A
Anonymous
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I recently posted a thread with some questions concerning connecting OpenCPN to an AP500, using an SC-60 as the heading source. I noted in that thread that the battery in the processing unit of the SC was issuing a low warning...it had not been changed out in many years. I pulled the unit and brought it to the local Furuno dealer for battery replacement and struck up a conversation about the unit, mounting options and configuring it.
The dealer tech was adamant that he would never install a SC-60 processing unit in the inverted position unless there was no other option available. He said he had seen issues with that mounting approach, but did not indicate what problems had been encountered. For the record, the processing unit in question is mounted to the underside of the pilothouse roof (power switch facing down and the box aligned with the centerline of the boat). The unit was mounted by the original installer (on the other side of North America and long since out of the picture) in it's current location and has been there for many years. I translate the physical mounting position as the "underside of desk - direction A" option in the install manual.
Now, I understand the boat was originally fitted with an SC-50 and the original owner had issues with it. It was replaced with the current SC-60 less than a year after commissioning (about 9 or 10 years ago). The current unit has worked very well ever since. The only issue (other than the recent battery low warning) was the tendency for the SC to lose it's fix in very rough seas or extremely tight port/starboard turns. Luckily, we have a PG500 flux compass for just such situations, but the SC60 is more accurate and does not need calibration every year or so. The satellite compass remains the preferred and primary heading device.
So, I figured I would ask this forum for thoughts on the mounting of this unit in its current location and orientation. Any known operational or performance issues with the inverted option...or advantages with the deck or bulkhead alternatives? Should I be considering relocating the processing unit...or leave it where it is?
Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's
The dealer tech was adamant that he would never install a SC-60 processing unit in the inverted position unless there was no other option available. He said he had seen issues with that mounting approach, but did not indicate what problems had been encountered. For the record, the processing unit in question is mounted to the underside of the pilothouse roof (power switch facing down and the box aligned with the centerline of the boat). The unit was mounted by the original installer (on the other side of North America and long since out of the picture) in it's current location and has been there for many years. I translate the physical mounting position as the "underside of desk - direction A" option in the install manual.
Now, I understand the boat was originally fitted with an SC-50 and the original owner had issues with it. It was replaced with the current SC-60 less than a year after commissioning (about 9 or 10 years ago). The current unit has worked very well ever since. The only issue (other than the recent battery low warning) was the tendency for the SC to lose it's fix in very rough seas or extremely tight port/starboard turns. Luckily, we have a PG500 flux compass for just such situations, but the SC60 is more accurate and does not need calibration every year or so. The satellite compass remains the preferred and primary heading device.
So, I figured I would ask this forum for thoughts on the mounting of this unit in its current location and orientation. Any known operational or performance issues with the inverted option...or advantages with the deck or bulkhead alternatives? Should I be considering relocating the processing unit...or leave it where it is?
Regards,
SteveCo in St. John's
