[CA] E120 data feed, move from Seatalk 1 to Seatalk ng

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Lothar,

Per our conversation,
1) it will not be possible to use the E-Series Classic MFD v5.69 Autopilot Controls feature if the E-Series Classic MFD has been interfaced via a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter to an autopilot having a SeaTalk communications interface. Should the operator configure the Autopilot Controls setting to enabled, one will find that the Pilot transducer status icon will continue to be overlaid with a red X indicating that this feature will not be supported. However, it will be possible to command navigation (i.e. GoTo Waypoint/Cursor or Follow Route via the MFD) and then use the autopilot control head, S100, or SmartController to then command the autopilot into Track Mode. This is much the same procedure which would have been followed prior to the introduction of the Autopilot Controls feature.

2) should it be desired to use the Autopilot Controls feature, then it would be necessary to disconnect the autopilot course computer, autopilot control head, and wireless autopilot remote base station from the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter. Instead, these devices would be connected to a SeaTalk bus which may be powered via the autopilot course computer's SeaTalk port. This SeaTalk bus will also be interfaced to the data (yellow) and ground (black) leads of MFD's SeaTalk/Alarm Cable. As discussed, it would be recommended that the RS125 remain interfaced to the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter to supply the SeaTalkng backbone with GPS data should the SeaTalkng components of system be operated with the MFD and/or autopilot course computer powered OFF.

3) the latest version of ST-STng Converter software is v2.03. As you had indicated previously and as has been verified on my system, should the one attempt to upgrade or downgrade the software of a ST-STng Converter which presently has v2.03 software installed within its memory, then the E-Series Classic MFD's software update utility will erroneously indicate that the ST-STng Converter presently has v2.3 rather than 2.03 software installed within its memory.