Hello,
This is my first post on Panbo, and given what I've read, I belive I will find the support I need. Before I begin, let me say that Iput this issue to the Raymarine Technical forum. The moderator was very willing to help, but I couldn't understand his very detailed solution to the following problem - which is not really a problem.
Should be simple - Connect my new C90W to my existing ST60 tridata, ST60 wind, ST4000+ A/pilot, Ray55VHF.
All I asked for was that I would like to connect everything up with their Sealtalk connectors (autopilot excluded - I got that), and not do things the old fashion way - splice here, splice there.
So here is the layout:
Over the years I always bought Raymarine thinking that in the long run, there would never be any incompatibility issues as my network of electronic toys grew.
Everything is Raymarine
My ST60 tridata, ST60 wind, ST4000+ A/pilot are interconnected via two Seatalk cables (part No.D230).
The ST4000+A/pilot gets power from directly from a 12vdc source.
Now...
On the back of the C90W, there is one Seatalk NG cable connector.
Well...
Raymarine has a simple cable which converts the old Seatalk to SeatalkNG (part No. A06047).
Given that cable converter exists, why can't I use it to connect the C90W to one of the ST60 units - the ST60 tridata orST60 wind ? or even theST4000+ which has an unused sealtalk connector ?
The Raymarine tech. and the manual inform that I have to use their converter kit, backbones, end plugs, and even some junction boxes. Seriously ??
That's over 250$ just to make the bridge between the C90W and the other units.
What am I missing ? Then, why does that converter exist (part No. A06047) ?
Hope someone can enlighten me.
Thank you,
Michael Sean
Michael Sean, part A06047 is an adapter cable, not a converter. Raymarine put a sixth pin in its SeaTalkNG device connecters just so that regular SeaTalk could be brought in and converted. However, their description of how this works is flawed, I think: http://goo.gl/Nz5At
I've heard that the ST70 instrument could display SeaTalk data OK but didn't bridge it onto the STng network well. And I know from experience the i70 can display most all ST data fine but doesn't do any bridging. At any rate, they are why the adapter cable exists, and it was an effort on Ray's part to make the switch from ST to STng easier for folks like you.
But for reasons unknown the STng MFDs can not do anything with raw ST data. However the ST-to-STng Converter works fine, as I saw in testing: http://goo.gl/Nz5At
Plus Ray now also offers the ITC-5 Transducer Converter ( http://goo.gl/6lAz9 ) for people who want to switch completely over to STng instruments and MFDs but keep existing ducers. They are trying.
Finally, I'm not understanding why you need more than the $100 Converter Kit ( http://goo.gl/yg6gQ ) unless you need a longer spur cable to get to the C90W?
I have something similar as far raymarine interface goes and can email you my system schematic if you are interested. send me an email at [email protected]
Euphoria,
Yes I would very much appreciate that. My e-mail is [email protected]
All the help I can get is very welcome.
Thank you
Ben,
I do appreciate the time you put into you response.
I thought the converter you mention was the answer, but the response from Raymarine, below really confused me. He offers various alternatives.
The one thing I believe I understood from what the fellow wrote is that if I connect the C90W to the any one of the ST60do things the old fashion way - splice wires on both sides, and connect - then everything will work perfectly. Can you tell me if that is what you conclude from he has written ? Please see below.
ST60 Instruments, the ST4000+ autopilot, and C90W all have one thing in common, a first generation SeaTalk interface. SeaTalk instruments, autopilot components, GPS sensors, and chartplotters featuring a 1st generation SeaTalk interface (ex. ST40/60+ Instrument Displays, ST4000+, Wireless AP Controller, C90W, etc.) may be interfaced to one another, in any order, using standard SeaTalk cable. SeaTalk cables can be joined using D244 SeaTalk Junction Blocks, splices, marine grade terminal strips, or R55006 SeaTalk Auxiliary Junction Boxes. SeaTalk cable is available in 15", 1m, 3m, 5m, and 9m lengths (D230, D284, D285, D286, and D287 respectively). This method of interfacing is referred to as a SeaTalk bus. As such, the ST60 Instruments, the ST4000+ autopilot, and C90W would be interfaced to a common SaTalk bus per the attached chart.
For maximum isolation, it is recommended that separate power circuits be created for each of the following:
ST4000+ (the ST4000+ will power the SeaTalk bus)
C90W
Digital Radar Scanner (if any)
Regarding installation of the C90W, you cannot interface the equipment as you have suggested. Unlike MFDs and the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter, autopilots are not designed to function as data bridging devices. Should you desire to not splice the SeaTalk leads of the SeaTalk bus to the SeaTalk leads of the MFD's Power/Data Cable, then a SeaTalkng based solution should be employed. To do so,
Any SeaTalk instruments, autopilot components, GPS sensors, and chartplotters featuring a 1st generation SeaTalk interface which do not additionally feature a SeaTalkng interface (ex. ST40/60+ Instrument Displays, ST4000+, Wireless AP Controller, etc.) should be interfaced to one another, in any order, using standard SeaTalk cable. SeaTalk cables can be joined using D244 SeaTalk Junction Blocks, splices, marine grade terminal strips, or R55006 SeaTalk Auxiliary Junction Boxes. SeaTalk cable is available in 15", 1m, 3m, 5m, and 9m lengths (D230, D284, D285, D286, and D287 respectively). This method of interfacing is referred to as a SeaTalk bus. The SeaTalk bus will need to be branched or extended and connected to the yellow (SeaTalk) port of a E22158 SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit which has been upgraded with v1.14 or later SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter software. The C90W MFD will in turn be interfaced to one of the white SeaTalkng spur ports of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter using an appropriate length of SeaTalkng Spur Cable ((400mm (A06038), 1m (A06039), 3m (A06040), 5m (A06041)). The SeaTalk bus will be to be disconnected from the its present power source. The SeaTalk bus will instead be powered via the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter. The SeaTalkng power cable supplied with the ST-STng Converter Kit will be connected to a 12VDC power circuit and will be interfaced to the other white SeaTalkng spur ports of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter. Finally, the supplied SeaTalkng Termination Plugs will need to be installed in the two blue SeaTalkng backbone ports of the ST-STng Converter Kit.
Raymarine offers no plug to plug method of interfacing a NMEA 0183 device to the MFD. The Ray55 would need to be interfaced (via splices or terminal strip) to the NMEA 0183 leads of the MFD's power/data cable."
Aha! And sorry to confuse. I had not realized that the C90W does have a regular ST input; it's not listed as a port I guess because it's done with bare wire. At any rate, page 33 of the C Wide install manual shows just what the Ray tech describes in the first part of his message. It should just take one splice -- junction strip as shown in their diagram better -- and would cost very little.
The second part of his message describes the alternate route of using the ST-to-STng converter Kit, as I advocated. No junction strip and you'll have a beggining STng backbone for future growth, but will cost about $100 if you don't need a longer spur cable.
Ben,
I apologize for the confusion. I will go with what you advocate. I am still at a loss for all those other junctions recommended by the Raymarine technician.
Euphoria was kind enough to sent me a schematic which mirrors what you say.
I really want to move away from the splices - just for the fun of it.
My ST units and C90W are on seperate Navpods on the steering pedestal - aprox 24" of cable needed between them.
I used the diagram on page 33 to orient me.
Please send me your e-mail. I will send you what I have been stuck with.
When I had my C80 as the MFD, everything was so easy.
I have always done my installations on my Islander 32. Electrical, plumbing, engine, everything except gelcoat - too scary to think about. But in this case, my brain has gone to soggy spaghetti - I can't see the forest through the trees.
I think it comes back to what you said. Raymarine has been evolving and trying to band-aid their old generation units to the newer ones.
Regards,
Miguel