[CA] interface B&G Zeus Touch & ST6002 autopilot

[Joe Gilling]

I want to interface the Zeus Touch MFD chart plotter/course computer with my ST6002 + SPX-10 autopilot via Seatalk 2000. Doesn't appear difficult to connect physically but I'm concerned about which controller will be in charge of maintaining course. This question probably applies to interfacing other autopilots and chart plotters/course computers. Any advice and/or experience are welcome.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Joe,

While it is possible for a third party chartplotting product to supply a Raymarine autopilot in support of the autopilot's Track feature, the autopilot may only be commanded into Standby, Auto, and Track mode via the autopilot's control head. Should the third party chartplotting product feature a communications interface supporting 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 communications, then the ST6002's NMEA 0183 input terminals may be interfaced to third party chartplotting product's NMEA 0183 output port / leads. Should the third party chartplotting product not feature a communications interface supporting 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 communications and instead feature a NMEA 2000 communications interface, then them third party chartplotting product would be interfaced to as a spur to a powered and properly terminated NMEA 2000 backbone which would additionally include a NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 data bridging device. The ST6002's NMEA 0183 input terminals may be interfaced to the NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 data bridging device's NMEA 0183 output port / leads.