[CA] [CA11] Upgrading my A70D

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Brent,

Unlike Axiom Pro & Axiom XL MFDs, Axiom MFDs have not been designed with a NMEA 0183 communications interface. Depending upon the model of Raymarine autopilot course computer which has been installed onboard, the following methods may be employed:

a) the autopilot course computer and MFD would each be interfaced as spurs to the system's powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone ... in this case, not applicable, as the S1 does not feature a SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 communications interface

b) the MFD would be interfaced to the system's powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone which would in turn include a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter. Please click here to view a FAQ addressing this subject ... this would be considered to be the best installation practice and would also address how the ST40 instrument may be interfaced to the system.

c) the MFD would be interfaced to the system's powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone which would in turn include a NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 data bridging device (ex. Actisense NGW-1-ISO-STNG, etc.). The NMEA 0183 output leads of the NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 data bridging device would be interfaced to the NMEA 0183 input terminals of the autopilot course computer or autopilot control head.

Not indicated within your equipment list is any mention of a DSC VHF radio. I suspect that the second set of NMEA 0183 leads from the A70D's Power/NMEA 0183 Cable were interface to the VHF radio to supply it with GPS data. The following options would apply to additionally interface a DSC VHF radio to the system:

a) should option b) have been selected from the options above, then the backbone may additionally include an E70196 VHF NMEA 0183 to STng Converter Kit.

b) should option c) have been selected from the options above, then the NMEA 0183 output of the NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 data bridging device may be parallel to not only supply data to the autopilot, but also to the VHF radio.