E-Series Classic MFDs within SeaTalkhs network rebooting

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

E-Series Classic MFDs within SeaTalkhs network rebooting or drops communications with Data Master MFD

If unable to perform the diagnostics, it is recommended that a Certified Raymarine Installer in your area be contacted to assist.

System instability and/or loss of communications between MFDs may be caused by not operating the same version of software in each MFD, software incompatibility with the chart card being used, or failure of the SeaTalkhs communications cabling between the MFDs, SeaTalkhs communications circuitry failure of one of the devices within the SeaTalkhs network, or a failure within the MFD's circuitry. Most SeaTalkhs communications problems are due to one or more of the following:
- a Factory Reset has not been performed on the MFDs following the software update
- each MFD has not been updated with E-Series Classic MFD v5.69 software. The version number of the software installed within the MFDs may be accessed via the command sequence MENU->SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS->SOFTWARE SERVICES->UNIT INFO->APP VERSION on each MFD ... after updating the software within the MFDs, then retest the system.
- the DSM (if any) has not been updated with DSM30/300 v4.20 software. One may check the DSM's software version via the command sequence MENU->SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS->EXTERNAL INTERFACES->SEATALKHS->DEVICES.
- the DSM (if any) has suffered a failure of it communications circuitry ... fault isolate by testing the system after unplugging the DSM's SeaTalkhs Cable from the DSM or network switch
- insufficient power supplied to the system ... measure the loaded system voltage at the plug of the MFD's power cable, the DSM's (if installed) power cable, and SR100's (if installed) power cable, and at the Network Switch)
- installation issues (see below)
- invalid MFD serial number(s). An invalid serial number may result if problems occur when a MFDs software is updated or when an incompatible memory card is used to perform the software update. The serial number for each MFD should be checked (MENU->SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS->SOFTWARE SERVICES->UNIT INFO->SERIAL NUMBER) … you will need to contact Raymarine Product Support with the actual product ID and serial number printed on the tag located on the back side of the display.
- duplicate IP addressess have been encoded into the devices of the system. One may check the IP of each MFD via the command sequence MENU->SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS->EXTERNAL INTERFACES->SEATALKHS->IP ADDRESS. Pressing the DEVICES function key will list all other SeaTalkhs devices within the network, their IPs, software revisions, and IP addresses … should this condition occur, then the MFDs should be sent to Raymarine’s Product Repair Center to be bench checked / serviced.
- The track feature has overflowed ... when using the track feature, it is recommended that the operator choose a track setting permitting less track points to be laid over the time or distance interval that the vessel will be operated. It is additionally recommended that the Track feature be configured OFF when not needed.
- The contacts of the RJ45 sockets of the SeaTalkhs Network Switch or SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather/Radio Receiver / Network Switch have become oxidized ... inspect and clean with electrical contact cleaner or replace the network switch
- Faulty power cable(s) ... with the system powered on test the effect of grasping each product's power cable approximately 8" from the plug and then wiggling it in a circular motion for approximately 30 seconds. Should such motion of the cable cause communications to halt or the product(s) to restart, then the product's power cable should be replaced
- loose or corroded power contacts within the electrical power circuit ... inspect the power circuit from the product though any distribution panel to the battery terminals to verify that all connections are undamaged, free of corrosion, and tight.


From an installation standpoint, the following issues must be addressed when troubleshooting a SeaTalkhs communications problems:
- the MFDs must be interfaced via SeaTalkhs using a pair of SeaTalkhs cables that have been joined with a SeaTalkhs Crossover Coupler, SeaTalkhs Network Switch, or SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather Receiver/Network Switch. It is NOT permissible to connect an E-Series MFD directly to the any other SeaTalkhs device without using a SeaTalkhs Crossover Coupler or a SeaTalkhs Network Switch.
- inspect the SeaTalkhs Network Switch, clip any zip-ties anchoring the SeaTalkhs cables to the SeaTalkhs Network Switch (this may actually be causing an intermittent connection to the switch socket) and anchor/strain relive these cables outside of the switch.
- SeaTalkhs cables, NOT generic Cat5e or custom constructed Cat5e, must be used to interface SeaTalkhs devices.
- With the exception of connections to a SeaTalkhs Network Switch and SR6, the plug of a SeaTalkhs Cable must feature a SeaTalkhs (M) plug with locking ring to secure the cable within the device's socket, ensure proper contact between the plug's contacts and those within the socket, and to protect the socket from corrosion from exposure to the marine environment.
- Excess SeaTalkhs cable must be loosely coiled and secured to a bulkhead to prevent bend radius of less than 6"
- The marine electronics must be powered from an isolated power source
- The circuit powering the Raymarine products has been constructed of marine grade cable of the appropriate gauge for the round trip distance between the Raymarine products and the power source.

If responding to this incident, please specify the serial numbers, software revisions, and IP addresses of each SeaTalkhs device as reported by the system using the command sequences listed above.

Troubleshooting/Fault Isolation:
From a system troubleshooting/fault isolation perspective, if there is a problematic component in the system, the system may be fault isolated by
- duplicating the failure on the day when the troubleshooting will be performed
- reduce the SeaTalkhs network to the two MFDs. Operate the system for a long enough period of time to ensure yourself that the system is functioning properly ... this may require several hours of operation. Should the system function in a stable manner, then interface another SeaTalkhs device and operate the system for a long enough period of time to ensure yourself that the system is functioning properly. As each device is added, operate the system for a long enough period of time to ensure yourself that the system is functioning properly. Should the system function in a stable manner, then interface additional devices one by one and test them with the system. Should system instability be encountered with the addition of any device, then one should connect the device to a different port within the SeaTalkhs Network Switch. Should the problem persist, then that device's SeaTalkhs cable should be replaced or the device should be sent to Raymarine’s Product Repair Center to be bench checked / serviced. Should the problem be isolated to the MFD, please note that Raymarine's Product Repair Centers can no longer service E-Series Classic MFDs, necessitating that a replacement MFD be sought from the second hand market or that a upgrade the system (MFDs must at least be replaced).

Second Fault Isolation Method:
In a system consisting of more that two SeaTalkhs nodes (a node would be any of the following: E-Series Classic MFD, PC running RayTech RNS 6.x software, DSM30/DSM300G, SR6, SR100, or Digital/HD/SuperHD radar scanner)), when communications between the Data Master and non-Data Master MFDs is interrupted, the failing MFD or MFD having a failing SeaTalkhs cable will not report the other SeaTalkhs devices within the SeaTalkhs Device List which each MFD is capable of displaying (MENU->SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS->EXTERNAL INTERFACES->SEATALKHS->DEVICES). After identify the MFD which does not list the other SeaTalkhs devices,
- try plugging its SeaTalkhs cable into a different port within the SeaTalkhs Network Switch and retest the system
- replace the SeaTalkhs cable connecting the MFD to the SeaTalkhs Network Switch and retest the system
- should the problem be isolated to the MFD, please note that Raymarine's Product Repair Centers can no longer service E-Series Classic MFDs, necessitating that a replacement MFD be sought from the second hand market or that a upgrade the system (MFDs must at least be replaced).


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