RC37 RATE COMPASS

INTRODUCTION
Simrad RC37 Rate Compass is a fluxgate compass with a built in rate sensor that significantly improves the dynamic performance of the compass. This makes it an excellent heading source for autopilots, chart plotters, radars and other equipment that will benefit from the dynamic characteristics of RC37. Heading output is on sine/cosine and NMEA0183 formats. The technical specifications are printed on page 4. The RC37 Rate Compass (part no. 22084446) can be used as a high performance heading sensor on the following Simrad or Robertson autopilots: AP45 and AP9MKII Mk3. It replaces the previous RFC35RS and is a high performance alternative to RFC35N and RFC35NS. RC37 comes with a 15 m (49) open end cable wired for NMEA0183 input and output. The internal connections of the wires are shown on Figure 2. Notes ! 1.
Figure 2 shows the connections when the compass is used as a stand alone

NMEA compass. An extra cable gland is supplied for a separate supply cable if preferred. Disconnect the grey and pink wires from TB4 and connect the separate cable wires instead 2. 3. For connection to IS15 instruments refer to revision C or later of the IS15 NMEA manual. On AP45 and AP9MkII Mk3 installations you need the compass connector kit part no. 22088413. Connect the AMP connector (J2, J5) from the kit as per Figure 3.

INSTALLATION
The RC37 contains a magnetic fluxgate sensor and great care should be taken when deciding the mounting location.

Figure 1 Mounting
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RC37 Rate Compass Select a location that provides a solid mounting place free from vibration and as close to the vessel's centre of roll and pitch as possible, i.e. close to the water line. It should be as far as possible from disturbing magnetic influences such as engines (min. 2 meters), ignition cables, other large metal objects and particularly the autopilot drive unit. The compass must be mounted horizontally. When the compass is deck mounted and equipment connected to the compass has no off-set compensation, provisions should be made to allow for mechanical alignment. In that case the compass must also be mounted with the cable gland pointing aft. Use the supplied mounting kit and drill holes through the centre of the slots. Note ! The compass face plate on the RC37 is the TOP. Never mount it upside down! On steel hull boats it should be mounted on a non-ferrous pedestal approx. 0.9 m (3 ft.) above the wheelhouse.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
RC37 is wired for NMEA connections, See Figure 2. When connected to autopilots it must be rewired as per Figure 3 to provide heading output on sine/cosine format (swap the wired and the unwired terminals) A separate cable gland is supplied for a second cable that can be used for additional heading output on NMEA0183 format. See Figure 2. Electrical connections NMEA0183 output stand alone compass

Figure 2 Stand alone NMEA compass

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Installation instructions Electrical connections AP45/AP9MkII/AP9Mk3

Figure 3 RC37 connection to AP45/AP9MkII-Mk3

CALIBRATION
Note ! When connected to an IS15 system as per instructions, use the IS15 calibration procedure. The calibration is carried out using the following procedure: 1. Switch on the autopilot to supply power to RC37, or use a separate switch if it is a stand alone compass. 2. Make two 360 degree turns to starboard within 5 minutes after switch on. Ensure smooth and slow movements. A minimum of roll and acceleration will give the best result. Use 60-90 seconds each turn and make sure the boat passes 3 times through North (see figure). As soon as north is passed for the 3rd time, there will be a confirmation in the autopilot display (see below). Provided you have an AP45 with software version V1R3 or V1R4 (latest), you will read "Fluxgate compass compensated" in the info display when the calibration is completed. Press the alarm button to reset. There will be no confirmation in the display if the AP45 has a software revision earlier than V1R3. On AP9Mk2 and Mk3 there are no verification codes. However, when passing through north for the 3rd time, the course display shows 045 for a short moment (less than a second).

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RC37 Rate Compass

ALIGNMENT (Offset)
Carry out the calibration procedure, and then steer the boat on a known heading or bearing. Slightly turn the compass until the correct heading readout is displayed. Tighten the screws. IS15 has a built in off-set correction, please refer to the manual. Note ! If you sail more than 15-20 north or south of the latitude of your last calibration, the calibration procedure should be repeated. Calibration data is stored in the RC37 and will only be deleted when a new calibration is performed.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Heading output: ........ Serial and analogue Output format: .......... NMEA183 10x/sec. and sine/cosine. NMEA data:.............. $IIHDG,x.x,m*hh<cr><If>x.x=heading, hh = checksum Analogue data:.......... Sine/Cosine 2V, 2.5VDC reference. Accuracy: ................. <1.25 rms Repeatability:............ <0.2 rms Calibration: .............. Automatic Roll & Pitch: ............ 35 Supply:...................... 10-29 VDC, 1 W Temperature: Operation: .......... 0 to +55C (+32 to + 130F) Storage:.............. 30 to +80C (22 to +176F) Protection:................. IP56 Mounting .................. Deck or bulkhead Cable supplied: 15 m (49 ft.) with open end

Note ! RC37 uses the same software as the RC36 Rate Compass, hence the software label is marked RC36.

Simrad Egersund AS P.O. Box 55 N-4379 Egersund Norway Telephone: +47 51 46 20 00 Telefax: +47 51 46 20 01 www.simrad.com