Connection question

[Mavis]

I have a Standard Horizon CP180i chartplotter and I want to connect it to my Autohelm ST1000 Plus, to allow me to use the Track Control feature on the autohelm.

I have tried all the usual searches on this forum, and also tried the manfacturers websites and have been able to get some information but not the definate wiring diagram I need for my particular set up.

I have tried the various nmea connections but have not been able to get the autohelm to do anything when you press the +10 and -10 buttons together, the unit bleeps once but nothing else happens.

I think that I have to connect the terminals 5 & 6 on the autohelm to the yellow and green of the chartplotter. But which way around?? and do I also need to configure the nmea settings on the chartplotter using the set up menu ??.

I think that I have already succesfully connected the plotter to my Silva S15 VHF for DSC positioning.
Thanks :

 

[pvb]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that I have to connect the terminals 5 & 6 on the autohelm to the yellow and green of the chartplotter. But which way around?? and do I also need to configure the nmea settings on the chartplotter using the set up menu ??.

[/ QUOTE ]Connect plotter yellow (Port 3 output) to autopilot pin 6; connect plotter green to autopilot pin 5. Go into the plotter setup menu, and make sure Port 3 is outputting APA, APB, XTE, COG and BOD sentences.

The CP180 manual is a bit vague on wiring the 180i, which may not have Port 3 capability. In this case, you'd wire the plotter white (Port 2 output) to autopilot pin 6 instead of the yellow wire. Then you'd have to go into setup on the plotter and make sure Port 2 is outputting the sentences listed above.

Then, when you press Auto on the autopilot, then +10 and -10 together, the pilot should work in track mode.

 

[Mavis]

Thanks PVB
Will try it on the boat tomorrow
regards

 

[pvb]

Note that there's a little mention in the plotter manual about the Port 3 output not necessarily working with older autopilots, so even if you have a Port 3 output, you might need to wire the pilot to Port 2 output to get it to work.