Understanding ST-60+ with ST6000

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SimonNZ

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Hi all

I'm figuring out the wiring order and design of the existing Raymarine kit on our 1994 Beneteau.

At the cockpit end, one Seatalk 1 cable (with the older ST-50 round three-pin connector) arrives and is plugged into the Autohelm controller. I assume this comes from the course computer (labelled Z121) but I can't tell for sure where because that's currently under some stowed sails.

From the Autohelm controller, another round three-pin into three spade terminals, into the slightly more recent Seatalk 1 connector (the three spades in a slightly curved row), on the ST-60+ speed unit. After that, the Seatalk connectors go Speed > Depth > Windex. The Windex second Seatalk connector is empty.

Back in the navigation station there is a NavData Z146 which is powered by another, older circular Seatalk connector. The second Seatalk there is empty. This Z146 has a broken display and is long left disconnected. It has a 2-pin input from an old GPS Transducer, also out of service these days.

So I THINK but don't know that the connectors are/were:

Spare Seatalk > NavData Z146 > Course Computer > Autohelm > Speed > Depth > Windex > spare Seatalk.

Does that model of course computer have two Seatalk connectors and does my assumption look correct? If so, should I be able to connect the Seatalkng converter into the cable that used to feed the Z146 and continue from there?

Thanks!
 
Shuggy said:
What are you trying to achieve? Your post is not clear on that front.
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Fair point!

I want to unify two networks and re-use kit where I can.

The old GPS transducer probably used to deliver GPS sentences into the existing Seatalk bus via the Z146. - that's gone now. I don't know what the benefit of the GPS sentences were to the network, other than for SOG - but the multifunction display is newish so perhaps the old one had no inbuilt GPS. Or maybe the Autohelm ST6000 can make use of it, I don't know, but it works fine without at the moment.

I have a GME AIS transducer which has an NMEA2000 connector AND NMEA0183 output. At the moment the 2000 connector is not used; the 0183 output is connected to a Lowrance display which displays AIS data from that feed, and has it's own GPS built in.

I'm hoping I can connect the AIS transducer and the Lowrance display to a new NMEA2000 network. I then want to connect the Seatalk network to that new network with the Raymarine E22158 SeaTalk 1 To SeaTalkng Converter Kit. The AIS transducer does have an 0183 input which it repeats on the 2000 network, but it's not bi-directional so it's not the interface solution I need.

I want to get all data working together, usable by kit as appropriate:

GPS data from the Lowrance (or maybe from the AIS transducer, not sure if it transmits GPS sentences)
AIS data
SOG
Speed
Windex data
Depth data
Autopilot

Later, I want to use OpenCPN and SignalK fed by the 2000 network.



cheers
 
I’ve done something similar using a SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalk ng converter and what you write sounds feasible. The bit that probably won’t work is the Autopilot interface. You should be able to feed XTE back into it, but nothing else of use is likely to work. I changed my course computer and autopilot to a Simrad one so it was compatible with my multifunctional display (also Simrad/B&G). Good luck - once you have a decent NMEA2k backbone life gets much easier.
 
Thanks very much! Still getting into the course computer to see what's wired where.

I couldn't detect any data at the old GPS end, I'll try at the spare connector on the windex.
 
Update: I managed to detect Seatalk data at the windex, then again at the other side of the course computer at the old GPS end after some wiring adjustment. The data didn't make much sense but at least it's there (I'm using a home built test circuit and a Raspberry Pi with SignalK for now).

I've ordered the Seatalk to Seatalkng converter, along with a drop cable to NMEA 2000, and I'll pick up a 2000 starter kit too. That way I can add new kit to the 2000 too.

Thanks for your help!
 
This all worked fine!

Seatalk 1 into the Raymarine converter, and from there using a Seatalkng - N2K cable into an N2K backbone. All data on all devices.

I need to figure out correct power application next so I've drawn a diagram, probably needs a new clearer post so I'll start one.

Thanks!
 
I have all my instruments wired in parallel because if I power up the ST60s they in turn power up the NMEA backbone. I have to switch the autopilot on at the same time because if I don’t the control head gets powered up by NMEA and complains that it is unable to see the course computer. The radar is separate, as is the VHF and AIS.
 
Shuggy said:
I have all my instruments wired in parallel because if I power up the ST60s they in turn power up the NMEA backbone. I have to switch the autopilot on at the same time because if I don’t the control head gets powered up by NMEA and complains that it is unable to see the course computer. The radar is separate, as is the VHF and AIS.
Click to expand...
Interesting! I started a new thread (with pictures...) here: Power to NMEA 2000 network when already present from Seatalkng
 
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