connecting power to new network

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Nate,

System diagram comments: Your system diagram appears to be correct with the exception of a missing component ... an i70S Mulitfunction Instrument Display. The i70S is required to calibrate, apply offsets, and establish alarms associated with the DST800.

Power the system: Please click here to view a FAQ addressing this subject.

Q1. My question relates to the dependencies for the power hook up. For instance, under the old set up, when i pressed the power button for the c80, the ST60 and the VHF radio also powered up.
A1. While C80's SeaTalk port was designed to supply sufficient power to support powering a Raystar 125 GPS Sensor, it was not designed for supply enough power to energize the devices which you have listed. Accordingly, the SeaTalk bus should have been powered from a switched 12VDC power source. In systems where maximizing the amount of system capability in the event of a major component failure is not a priority, it is conceivable that the MFD, SeaTalk bus, and VHF radio may have all been powered by the same 12VDC power circuit. Per the FAQ recommended above, it is considered a best practice that several power circuits be installed to provide power to the marine electronics.

Q2: Is there any guidance as to what the dependencies should be for the described system. For instance, Allen at FoxMarine where i bought the engine gateways advised that the gateways should receive power when the engines start. They each draw 30 ma and can drain the batteries over time. However, they are part of the network and will be powered by the house battery, not by the ignition system. The only downside is that you are missing data for 6 seconds which isnt a problem for me.
A2: I have a FoxMarine engine gateway onboard my own boat. The gateway doesn't have a separate power socket. The gateway simply has a DeviceNet Micro-C (M) socket and cable permitting it be mated to the plug of the engine's diagnostics harness. The SeaTalkng backbone receives power from a switched 12VDC power circuit. I'm certain that this is what Alan had intended. When the marine electronics are switched OFF, then power to the engine gateway is also switched OFF. The Fox Marine engine gateway has performed flawlessly since its installation and has been instrumental in permitting use of the MFD's Fuel Management features. Please click here to view a FAQ addressing this subject.

Q3: What is the proper power set up for this network?
A3: See the FAQ referenced above regarding powering the system.

Q4: Will the MFD kill the power to the instruments connected to the backbone when it is turned off?
A4: No. Per the same referenced FAQ, the MFD's and instruments have a last power state memory feature. As such, I generally advise that all equipment, with the exception of radar transducers, be switched ON/OFF via the breaker / fuse panel. It is recommended that radar transducers be switched to standby mode and permitted to park (for open arrays) before switching them OFF.

Q5: Or will the backbone continue to provide power to the components listed above.
A5: The power circuity supplying power to the SeaTalkng backbone will supply power to RS130, p70R, EV-1, engine gateways, and i70S MFID (not listed) shown within your backbone. The MFD, VHF radio, radome, and ACU-200 will need to be powered their respective power cables / power terminals.

Q6: Will the P70 R turn off the power to the Autopilot components when it is switched off?
A6: No ... switching OFF an i50/i60/i70/p70/p70R via its power button will simply extinguish the product's backlight and LCD. It is recommended that the SeaTalkng and autopilot power circuits be switched OFF when these products will not be used.

Q7: Is there an example available for the proper set up?
A7. See the previously referenced FAQ addressing how to power the marine electronics.