Interfacing an E-Series Classic MFD to a Raymarine Digital/HD/SuperHD Digital radar

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Interfacing an E-Series Classic MFD to a Raymarine Digital/HD/SuperHD Digital radar

Raymarine's E-Series Classic MFDs were initially designed to be compatible with radomes and open array pedestals featuring an analog video interface. Later, Raymarine added support for radomes (excluding Quantum) and open array pedestals having an Ethernet communications/video interface. Raymarine can no longer service radomes or open array pedestals featuring an analog video interface. Analog radar scanners are most easily identified by their white radar cables. However, as the E-Series Classic MFDs also support radomes (excluding Quantum) and open array pedestals having an Ethernet communications/video interface, it would be possible to interface the E-Series Classic MFD system to a Digital/HD Digital Radome or HD/Super HD Open Array to restore radar features to the system.

The bolt patterns of the Digital or HD Digital Radomes are identical to those of the analog radomes which had been designed for use with the C/E-Series Classic MFDs and hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Radar Displays. Likewise, bolt patterns of the HD/Super HD Open Array Radar Scanners are identical to those of the analog open array radar scanners which had been designed for use with the C/E-Series Classic MFDs and hsb/hsb2/SL Pathfinder Series Radar Displays.

The analog video radar cables designed for use with the RD218, RD424, 2D, 4D, 5S, 7S, 9S, and 11S radomes and open array pedestal, as well as radar cables designed for use with radome and open array pedestals introduced prior to these are not compatible with Digital/HD Digital Radomes and HD/SuperHD Open Array Pedestals. The Digital/HD Digital Radome or HD/SuperHD Open Array Pedestal will be interfaced to the system via Digital Radar Cable. Digital Radar Cable should not be cut. In sailing vessels, it is recommended that a Digital Radar Extension Cable should be chased from the radar scanner’s power / communications interface port to the base of the mast, pole mount or backstay. This will permit the Digital Radar Extension Cable to be quickly and cleanly disconnected from the vessel's wiring should the mast or be removed. The Digital Radar Extension Cable will be connected to an appropriate length of Digital Radar Cable w/RayNet (F) plug. A Digital Radar Extension Cable would not typically be used on a power boat unless mounted on an arch or tower would was intended to be removed. In most power boat installations, the Digital Radar Cable will be plugged directly into the Digital/HD Digital Radome's or HD/SuperHD Digital pedestal's power / communications interface port.

E-Series Classic MFDs feature a single Ethernet port permitting them to be interfaced to one other compatible device having an Ethernet communications interface. Should two or more compatible devices having an Ethernet communications interface need to be interfaced to the MFD, then the MFD's SeaTalkhs port would instead be interfaced to a SeaTalkhs Network Switch or SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather/Radio Receiver / Network Switch via an appropriate length of SeaTalkhs (M) to RJ45 (M) Cable. Should two or more devices having an Ethernet communications interface need to be interfaced to the MFD and the system not presently include a SeaTalkhs Network Switch or SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather/Radio Receiver / Network Switch , then the MFD and these devices may instead be interfaced to a HS5 RayNet Network Switch. Any currently installed SeaTalkhs Cables terminating in a RJ45 (M) plug may be adapted (w/A80247 RayNet (F) to RJ45 (F) Adapter) to mate to the Network sockets of an HS5 RayNet Network Switch. The SeaTalkhs socket of the E-Series Classic MFD will then be interfaced to the HS5 RayNet Network Switch via an assembly constructed from an A80272 RayNet (M) to SeaTalkhs (M) Adapter and an appropriate length of RayNet (F) to RJ45 Cable (M).

Should the current system feature a SeaTalkhs Network Switch or SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather/Radio Receiver / Network Switch featuring an unused port, then the Digital Radar Cable will be interfaced to a switched 12/24V power circuit or VCM (open array pedestals only) and may be adapted to mate to the network switch’s RJ45 socket via an assembly constructed from an A80160 RayNet (M) to RayNet (M) Cable Joiner and an appropriate length of RayNet (F) to RJ45 Cable (M).

Should the E-Series Classic MFD be installed within a binnacle mounted pod, then it is recommended that the Digital Radar Cable terminate below decks where it will be interfaced to power. Terminating the Digital Radar Cable below decks will eliminate the need to run power leads up the binnacle tube(s). Should a network switch be installed onboard, then the Digital Radar Cable will be joined to the network switch. Should a network switch not be installed onboard, then the Digital Radar Cable may then be interfaced to the MFD via a an assembly constructed from an A80160 RayNet (M) to RayNet (M) Cable Joiner, an appropriate length of RayNet RayNet (F) to RayNet (F) Cable, and an A80272 RayNet (M) to SeaTalkhs (M) Adapter. Terminating the Digital Radar Cable below decks will eliminate the need to run power leads up the binnacle tube(s) and has the benefit of offering better environmental protection to cable/wire splices.

Tech Tip: when installing marine electronics in pods mounted to binnacle tubing, it is recommended that cables featuring plugs be chased before chasing cables featuring bare leads. Cables featuring the larger plugs should be chased before chasing cables featuring the smaller plugs. Cables featuring bare leads should be chased last. When chasing a cable featuring bare leads on one end and a plug on the other end, then end of the cable featuring the bare leads should be chased rather than the plug end of the cable. You may also want to consider removing all cables from binnacle tubing before installing new equipment to better facilitate chasing cable.

RAYFAQ#