Nke Regatta compass Installation and operating instructions

Zi de Kerandré – Rue Gutemberg – 56700 – HENNEBONT – FRANCE

www.nke-marine-electronics.com

+33 297 365 685

REGATTA Compass Sensor

Product reference: 90-60-396

USER MANUAL

&

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Rev : 1

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CONTENTS

1 OPERATION ......................................................................................................................... 3

PRESENTATION ........................................................................................................................... 3

LIST OF CHANNELS DISPLAYED ...................................................................................................... 4

ALARMS SETTING ......................................................................................................................... 4

FILTERING OF THE CHANNELS ..................................................................................................... 4

DIAGNOSTIC FOR 1ST LEVEL TROUBLESHOOTING. ........................................................................... 5

2 SENSOR CALIBRATION ...................................................................................................... 6

OFFSET SETTING ......................................................................................................................... 6

COMPASS AUTOCOMPENSATION .................................................................................................... 8

3 INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................... 9

LIST OF ACCESSORIES ................................................................................................................. 9

INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS ........................................................................................................ 9

INSTALLING THE COMPASS ON A VERTICAL SURFACE ..................................................................... 10

CONNECTION TO THE TOPLINE BUS.............................................................................................. 14

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1 OPERATION

PRESENTATION

The Regatta Compass sensor is a measuring instrument that provides the magnetic

heading, heel and pitch of the boat.

It is connected to the Regatta Compass interface of your TOPLINE installation.

The sensor is equipped with a 10-meter cable, a mounting bracket, two screws and the Regatta

Compass interface.

architecture of the installation

+

12VDC white

DATA black

-

Terminal box

90-60-417

12VDC power supply

REGATTA COMPASS

IMPORTANT

Please read this guide completely before starting the installation.

Any electrical connection on the TOPLINE bus must be carried out using terminal box

90-60-121. Only use TOPLINE bus cable 20-61-001.

Any intervention on the TOPLINE bus must be carried out with the installation power

switched off.

For channel settings, please refer to the user guide of your TOPLINE display.

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Base

Range

0°

LIST OF CHANNELS DISPLAYED

The Regatta compass, connected to the TOPLINE bus of your installation, creates the

channel below. They are accessible from the displays of the TOPLINE range.

Channel Display Unit

Magnetic heading MAGN HDG 245° Degree

Heel HEEL Degree

Pitch PITCH Degree

ALARMS SETTING

The setting of an alarm enables you to monitor the magnetic heading you are following.

When the preset angle range is exceeded, a warning message is displayed and an audible

alarm is activated.

There is no alarm for heel and pitch.

Procedure

Display the magnetic heading channel.

Select the BASE sub-channel and enter the value of the reference heading selected for the

alarm.

Select the RANGE sub-channel and enter the tolerance on either side of the reference heading.

To cancel the alarm, enter the value 0 in the RANGE sub-channel.

Thus, the setting of an alarm on the compass will allow you to effectively monitor the heading

consistency of your boat.

To activate the alarms, please refer to the user guide of your display.

FILTERING OF THE CHANNELS

The level of filtering of a channel determines the frequency of update of the data

displayed. For example, in rough sea when the boat moves significantly, it is useful to increase

the filtering of the magnetic heading channel to stabilise the value displayed. Conversely, in

calm sea, low filtering will be preferable to obtain a fast response of the display.

Filtering is adjustable between 1 and 32, and the default value is 8. The lower this value is, the

higher the frequency of update is.

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Please refer to the user guide of your display to adjust the filter setting.

Technical specifications

Power supply: 10 to 16VDC

Power consumption: <200mA (Compass & Interface)

Resolution: 0.1° (with Processor)

Roll and pitch measurement range: +/- 50°

Tightness: IP66

Weight: 270g

Operating temperature: -10°C to +50°C

Storage temperature: -20°C to +60°C

DIAGNOSTIC FOR 1ST LEVEL TROUBLESHOOTING.

This chapter can help you rapidly resolve minor problems which do not require the

intervention of a specialist. Before contacting technical support, please check the

troubleshooting table below.

Problem Possible causes and solutions

The Topline installation does not detect the compass.

The bus cable is not or is badly connected to the terminal box : check the

plugging inside the terminal box. Check the state of the cables : they

must not show any sign of wear or cut.

The magnetic heading displayed is very different from that

indicated by the steering compass. Check that no equipment likely to disrupt the steering compass of your

boat or the fluxgate compass is in the vicinity: please consult the list in

the installation chapter.

Check that the steering compass of your boat is compensated.

Carry out a calibration of the compass.

If you do not manage to solve the problem, please contact your distributor.

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2 SENSOR CALIBRATION

The Regatta Compass is adjusted at the factory. However, an offset adjustment is

required to adapt the sensor to the specificities of your boat and to obtain an optimum

measurement accuracy. Follow the calibration procedure below, while visualising the settings

on a display: please refer to the user guide of your display.

OFFSET SETTING

2.1.1 Principle

After the installation, it is necessary to adjust the OFFSET of the Regatta Compass so

that the magnetic heading displayed is identical to the true magnetic heading.

In order to do that, you must carry out an actual test at sea with your boat. Take the GPS unit of

your boat as reference, and make sure there is no current and the sea is calm in the area

chosen for this test. Follow a set bottom (magnetic) heading and note the heading shown by the

magnetic heading channel of your display. Then, deduce the difference between the steering

compass and the magnetic heading displayed : this value is the correction offset of the

Regatta compass.

2.1.2 Procedure for setting the offset coefficient (the default offset value is 0):

 Select the calib offset sub-channel of the magnetic heading channel.

 Enter the new calculated offset coefficient and validate using the enter key. The new

setting will be saved to the memory.

2.1.3 Procedure for setting the heel offset (the default offset value is 0):

 Select the sub-channel offset calib of the Heel channel.

 Enter the new offset coefficient and confirm by pressing enter. The new setting will be

saved to the memory.

2.1.4 Procedure for setting the pitch offset (the default offset value is 0):

 Select the sub-channel offset calib of the Pitch channel.

 Enter the new offset coefficient and confirm by pressing enter. The new setting will be

saved to the memory.

CAUTION:

- If your steering compass is taken as reference, it must be compensated (calibrated) so

that the calibration is correct.

- Before setting the offset, you must adjust the mechanical position of the compass:

refer to

the installation chapter.

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Please refer to the user guide of your display to perform the setting.

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COMPASS AUTOCOMPENSATION

On some boats, the Regatta Compass may be strongly disrupted by its environment.

Despite a careful installation and an offset properly adjusted, an important difference remains

between the magnetic heading displayed and the true magnetic heading, throughout the

measurement range between 0 and 359°. In this case, you can perform an autocompensation

of the Regatta Compass to achieve an acceptable level of accuracy.

2.1.5 Autocompensation principle

The operation consists in executing a perfect circle with your boat at a rigorously

constant speed. Thus, your Regatta Compass will be accurately corrected between 0 and

359°.

2.1.6 Autocompensation procedure for the Regatta Compass

In order to achieve a successful autocompensation, you must sail:

- On a smooth sea, with no current,

- Away from large magnetic masses such as cargo ships, buoys, metallic pontoons,…

- At a constant speed of about 2 or 3 knots.

1. Display the magnetic heading channel.

2. Launch the “autocompensation” mode according to the procedure described in the user

guide of your display.

3. Start to describe the circle then launch the autocompensation procedure.

4. One circle is enough to perform the autocompensation correctly.

5. The display then sends out a message to the user indicating that the autocompensation is

successful. The number 3 for the Gyropilot and the number 3000 alternately with dashes

for the other displays (Performance, TL25 and SL50).

6. Exit the autocompensation mode.

Please refer to the user guide of your display to perform the autocompensation procedure.

Should there be a problem during autocompensation, the display will notify the user of the

cause of the fault indicating alternately, for 5 seconds, the message PANNE with the following

code :

- code 11: Failure through timeout (> 5 minutes) or excessively slow rotation (< 30 sec / 45°).

- code 12: Failure through excessive heel.

- code 13: Any other error.

In case of autocompensation error, the measurements are not saved to the memory and the

sensor resumes its normal operating mode.

CAUTION: the autocompensation operation of the Regatta Compass requires precision in

the execution of the circle: it must be done in less than 5 minutes at a constant speed of 2

to 3 knots. If you cannot maintain these two criteria, the autocompensation will not be

successful.

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3 INSTALLATION

Before starting the installation, take the time to select the most appropriate location for

the sensor. Indeed, the Regatta Compass and its TOPLINE interface, just like the steering

compass of your boat, is sensitive to metal masses, the movements of the boat and the

disturbances caused by electrical appliances. Although it can be autocompensated, the

installation must be carefully carried out in order to achieve an optimum level of accuracy.

LIST OF ACCESSORIES

- TOPLINE Terminal box: 90-60-121

- TOPLINE bus cable: 20-61-001

INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS

The location of the sensor must be:

- as close as possible to the pitch and roll centres of the boat; the closer it is to the centre of

gravity, the more stable the measurement will be.

- more than one metre away from onboard magnetic compasses (to avoid a mutual

disturbance).

- as far as possible from onboard magnetic masses.

- With the least amount of vibration.

- Do not install the compass inside boats with a steel hull. A position on the mast can be

considered on this type of boat.

Below is a list of equipment likely to disrupt a fluxgate compass:

- The keel of the sailing boat (when it is made out of cast iron or steel).

- The radio and radar equipment.

- The boat’s engine.

- Generators and battery chargers.

- Voltage regulators.

- Electrical motors.

- Tool boxes and anchors.

- The electrical windlass.

- High voltage electrical cables.

Before installing the Regatta Compass, you can check that the location will not be disrupted by

following the procedure below:

Place a bearing compass at the selected location. Then, with your boat, execute a full 360°

circle in order to compare the information provided by the steering compass and the boarding

compass. If the variations are less than 10°, the location is suitable.

Also make sure you will be able to run the cable without being too close to the high amperage

cables, such as those of the generator motor and batteries. Keep a distance of at least 1 metre

between the cables.

CAUTION: the metal spanner that you use when screwing the nut disrupts the compass.

Move the spanner away from the compass when you check the magnetic heading

displayed.

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INSTALLING THE COMPASS ON A VERTICAL SURFACE

 Using a spirit or electronic level, mark the mounting holes of the mounting bracket at the

chosen location.

 Drill the 4mm holes and screw the self-tapping stainless steel screws.

 Drill 6mm holes for the mounting bracket centre screws.

Sensor preparation

There are two ways to install the sensor:

Using threaded pins:

This method is easier for the user because it allows the position of the compass to be adjusted.

However, these screws will protrude under the sensor by about 20mm, which can prevent the

compass from being installed in a limited space.

Install the cable and the seal on the compass.

Screw the pins onto the compass.

Spirit level

Mounting bracket

Vertical oblong hole

Stainless steel screws (4)

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Cable

Nut

Seal

Compass

Threaded pin

Mounting

bracket

Positioning

screws

Washers

Screw

Using screws:

The screws allow the space needed for the compass and its mounting bracket to be optimised.

Installation of the compass

Pass the connector of the compass through the seal.

Connect the cable to the compass.

Connector

Seal

Serial

number

Connector

Arrow

pointing

forward

Compass

Threaded pin

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Insert the seal onto the compass so as to match the mounting holes between the compass and

the seal.

Pass the cable through the mounting bracket and place the compass onto its mounting bracket.

Line up the “Forward” arrow with the centreline of the boat.

Screw the mounting screws or nuts, depending on the chosen solution.

Make sure the axis of the compass has not moved while tightening the screws or nuts.

Installing the compass on a horizontal surface

Pass the connector of the compass through the seal.

Connect the cable to the compass.

Insert the seal onto the compass so as to match the mounting holes between the compass and

the seal.

Drill the holes for the threaded mounting pins of the compass using a 6mm drill bit.

Drill the cable hole using a 38mm drill bit.

Pass the cable through the hole.

Position the compass on the surface.

Screw the threaded pins onto the compass.

Place the flat washers and lock washers on the pins.

Hand screw the nuts onto the pins.

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Positioning arrow

Connector

Mounting surface

Lock washer

Compass

Flat washer

Threaded

pin Connector

Serial

number

Connector

Nut

Seal

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CONNECTION TO THE TOPLINE BUS

1. Run the compass bus cable to the interface of the Regatta Compass of your installation.

2. Connect the bus cable of the Regatta compass interface to a terminal box.

3. Connect the bus cable inside the terminal box:

If you reduce the length of the bus cable, strip and galvanise the wires before connecting them

inside the terminal box.

+

12VDC white

DATA black

-

Terminal box

90-60-417

12VDC power supply

REGATTA COMPASS

15

46_Regatta_Compass_Interface_um_EN_14

NOTES

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NOTES

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

NKE REGATTA Compass Installation and operating instructions

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