Raymarine- change C70 for e7

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cdogg

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Hi, Has anyone changed their C70 Raymarine Chart Plotter for the new e7 version. Is it a straight forward - unplug the old and plug in the new?
In other words does it use all the existing wiring/plugs etc. and talk to all the other Raymarine kit i.e. ST60 Tridata/Log/Autohelm/DCS VHF/GPS. (I don't have radar or fish-finder).
I am fed up with the C70 screen crashing and displaying squiggly lines and like the idea of the e7 talking to my ipad2 Navioics app.
Thank you.
Cdogg
 
No direct experience, but I've looked into a similar issue. Connectors are completely different. e7 does not talk to Navionics app, its the Raymarine repeater app you need to use for this.
Also I'm pretty sure the cutout dimensions of the unit are different because of different screen aspect ratio.
 
It's not a straight swap.
Electrically:
As well as the e7 you'll need to buy a Raymarine Seatalk to SeatalkNG converter.
The existing instruments (ST60's and Autopilot) currently on the Seatalk bus will connect to this converter. The VHF will still communicate on NMEA.
You'll be able to do away with the GPS as the new plotters have GPS built in.

Physically:
If flush mounted you'll need to redo the opening.
For some older plotters adapters are available to convert the hole opening to fit the new plotters.

In effect what you have to now do is install a SeatalkNG backbone. This is a NMEA2000 network but physical wiring connectors depend upon manufacturer.
The Seatalk to SeatalkNG conversion kit has everything needed to install a basic SeatalkNG backbone.
The e7 is connected to this backbone with a drop(patch) cable. The older ST60's don't have a SeatalkNG connection so instead they still remain daisy chained together on Seatalk bus but one end of the Seatalk bus connects to the converter. This converter then translates messages between Seatalk and SeatalkNG.

iPad/iPhone Apps
There are 3 Raymarine Apps.
The plotter display can be streamed to your iphone/ipad over wifi. This app is free.
There is a RayRemote app that means your ipad can view and control the Raymarine plotter. This remote control app is £20.
 
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cdogg said:
I am fed up with the C70 screen crashing and displaying squiggly lines and like the idea of the e7 talking to my ipad2 Navioics app.
Click to expand...

Have you taken your C70 apart yet to solve the problem?
Just taking it apart and reassembling it can fix the problem. The reason being that it's possible for the boards to work loose. Connection between two of the (4) boards is purely by one board touching a connector on the other.
To dismantle:
Pull off the grey key board surround.
There are then about 17 screws (2 hidden behind labels on the left.) Remove all the screws. The electronics can then be lifted out of the back. The perspex screen cover easily lifts off.
Unclip the 2 edge connectors. Unclip the boards. Leave the screen in place. Check for any ribbon cables not fully inserted. Re-assemble. (Note: I did not disconnect any of the thin ribbon cables.)
All will now be well.
This screen problem can happen to any of the C Series original range.
 
aluijten said:
No direct experience, but I've looked into a similar issue. Connectors are completely different. e7 does not talk to Navionics app, its the Raymarine repeater app you need to use for this.
Also I'm pretty sure the cutout dimensions of the unit are different because of different screen aspect ratio.
Click to expand...

The raymarine e7 will sync data (routes etc) with the Navionics iPad app..

"Sync with Navionics Mobile

Instantly synchronize waypoint locations, favourite fishing spots and route plans between the Raymarine e and c Series multifunction display and the Navionics Mobile app. Plan your next voyage right on your Apple iPhone or iPad and then wirelessly sync your route plans using the e and c Series built in Wi-Fi."
 
C70

Thank you very much for your prompt replies. Living in 'wishful thinking land' I had hoped the swap might have been easier.
I haven't dismantled my unit yet, but since there appears little to lose, I might give that a go first. Should this not be successful, I
may just have to buy and fit a new C70. A quick look suggests that although the C70 model is now obsolete, it does still seem to be priced at around £1000 so with that in mind
I have this morning asked for a quote from the local Raymarine agents to supply and fit an e7 so that should give me another alternative to think about.
 
Talulah said:
Have you taken your C70 apart yet to solve the problem?
Just taking it apart and reassembling it can fix the problem. The reason being that it's possible for the boards to work loose. Connection between two of the (4) boards is purely by one board touching a connector on the other.
To dismantle:
Pull off the grey key board surround.
There are then about 17 screws (2 hidden behind labels on the left.) Remove all the screws. The electronics can then be lifted out of the back. The perspex screen cover easily lifts off.
Unclip the 2 edge connectors. Unclip the boards. Leave the screen in place. Check for any ribbon cables not fully inserted. Re-assemble. (Note: I did not disconnect any of the thin ribbon cables.)
All will now be well.
This screen problem can happen to any of the C Series original range.
Click to expand...

I have had the same screen image problem, took my C70 apart this March, no trouble since. Do it very carefully though!

PS: Look up online or find the original manual for dismantling: it's not brute force and ignorance to get the outer casing apart - there's a specific way.
 
C70 problems

I haven't been back to the boat yet to remove the C70 Chart Plotter for my attempt at dismantling it following your advice. Do the other instruments continue to work when the CP is removed (I noticed someone referring to them as being 'daisy-chained') or do they all receive their power via the CP?
 
cdogg said:
I haven't been back to the boat yet to remove the C70 Chart Plotter for my attempt at dismantling it following your advice. Do the other instruments continue to work when the CP is removed (I noticed someone referring to them as being 'daisy-chained') or do they all receive their power via the CP?
Click to expand...

The other instruments are powered off the Seatalk Bus.
It is very unusual for the Seatalk bus to be powered by the Chartplotter Seatalk connection although not impossible. So it depends who wired it up.
Disconnect the plotter and see.
(Normally the Seatalk bus is powered by the Autopilot but as equipment gets added/removed over time strange wiring patterns emerge.)
 
Talulah said:
The other instruments are powered off the Seatalk Bus.
It is very unusual for the Seatalk bus to be powered by the Chartplotter Seatalk connection although not impossible. So it depends who wired it up.
Disconnect the plotter and see.
(Normally the Seatalk bus is powered by the Autopilot but as equipment gets added/removed over time strange wiring patterns emerge.)
Click to expand...

As far as I know, the installation is as fitted from new, but you are of course correct, the only way is to unplug the CP and see what still works.
Thanks for your advice.
 
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