Any Raymarine Experts - Autopilot question (IPS/Not IPS)

[Whitelighter]

I have kindly been given a Course computer which has come from an IPS boat.

As far as I can tell, the IPS system uses a seperate interface box (see pic below) to run the IPS system.

For some reason Photobucket wont rotate it, but you get the idea.

The course computer look, for all the world, like any corepack. With the cover off all the boards are there as you would expect on an S2/S3 computer.

Again, sorry I cant rotate the pic.

Including motor power out, rudder sensor etc - all of which IPS doesnt use/want - Hence the seperate box.

Does anyone know if Raymarine just used a standard computer with the additional box as an interface to IPS or is the computer fundamentally different.

Is there any harm in plugging it up and seeing what it does?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Presumably the worst you can do is fry it, which if it didn't cost you anything, might not be a disaster. Before you start though - how about a quick call to Raymarine tech support, and ask them the question? (Isn't the obvs answer here to stick it on ebay, flog it, and use the cash to buy the actual unit that you want?)

 

[Whitelighter]

I did call ray marine tech but the guy was vague and said the boxes are totally different.

Which they aren't. I might give it another try a speak to a different member of staff (looking at the later ACU stuff the boxes for IPS do seem very different, and the don't rely on the smaller module).

 

[Whitelighter]

By way of an update, according to the US raymarine tech site the course computer is a S3G computer with the IPS DPU box.

Looking at it I think the box is just an S3G with an IPS sticker on it.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

How much is the steering ram you're going to drive with the box? I guess the worst case scenario is that you somehow fry the ram (seems unlikely, but just in case...). If not too expensive then it's hard to see the downside in just giving it a try.

 

[Whitelighter]

Standard Type 2/3 hydraulic pump so a genuine Raymarine one is about £250 from ebay

Less if you get a non-genuine one

 

[Solitaire]

I did call ray marine tech but the guy was vague and said the boxes are totally different.

Which they aren't. I might give it another try a speak to a different member of staff (looking at the later ACU stuff the boxes for IPS do seem very different, and the don't rely on the smaller module).

I have a very good guy, ex Raymarine, Give me a ring and I will give you his number.

 

[Whitelighter]

I have a very good guy, ex Raymarine, Give me a ring and I will give you his number.

Thanks,

Just off for a run - Ill give you a call when back