B&G Zeus Chartplotter in Raymarine network

[davidwf]

Looking to replace my Raymarine C80 whose screen's anti reflective coating has gone decidedly iffy, looks like I've been at it with sandpaper, but I have hardly ever wiped the screen off still that's another issue and one I will take up with Raymarine.

I have ST70 instruments on seatalk NG (NMEA2000) and the SPX5 autopilot again connected to Seatalk NG ( NMEA 2000) and old seatalk to the C80. ( Yes I know its a data loop which is forbidden but it wont receive waypoint bearings etc. if not connected like this).

Looking at the instructions for the Zeus seems that it should interface fine with the instruments via NMEA 2000, question is will it be ok with the autopilot? I am guessing it won't control it as it would with a B&G one but waypoints etc should appear on the bus so autopilot should just use these.

I have an actisense NMEA 2000 to USB converter and on my PC I can see all the speed depth and wind data on the Seatalk NG bus so it should all work ok, fingers crossed.

But best to ask if anyone has any experience of mixing a Zeus (or Simrad plotter as they are effectively the same) into a Seatalk NG network?

Simplest solution would be to buy Raymarine again but had loads of issues with the kit so not really into buying an expensive chart plotter from them.

 

[med@qldnet.com.au]

Try this link. somebody has done similar I am also looking at introducing the Zeus 8 into my system so interested how you go on this. http://www.quesera-sailing.com/Upgrading_Que_Sera_Chartploter.pdf Good Luck

 

[Dkdoyle]

David did you get this to work?

 

[davidwf]

No I changed the screen on the C80 then sold the boat

 

[BelleSerene]

Looking to replace my Raymarine C80 whose screen's anti reflective coating has gone decidedly iffy, looks like I've been at it with sandpaper, but I have hardly ever wiped the screen off still that's another issue and one I will take up with Raymarine.

This may not be what you were asking for, but it’d save you so much money, I couldn’t not suggest it.

The samething happened to my C-series plotter: it was splashes of the oxalic acid in gel coat cleaner. Raymarine won’t service them - they’re too far out of warranty and cannibalise sales of new plotters - and third-party repairers don’t stock the glass screens.

Remove the unit and take it into a dust-proof environment as you’re going to expose the LCD. Disassemble the front - it’s easy - and remove the glass plate. Put the rest of the plotter upside down on a flat surface to protect the display.

Use vinegar - or Novus #1 (#2 first if absolutely necessary) and a microfibre cloth, to remove all the rest of the anti-glare coating. Now you’ve removed the patchiness, but it’ll be hard to read in sunlight.

Buy a self-adhesive anti-glare screen protector cut to size - like this - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tuff-Prote...arine-C80-Classic-Series-/162359787908?_ul=GB - and in a dust-proof environment, stick it to the glass. Reassemble the fascia of the plotter. Refix it in your cockpit using the four corner bolts and re-attach the connectors to the rear.

Relax and consider the many better uses for the £1-3k you were otherwise going to spend on today’s plotter.

 

[PaulRainbow]

David did you get this to work?

If David had fitted the B&G plotter he would have needed an N2K to STNG converter cable. The two systems would have worked reasonably well together. Regarding the autopilot, the plotter would not control it and any advanced features would not work. However, the AP would steer to compass, a waypoint, a route and if wind instrument is fitted on the network it should also steer to wind.

 

[Dkdoyle]

I have this and it does work. Of course the b&g says no autopilot but I can create a route and activate on the b&g and then hit track on the st70 and it works. I cannot send direct commands to the spx5 from the b&g.