The Heading Sensor enables the Jog feature and is not required for any other function of i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link. When the Heading Sensor is paired and calibrated, the Jog feature of i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link allows you to move your boat in 5 foot increments, forwards, backwards, to the left and to the right with a button press on the i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link Remote.
- Heading Sensor Light Patterns
- Mounting Considerations
- Powering the Heading Sensor
- Power Draw
- Pairing the Heading Sensor
- Resources
Heading Sensor Light Patterns
There is an LED button light on the top of the heading sensor. The light will either be red (older Heading Sensors have a red light) or it will be blue (newer version Heading Sensors have a blue light).
- When it has power but is not paired, the light will be on steady.
- When the Heading Sensor is in Pairing Mode, the light will flash twice per second
- When the Heading Sensor is powered and paired to the trolling motor, it will flash once every 3 seconds
Mounting Considerations
*Please see the Heading Sensor Instruction Sheet for specific mounting instructions
The Heading Sensor needs to be mounted on a flat level surface with the arrow pointed parallel with the keel-line of the boat. It should not be mounted upside down and it needs to be at least 2 feet (24 inches) away from the trolling motor, anything ferrous, and anything that can cause interference. To see if the location you are wanting to mount the Heading Sensor is near something that can cause interference or something ferrous, you can use a compass. Place the Heading Sensor in the location and place the compass on top of the sensor. If the compass experiences interference, the location will not work for the Heading Sensor.
The Heading Sensor also needs a clear line of sight to the head of the trolling motor. If you are not sure about the location you want to mount the sensor, you can use double stick tape on the bottom of the sensor and place it in the location you are testing. Once the Heading Sensor is connected to power, you can try pairing it to your trolling motor and calibrating it. If either the pairing or calibration fails, the location will not work. If the Pairing and Calibration are successful, you can drill the holes and permanently mount the Heading Sensor.
There are some windshields that will prevent the Bluetooth signal from getting to the trolling motor if the Heading Sensor is mounted behind it. If you are going to mount the Heading Sensor behind a windshield, use the method above for testing the location with double stick tape.
Powering the Heading Sensor
*Please see the Heading Sensor Instruction Sheet for specific power instructions
The Heading Sensor requires being connected to a 12v power supply and we recommend a 1 amp inline fuse. It does have a minor amp draw and if connected to power long-term, it can drain the battery. You can connect it to an on/off switch to be able to power it off when not in use or for long-term storage (like over winter).
- The power leads for the Heading Sensor are 12.5' long.
Power Draw
The amp draw of the heading sensor during sleep is less than the memory function of a stereo, so there is no need for a disconnect switch.
- During active communication (i-Pilot controller ON and HDG Sensor LED flashing) the Avg current = 9.9 mA
- During “sleep” (i-Pilot controller OFF and HDG Sensor LED off) the Avg current = 1.6 mA
- During pairing and programming the Heading Sensor draws 15-50mA
Pairing, Calibrating and Setting the Offset
*Please see the Heading Sensor Instruction Sheet for specific pairing, calibration, and offset instructions. You can also click on the links below for additional information on
With power going to the Heading Sensor, you can now pair and calibrate the Heading Sensor. Power on the trolling motor. To put the Heading Sensor into Pairing Mode, press the button and it should start blinking twice per second. Then press and hold the Pair button on the trolling motor. You should hear a long tone from the motor that changes to 3 beeps to let you know it is paired. Once the Heading Sensor is paired to the motor, you can then do the the calibration (Sensor Cal) and set the Offset (Sensor Offset) using the i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link Remote.
