Stowe/Robertson Dataline Instruments

[creemers]

Hello all,
On my boat I have wind and speed instruments of the "Dataline" series from Stowe / Robertson. Recently I purchased on eBay a GPS repeater of the same "Dataline" series. I can't figure out how to hook it up to the system. I connected the dataline bus to the repeater and connected my GPS unit to the "RNAV" input on the central "databox". The repeater wakes up, but doesn't seem to receive the GPS data over the dataline bus. It constantly displays "Pos Seek".
- anyone can tell me how to wire the Stowe Dataline GPS repeater?
- anyone can provide me with a manual of this unit? Or a manual of the central "databox"?

Many thanks.
Tom.

 

[Anchorite]

I have a Databox manual and can fax you a copy if you pm me a fax no. No GPS with mine, just speed and depth. The nmea mentioned is 0183A.
On the system diagram it shows WAYPOINT Decca/Loran repeater....I can't remember it's age /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif (and presume it has been updated to GPS now /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif).

 

[Oldhand]

I presume by Stowe Dataline GPS repeater your mean the Dataline "Waypoint" display unit?

I had such a system on my last boat and as far as I remember, what you have done should be OK. However, the "Waypoint" will take NMEA data direct from the GPS so you could try parallelling the GPS NMEA input to the RNav terminals to the Dataline NMEA wires to the "Waypoint" rather than connecting the "Waypoint" to the Dataline terminals of the Databox. This should at least confirm the "Waypoint" unit is working correctly if you get the NMEA + & -ve connections the right way round.

 

[creemers]

Thx Anchorite! Any way you could scan it (instead of faxing it; i'm in Spain)? Reply to my email address: tom.creemers att gmail.com

 

[creemers]

Thx oldhand,
Actually it's not the WAYPOINT unit, but one called GPS.
See a photograph here: http://www.sailblogs.com/member/iris/?xjMsgID=12603
It's probably an older version of the WAYPOINT (before Stowe was bought by Robertson). It's got standard dataline connections on the rear, plus 4 additional ones: input + and - and output + and -

 

[Oldhand]

I think that your "GPS" is a totally different unit to the "Waypoint". I thought the GPS was intended for direct connection to a GPS sensor and perhaps the Dataline connections were only to provide the power and lighting control of the Dataline system. I would still stick your GPS NMEA "out" into the the Dataline GPS input + & - and see what happens. In this instance only connect the Dataline power +ve & -ve and the (brown if I remember correctly) lighting control wire but not the Dataline NMEA wires.

 

[Stork_III]

Sent you the DatalineX Central box Manual, hope it helps. Make sure GPS is set to NEMA out, probably not too new version?

 

[Boathook]

For the dataline instruments I always thought that any input had to be through the data box. The displays are all linked together and know which info to use as they are in a certain order. I will look this weekend when on the boat.

 

[abc123]

I have a Robertson dataline system installed in a 1995 Falcon 275 sports boat. There are two seperate dials linked through the data box. On relaunching some weeks ago the system would not go beyond start up i.e. no speed or depth would show. On checking the data box connections i find trhat some wires appear to have become dislodged. Have you got an external wiring plan to show were connections should be made?

 

[hightech]

Have a look on the lid, all the connections are there, otherwise pm me and I will forward the manual for you

 

[Stork_III]

Sent you a PDF of the DatalineX Databox Manual, hope it helps.

 

[Jos van den Berg]

Hi, I have the complete Robertson data line instruments on my Dehler 41 DS.some of the displays have a crack now. They are still working. I would like to get the transparent (window) part of each instrument. Are the transparent parts available ? And where can I buy that ? I need 2 transparent housings with the round window for the wind and wind+ and 4 transparent housings with depth autopilot and so on. Hope somebody can help me.​

 

[Boathook]

I think that the chances of spares is most unlikely now. I binned mine as it was so dated and was struggling to give it away !

 

[rogerthebodger]

I think that the chances of spares is most unlikely now. I binned mine as it was so dated and was struggling to give it away !

I wish I would known as I have a working set that due to spares being kike hens' teeth I would have taken then