Raymarine courses computer

[Yngmar]

It seen likely that our course compute may have seen better day .
It's the old type S2 pilot.
Problem is will a new compute fit with all the other instrument or will I have to buy add on bits ?
Any help would be great .

If any one who may had the same problem I be interested how you may have sorted the problem .
Problem ..once turned on the display says standby but after 10 second saying no link and the steering locks as if it's in auto .
Only way to release the lock steering is to turn it off or as I did remover the clutch cables from the computer.

Hey Vic, regarding your old unit, I'm confused. If the steering locks, it's because the clutch is engaged, which should never happen while the autopilot is on standby unless its brains are totally fried. But you also say you removed the clutch cables from the autopilot computer, in which case it shouldn't even be able to engage the clutch even if its logic were totally fried. That would point to a problem with the clutch in the steering motor instead - unlikely to jam, but could happen. You do want to rule this out before spending a lot of money on a new course computer and associated bits and then it turns out the drive unit was at fault the whole time.

As for upgrading, the current models from Raymarine are the Evolution series, which are NMEA2000 (Seatalk NG) based. To hook them up to your existing ST60 (Seatalk1) bus, you also need this converter kit. This will then interface data both ways, so the new autopilot will be able to steer to wind etc. and you will have all data on both buses for chartplotters etc. It's a good path to go if you want to upgrade things bit by bit.

The Evolution autopilot itself needs a new course computer of suitable size for your autopilot drive unit (motor amperage and clutch matter here - beware, not all the ACU models support a clutch output, see table here). Then the fluxgate compass gets replaced with the EV sensor. You can keep the rudder position sensor you already have.

As for the control head, I had to dig a bit, but the manual for the above mentioned converter kit does say that you can keep your existing ST6000 control head (the thing with the display and buttons) and use it (via the converter kit) to control a new ACU on the Seatalk NG side. So you don't have to buy the new and pricey P70 control head as well, unless you want to. I'm not sure how well this will work in reality regarding all the calibration working correctly though, and usually there are bundle deals for the ACU, EV sensor and P70 head, so it may make sense to get the bundle instead and replace the control head as well.

We're back in Licata in early October and if you happen to be there I'm happy to have a look in person and talk it through.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hey Vic, regarding your old unit, I'm confused. If the steering locks, it's because the clutch is engaged, which should never happen while the autopilot is on standby unless its brains are totally fried. But you also say you removed the clutch cables from the autopilot computer, in which case it shouldn't even be able to engage the clutch even if its logic were totally fried. That would point to a problem with the clutch in the steering motor instead - unlikely to jam, but could happen. You do want to rule this out before spending a lot of money on a new course computer and associated bits and then it turns out the drive unit was at fault the whole time.

As for upgrading, the current models from Raymarine are the Evolution series, which are NMEA2000 (Seatalk NG) based. To hook them up to your existing ST60 (Seatalk1) bus, you also need this converter kit. This will then interface data both ways, so the new autopilot will be able to steer to wind etc. and you will have all data on both buses for chartplotters etc. It's a good path to go if you want to upgrade things bit by bit.

The Evolution autopilot itself needs a new course computer of suitable size for your autopilot drive unit (motor amperage and clutch matter here - beware, not all the ACU models support a clutch output, see table here). Then the fluxgate compass gets replaced with the EV sensor. You can keep the rudder position sensor you already have.

As for the control head, I had to dig a bit, but the manual for the above mentioned converter kit does say that you can keep your existing ST6000 control head (the thing with the display and buttons) and use it (via the converter kit) to control a new ACU on the Seatalk NG side. So you don't have to buy the new and pricey P70 control head as well, unless you want to. I'm not sure how well this will work in reality regarding all the calibration working correctly though, and usually there are bundle deals for the ACU, EV sensor and P70 head, so it may make sense to get the bundle instead and replace the control head as well.

We're back in Licata in early October and if you happen to be there I'm happy to have a look in person and talk it through.

Hi and thanks for the offer to take a look .
So to make thinks clear as I didn't want to write too much in the OP so not to get people here to confused .
As far as the clutch goes , once the clutch cables are removed from the computer the clutch is release and the steering is freed . So basically how I see it is , once switch on a few second later the display goes from standby to NO LINK
the computer is engaging the clutch as if it on auto , the display control say NO LINK at that point .
To isolate any interference from any other sea talk I removed them all from the Computer, powered up , NO LINK stil there
I tested the cable from the display to the computer and it fine . So it can't be the data cable .
I removed the clutch cable from the compute powered up, NO LINK is still there .
I removed the two motor cables from the computer and powered up , NO LINK is still there ,
unless I am wrong this tell me that the problems isn't with the clutch or motor .
Can't be the display as has the clutch still engaged with the display is not connected,
so it only leaves the computer.
Power at the computer is 12.8v with engine running 14.4v

New unit .. I worked out I would need the EV 400 P70s contro for my side boat and my S2 drive .
That comes with almost every thing other then a RM nema to sea talk convertor.
That lots is 2.5K .
Have I missed any thing
Edit ... all other instruments are work fine and are all showing up on the plotter and radar

I suppose no one got a good working 100/300 computer sitting around

 

[sailaboutvic]

Have you done all the usual checks eg data and power wiring, voltage under load?

No-one has suggested the option of getting a secondhand S2 or S3 (or G versions) or even upgrade to SPX-10.
SPX have gyro built in for steadier tracking. Realise there's a risk ...

HI mike
I did everything I know to Try and isolate the problem to the computer. See last posting .
Any other suggestion welcome .

 

[Yngmar]

As far as the clutch goes , once the clutch cables are removed from the computer the clutch is release and the steering is freed.

Ok, good, that's how it should be

So basically how I see it is , once switch on a few second later the display goes from standby to NO LINK
the computer is engaging the clutch as if it on auto , the display control say NO LINK at that point .
To isolate any interference from any other sea talk I removed them all from the Computer, powered up , NO LINK stil there
I tested the cable from the display to the computer and it fine . So it can't be the data cable .
I removed the clutch cable from the compute powered up, NO LINK is still there .
I removed the two motor cables from the computer and powered up , NO LINK is still there ,
unless I am wrong this tell me that the problems isn't with the clutch or motor .
Can't be the display as has the clutch still engaged with the display is not connected,
so it only leaves the computer.
Power at the computer is 12.8v with engine running 14.4v

NO LINK means the display can't talk to the course computer. That might just be a wobbly Seatalk connector, but together with the course computer engaging the clutch when it really really shouldn't, it might well be a fried course computer. You could hunt one down on eBay (Autohelm Type 300 or Smartpilot S-something would work), there's plenty going around, but the prices most of them still fetch are quite silly for over a decade old kit that may not last much longer.

New unit .. I worked out I would need the EV 400 P70s contro for my side boat and my S2 drive .
That comes with almost every thing other then a RM nema to sea talk convertor.
That lots is 2.5K .
Have I missed any thing

That's about it. ACU-400 sounds like the right size. One small catch is that you will not be able to do firmware updates on the new kit unless you have a relatively recent Raymarine MFD (chartplotter). It's not usually a big deal though and worst case you can probably borrow one from someone to do it.

Good discounts are often available at the Raymarine refurbished store: http://www.raymarine.co.uk/store/refurbished/

 

[sailaboutvic]

Ok, good, that's how it should be



NO LINK means the display can't talk to the course computer. That might just be a wobbly Seatalk connector, but together with the course computer engaging the clutch when it really really shouldn't, it might well be a fried course computer. You could hunt one down on eBay (Autohelm Type 300 or Smartpilot S-something would work), there's plenty going around, but the prices most of them still fetch are quite silly for over a decade old kit that may not last much longer.



That's about it. ACU-400 sounds like the right size. One small catch is that you will not be able to do firmware updates on the new kit unless you have a relatively recent Raymarine MFD (chartplotter). It's not usually a big deal though and worst case you can probably borrow one from someone to do it.

Good discounts are often available at the Raymarine refurbished store: http://www.raymarine.co.uk/store/refurbished/

Yea had a look at there refurbished stuff , no luck , only once on eBay are in the state and it be a pain to get them sent here .
Guy we know in Malta very well is a RM engineer , managed to talk to him to day and he agree its most likely the CC , we take a look but it does mean a very long hand steer sail with some 38 /48 hours non stop , it's been a while since we hand steer that longer trip .
See what to morrow bring .
Thanks everyone for your input .

 

[superheat6k]

Because I always try to give the most accurate and appropriate answers to posters' questions. When (if) you ever get as many "thank you" messages as I've had, you may begin to understand.

Simply because Vic needs the correct answer, not what some random anonymous poster cares to post. As it happens, Vic hasn't given enough information for anyone to answer his question ( what does "will a new compute fit with all the other instrument" mean to you?). He needs to email Raymarine with details of his system, and ask their advice.

Interesting to see many helpful and positive contributions without necessarily needing to send his kit directly to Raymarine. At least one post advises if a salesman gets hold of it then new equipment will be his only option.

By the way I have had plenty of thank you messages. After all this is a 'Practical' owners forum.

 

[pvb]

At least one post advises if a salesman gets hold of it then new equipment will be his only option.

And you'll have noted that in post 16 he said "I spoken to Hudson Marine who's been very helpful , Look like it's a 2.5k job".

 

[sailaboutvic]

Guys I don't want to start an argument between people , I only wanted a bit of help as I wasn't sure if raymarine old. And new would work to gather ,

Pvb , I except I give bare minimum info in my first posting . But In the heading it said it was a Raymarine and the posting said it was a S2 model so anyone who had dealing with upgrade would know what I asking .
and the question was if a new CC would work with my old equipment i.e. My other Raymarine item , old Raymarine with new,
I thought it was enough that get an answer to my question without me rumbling on has my posting sometimes do .

making calls to Raymarine , just to get a answer to a simple question from aboard and normally having to hold for quite a while is expensive,
What I should had done was email chris Jones who a personally friend and could had answer that question as he did here , has he clued up with that stuff , but I also wanted to see if anyone else may have had the same problem .

Hudson marine was helpful in given me the part numbers I needed and prices , but only after i git the answers I needed from tho here .
Raymarine took some calls before I spoke to someone, I called them to convence myself I was on the right track , the person i spoke to kept relaying info to some one else , who never heard of the problem and basically said I need a new CC . And to call one of their dealers ,So no help really .
suggested where made here I should look at their forum pages , I did before posting here and there where no help with the problem i was getting , it wasn't just data lost .
I think what superheat is saying , tell someone to call the manufacturer isn't really much help , I don't say this to upset you as one day you may have the answer to my question but just so maybe to bring a stop to two forum member superheat and yourself falling out .

Anyway nothing been order , I put some feelers out as we know many Hundred of cruisers in case someone had one they wanted to sell . So far not much luck , there is one in Malta but it mean it near on 500 miles of hand steering and the guy don't want to send it by post .
or last option is to bit the bullet and buy new .
Posting here also came up with offers of help from Yngnar , which if I didn't post I wouldn't had got .