Older Auto pilot and Axiom

Irie308 said:
Thanks

will check this out. Are you running a similar setup? If so what’s the usability of the autopilot? Does it only follow if you place it in track mode from the head unit?
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I was running this setup. However, the Axiom autopilot on screen control will not be active...no way no how.

The Autopilot will function in heading hold and tracking mode with this setup, but your dealing with 80’s maybe 90’s technology. You have to get it set up right.

if your happy with the. axiom, a Evolution would be a great upgrade.
 
I know your trying to milk the current system, but you might want to consider upgrading. There are some hot Cyber Monday deals for the ACU-150 system either with or without a new pump.

Consider that the old components are worth a couple hundred bucks, and you would not need the pump and Evolution control head and could sell those as well. You probably could get this upgrade done for $500-$1000 all in. You only really need to upgrade the Course computer and add the EV-1 sensor core.
 
dtfeld said:
I know your trying to milk the current system, but you might want to consider upgrading. There are some hot Cyber Monday deals for the ACU-150 system either with or without a new pump.

Consider that the old components are worth a couple hundred bucks, and you would not need the pump and Evolution control head and could sell those as well. You probably could get this upgrade done for $500-$1000 all in. You only really need to upgrade the Course computer and add the EV-1 sensor core.
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Food for thought, thanks.
 
Sidenote, does anyone know if the existing AP pump, which is a 12volt pump on the 420 DB/DA is a reversible pump (reverse polarity)?
 
Irie308 said:
Sidenote, does anyone know if the existing AP pump, which is a 12volt pump on the 420 DB/DA is a reversible pump (reverse polarity)?
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It is. Controller just reverses polarity to change direction.
 
I just spoke with Raymarine tech support about this upgrade, as I am thinking of doing the same (older SPX-10) and they said only a type-1 pump will work with the ACU-150. Is that what yours is or do others actually work as well?
 
SKybolt said:
I just spoke with Raymarine tech support about this upgrade, as I am thinking of doing the same (older SPX-10) and they said only a type-1 pump will work with the ACU-150. Is that what yours is or do others actually work as well?
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The size of the pump is dictated by the system voltage and size of the steering ram cylinder Here's the selection criteria. My pump had a sticker on it "Type 1" and I'm 12 VDC.

I bet 99% of us (mid sized Sundancers) have the same system, Type 1, 12VDC pump. Looks like the one pictured top right.

You could bump up to the ACU-200 for a few hundred$$, but if you have a type 1 pump, an ACU-150 will work just fine.

Capture_LI (6).jpg
 
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SKybolt said:
I just spoke with Raymarine tech support about this upgrade, as I am thinking of doing the same (older SPX-10) and they said only a type-1 pump will work with the ACU-150. Is that what yours is or do others actually work as well?
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Looked up the SPX-10...it was compatible with a Type .5 or Type 1 pump. The Evolution ACU-150 should be a drop in replacement.

Capture_LI (9).jpg
 
Irie308 said:
Sidenote, does anyone know if the existing AP pump, which is a 12volt pump on the 420 DB/DA is a reversible pump (reverse polarity)?
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It should look like this...

Type 1 pump.JPG
 
Another side note, having loaded the Navionics premium charts on the Axiom 12 I’m woefully unimpressed. The chart is very slow to render. Am I expecting too much from a quad core processor in this unit? I’m have to go back to my e120w.
 
Irie308 said:
Another side note, having loaded the Navionics premium charts on the Axiom 12 I’m woefully unimpressed. The chart is very slow to render. Am I expecting too much from a quad core processor in this unit? I’m have to go back to my e120w.
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Something doesn’t sound right. Granted I’ve got the Axiom Pro 16, but the Navionics charts are noticeably better than the E120W version and should be for you as well. Yours should also have the Raymarine Charts Lighthouse charts. If the display is set to show those, they do leave a bit to be desired.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Something doesn’t sound right. Granted I’ve got the Axiom Pro 16, but the Navionics charts are noticeably better than the E120W version and should be for you as well. Yours should also have the Raymarine Charts Lighthouse charts. If the display is set to show those, they do leave a bit to be desired.
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Yes works smoothly when I select the lighthouse charts. Wondering if I’m showing too much detail in the Navionics. Will call raymarine today to see what they say.
 
dtfeld said:
Looked up the SPX-10...it was compatible with a Type .5 or Type 1 pump. The Evolution ACU-150 should be a drop in replacement
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Thanks Dave

I can't wait to actually be able to use routes correctly and get rid of my 0183 terminal block and wiring.
 
SKybolt said:
Thanks Dave

I can't wait to actually be able to use routes correctly and get rid of my 0183 terminal block and wiring.
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I'm really happy the way this system came together. Everything on the Raymarine side operates as expected, and looks great.

If Airmar gets their act together, I can move to a DST800 on the N2K network, and be done with SeaTalk1. Only thing left will be the VHF on NEMA0183. Maybe a Vesper VHF/AIS would be a good upgrade!!
 
Irie308 said:
Yes works smoothly when I select the lighthouse charts. Wondering if I’m showing too much detail in the Navionics. Will call raymarine today to see what they say.
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I dont have any major issues with my Axiom or the Navionics card and I have a lot of detail turned on. Dumb question...all firmware updated?

My biggest complaint is the GPS is very marginal where I have it mounted (in the fiberglass pod to the left of the helm). It takes a while to get an initial fix even on a hot start, but I'm under cover.

I know this is one of the biggest complaints with the original Axiom, and supposedly much better internal antenna on the new Axiom+. Of course a remote mounted RS150 solves that problem.
 
dtfeld said:
... Maybe a Vesper VHF/AIS would be a good upgrade!!
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I am looking at the Vesper 8000 or their new Cortex VHF. I am leaning towards the 8000 because of price, but Vesper AIS has a nice app they put out, it's an anchor watch program that actually works on any phone/tablet and the Cortex has it built into the handset. Both are really nice AIS transponders, at least they look that way. some folks on here have the 8000 and like it very much. The Cortex is a whole new level of VHF and AIS tec. that seem amazing. I just replaced my VHF with a Garmin 210 AIS, if I hadn't done that I would have a new Cortex in my future.
 
dtfeld said:
I dont have any major issues with my Axiom or the Navionics card and I have a lot of detail turned on. Dumb question...all firmware updated?
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I believe when I set it up I checked for updates but will confirm when I'm at the boat again.
 
Irie308 said:
I believe when I set it up I checked for updates but will confirm when I'm at the boat again.
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There was a recent upgrade to 3.12. But i'm not sure that would sort out the issue your seeing with the Axiom. I've been very happy with mine and the decision to stay with Raymarine.

I stayed with Raymarine initially because I upgraded to an a128 and the old SeaTalk1 based autopilot was fully integrated and worked. Then I decided to add Doppler radar, and that meant a new MFD (the Axiom), and autopilot.

There was a time that I thought I should have gone to Garmin, but at the end of the day Raymarine has done a good job for me. Finally getting the AP to work as intended is the icing on the cake.

My final goal is to add another 9" (likely axiom+) and redo the helm switch panel. Hopefully I'll be able to ditch the ST60 and the p70Rs, but we'll see.
 
My plan is to run the axiom side by side with the garmin. The reason I didn't go all garmin is I didn't want to replace my open array as I'm pretty happy with it for now. I really like the auto routing and ease of use of the garmin. Will make a decision at the end of the season as to which AP to upgrade to. Not sure how often i would use the AP to auto navigate as we are docked on a river which is not very wide so I usually disengage when entering the mouth. Mostly run in straight lines when on the open water so generally engage and disengage from the control head. What I do like is the ability to auto route via the MFD vs the iPad. The Garmin has some nice features as well as being very easy to use. So far I can see the benefit of running the two different brands as they both offer different features....I mean who doesn't want to watch Netflix while underway...:).
 
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