Raymarine - SeaTalk and NMEA0183 wiring

This is exactly why in these common data network (NMEA 2000) days, Raymarine is not desirable; their products continue to interface with unique connectors, operation is specific / limited to their own products, and each new generation requires some quagmire to adapt legacy. Garmin, Furuno, SimRad, and Maretron get it.....
Tom

@ttmott - you raise a good point. The PO had just upgraded everything thing prior me purchasing the boat - and my wallet was feeling too light to start all over - so I opted to build upon what was there. My previous boat was Garmin and I liked their product.

The one thing that does impress me about Raymarine is their support forum. Chuck really takes the time to give detailed answers to every question.

Why can Raymarine dedicate an employee to that function but Sea Ray / Brunswick (a larger company) can’t be bothered to do the same here in this forum? At least it feels like the Raymarine support people really care (and are technically competent). Does Sea Ray?
 
This is an eye opening thread. I’ve got a contract on a 400DB that has the original all-Raymarine electronics. I was thinking how to slowly update them and add an N2K network. I was considering staying with RM just out of convenience. But incompatibility with the open standards is a deal breaker. Too bad, too. Because I agree that forum gives fantastic customer service! Maybe I’ll keep the RM auto pilot for as long as it keeps working...
 
Following up on my experience with connecting my original 2001 Raymarine ST7000+ AP controller, Course Computer 100 and ST60 Tridata with my Garmin 7612xsv and 942...

I found out that the Raymarine E22158 Seatalk to Seatalk NG converter does the job of transmitting all relative data to and from the N2K network. In preparation of incompatibility between the two systems, I purchased the Actisense NGW-1-ISO for translation between the N2K and the NMEA 0183 networks, however it was unnecessary. Not only does the course computer read the bearing and waypoint information from the Garmins, the Garmins are able to display rudder position information from the Raymarine AP. I was told by Raymarine that rudder position was not transmitted by the course computer and was expecting to have to purchase the Garmin GRA 10 to get that information out of the Raymarine.

I also was told by Raymarine not to connect the AP controller to the ST60 Tridata, however I was not able to get any data out of the AP system without it. One caveat is that you have to kill the power in the cable that connects them, or else you end up backfeeding the rest of the system. Which is not a good idea... So, without utilizing the NMEA 0183 connections in either the Course Computer or the AP Controller I have all the connectivity I need between the two systems, including sharing the depth, temperature, and water speed information from the ST60 (which is now mounted under the dash panel out of sight). Attached, see my system diagram.
 

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I know from reading this forum there are many opinions about Raymarine electronics vs Garmin / Furuno / etc.

I inherited the (recently upgraded) Raymarine electronics from the previous owner in May when I purchased my 420 Sundancer. My issue was with the MFD and autopilot not talking to each other. The PO gave me the contact information of the local installer who upgraded the MFD and Radar the previous year. That installed came out on the boat, and let me know that the MFD and Autopilot were incapable of talking to each other via Seatalk, and that I would have to upgrade the Autopilot if I wanted them to be integrated.

I then decided to register and join the Raymarine forum. I was actually highly impressed after reading the thoroughness of how Raymarine (particularly Chuck from Raymarine) responded in detail to each and every forum post. I decided to photograph and trace myself (but not disturb) how all the Seatalk and NMEA wiring had been hooked up by the installer (including the installer trying to make their own SeaTalk cables by splicing tables together with electrical tape).

I posted a very detailed query, with supporting photographs to Raymarine and Chuck responded the next day with very detailed instructions of where the installer went wrong with the installation, and how the cabling would have to be fixed. Having lost faith in the installer, I proceeded to redo the SeaTalk and NMEA cabling myself of the course of a couple weekend days. I was thrilled that Chuck's guidance worked - and my Autopilot was now talking to my MFD via SeaTalk!! This gives me the ability to control the autopilot from the MFD which is what I really wanted to do. I was also glad I didn't have to shell out $$$$ for an autopilot upgrade.

Attached are two network diagrams I made as a result of Raymarine's detailed response. The first shows the SeaTalk1 / SeaTalkng wiring between components (including the model number of each Raymarine cable / junction) and the second diagram is the NMEA0183 rewiring (using a Blue Sea Systems style wiring block).

I encourage anybody with Raymarine networking issues to register and post to the Raymarine forum. I am not passing judgement one way or another on the quality / capabilities of their electronics - however I would give an A+ to their customer support on their forum.

It would be interesting to hear from other Club Searayers whether Garmin and Furuno have customer forums where company tech support responds to customer postings and questions with highly detailed (and accurate) responses.

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I have almost the same setup and I have a question regarding the wire connections

1) where do the ST8001 connections terminate
 
I have almost the same setup and I have a question regarding the wire connections

1) where do the ST8001 connections terminate

Man, you're asking in a really old thread. I have the ST7001+ controller, not the ST8001, but maybe they are similar. Attached is a drawing I made of my original electronics AFTER adding a SeaTalk to STng converter and a NMEA2000 network. I needed to do that to add an Axiom. You can see how strange my ST7001 was connected. The NMEA0183 goes nowhere. The one ST port is not used. The other connects to the AP computer. That's the ONLY device on that ST link. The other ST port on the AP computer connects to all of the other ST devices. Not sure if that's just how the installer did it, or if that's what's required. But maybe this gives you some guidance on how your ST8001 terminates (and where the devices get their signals from)?

Steve
 

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Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I sent the attached diagram to Raymarine and despite what the manual says I was told that the ST8002 will not work with the evolution system. I needed a p70 head. I question that. Now If i had gotten that from Chuck, I would have immediately ordered a p70 head. What I am going to do is hook it up as I have it drawn and if it works send a follow-up email to him about the advise given.
 

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  • SeaRay Network MY Alaina Marie - Evolution Autopilot Wiring Diagram.pdf
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Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I sent the attached diagram to Raymarine and despite what the manual says I was told that the ST8002 will not work with the evolution system. I needed a p70 head. I question that. Now If i had gotten that from Chuck, I would have immediately ordered a p70 head. What I am going to do is hook it up as I have it drawn and if it works send a follow-up email to him about the advise given.
Gotcha. I never would have considered (and haven't) running an old head with an EVO. You are bolder than I am! I'm selectively upgrading like parts so as to not break the whole systems. First was adding an Axiom and N2K network. Then replacing the old VHF with an N2K-compliant VHF, and AIS on N2K. Next will be a new heading sensor (on N2K) because I'm tired of fighting with the old fluxgate compass. Then, another Axoim in place of my RL80C along with Quantum 2 radar. At that point, everything except the AP control and computer, will be upgraded and on NMEA2000. The only SeaTalk left will be talking to the AP computer. But I don't try to control the AP from my plotter, so I just use the AP for rudder positioning info and for "holding course". Not sure I'll ever update my AP subsystem because it's just super expensive and I don't use it except for the "Auto" mode.
 

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