RC42 Rate Compass Location
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 445/455/458
Forum Description: 445/455/458 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15514
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: RC42 Rate Compass Location
Posted By: stulk75
Subject: RC42 Rate Compass Location
Date Posted: 05 February 2026 at 16:37
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Anyone know where this device is physically located on a 445? Our Autopilot keeps getting errors and disengaging because heading data drops.
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Replies:
Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 05 February 2026 at 18:12
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Bottom of port aft cabin wardrobe. Plugs into a SIMNET joiner under the chart-table. ------------- Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle |
Posted By: stulk75
Date Posted: 06 February 2026 at 20:39
| Thank You! It wasn't there, but I did find it under the mattress in that cabin in the stowage bin (not the cupboard). |
Posted By: Etre Jeune
Date Posted: 19 February 2026 at 21:03
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I did not like the location or the heading sensor originally used. I think my sensor was a FC 40 So pretty basic and not offering good speedy information to the AP Plus the location is close to the engine and offset. I have replaced with a Nine axis Precision 9 sensor, and located this forward, behind the mast support post on the inner side of the front bulkhead, at the waterline height. This should be the best place for the unit to feel where the boat is turning and or yawing. AP action is greatly improved, resulting in much less fuss and a straight course in all but extreme conditions. Well worth considering if you do some miles, I am sure the AP and even rudder components will be happier. ------------- R Stock |
Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 19 February 2026 at 23:53
| Precision 9 comes preinstalled on 458 version of this boat and located under mattress in port aft cabin. At one point, the firmware upgrade popped up on my chartplotter which unfortnately resulted in freezing Precision 9. Surprisingly however it did not affect the autopilot performance or at least I did not notice any difference despite the B&G rep claimed to me over the phone that the AP should stop working without Prec 9. I guess the heading and whatever data the Prec9 supplies to the network can be also picked from other sources, thats how I understood it. |
Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 20 February 2026 at 12:36
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Our 445 hull 164 came with FC42 so must just be early models with the FC40. Our FC42 is in the bottom of the port aft cabin wardrobe which is not a great location. Autopilot veered off course when a crew member threw his bag in containing a set of headphones. Took a while to diagnose that event  ------------- Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle |