The Panbo Forum

Return to Panbo Forum main page »

NMEA 2000 & 0183
New Topic
Graham

Raymarine Seatalk/Seatalkng issue

By Graham on Jun 27, 2013 at 9:16 PM 4 Vote 0 Votes

I'm not getting much joy on the Raymarine technical forum with this one so maybe someone here can unravel it....

I currently have a Raymarine Type 100/300 course computer with an ST6000+ controller. This is interfaced to my ST60+ instrumentation via Seatalk and the vane mode works fine.

If I add an E7 or E9 MFD then, as I currently understand it, the instruments need to be interfaced to the MFD via a Seatalk-SeatalkNG converter. This is fine except that the ST/STng converter manual states that an autopilot absolutely cannot be on the Seatalk side of the network. So - questions:
1. Will the 100/300 interface correctly to the MFD via the NMEA 0183 interface that is provided on the E series power cable?
2. Will the autopilot still see the vane data (now coming via the MFD) to allow it to function in vane mode?

Thanks a lot,

Graham

4 Replies

  • GrahamO | July 1, 2013 12:22 PM

    RESOLVED (manual is out of date - autopilot can go through ST-STng converter).

    Graham

  • Rick Kain | July 5, 2013 5:08 PM

    I just had a similar problem. According to Raymarine, the manual for the Seatalk-SeatalkNG converter refers to Version 1.0 of the converter firmware. Apparently later versions DO support an autopilot on the Seatalk side. It appears to work properly (i.e., at first glance) using a P70 control head via the converter to an S3 course computer with ST60 wind instrument.
    Rick

  • mmillet10
    mmillet10 | June 5, 2014 6:20 PM

    Looking to upgrade from a poorly functioning 11 yr old Raymarine 400 series autopilot to the new Evolution ACU-400. Hoping the new technology will keep a course under sail in 20-30 knots true wind in San Francisco bay on a Catalina 42. Existing autopilot consistently goes off course or does large "s" turns.

    Questions:
    If I swap out the ST6001 with the P70, and the old 400 series corepack which hosts 2 @ Seatalk(1) buses, can I still input waypoints on the legacy RL70C radar/chartplotters? What extra "bits and pieces" would I need? I am "happy enough" with the existing function of the RL70C units, and don't have the budget or desire to replace 2 displays and a Raydome.

    Existing gear:
    Raymarine Type 400 Autopilot (E12055) , type 2 linear drive unit, rudder indicator, & fluxgate compass

    ST60 Wind Instruments
    ST60 Tri-Data (depth, speed,
    ST6001+ Autopilot
    ST600R wired remote control
    Raystar 120 GPS (seatalk)
    Raynav 300 (E32017) - used as an instrument repeater for speed/depth and anchor watch. NOTE: GPS antenna not connected to prevent 2 data sources on Seatalk

    2 @ RL70C color radar/chartplotters
    2kw raydome

  • Ben E
    Ben E | June 7, 2014 10:12 AM

    I think you can expect excellent performance from the Evolution AP if it's installed correctly. I've seen how good the heading sensor is myself and I've heard many positive reports from users with the full autopilot. I also just attended an impressive presentation about how EVO was designed and tested.

    I'm not sure about sending waypoints from SeaTalk to Evo on SeaTalkNG (aka NMEA 2000) but Ray has numerous converters for this sort of thing. Suggest you ask on their Technical Forum:

    http://raymarine.ning.com/