Depth Finder location in relation to Compass

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Author Topic:   Depth Finder location in relation to Compass

wally910 posted 07-23-2012 12:06 PM ET (US)
I am installing a new depth finder on my 1986 Montauk. The directions say to mount the Depth unit at least 1 meter from the compass. My issue is that there is not 1 meter to work with on the Montauk Console, at best, I could get seperation of perhaps a foot with the current location of my compass. Will this really cause problems?
David Pendleton posted 07-23-2012 01:39 PM ET (US)
Do you have a way to mount it temporarily to see if it causes problems?
My fishfinder is mounted underneath my compass about 10" away, and I haven't had any problems.
R DAVIS posted 07-23-2012 04:18 PM ET (US)
It shouldn't be a problem with modern depthfinders or GPS units.
I've had several boats with one mounted within 10 inches of the compass without a problem.
The old style flasher type depthfinders had a motor in them that could cause a problem due to the magnets in the motor, but even then, a foot or so away was normally far enough.
Randy
jimh posted 07-23-2012 08:09 PM ET (US)
I browsed the installation instructions from Lowrance for my HDS multi-function SONAR, Chart Plotter, GPS receiver, and NMEA-2000 display. There was no mention of a concern about mounting near a compass.
The HDS draws about 1-Ampere of power. I don't think that 1-Ampere of DC current is going to generate a big magnetic field. The power cable probably has twisted conductors, which tend to cancel any magnetic field generated in a DC power cable.
jimh posted 07-23-2012 08:09 PM ET (US)
Tell us what sort of depth finder you are installing and give a link to the instructions on-line.
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-25-2012 09:04 PM ET (US)
My compass is about 3" from my depth finder. No problem.
Chuck
davej14 posted 07-25-2012 10:33 PM ET (US)
My 4 year old Lowrance combo depth finder/GPS is just 1 foot from my compass. There in no noticible impact on the compass. I would power it up as close as possible to your anticipated final location and observe the compass before drilling holes.

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Author	Topic: Depth Finder location in relation to Compass
wally910	posted 07-23-2012 12:06 PM ET (US) I am installing a new depth finder on my 1986 Montauk. The directions say to mount the Depth unit at least 1 meter from the compass. My issue is that there is not 1 meter to work with on the Montauk Console, at best, I could get seperation of perhaps a foot with the current location of my compass. Will this really cause problems?
David Pendleton	posted 07-23-2012 01:39 PM ET (US) Do you have a way to mount it temporarily to see if it causes problems? My fishfinder is mounted underneath my compass about 10" away, and I haven't had any problems.
R DAVIS	posted 07-23-2012 04:18 PM ET (US) It shouldn't be a problem with modern depthfinders or GPS units. I've had several boats with one mounted within 10 inches of the compass without a problem. The old style flasher type depthfinders had a motor in them that could cause a problem due to the magnets in the motor, but even then, a foot or so away was normally far enough. Randy
jimh	posted 07-23-2012 08:09 PM ET (US) I browsed the installation instructions from Lowrance for my HDS multi-function SONAR, Chart Plotter, GPS receiver, and NMEA-2000 display. There was no mention of a concern about mounting near a compass. The HDS draws about 1-Ampere of power. I don't think that 1-Ampere of DC current is going to generate a big magnetic field. The power cable probably has twisted conductors, which tend to cancel any magnetic field generated in a DC power cable.
jimh	posted 07-23-2012 08:09 PM ET (US) Tell us what sort of depth finder you are installing and give a link to the instructions on-line.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-25-2012 09:04 PM ET (US) My compass is about 3" from my depth finder. No problem. Chuck
davej14	posted 07-25-2012 10:33 PM ET (US) My 4 year old Lowrance combo depth finder/GPS is just 1 foot from my compass. There in no noticible impact on the compass. I would power it up as close as possible to your anticipated final location and observe the compass before drilling holes.