. Choose a Mounting Location (Section 2.2)
3. Mount the SSC300 Compass (Section 2.3)
4. Connect the SSC300 Compass (Section 2.4)
5. Calibrate the SSC300 Compass for Magnetic Deviation (Section 3.2)
6. Calibrate the SSC300 Compass for Installation-Offset (Section 3.4)
7. Use Default Variation Source or Select an Appropriate Variation Source (Section 4)
2 Installation
2.1 Unpacking the Box
When unpacking the box containing the Maretron SSC300, you should find the following items.
1 - SSC300 Solid State Compass
2 - Mounting Brackets
4 - Mounting Bracket Screws
4 - Mounting Screws
1 - SSC300 User’s Manual
1 - Warranty Registration Card
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact Maretron.
2.2 Choosing a Mounting Location
The selection of a suitable mounting location is important for the optimal performance of the
Maretron SSC300. The mounting location and orientation of the Maretron SSC300 should be:

Revision 1.0 Page 3
1. Level with the Earth’s Horizontal Plane –Although the SSC300 can be calibrated inthe vessel
to compensate for pitch and roll installation-offset, it is best to mount the compass as level as
possible to maximize its pitch and roll operational range.
2. Oriented with Arrow Pointing to Bow Parallel to Vessel Centerline –Although the SSC300
can be calibrated in the vessel to compensate for heading installation-offset, it is best to mount
the compass pointed towards the bow and parallel to the vessel centerline. The SSC300 can
be mounted in other orientations, although this requires additional configuration steps; please
refer to Section 2.3 on page 3 for details.
3. Near the Center of Gravity (CG) of the Vessel –The compass experiences the least amount
of movement when located at the CG, which allows the most accurate readings. This is similar
to a traditional card/needle compass, where the farther the compass is from the CG, then the
more the fluid sloshes around, making accurate readings more difficult.
4. Away from Structures Containing Ferrous Metals –The earth’s lines of magnetic flux tend to
become distorted in the vicinity of ferrous metals, which can potentially cause errors in the
compass’s indicated heading. The SSC300 can be calibrated to compensate for these errors,
but it is still best to minimize the errors by placing the compass as far away from ferrous
metals as is practical.
5. Away from Magnetic Field Sources –Power or ignition cables, electric motors, and other
electronic equipment can create magnetic fields. The earth’s lines of magnetic flux tend to
become distorted in the vicinity of magnetic field sources, which can potentially cause errors
in the compass’s indicated heading. The magnetic fields tend to come and go as power is
switched on and off, which makes compensation impractical. Therefore, you should try to
mount the compass as far away as possible from these magnetic field sources (doubling the
distance between the magnetic field source and the compass will reduce the field strength by
a factor of approximately 8). Also, always observe any “compass-safe distance” markings on
other electronic equipment.
6. Minimal Vibration –Although the SSC300 is more tolerant of vibration than a fluxgate
compass, it is best to mount the compass in a location free of vibration as opposed to a
location with vibration.
7. Limited Water Exposure –The SSC300 has an IP67 rating which means the compass is able
to withstand nozzle spray and is protected against water immersion up to 1m for up to 30
minutes. Please avoid areas which would result in the SSC300 being immersed in water
which exceeds these depths or times.
2.3 Mounting the SSC300
The Maretron SSC300 compass can be mounted to a horizontal surface such as a floor or deck
(Section 2.3.1) or it can be mounted to a vertical surface such as a wall or bulkhead (Section
2.3.2).
2.3.1 Mounting the SSC300 to a Horizontal Surface
Mounting the SSC300 compass to a horizontal surface requires that the provided mounting
brackets be fastened to the bottom of the SSC300 using the provided brass flat head screws.
Once the mounting brackets are securely fastened to the bottom of the SSC300, attach the
SSC300 securely to the vessel using the included brass mounting screws or other non-ferrous

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fasteners as shown in Figure 1. Do not use threadlocking compounds containing methacrylate
ester, such as Loctite Red (271), as they will cause stress cracking of the plastic enclosure.
The usual way of mounting the SSC300 to a horizontal surface is to mount it to the top of the
horizontal surface; however, the SSC300 may be mounted upside down to the underside of a
horizontal surface, provided that the SSC300 is programmed to recognize that it is mounted
upside down. This can be done using a Maretron DSM150 display, DSM250 display, or
Maretron N2KAnalyzer software (please refer to the appropriate user’s manual for details), or
through a command sent to the SSC300 via the NMEA 0183 interface (please refer to
Appendix A for details).
Figure 1 –Mounting the SSC300 to a Horizontal Surface
2.3.2 Mounting the SSC300 to a Vertical Surface
Mounting the SSC300 compass to a vertical surface requires that the provided mounting
brackets be fastened to the side of the SSC300 using the provided brass flat head screws. Once
the mounting brackets are securely fastened to the side of the SSC300, attach the SSC300
securely to the vessel using the included brass mounting screws or other non-ferrous fasteners

Revision 1.0 Page 5
as shown in Figure 2. Do not use threadlocking compounds containing methacrylate ester, such
as Loctite Red (271), as they will cause stress cracking of the plastic enclosure. The use of
adhesives, Velcro, straps, or any mounting hardware not supplied with the SSC300 is not
recommended, as it may adversely affect the performance of the SSC300.
The usual way of mounting the SSC300 to a vertical surface is attaching the SSC300 to the
forward side of a vertical surface, so that the side of the compass with the connectors is facing
the bow of the boat; however, the SSC300 may be mounted to the astern side of a vertical
surface, so that the side of the compass with the connectors is facing the stern of the boat,
provided that the SSC300 is programmed to recognize that it is mounted in this way
(“backwards”). This can be done using a Maretron DSM150 display, DSM250 display, or
Maretron N2KAnalyzer software (please refer to the appropriate user’s manual for details), or
through a command sent to the SSC300 via the NMEA 0183 interface (please refer to
Appendix A for details).
Figure 2 –Mounting the SSC300 to Vertical Surface

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2.4 Connecting the SSC300
You have a choice of connecting the SSC300 to a NMEA 2000®interface (Section 2.4.1), NMEA
0183 interface (Section 2.4.2), or connecting both interfaces simultaneously (Section 2.4.2.2).
The SSC300 has two connection ports. Please use the M000102 Micro Cap which is shipped
installed on the NMEA 0183 connector to cover unused connectors.
Figure 3 –NMEA 2000®/ NMEA 0183 Interface Connector Locations
2.4.1 Connecting to NMEA 2000®Interface
The Maretron SSC300 provides a connection to an NMEA 2000®interface through a five pin
male connector (Figure 4). You connect the SSC300 to an NMEA 2000®network using a
Maretron NMEA 2000®cable (or compatible cable) by connecting the female end of the cable to
the SSC300 (notethe key on themale connector and keyway on the female connector) as shown
in Figure 5 below.. Be sure the cable is connected securely and that the collar on the cable
connector is tightened firmly. Connect the other end of the cable (male) to the NMEA 2000®
network in the same manner. The SSC300 is designed such that you can plug or unplug it from
an NMEA 2000®network while the power to the network is connected or disconnected. Please
follow recommended practices for installing NMEA 2000®network products.
NMEA 2000 / Power
Connector
NMEA 0183 Connector