Seatalk 2 Plug?

[Tim Good]

I’m being a bit naughty here since this post should be in the Wanted section but I figure more people will see it here.

I need a Seatalk 2 plug for an E80 / E Series plotter. Like the one below. Note it is the upper plug in the second image as the lower plug is an NMEA and not a Seatalk 2. I believe Raymarine just spun it by 90 degrees to prevent someone accidentally plugging in the wrong one.

thanks!!!!!

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Try looking at RS Components website. Some time ago I was looking to see if There was a “standard” replacement connector purchasable and there was but I can’t find the piece of paper where I noted the ref. No. Of course you will have carefully to solder on the wires. Tricky!!

 

[PaulRainbow]

Confusingly, that isn't a Seatalk 2 connector! Yes, i know it's labelled on the rear of the plotter as Seatalk, but that just means it's the connector for the Seatalk 2 cable, which probably sounds as if i've been at the Gin.

This is a Seatalk 2 connector:

The one in your picture is used on the E series plotters(E80/E120), as far as i know it's proprietary and not used on any of their other plotters. The C series used the connector in the picture above (as did most other devices).

What are you connecting to the other end of the cable ?

 

[Tim Good]

What are you connecting to the other end of the cable ?

Nothing. Just going into a junction block from the Seatalk loop. At the moment it’s just a plastic block. I intend to improve that but that’s what it’s been for over 10 years.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Nothing. Just going into a junction block from the Seatalk loop. At the moment it’s just a plastic block. I intend to improve that but that’s what it’s been for over 10 years.

OK, i don't think you'll find a connector, you'll need to find a cable.

1. Original cable
2. Maretron Mare-005, E series to N2K. Hard to find.
3. Raymarine E55053 , E series to ST2 (might have been the original) Raymarine Classic E Series NMEA2000 Seatalk 2 Cable E55053 E80 E120 ST2 | eBay
4. Raymarine A06061, E series to STNG. Raymarine Classic E Series to SeatalkNG Adaptor Cable A06061 E80 E120 723193060612 | eBay

Which you chose might depend on what else is connected or how you'll change it if/when you tidy it up, as you might be able to chop the cable in half for now and use the other half for something else now/later.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Ive got one on the end of a link from the course computer to an Autohelm 7000 control box so I think they must have been used for one or two jobs, perhaps if other connectors weren't available for a time. I suspect mine is a bit faulty because it does not seem to grip very well and occasionally the whole outfit locks up!

 

[KompetentKrew]

Nothing. Just going into a junction block from the Seatalk loop. At the moment it’s just a plastic block. I intend to improve that but that’s what it’s been for over 10 years.

If you mean it's bodged together at the moment and you wish to make a better job of it, then you might use one of these.

The connector in your photo looks a lot like a Bulgin Buccaneer connector, but having perused their PDF catalogue I don't think it is.

Farnell list thousands of similar connectors if you have the time & patience to wade through their Circular Connectors & Components category.

I understand the desire to do things "right" but, since I'm guessing that this plotter is several years old, I doubt you'll do better than the Bulgin inline cable joiner on a cost and time-wasted basis.

 

[Tim Good]

Which you chose might depend on what else is connected or how you'll change it if/when you tidy it up, as you might be able to chop the cable in half for now and use the other half for something else now/later.

Thanks. The issue is that I had a fault in my old ST50 daisy chain. I eventually figured out that when I disconnected the Seatalk cable running up to the plotter then the fault disappeared. But it wasn’t a fault with the plotter, just the cable as the fault was still there even when the cable wasn’t plugged into the back of the plotter.

All I can assume is that somewhere in the cable or connector is a fault causing the whole Seatalk daisy chain throughout the boat to fail.

Hence I want a new E series connector to try and see if the fault disappeared.

 

[Tim Good]

If you mean it's bodged together at the moment and you wish to make a better job of it, then you

I understand the desire to do things "right" but, since I'm guessing that this plotter is several years old, I doubt you'll do better than the Bulgin inline cable joiner on a cost and time-wasted basis.

Thanks for this. Those connectors do look the business! However the join is below deck so I’ll probably just solder and heatshrink over the top.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks. The issue is that I had a fault in my old ST50 daisy chain. I eventually figured out that when I disconnected the Seatalk cable running up to the plotter then the fault disappeared. But it wasn’t a fault with the plotter, just the cable as the fault was still there even when the cable wasn’t plugged into the back of the plotter.

All I can assume is that somewhere in the cable or connector is a fault causing the whole Seatalk daisy chain throughout the boat to fail.

Hence I want a new E series connector to try and see if the fault disappeared.

You can't connect ST50s to the Seatalk 2 port. Seatalk 2 is the same as STNG or NMEA 2000.

 

[Tim Good]

You can't connect ST50s to the Seatalk 2 port. Seatalk 2 is the same as STNG or NMEA 2000.

Ok I’m not totally sure what can go with what but that’s the way it is and has been since I’ve owned the boat. It might be wired some other way but all I know at the moment is the cable going up and into the Seatalk2 port in the plotter is causing my 8 ST50s to fail. I disconnect it and they all work again.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Ok I’m not totally sure what can go with what but that’s the way it is and has been since I’ve owned the boat. It might be wired some other way but all I know at the moment is the cable going up and into the Seatalk2 port in the plotter is causing my 8 ST50s to fail. I disconnect it and they all work again.

If it's how it was when you got the boat and it used to work, it'll be connected through a converter or a bridging device (ST70 etc).

You can use either of the cables i linked to in post #5. Cut them in half and use the plotter end. It makes more sense to use the STNG cable as the STNG plug might be useful in the future and it's cheaper.

First thing i would do though is to follow the wiring from the plotter, see what's in the "plastic box" and where that goes. Now might be a good time to tidy it up and bring it up to date ?

 

[Tim Good]

Now might be a good time to tidy it up and bring it up to date ?

I would tend to agree but to achieve what? I’d end up with similar units feeding me depth wind and log, perhaps with touch screen or a bit of colour.

I think I’d need a lot of problems to convince me it was worth while replacing a system that works still. Well it kind of works or at least I think it will if I replace this cable ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

I intend to improve that but that’s what it’s been for over 10 years.

First thing i would do though is to follow the wiring from the plotter, see what's in the "plastic box" and where that goes. Now might be a good time to tidy it up and bring it up to date ?

I didn't mean replace the lot, just tidy the wiring up. If you follow the cables to whatever is being used as a converter that might help with what cable to buy to getrid of the "plastic box", perhaps.

If you was doing it today, you'd leave the ST installation complete and connect it to a ST to STNG converter. You would then use the £33 cable on Ebay to connect the plotter. This would give you a nice, neat and tidy installation. But it would also give you the ability to add STNG or N2K devices in the future, should you want to do so.

This is the ST to STNG converter kit:

 

[Hoist]

Ive put a post on your wanted ad, was also thinking why not just dremel a groove in a NMEA cables plug.

Does exactly the same job

 

[Tim Good]

I didn't mean replace the lot, just tidy the wiring up. If you follow the cables to whatever is being used as a converter that might help with what cable to buy to getrid of the "plastic box", perhaps.

If you was doing it today, you'd leave the ST installation complete and connect it to a ST to STNG converter. You would then use the £33 cable on Ebay to connect the plotter. This would give you a nice, neat and tidy installation. But it would also give you the ability to add STNG or N2K devices in the future, should you want to do so.

This is the ST to STNG converter kit:

Excellent thanks. You’re a marine electrician? Where are you based?

 

[Tim Good]

Ive put a post on your wanted ad, was also thinking why not just dremel a groove in a NMEA cables plug.

Does exactly the same job

Thanks but I didn’t really want to pay £40 for just a single NMEA connector.

 

[Hoist]

agreed, some of the prices flying around are just insane for second hand but at least that one is brand new.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Excellent thanks. You’re a marine electrician? Where are you based?

East coast, Nr Ipswich. I also do some South coast from time to time.

 

[Tim Good]

East coast, Nr Ipswich. I also do some South coast from time to time.

Shame. I’m from East Coast but boat is Plymouth.

The plan was to sail to Svarlbard this year up the East Coast but not with all the uncertainties we’ll head to the Scillies and then to Scotland most likely.