Autopilot Communication Issues

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Kyle,

The diagram which you have supplied does not show that termination has been installed within the SeaTalkng Converter's backbone sockets. Additionally, it is considered a best practice to power a SeaTalk bus from the SeaTalkng backbone via a SeaTalkng Converter(s) rather than to backfeed power from the SeaTalk bus into the SeaTalkng backbone. Accordingly, the following actions would be recommended:
- verify that the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter has been updated with v1.21 or later SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter software, and if not, update the device's software accordingly ... the Converter's software version may be verified by connecting an i70, p70/p70R, or a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD temporarily to the backbone and using the product's diagnostic features
- verify that the ST70 Autopilot Control Head and S70 MFID have been updated with latest available Raymarine product software updates, and if not, update the devices' software accordingly ... this is very important for ST70 products
- disconnect the red lead of the SeaTalk cable which is connected to red SeaTalk terminal of the S3G Autopilot Course Computer
- install one Termination Plug into one of the blue backbone sockets of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter
- connect the remaining SeaTalkng Termination Plug to a SeaTalkng T-Piece or SeaTalkng 5-Way Connector
- connect the SeaTalkng T-Piece or SeaTalkng 5-Way Connector to the remaining blue backbone socket of the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter via an appropriate length of SeaTalkng Backbone Cable
- connect the SeaTalkng Power Cable to a switched 12VDC power circuit and to the spur socket of the SeaTalkng T-Piece or SeaTalkng 5-Way Connector which has been added to the system.

With respect to the performance of the system when the ST6002 AP Control Head is removed from the system: should you have interfaced the equipment as specified above, performed the software updates as specified above, and the problem persists, then it would appear that there is a problem with the ST6002 AP Control Head, necessitating that it be removed from the system or replaced. As Raymarine can no longer supply parts and service for ST6002 AP Control Head, a p70/p70R Autopilot Control Head may be used as a replacement.

- Products having a SeaTalkng communications interface may be updated using any of the following MFDs:
----- a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD
----- C/E-Series Widescreen MFD
----- A/E-Series Classic MFD