[CA] [CA11] Time to Upgrade to Evolution AP?

[Alan Kibbe]

I began replacing/upgrading my older, mostly Raymarine, electronics, last Spring. The attached drawing is what is presently installed. All worked seamlessly in 2018.

I have begun to have some heading problems with my Autopilot. The ST6001+ plus will lose the Heading display, and instead show an X-Track Error screen with dashes where numbers would be. This happens on Standby, on a Locked Heading, or when Navigating. Pushing AUTO or STANDBY will restore the Heading display for a few moments and then revert to the X-Track Error screen. Is this a symptom of a known problem/failure?

Since I have replaced the FG compass in the past, I am thinking it's time to replace the Autopilot. I am thinking I would keep the Type 1 Rotary Drive and rudder sensor(for now) and purchase an ACU-200 and EV-1 Sensor.

Questions:
1. Can I use the not-used SeaTalk to NMEA 0183 Converter to accept 2 Spurs from the EV-1 and ACU-200 without using the NMEA 0183 socket? I would extend the SeaTalkng backbone to a new location for the converter and just use the 2 spur connections. If it's a yes, do I put a black plug in the yellow socket?
2. Both Axiom displays are connected separately to the SeaTalkng backbone and to each other via Ethernet. Any problem with that? It seemed that this would assure ST data at either display if the other unit were turned off.
3. While the Axiom displays can control the new ACU-200, I like the big red AUTO and STANDBY buttons on the ST6001+. Will this ST6000 unit continue to function if it simply remains connected to the STng backbone? Or do I need a new P70 Control Head for the push button functionality?