[CA] [CA11] S1 computer with SeatalkNG heading/gyro input

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Steve,

Q1a) If I connect the compass to the C90W via SeatalkNG, will the autopilot receive the heading information from the C90W via Seatalk1?
A1a) Negative. Raymarine's S1/S1G/S2/S2G/S3/S3G and X5/X10/X30 autopilot course computers were not designed to support use of heading data from a SeaTalk data source as the communications data rate is too slow (1Hz). These autopilot course computers were designed to exclusively support use of heading data determined via a compatible analog fluxgate compass or from a 10Hz NMEA 0183 source of heading data.

Q2a. Alternatively, could I connect the autopilot to the SeatalkNG network via a Seatalk1-SeatalkNG adapter to receive this info?
A2a. Negative. Please see the response to Q1.

Q2) Is the S1 autopilot capable of receiving gyroscopic rate information via Seatalk or NMEA0183, or is the only method of enabling this functionality to use a gyroscopic sensor wired directly to the corresponding input on the computer?
A2) The S1/S2/S3 autopilot course computers will only function as gyro assisted SmartPilots (S1G/S2G/S3G) by interfacing them to a Pathfinder Smart Heading System / GyroPlus (no longer available) or by having had Raymarine's Product Repair Center add a compatible rate gyro to the circuitry within the autopilot course computer (also no longer available).

If considering the addition of an EV-1 CCU, it would be recommended that the S1 and autopilot control head also be replaced with an ACU (model dependent upon the model of drive unit installed onboard) and p70S Autopilot Control Head.