C-80 Tip

Steve, you're right about the Seatalk cable connecting with the autopilot. Part of my "confusion" is that the NMEA connector has NMEA183 data but so does the Seatalk connector. Another case of standard data using Raymarine's proprietary connectors.

I ran all four Raymarine NMEA wires from the cable connected to the NMEA output behind the C80 to a connection strip behind the helm and that's where the connection to the VHF was made, rather than use those telephone snap on connectors provided by Raymarine. That way, should I get any other NMEA183 device, it will be easy to connect. I intended to use it for a Navman connection as well but went to a Seatalk2/NMEA2000 fuel flow system instead.
 
Don,

Connecting the NMEA output to a terminal strip is a good idea that I might use - Thanks.

You said

"Steve, you're right about the Seatalk cable connecting with the autopilot. Part of my "confusion" is that the NMEA connector has NMEA183 data but so does the Seatalk connector. Another case of standard data using Raymarine's proprietary connectors. "

I am just learning this stuff and have not spent the time to really know it. Are you saying that Seatalk is the same as NMEA or that it is NMEA data with additional information. If this is true is the NMEA data on specific wires that could be used separately? This is just for curiosity.

Thanks,
Steve
 
You can use a connection strip for NMEA connections as long as there is only one "talker". In other words only one device that is sending information. You can have multiple "listeners". If you plan on connecting a VHF that not only receives information from the chartplotter but also sends DCS information to the chartplotter you will have to buy a multiplexor to sort the traffic. They are around $200 unfortunately.


Seatalk is proprietary. NMEA is an industry standard. They are different. The VHF will use NMEA. Your GPS receiver might use either one depending on the model.
 
Sorry Flapbreaker but don't tell my system, because it has two "talkers" and I've had three "listeners" on the same NMEA183 bus without a multiplex device and so far they've worked just fine as have a few other folk I've run into on The Hull Truth. The Seatalk bus also conforms to the NMEA183 standards and can be used as such. You can find that info at Raymarine if you dig far enough. Yes, it's possible that there are extra "Raymarine specific" data sentences sent between Raymarine Seatalk capable units but I'm not aware of them.

As far as Seatalk2, it conforms to NMEA2000 in every respect but the connectors which, like Seatalk, are proprietary. I believe there's an article in Sea Magazine that explains it well, but I may be wrong. I do know a major mag covered that info recently or I wouldn't have "operated" on my Seatalk2 bus to get fuel flow etc. working.

Finally, a big tip for C80 owners who update.


Before performing a software upgrade, export your waypoint data to a CF card. Once you complete the upgrade and have rebooted, turn the C80 off, then while holding the far left softkey down, press the power key to start the C80. You will see the screen flash FACTORY RESET and boot. Then reinstall your waypoints.

It seems several of us have experienced weird symptoms post update. In my case, the intelligent power supply got dumbed down and every time I turned the battery breakers on, the C80 powered up. Seabran had a custom page save problem. Both were solved by the factory reset.
 
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