RS125 - NO FIX being reported on Pathfinder Series Display or Multifunction Display

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

RS125 - NO FIX being reported on Pathfinder Series Display or Multifunction Display

The Raystar 125 GPS Sensor featured a communications interface which permitted it to be interfaced to the system as a device supporting NMEA 0183 communications or more commonly as a device supporting SeaTalk communications. The method of communications was determined by whether the Raystar 125 GPS Sensor detected +12VDC on it s green lead. To learn more about this, please click here to view the Raystar 125 GPS Sensor's Installation Guide.

In all cases troubleshooting should begin with the following:
- ensure that only one source of GPS data has been interfaced to the system.
- connect the vessel to shore power, permit its batteries to be fully charged and then test the system after charging.
- verify that the GPS sensor has been installed in a location affording it an unobstructed view of the skies overhead
- verify that there is no obvious damage to the GPS sensor and/or its cables
- verify that all NMEA 0183 or SeaTalk connections are free of corrosion and tight so as to support continuity
- verify that all marine electronics power circuits (especially that which is supplying power to the GPS sensor has been switched ON) ... verify that power is being supplied to the GPS sensor's power leads
- verify that the MFD is communicating with the GPS sensor by examining the MFD's GPS status dialog(ex. it is not necessary for the GPS sensor to have acquired a position fix to view satellite data) from the GPS sensor ... if not, then the communications path between the MFD and GPS sensor should be checked.
- if the GPS sensor has been installed in a manner to support NMEA 0183 communications and the MFD has been interfaced to an AIS receiver / transceiver via its NMEA 0183 communications interface, then verify that the MFD's corresponding NMEA 0183 Port has been configured to "AIS 38400".
- if the GPS sensor has been installed in a manner to support NMEA 0183 communications and the MFD has not been interfaced to an AIS receiver / transceiver via its NMEA 0183 communications interface, then verify that the MFD's corresponding NMEA 0183 Port has been configured to "NMEA 4800".
- if the system is comprised of E-Series Classic MFDs, C/E-Series Widescreen MFDs, or a GPM400, verify that the MFD which has been interfaced to the SeaTalk bus has been configured as the system's Data Master MFD and that this MFD is has been switched ON whenever the system is in use. This item does not apply to A/C-Series Classic MFDs.
- Change the Raystar 125 GPS Sensor's internal CR2032 memory battery

Should each of the applicable items listed above have been satisfied, then it would appear that the Raystar 125 GPS Sensor has suffered a failure and should be replaced with a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor.

- Interfacing a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor to a hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Display
- Interfacing a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor to a C-Series Classic MFD
- Interfacing a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor to an E-Series Classic MFD

For any model of MFD having a SeaTalkng communications interface (ex. A-Series Classic MFD, E-Series Classic MFDs operating with v5.69 software, C/E-Series Widescreen MFD, GPM400, a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD), the Data Master MFD and Raystar 150 GPS Sensor would each be interfaced as a spur to a powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone.


RAYFAQ#