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***Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator***

wjj,

In fact, you do have a SeaTalkng backbone installed onboard ... the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter is essentially a small backbone ... and an incorrectly installed SeaTalkng backbone (coupled with old product software) can cause communications issue which you have reported. As indicated previously, all of the devices having a SeaTalkng communications interface should be updated with the latest product software updates and should be interfaced to the SeaTalkng backbone rather directly to the SeaTalk bus. Additionally, the SeaTalk bus must be powered by the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter(s).

Here's some information from a related FAQ:
SeaTalk instruments, autopilot components, GPS sensors, and chartplotters featuring a 1st generation SeaTalk interface which do not additionally feature a SeaTalkng interface (ex. ST40/60 Instrument Displays, ST6001, S2G, Wireless AP Controller, C80, etc.) should be interfaced to one another, in any order, using standard SeaTalk Cables. SeaTalk Cables can be joined using D244 SeaTalk Junction Blocks, splices, marine grade terminal strips, or R55006 SeaTalk Auxiliary Junction Boxes. SeaTalk Cable is available in 15", 1m, 3m, 5m, and 9m lengths. This method of interfacing is referred to as a SeaTalk bus.

NOTE: Autpilot Course Computer products introduced prior to the Type 150/150G, 400/400G, ST4000+, ST5000+, instrument products introduced prior to the ST50+, as well as chartplotting, fishfinding, and radar products introduced prior to these autopilots and instruments utilize an older version of the SeaTalk communications protocol than did the products which followed them. The SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter has neither been designed nor tested for use with such products. Correspondingly, it is recommended that any such devices within your present system be disconnected from the SeaTalk bus and that they instead be interfaced to the newly created system via NMEA 0183 communications protocol.

Each SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter will support a SeaTalk bus of up to five SeaTalk devices. Should your present SeaTalk bus consist of more than five SeaTalk devices, then it will need to be divided into smaller busses including no more than five SeaTalk devices. Each bus will in turn be connected to the yellow SeaTalk port of a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter. The SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converters may be interfaced to one another via appropriate length of SeaTalkng Backbone Cable. The SeaTalk bus will need to be branched or extended and connected to the yellow (SeaTalk) port of an E22158 SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit which has been upgraded with v2.01 or later SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter software.

SeaTalkng devices (ex. SPX/Evolution autopilots, ST70/ST70+ MFIDs and Autopilot Control Heads, i50/i60/i70 Instrument Displays, etc.) will in turn be interfaced to the white SeaTalkng spur ports of the SeaTalkng backbone / SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter(s) using appropriate length of SeaTalkng Spur Cable. Additional SeaTalk spur ports may be created within the backbone by connecting SeaTalkng 5-Way Connectors and/or SeaTalkng T-Pieces to the SeaTalkng backbone / SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter(s) using appropriate lengths of SeaTalkng Backbone Cable. Up to three SeaTalkng Devices may be daisy chained to one another using SeaTalkng Spur Cable to create a single spur having a total length of no more than 5m. Daisy chaining SeaTalkng devices rather than connecting each SeaTalkng device individually to the backbone has the advantage of reducing the amount of cable which may otherwise need be chased throughout the boat.

The SeaTalk bus will be to be disconnected from its present power source ... note: this may well be the red terminal of an autopilot course computer's SeaTalk port. As a best practice, the SeaTalk bus will instead be powered via the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter. The SeaTalkng power cable supplied with the SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit will be connected to a switched 5A 12VDC power circuit and will be interfaced to the other white SeaTalkng spur ports of a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter at the approximate midpoint of the LEN load of the SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 backbone which is being created.

Finally, the blue SeaTalkng Termination Plugs will need to be installed within in the remaining two blue SeaTalkng backbone ports of the SeaTalkng backbone / SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter(s).

It is strongly recommended that all devices featuring a SeaTalkng socket be updated with the latest available Raymarine product software updates. Such updates may be performed via a Raymarine MFD featuring a SeaTalkng port which has been interfaced to the SeaTalkng backbone. Should the system not include a Raymarine MFD featuring a SeaTalkng port, then the software within your SeaTalkng devices may be updated by a Certified Raymarine Installer, some Raymarine dealers (recommend calling the dealer before visiting), or by the Raymarine Product Repair Center.