[CA] [CA11] Connecting St5000+ to Garmin 4210

[Jamest123]

I purchased a 2001 Grady White 282 Sailfish and my Garmin 4210 Charplotter works great except at idle/drift speeds. I am not getting bearing/heading information to the chart plotter. I would like to connect the ST5000+ to the Garmin so that the information from the Raymarine Bearing sensor is passed along to keep the charplotter accurate at slow speed. Can you tell me what the best way to link the Seatalk port to the Garmin is. Currently nothing is connected to the NMEA 183 port and the NMEA 2K port is occupied by a cable coming from a Garmin Network that includes the GPS antenna and Ship to Shore Radio (located overhead in the compartment that houses the Radio) . I would appreciate a list of parts that are needed to make this work.

Also, my current St5000+ display works fine but it immediately disengages after pressing Auto. It displays “HYD” when it disengages. I located the hydraulic pump this weekend and would like some advice on how to begin diagnosing the pump, etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice. This is my first “big” boat and I have a lot to learn. Jamie

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Jamie,

The reported error may be indicative of a shorted hydraulic pump or a failure within the internal circuitry of the ST5000+ autopilot. The latter may be isolated by:
- disconnecting one of the motor leads from the ST5000+
- connect a voltmeter across the motor terminals of the ST5000+ and configure the voltmeter for measuring DC voltage
- command the autopilot into Auto mode and then quickly press the +10 button a couple of times while observing the measured voltage ... you are seeking to verify that a voltage other than 0 VDC (negative voltage is OK, as these systems utilize reversing DC motors) is reported then move to next step
- command the autopilot into Standby mode
- command the autopilot into Auto mode and then quickly press the -10 button a couple of times while observing the measured voltage ... you are seeking to verify that a voltage other than 0 VDC (negative voltage is OK, as these systems utilize reversing DC motors) is reported then move to next step

Should no voltage be measured in either of the tests specified above, then the autopilot would be deemed to have suffered a failure and would need to be replaced, as Raymarine can no longer service autopilots of this vintage. Should voltage be measured in both of the tests specified above, then the autopilot hydraulic pump would be deemed to have suffered a failure and would need to be replaced.

Regarding how to supply the Garmin system with heading data, you may want to consider installing a E22158 SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter (which has been updated with the latest available Raymarine product software update) as a backbone component within the currently installed NMEA 2000 backbone. When connecting the ST5000+ to the SeaTalk (yellow) socket of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter, the cable will need to be cut and then spliced back together, leaving the cable's red lead unspliced and insulated to prevent shorting.

[Jamest123]

Chuck, Thanks for the quick reply. I will start the diagnostic process the next time I can run down to the boat. I have 2 questions: If I find that the Autopilot control unit is defective (assuming the pump is still good) what unit/package would you recommend to replace it on a Grady White 282 Sailfish. If I purchase the Seatalk 1 to SeaTalkng converter kit you mentioned what other connectors/cables will I need to tie into the existing Garmin 2k network. I am only asking because I only see 2 cables in the picture and one of them doesn’t have a connector on one of the ends. I am trying to visualize how and where this will tie into the Garmin 2k network. Thanks in advance, Jamie

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Jamie,

Q1. If I find that the Autopilot control unit is defective (assuming the pump is still good) what unit/package would you recommend to replace it on a Grady White 282 Sailfish.
A1. Autopilots for hydraulically steered vessels are not selected based upon vessel types and with second hand vessels which did not feature a factory installed autopilot, one should not assume that the currently installed autopilot components are correct for the vessel. Please click here to view a FAQ addressing this subject. As indicated therein, for hydraulically steered vessels, autopilot selection starts with checking the cubic capacity of the vessel's steering ram(s).

Q2. If I purchase the Seatalk 1 to SeaTalkng converter kit you mentioned what other connectors/cables will I need to tie into the existing Garmin 2k network. I am only asking because I only see 2 cables in the picture and one of them doesn’t have a connector on one of the ends. I am trying to visualize how and where this will tie into the Garmin 2k network.
A2. As you have stated that the vessel already features a powered and properly terminated NMEA 2000 backbone which has been constructed from Garmin NMEA 2000 networking components and Garmin NMEA 2000 networking components are typically terminated with DeviceNet (M) or DeviceNet (F) connectors, the following method would be used to connect the two systems.
- the supplied SeaTalkng Power Cable will not be used
- a SeaTalkng Termination Plug (blue) will be inserted into one of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter's backbone (blue) sockets.
- the supplied SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Cable will be mated to the ST5000+ in the manner specified within my initial response.
- the supplied SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Cable will be mated to the SeaTalk (yellow) socket of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter
- a length of SeaTalkng Backbone appropriate to span the distance between the remaining backbone (blue) socket of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter one of the ends of the currently installed NMEA 2000 backbone will be purchased from an authorized Rayamrine dealer.
- as indicated within the FAQ found here, a field installable DeviceNet (M) or DeviceNet (F) connector (ex. Maretron Micro/Mid Field Attachable Connectors, etc.) be used to replace the remaining backbone plug of a SeaTalkng Backbone Cable.
- the NMEA 2000 Termination Plug will be remove from the one of the existing NMEA 2000 backbone's T connectors.
- the SeaTalkng backbone cable will then be connected to the socket which the NMEA 2000 Termination Plug had previously connected.