Raymarine EV 100 auto pilot

Resurrecting this thread, as I can't find another one I used a month or so back, and I'm thinking seriously of getting the Ray Marine EV-100 for my boat. Just looking for more comments, good or bad, or advice, for this particular autopilot. I see it on Amazon now for just over $1300. And for another $250 or so, I can get a converter to allow it to talk with my Garmin GPSMAP 840. If you have it, are you happy with it? How (where) did you mount the various components? Colby
 
I would also be interested in the experience of others with the EV 100/200. What is this converter which allows one to use the RayMarine, with a Garmin--and why?
 
Hi Bob,
The converter I was mentioning is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZP ... NDWIGEAQV0

I called RayMarine to ask them if their EV-100 would work with my Garmin GPSMAP 840xs. I would like to be able to hook the autopilot up to routes or waypoints I might be following from my plotter. I'm pretty sure it has the NMEA 2000 connection, but it definitely has NMEA 128. When I first spoke with RayMarine I was thinking my radar hooked thru the 2000 connection, but remember now that it has it's own Ethernet connection with the 840, so I think I still have a port available for 2000. Anyway, the RayMarine rep said this converter would allow the two units to communicate. I'll need to check more into that. But the converter would allow me to hook up RayMarines seatalk (NMEA 2000) to my Garmin's NMEA 128 wires. I have two 128 connections available on the Garmin, one of them already wired to my VHF radio for communication with it for the AIS and DSC.

Guess this would be another question I would place here...if anyone is running the Raymarine EV-100 with a Garmin plotter. Colby
 
I'm still doing some soul searching on this autopilot thing. I really don't want to spend over $2000. This is a recent question/answer conversation I had on Ray Marines Tech Forum:

Me: I am looking at purchasing the EV-100 auto pilot for my 22' C-Dory Cruiser. It's powered with a Merc 115hp 4 stroke EFI outboard with seastar hydraulic steering. The helm p/n is HH5271 and ram at the outboard is HC5345. I also have the Garmin GPSMAP 840xs with an open NMEA2000 jack. (It also has NMEA 183 available.) Will the EV-100 work on my boat, or do I need the larger EV-200. Can I hook the Ray Marine autopilot up directly to my Garmin plotter, or do I need the converter to run it thru the 183 system? Thanks.

Ray Marine Expert: The RAM capacity of the HC5345 is 8.34 cubic inches, which is on the upper end of the RAM capacity limit of 9 cubic inches for the EV-100 and the .5 liter hydraulic pump. Being at the upper limit, the autopilot will be working at capacity which will affect the life of the autopilot system, I would recommend going to the EV-200 Hydraulic system for your vessel.
The Evolution autopilot system is a Seatalk NG/ NMEA 2000 interfaced system. I would recommend connecting the Garmin GPS/Plotter to the existing Seatalk NG backbone cabling (open white port) that comes with the Evolution autopilot. You would require a Seatalk NG to DeviceNet adapter spur cable either male (A06046) or female (A06045) depending on the NMEA 2000 connector on the Garmin unit.


The next thing I did was check pricing, and found that the EV-200 is about $1400 more. I'm mostly comparing systems on Amazon and looking at complete systems. That is they have to include the hydraulic pump. (Many systems do not come with the pump.) This puts the EV-200 on a very comparable price range with the Garmin's GHP 10, (Actually the Garmin may be a little less. Garmin lists at $1700, but then you have to buy the pump.) I like the "shadow" drive on the Garmin, but other than that haven't done much more comparison between the operation of the two as the cost has been my priority. I'm still waiting for a new reply at Ray Marine, but I"m assuming that one does not use the full capacity of the hydraulic system, unless turning the steering stop to stop; in which case the autopilot is probably not using that full capacity either if used in calm waters with small course changes. Colby

P.s. this is the link of that forum if anybody else wants to follow it:
http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/topics/ ... _com_forum
 
This was the expert's reply at Ray Marine's forum on my question regarding service life or would the pump really need to work to capacity. Colby

Heavy Seas, turns lock to lock, slow trolling speeds conditions like these will have the system working at maximum capacity. The RAM capacity is a number on the amount of hydraulic fluid that the pump can handle, and when you are moving close to the capacity of the pump, you are working the pump close to it's peak at normal operation. There is no way to give a life of a product, that isn't a complete guess. It is just a rule of thumb if you are working a product close to it's maximum capacity, and using the same product at normal capacity the one at normal capacity will last longer. Raymarine will warranty the product for 2 years and add a 3rd year when you register the product online.
 
colbysmith":2pg5u4s8 said:
This was the expert's reply at Ray Marine's forum on my question regarding service life or would the pump really need to work to capacity. Colby

Heavy Seas, turns lock to lock, slow trolling speeds conditions like these will have the system working at maximum capacity. The RAM capacity is a number on the amount of hydraulic fluid that the pump can handle, and when you are moving close to the capacity of the pump, you are working the pump close to it's peak at normal operation. There is no way to give a life of a product, that isn't a complete guess. It is just a rule of thumb if you are working a product close to it's maximum capacity, and using the same product at normal capacity the one at normal capacity will last longer. Raymarine will warranty the product for 2 years and add a 3rd year when you register the product online.
Click to expand...

Hello Colby,

As you point out in your Raymarine Tech Forum post, the "near capacity" use of the EV-100 pump is only during lock-to-lock steering events which will likely be VERY RARE. So, although the pump is "rated" at 9cc and your Seastar helm is just below that, the volume of fluid pumped is considerably LESS THAN the capacity of the pump. So...I disagree with the assessment that the EV100 pump will be "working at maximum capacity." It would seem MOST of the time the pump will NOT be working near it's capacity.

Since the cost is nearly double for the EV200 compared with the EV100, I'd give the 100 a shot. When I was shopping for mine, the best prices where from Hodges Marine (hodgesmarine.com)

Regarding your question about the N2K to 0183 converter...don't bother! The EV systems are all N2K and your Garmin will interface seamlessly with it. I have a EV200 connected to an (older than yours) Garmin 740 by way of the Devicenet cabling referenced by the Tech Forum. You will PROBABLY want the Female/female cable so ensure you buy the correct one (that is, your Garmin has a MALE N2K receptacle for the FEMAle plug to engage). You will need to make a SeatalkNG (RAymarine's version of N2K) network. After you work with the N2k cabling/networking, you will NEVER want to bother with the TINY wires used in the NMEA 0183 protocol.

I REALLY like my EV200 by the way.

Fair Winds,

dave
 
Thanks Dave, That's the kind of info I was looking for. Also, since I do not have any thing hooked up to my Garmin's NMEA 2000 system at this time, is there any other connectors or "boxes" I would need, or just the one cable we are talking about. (Which BTW, using the part numbers Ray Marine gave me, looks to only be 15" long. Not sure if that would be long enuf. And if later in life I ever decided to hook up any of the smartgauges Merc uses, would I still be able to hook into the NMEA 2000 system with some kind of "T's". Lastly, why did you go with the EV-200 rather than the 100? Colby
 
Hello Colby,

The Garmin and Raymarine devices will be connected together into a 'network,' so shorter cables may not be a problem.

This link (https://raymarine.app.box.com/s/2ulwt6y ... 1787214721) should take you to a page where you can download the SeatalkNG Reference Manual from Raymarine. It's a lot of extraneous info but the diagrams helped me the most.

In a nutshell, an N2K network, whether SeatalkNG, Simrad, Maretron, etc will have:
1. Terminators at each end of the backbone
2. The network is powered in ONE location, usually 12 VDC
3. And I forgot the 3rd item

This is a sample N2K network:
ng.JPG


It helped me to sketch out on paper the network, so I could determine how many 'T' connectors, 5-way connectors, backbone cables (and lengths), and spur (or drop) cables. As far as I can tell, ALL of this N2K cabling and fittings is seriously overpriced. It works SO WELL, however, you will forget all that when you see your chartplotter talking to your autopilot, radar, VHF, etc.

david
 
Sounds like then really for now, if I get the EV-100, all I would really need is one backbone cable, and two tees. One for connection to my Garmin, and one for the autopilot. Unless I can just hook the one cable directly between my Garmin and any Autopilot for now while I don't have any other items to plug in to that network. I'll go check out the link. THanks again. Colby
 
colbysmith":2rp4ep7e said:
Sounds like then really for now, if I get the EV-100, all I would really need is one backbone cable, and two tees. One for connection to my Garmin, and one for the autopilot. Unless I can just hook the one cable directly between my Garmin and any Autopilot for now while I don't have any other items to plug in to that network. I'll go check out the link. THanks again. Colby
Click to expand...

I would recommend you consider the '5-way' connector. It has a backbone port on each end with 3 spur connections in between. I'ts much cheaper than 3 tees. A pecularity of SeatalkNG is that the cables are ALL FEMALE (on BOTH ends) which requires the Tees to be MALE on both ends...so you cant connect them to each other as with other brands of N2K...therefore you need a backbone cable between each Tee...adding further expense.

I started with an EV200 and a Garmin 740...now I've added a VHF radio with N2K connection for AIS...Again, that's a good example of how N2K simplifies everything. Most VHF radios require GPS signal for DSC; that was traditionally accomplished via NMEA 0183 - those blasted tiny, fragile wires. Now, with N2K, simply plug in the cable and BAM! you've got GPS to your radio AND (if it's an AIS receiving VHF) your AIS info goes to the chartplotter. It's almost magical.

My point is...plan on expanding. Oh, and I think you will need more than 2 Tees. My recollection is that the EV module (the heading sensor/compass piece) is connected via N2K. So, with the EV100 AP you would need to have spurs to the Garmin chartplotter, EV100 sensor, 12 VDC power is supplied via a spur, and (I THINK, but double check) the course computer connects via a spur. So that's potentially FOUR spurs for jsut the AP and chartplotter.

It seems confusing at first, but as you build your network it's not bad.

david
 
Thanks again Dave. I may just start by purchasing the EV-100, see what it comes with and doesn't, then start picking up the accessories. I already have a VHF with DSC and AIS, but run it thru the NMEA 183 system. Probably won't change that since it's hooked up and working! But somewhere down the road I've though about hooking up the Merc smartgauge system (Or whatever it's called) to my Garmin. Although haven't looked in depth enuf to know what the engine needs for connectors. Colby
 
Dave, thanks again for all the info. I'm about ready to pull the handle on purchasing the EV-100 along with the female cable, from Hodges Marine. (You are right, they are the cheapest from the places I've been looking.) My plan is to hook the autopilot up to my Garmin GPSMAP 840xs via the NMEA 2000 connections. Now my other thought is, I still have my older Garmin GPSMAP 541s that I use as a back up. It also has NMEA2000 access. I am thinking about hooking it into the loop as well. I know nothing about NMEA 2000 (Still have to read the documentation you linked me too, along with my Garmin documentation.) Will hooking the two Garmins together in that loop effect how either of them work? Would this allow the two Garmins to share data? Ie, I currently have my VHF hooked up to my 840 via NMEA 183 for the DSC and AIS data. If the two Garmin GPSMAPS are both hooked up in the 2000 loop, will the 541 be able to repeat the AIS and DSC data from the 840? Thanks. Colby
 
Hello Colby

You should be able to connect both of the Garmons to the NMEA 2000 network. You will need (two) Ray Marine device net cables to do this. You probably already know, but you do not connect the devices directly to each other. You will need to construct a N2K backbone and each device is connected to the backbone.

I checked the raymarine site for the EV – 100 autopilot. It comes with a sort of starter kit for the N 2K network. My suggestion is to buy an extra five way connector. As I said above youWill need two Device net cables for the Garmons. You may also need a extra backbone cable to connect the 2 5-way connectors. Actual cable requirements will vary according to how you set the network up.

I don't know for sure how the two Garmin units will behave on the same network, however, I suspect they will share information and behave just fine. They should share transducer/sounder information as well as AIS.

David
 
Thanks again Dave. At this point, I'm still deciding if I really want the autopilot, but leaning towards it. (Kind of a big expense for a want vs. a need...) I got a reply from Garmin about how the two GPSMAP's would interact via NMEA 2000, and still trying to wrap my brain around that. :-) I'll copy and paste their reply to my question about putting both units on the 2000 network.:

Dear Colby Smith,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I'll be happy to help you.
The GPSMAP 541 is NMEA 2000 compatible as well and can be added to your
existing NMEA 2000 network (drop cable and t-connector).
When connected to the NMEA 2000 network both devices would receive data
that is sent using the NMEA 2000 protocol. It's not shared over the
Garmin marine network, because the 541 is not a network device.
So both devices can be set up using the NMEA 2000 network and see the
same data (AIS and DSC) from a NMEA 2000 compatible AIS/DSC. The same
can be said of NMEA 0183 protocol. If you wire the 541 using 0183
protocol, it will also receive the AIS and DSC data that you currently
receive with the 840xs.
If I didn't answer your question up to this point, on the last question,
"How would I access the other units data thru the unit I'm currently
looking at? " what specific data are you referring to?
With Best Regards,
Nicholas
Customer Care - Marine Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-440-8280 (fax) 6082
www.garmin.com
Additional solutions may be found at
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/u ... rchsupport


>> *Original Message ...*
>> From: mcs2442@gmail.com
>> To: product.support@garmin.com
>> Subject: Nmea 2000 Connections
>> Message:Hello. I have a GPSMAP 840xs that I am getting ready to hook
up to a RayMarine EV-100 autopilot via the NMEA2000 connection. I
currently have the 840 also hooked up to a VHF radio with DSC and AIS
via NMEA 183. I also have an older GPSMAP 541s that I use as backup. Can
I connect the 541 into the 2000 system as well? Will the 840 and 541
share data thru the 2000 connection? Data such as the AIS and DSC
information. How would I access the other units data thru the unit I'm
currently looking at? Thanks.


At this point it sounds like I will just do a second 183 hookup between my VHF and my older GPSMAP 541. (The VHF has enough wires on the 183 network to hook up both Plotters. However the second set I will use will not allow transmission of data from the 541 to the VHF. So only the GPSMAP 840xs can transmit data to the VHF.)

If I do get the autopilot, then I would hook up the GPSMAP 840xs to it via the 2000 network, and believe I would just need to add the one "drop" cable for that. If the GPSMAP 541 cannot transmit/transfer any route or waypoint data to the autopilot, then there is no need to hook it up to the network at this time. However, the other item I am looking at, if I end up with a 2000 network, is possibly hooking my Merc Smart Guage system into it. This opens up another can of worms with what do I need to do that. I know my engine, a Mercury 115 EFI 4-Stroke is capable of smart guage; I just don't know what it takes to connect it to my GSMAP's which both have pages for engine gauges. So much for my simple C-Dory. :mrgreen: Colby
 
I have a 541 which is now religated to just AIS use, thru NMEA 0183. No reason to go NMEA 2000 for the AIS. If you want to run your smart guages thru the 541 it should do that. It will require the Merc "Gateway" and you will connect that to the outboard, and then the NMEA 2000 backbone to the Smartcraft Gateway. I don't believe that you can send data from the 541 to the 840. Keep that for the charting and sounder.--or run the sounder on the 541. A problem is space on the small chart plotter, for the gauges and the AIS etc.

The 840 should work fine with the EVO---see some of Bill Biship's (Installors blog) he is very good, and has used the EVO with Garmin--may have to make your own cable, by splicing a RayMarine and Garmin together. (There is also a cable you can buy which will do this, but splicing the two is probably cheaper.
Because of the screen space, I finally ended up with a 10" a 7" and my old 5"-there is barely enough room on the dash of the 22 for these three--but it will handle a lot of data (Radar, sonar/down scan, chart ;Plotting, AIS and any other data. you may want.

It will be an interesting year, with the ray Marine EVO, the new Lowrance $1000 pillot and the latest Garmin "Reactor" pilot. I believe all of these are using the "5 axis" sensors--same as in the smart phones. I suspect that Garmin will have to drop their price for the pilot to be competative....
 
Hi Bob. Can you give me a link to that Bill Biship? Also, maybe a link to the "gateway" device you are talking about. As for connecting the RayMarine EVO-100 to the Garmin GPSMAP 840, if via the NMEA 2000 network, it's a $32 cable. IF the Mercury Gateway isn't too expensive, then eventually I'd like to add that in also. My use of the 541 is as a backup for navigation. I don't need everything going at once. Example. I don't run my radar unless I need radar. When I do need it, I'll either overlay it on the map, or I'll split the screen and make a separate "window" for the radar. The only time I'm really using the sounder in full mode is when fishing. Otherwise I just have the depth number showing in the "data" box. At times I may run the split screen in 3. Chart, Radar, Sonar. But that would be rare. The AIS I would leave on my 840. In this mode, I would run the instrument gauges on the 541. If the 840 ever went down, or I wanted to use the full screen for something else, I would switch the 541 up to Map. Colby
 
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