Dougal
Well-Known Member
Was it Raymarine bought them out? I need tech info on the old tridata unit and wondered who to email.
Autohelm Company?
- Thread starter Dougal
- Start date
syc1
Well-Known Member
Long time ago, but yes.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Autohelm changed its name to Raymarine - but has had several different owners since then. still trades as Raymarine. Their technical department is usually very helpful. You will also find all the old manuals and technical information on obsolete models on their website.
lw395
Well-Known Member
Autohelm's holding company was bought by Raytheon.
It may have been bought and sold before that, but it was pretty much an autonomous company in Portsmouth.
Raytheon split up, creating Raymarine and others, e.g. Raywire.
It may have been bought and sold before that, but it was pretty much an autonomous company in Portsmouth.
Raytheon split up, creating Raymarine and others, e.g. Raywire.
Dougal
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info. I need some info on the old Tridata unit. I guess Raymarine will be as good a place as any to start.
Anyone know if the data cable connectors into the displays are propietary or common to other brands?
Anyone know if the data cable connectors into the displays are propietary or common to other brands?
pvb
Well-Known Member
Almost certainly proprietary. You can always take the connectors off and re-connect the wires individually.
Brent Swain
N/A
My old Autohelm was a far better, simpler and more reliable unit than my new Raymarine. At sea, I could let it steer overnight, while motoring thru the dolrums, something I would never trust the Raymarine to do,The Ramarine randomly decides to wander from time to time. Never had that problem with the Autohelm.
prv
Well-Known Member
There have been several "Tridata" models, you'd need to be more specific about which you have. However, at a guess you might mean the ST50 version?
If so, the manual is here: https://raymarine.app.box.com/s/w7dp1h5hwi1f3fmda4x1/file/3273518097
Again, it's not clear which connectors you mean. The transducer ones carry transducer signals directly, ie analogue pulses, which are presumably specific to the Airmar transducers originally supplied (but Airmar are almost ubiquitous, so you could also use ones supplied in another manufacturer's box). The other two are the Seatalk bus which is proprietary to Raymarine, but the protocol has been reverse engineered and there are hobbyist-type boxes (no big company wants to risk infringing on Raymarine's IP) to do various things with them. What is it you are trying to achieve?
Pete
Dougal
Well-Known Member
Thanks Pete. Very useful info. U believe it's a Tridata ST50 with repeater. After being switched on, it BRIEFLY displays depth, then locks at that depth and flashes. Manual states that's a signal not received error, suggesting a transducer problem I think. I want to find out if I can just replace the transducer. Being a motor sailor, we have dual displays and I'd really not wish to replace them.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
May not necessarily be the transducer - it could just be a poor connection or poor power supply. The transducer will be nothing special. You need to check whether it is a stand alone one or integrated with the log.
Dougal
Well-Known Member
Checked all wiring and cleaned and checked all connections. Transducer and paddle for log are separate beasties.
prv
Well-Known Member
Ok, in which case it’s presumably a fault in either the transducer or the circuitry in the instrument which drives it. Are both your instruments identical Tridata units? If so, you should be able to temporarily swap them to see if it’s the instrument that’s failed. Indeed if that is the case, you can just leave them swapped since the driver part isn’t needed in the one acting as repeater.
If the problem proves to be in the transducer then you should be able to replace it with a modern equivalent from Airmar. Obviously you’ll need to be out of the water to change a through-hull unit.
Pete
If the problem proves to be in the transducer then you should be able to replace it with a modern equivalent from Airmar. Obviously you’ll need to be out of the water to change a through-hull unit.
Pete
Dougal
Well-Known Member
Second unit is just a repeater so I'm guessing it doesn't have the required circuitry you describe
Not heard of Airmar will check it out when I get a better WiFi connection...
Not heard of Airmar will check it out when I get a better WiFi connection...Tranona
Well-Known Member
Second unit is just a repeater so I'm guessing it doesn't have the required circuitry you describe
Airmar is the manufacturer of almost all transducers including those used by Raymarine. Any electronics specialist including mail order will be able to supply one matched to your instruments.
prv
Well-Known Member
Second unit is just a repeater so I'm guessing it doesn't have the required circuitry you describe
Does it actually have "Repeater" or similar printed on it? The manuals I can find don't mention any dedicated repeater-only Tridata model in the ST50 range, so if it looks the same as your "main" unit then my suspicion is that the two are identical. Most Seatalk instruments can repeat data off the bus if they don't have transducers connected themselves, so it would be perfectly normal to fit two of the same instrument with one acting as the main and the other as a repeater.
Pete
Dougal
Well-Known Member
OK Pete will check further. Gonna be a bitch to switch as other unit is bulkhead mounted outside. Still easier than a lift out though
I appreciate all the help here guys. It's what this forum is all about so thanks...
I appreciate all the help here guys. It's what this forum is all about so thanks...
