Interconnecting two Raymarine e-Series MFD plotters

[dunedin]

I currently have two Raymarine plotters of different generations - an E90Wide and an e7. They work OK but two main issues
(a) can’t share charts so have to buy / update duplicate chart cards, one for each plotter (with multiple cruising grounds, that’s 8 chart cards rather than 4)
(b) can’t display Quantum radar in cockpit

So, as one does, I was browsing on eBay and spotted another e-Series of the same generation and Lighthouse 2 software as the e7. Time was running out but I slipped in a bid in the final seconds and now have a second e-Series, for better or for worse.

I think I should be able to share cartography and Radar between these two same generations using a Raynet (or is it a SeatalkHS) connection? Is this correct?

Can I just connect the two plotters together directly by buying a female to female Raynet cable - or do I need the extra cost and complexity of a network switch?
(Note that the radar signal comes via WiF, not via a Raynet cable, so only a single connection between plotters planned.).

Physically threading the Raynet cable between chart table and cockpit table will probably be the most difficult task - particularly as the plus are so big. Can you just lop the end off and easily resolder, or is that risking problems?
Anybody got a spare Raynet cable puller plug, as seems a waste to spend £20 in five of them for a one off job?

Thanks

 

[RobF]

I think you need the eS rather than the e. The eS has the Raynet ports (1 on the eS 7, 2 on the eS9 and eS12). I didn't think the e7 or the E90 had Raynet ports.

 

[dunedin]

I think you need the eS rather than the e. The eS has the Raynet ports (1 on the eS 7, 2 on the eS9 and eS12). I didn't think the e7 or the E90 had Raynet ports.

The e-Series do have one or two connections marked "Network", which the installation manual refers to as "SeatalkHS / Raynet Network" (see photo).

I understand that both are basically Ethernet with custom end plugs, and the e-Series ones are round sockets. Will these work?

 

[RobF]

Every day is a school day. I hadn't realised that SeaTalkHS was the same as RayNet. Thanks Dunedin, that may have helped me out with a problem I've been trying to resolve.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I currently have two Raymarine plotters of different generations - an E90Wide and an e7. They work OK but two main issues
(a) can’t share charts so have to buy / update duplicate chart cards, one for each plotter (with multiple cruising grounds, that’s 8 chart cards rather than 4)
(b) can’t display Quantum radar in cockpit

So, as one does, I was browsing on eBay and spotted another e-Series of the same generation and Lighthouse 2 software as the e7. Time was running out but I slipped in a bid in the final seconds and now have a second e-Series, for better or for worse.

I think I should be able to share cartography and Radar between these two same generations using a Raynet (or is it a SeatalkHS) connection? Is this correct?

Can I just connect the two plotters together directly by buying a female to female Raynet cable - or do I need the extra cost and complexity of a network switch?
(Note that the radar signal comes via WiF, not via a Raynet cable, so only a single connection between plotters planned.).

Physically threading the Raynet cable between chart table and cockpit table will probably be the most difficult task - particularly as the plus are so big. Can you just lop the end off and easily resolder, or is that risking problems?
Anybody got a spare Raynet cable puller plug, as seems a waste to spend £20 in five of them for a one off job?

Thanks

If you are only fitting the two MFDs using Seatalk hs, , you either need a crossover cable or a crossover coupler, no need for a network switch. More than two devices and you need a network switch. A bog standard Ethernet switch can be used, Seatalk HS connectors will fit with a mod.

If you are fitting just the two MFDs with Raynet, you just need a Raynet cable, again, more than one device and you need a network switch. You can still use a standard Ethernet switychm by using adaptor cables, you can make you own by splicing Raynet to Ethernet cables or crimping RJ45 connector to Ratnet cables.

If the cables are awkward to fit you can cut them and splice after routing.

Note, both MFDs must be using the same (latest) software version.

 

[dunedin]

If you are only fitting the two MFDs, you either need a crossover cable or a crossover coupler, no need for a network switch. More than two Raynet devices and you need a network switch. I bog standard Ethernet switch can be used, Seatalk HS connectors will fit with a mod, Raynet needs convertor cables (make you own by splicing Raynet to Ethernet cables.

If the cables are awkward to fit you can cut them and splice after routing.

Note, both MFDs must be using the same (latest) software version.

Paul
Superbly helpful, as always.
Both plotters are on the latest (final?) version of Lighthouse 2 software.

So to be clear what I need to order, this is a picture of the actual Network sockets - with 10 pins. Is this SeatalkHS or Raynet?
Thanks

 

[geem]

I currently have two Raymarine plotters of different generations - an E90Wide and an e7. They work OK but two main issues
(a) can’t share charts so have to buy / update duplicate chart cards, one for each plotter (with multiple cruising grounds, that’s 8 chart cards rather than 4)
(b) can’t display Quantum radar in cockpit

So, as one does, I was browsing on eBay and spotted another e-Series of the same generation and Lighthouse 2 software as the e7. Time was running out but I slipped in a bid in the final seconds and now have a second e-Series, for better or for worse.

I think I should be able to share cartography and Radar between these two same generations using a Raynet (or is it a SeatalkHS) connection? Is this correct?

Can I just connect the two plotters together directly by buying a female to female Raynet cable - or do I need the extra cost and complexity of a network switch?
(Note that the radar signal comes via WiF, not via a Raynet cable, so only a single connection between plotters planned.).

Physically threading the Raynet cable between chart table and cockpit table will probably be the most difficult task - particularly as the plus are so big. Can you just lop the end off and easily resolder, or is that risking problems?
Anybody got a spare Raynet cable puller plug, as seems a waste to spend £20 in five of them for a one off job?

Thanks

We have an E series 140 and 180. We don't have a network switch. One is wired to the other. The one with the charts is designated as the master and everything else can be repeated on the slave unit. I rarely use the slave function as they take a ton of power running two plotters. We just use the one in the cockpit and we have a spare below. On night watches I will sometime come down below and turn on the nav station plotter if is raining. Close the hatch and wait for weather to improve. You can simply swap the CD chart card into the other plotter and it will ask you if you now want it to be master.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Paul
Superbly helpful, as always.
Both plotters are on the latest (final?) version of Lighthouse 2 software.

So to be clear what I need to order, this is a picture of the actual Network sockets - with 10 pins. Is this SeatalkHS or Raynet?
Thanks
View attachment 142659

Looking back at my previous reply, it's not complete or entirely accurate, so i've edited it. Your connectors are Raynet, you should just need a female to female Raynet cable.

 

[dunedin]

Looking back at my previous reply, it's not complete or entirely accurate, so i've edited it. Your connectors are Raynet, you should just need a female to female Raynet cable.

Brilliant. Thanks again for your help

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

The more Raymarine plotters one has the greater the likelihood of one dying without any available spares.