RayMarine EV-100 Autopilot Installation

Colby,

In the P70R listing of N2K devices is there something listed as "Unknown"? I have seen that before when a device sees something but doesn't know what it is. It is always associated with a device ID number. The other test is to turn off the 541 and see if the P70R still gets position data. If you don't have another GPS source then the 840 must be providing it.

Tom
 
Tom, you'd have to read thru all my posts to find those answers, lol, but to sum it up, the p70R lists all it's components and the Garmin GPSMAP 541, and nothing else. Not even an unknown! And when the GPSMAP 541 is shut off and/or disconnected, the Raymarine p70r has no position data or any thing else other than what it's components can provide. I just got off the phone with Garmin. First I spoke to a tech on the GPSMAP side. She indicated that if the 541 was being read, then so should be the 840. I understood from her that the protocol was no different. However, she said using a 5 way connector in the NMEA 2000 system would be a red flag. (Seatalkng does use 5 way connectors, along with T's). Since I plugged the 840 in to the wire I had the 541 on, still with no resolve, I have a hard time buying into a backbone issue. But I guess anything is possible. I then transferred to Garmin's Autopilot techs to talk to them, and this tech indicated that the 840 might have a different protocol that the 541. In speaking to either of them, it sounds like the only way to know anything for sure would be to hook a computer tester up to the NMEA 2000 system. ($$$ and no shops capable of doing that in my neighbrohood....) Thinking more about switching out the Raymarine system to the slightly more pricey Garmin GHP10 system, I now wonder if I could end up having problems with that and the 840 communicating. When you go to Garmins website and look for compatible equipment on the GHP 10, it does not show the 840, and the 840 shows their newest "Reactor" autopilot series. However the tech said the 840 and GHP10 were compatible. I already have the Raymarine stuff installed, and not even sure Hodges Marine would allow me a full refund to exchange for the more expensive Garmin. (I have a request into them to see.) From the start I thought the Garmin system had some better specs (mostly with the larger pump, shadow drive and the fact I already have Garmin electronics) however it was about $1000 more expensive. The Raymarine looked like a nice unit for the price, and many here had good experience with it. But with running into compatibility issues with the main Garmin MFD I wanted to use it with, and the software update issues, I'm thinking the extra cost of the Garmin would probably have alleviated all this additional frustration. (I note however, the Garmin A/P tech strongly suggested having their unit professionally installed. I'm sure that would add several hundred more dollars to the cost, and I think if one is mechanically capable, shouldn't have to pay the additional labor charges....) The only other suggestion I have been offered by Garmin with regards to their equipment communicating with Raymarine, is to possible change up the back bone. Ie, use T's only, rather than the 5 way connector. I just have a hard time thinking that would change anything, with everything else I have tried, and since the 541 is communicating with the Raymarine. I'm beginning to believe that the 840 does in fact use a different protocol than the 541, that the P70R does not recognize! Colby
 
It sounds like you've done everything possible and been very thorough.

If both the 840 and 541 are connected to n2k and see each other then we know the n2k network is working.

If the 541 and p70r are communicating then we know the SeatalkNg/n2k backbone is working. Btw, the 5 wire SeatalkNg just allows Raymarine to daisy chain instruments and avoid the T-connectors. Otherwise it's pure n2k.

The only long shot I can think of would be to try and configure the 541 to use the GPS in the 840. That would at least confirm that the 840 GPS data is on the network.
 
Ok, did some more trouble shooting, trying some things Raymarine suggested. WEIRD is all I can say. So again, both Garmin see everything, both Raymarine components and each other, while the Raymarine p70r sees he 541 and the other Raymarine components, but not the 840. Where I'm going for this info is on the Garmins Communication/NMEA2000/List page, and on the p70R system setup/diagnostics/system data page. The p70r titles the 541 as just the number 1.0, but when you go to details, it shows the model & serial numbers and software version of it. Ok, here's the weird part. Per Raymarine, I turned off and disconnected the 541, turned the 840 on, put a route in it, then on the p70R hit auto and track. Yeah, it worked...or appeared to. (Still sitting on boat trailer.) However, with the 541 back on, it appears it takes precedence and when I go to the select sources on the p70r, since it doesn't "list" the 840, I am unable to prioritize the 840. It I put active routes in both garmins, the p70r appears to be following the one in the 541. With both garmins off, I get "no route data". So I guess it's all working, it just doesn't know it... :-( Later on I may try changing the backbone connections around somewhat and see if I can get the 840 to take priority. But part of me still suspects it's a "protocol" thing on the 840. BTW, speaking with Garmin techs today, I was also informed there was a software update in just the last few days. I haven't looked yet, but know there was one out a month or two ago. Colby
 
Frustrating for sure Colby. I'd try taking the 541 offline ( pull it's power plug off). Then see if you can get the 840 to be seen by the P70r. Maybe do a soft reset of the Raymarine plotter or check in settings for additional equipment. Are all components set to nmea2000? Or is one set to 0183? Check all settings
Or maybe go launch and see what the system all does in real operation. Best of luck.
George
 
Hi George,
Go back and carefully read my last post. :-) Even with the 541 off and unplugged from the NMEA2000 network, the p70r still does not "list" the 840. There are no additional settings on the Garmin units for NMEA 2000. (As there are for the NMEA 183). However, as I wrote, apparently the p70R is getting info from the 840, as long as the 541 has no active waypoints. It just won't show it in it's listing. Colby
 
Ice is finally off the lakes, but I have yet to get the boat out. None the less, I believe my autopilot installation is complete. I'm not happy with the interface between the Raymarine EV-100 and my Garmin GPSMAP 840xs and GPSMAP 541s, but hopefully they will still play nice together on the water. More photos are available in my photo album (scroll down to the autopilot installation nested album), but here are a few photos of the final product.

This is of under the helm seat, where I installed the Ev-1, ACU-100 and hydraulic pump.
DSCF0008.jpg

This is a view of my helm. The two VHF radios, one with DSC and AIS are overhead. The Garmin GPSMAP 541s on the left, and GPSMAP 840xs on the right, and the Raymarine P70R control head to the left of the steering wheel. Items I moved include the Trim Tab switch just below the p70r, the windless switch, underneath the steering wheel, and the search light switch above the p70r (actually left in it's original spot.)
DSCF0015.jpg
 
Hello Colby,

I follow the N2K layout...except one question...the "inline terminator" under the helm shows a spur going to the ACU. Is the ACU connected to the backbone via 'T' with a terminator? I Can't tell from your pic how exactly you've connected everything. I don't have any 'inline' terminators...mine all go in a 5-way or T.

Also, realize that you have a 'spare' spur connection on the back of the p70r...the second white connector will work as a spur to what ever you connect to it. That way, in the not too distant future when you get something else which needs to interface with the existing N2K backbone, you've got a ready spot to connect without adding another 'T' or 5-way. It's also a good place to temporarily connect something for testing purposes.

dave
 
Hi Dave, looking at that photo below, under the helm seat, with the ACU-100 and EV-1, you can see the inline terminator right next to the T. The T is upstream of the inline terminator. The EV-1 is plugged in to the T, and the ACU is plugged into the terminator. I notated the inline terminator in the photo, but the notation ended up pretty small... :-( The other terminator is in the T beside the GPSMAP 840 in the bottom photo above. Good to know about the extra plug in at the p70R. I also have an extra drop cable to use. BTW, if anyone needs a 16' seatalkng backbone cable, I have one I'd sell. (Haven't priced it yet, but probably 30% less than what Defender sells it for, as they seem the cheapest.) Colby

ACU_EV_notated.jpg
 
We use our autopilot in a point the boat and lock in on that heading mode. We have a 4208 Garmin chart plotter that has sonar radar and it also provides fuel usage information. We don't use routes interfaced with the autopilot as lobster traps crossing traffic and other items will require manual steering. We use the autopilots hand held remote to steer the boat when we have a straight leg. I just go back to the stand by mode if I have to go around something. Then hit pilot once we have a heading that will continue for a ways.
Setting up routes using a chart plotter is a pain for me anyway. We use Coastal Explorer nav software on a laptop. We just bring up the chart the add a route then point and click for waypoints. These routes can be saved as windows files and can be opened and used without having to be connected to the internet. The laptop just has a Velcro mounted GPS puck and plugs in using a USB port. We just watch the boat on the laptop and steer with the auto pilots remote. Even on our new boat which has a complete factory installed Garmin integrated system, Chartplotter, radar auto pilot I doubt I will do anything differently. Just a thought.
D.D.
 
We use our autopilot in a point the boat and lock in on that heading mode. We have a 4208 Garmin chart plotter that has sonar radar and it also provides fuel usage information. We don't use routes interfaced with the autopilot as lobster traps crossing traffic and other items will require manual steering. We use the autopilots hand held remote to steer the boat when we have a straight leg. I just go back to the stand by mode if I have to go around something. Then hit pilot once we have a heading that will continue for a ways.
Setting up routes using a chart plotter is a pain for me anyway. We use Coastal Explorer nav software on a laptop. We just bring up the chart the add a route then point and click for waypoints. These routes can be saved as windows files and can be opened and used without having to be connected to the internet. The laptop just has a Velcro mounted GPS puck and plugs in using a USB port. We just watch the boat on the laptop and steer with the auto pilots remote. Even on our new boat which has a complete factory installed Garmin integrated system, Chartplotter, radar auto pilot I doubt I will do anything differently. Just a thought.
D.D.
 
Yippy, got the boat out today for the first time this season. Everything seems to be working well. The autopilot tracked the route I set on my Garmin GPSMAP 840xs without problem. The internal patterns in the autopilot system worked. The manual steering worked well too. P70r still doesn't recongize the 840 in it's system listing, while it lists the 541, but at least it is working with the 840. While RayMarine recommended a bigger pump for my system, I didn't see any need for it today. Pump didn't work much, and didn't need to put more than about 20 degrees at most of outboard turn. For my planned use of the autopilot, I can see hooking it up to follow a route more than the manual use. But guess I'll only know that after time. I'll have to monitor the compass heading a bit more however. I'm within about 15 degrees between my GPS shown magnetic heading, my compass, and the EV-1 sensor heading. However, many times my GPS and EV-1 appear to be within about 5 degrees of each other. I may just have to "swing" my compass later to make sure it is accurate. (Seems like last year it went off abut 5 degrees or so on Southerly headings....) Just hard to get a solid reading on any of them. Colby
 
Hello Colby,

I'm glad to hear your EV ap is working.

I frequently WILL plot a route and ask the AP to follow it. That works well for me. You will have to dodge obstacles whether on a straight-line course or following a route. Creating a route on the Garmin platform is easy-peasy.

I moved my Garmin 740s to a secondary roll. A Simrad NSS8 is now my primary MFD. Both the NSS8 and 740s are on the N2K backbone. Your situation got me wondering if my AP would work with the 'new' mfd. The p70r DOES 'see' the simrad equipment on the N2K network.

I set up a route on the NSS8 and then hit the 'track' button on the p70r...it alarmed 'no track' or something to that effect. Yikes!! Then I realized I failed to push the "go to" button on the NSS8...THEN the AP knew what to do. phew!

I bought a Raymarine a68. I think I'll like their downview. I have been trying to update the software in the EV components...but having trouble. I put a question on the Raymarine tech forum and await a response. I'm wanting to update because I started getting a "no pilot" error since adding the second MFD (simrad) to the system. At least, I'm hoping that the newest operating system will eliminate the 'no pilot' problem.

dave
 
Dave, I think the "no pilot" msg was one of the reasons for their update. My GPSMAP 840xs has the downview, and it does seem nicer than just the regular sonar. Eventually, I wouldn't mind finding a really cheap used Raymarine MFD, to just use as a software updater. However, after I told one of the techs on the forum about Garmin's NMEA2000 updater card reader, he said he would forward that as a suggestion for the powers to be...will see... One of these days if Raymarine does come out with another software update, I may still try just downloading it to a card and insert into my Garmins to see what happens... Colby
 
colbysmith":xp92grxv said:
One of these days if Raymarine does come out with another software update, I may still try just downloading it to a card and insert into my Garmins to see what happens... Colby
Click to expand...

Hello Colby,

Good luck. I tried the card-in-the-Garmin method of Raymarine update and that was a big NO-GO.

I also bought the Garmin N2K updater and that DIDN'T WORK either. Sent it back.

Raymarine has us by the short hairs. That is, you WILL BUY one of their mfd's if you want to update their components. If I had gotten the 3G Simrad radar BEFORE the autopilot, I would have probably gotten the Simrad AP...I really like the Simrad gear.

When the AP works it is GREAT! Looking forward to having it all working smoothly again.

/david
 
I saw another post somewhere about I think a Loran autopilot, $999. Wonder how that one works. I will admit, I was very happy with the results today when I got the boat on the water. And while many folks complained about the noise that earlier inexpensive Raymarine autopilot hydraulic pump made, this one is hardly noticeable above the 4 stroke hum, and I have it right beneath me! I still have not heard back from Hodges Marine about exchanging this Raymarine system for a more expensive Garmin system, but at this point since everything is installed and working, I don't think I want to pull it all out and spend the extra $900 or so for the Garmin AP... Colby
 
Dave

I have been fighting the "No Pilot" error for a year. It gets better with each update but it still crops up when you run multiple MFDs on a network. In the beginning it was happening every 20 minutes, now only a couple of times a day. On the update, you have to follow the Raymarine instructions precisely especially in regard to the way the files are copied to the card. I have a rather large NMEA2000 network with 2 P70Rs and the one on the opposite end of the network would not update until I inserted my update MFD at a T a little closer to it.

Tom
 
OK, I've burned about 20 gallons of fuel since I installed my new autopilot, so thought I'd provide a bit of a review. As a quick recap, I run Garmin electronics in the way of a GPSMAP 840xs and an older GPSMAP 541s (for backup). The autopilot is the Raymarine Evolution 100. It was a fairly simple installation, and as of today, the EV-100 still does not list the GPSMAP 840, (while it does list the 541) when I do a system listing from the P70R control head. None the less, when I have a route entered into the GPSMAP 840, either via route page, or direct to a waypoint, and I do not have a route setup in the 541, the AP will follow the 840's route. However, if the 541 has a route set up, then the AP ignores the 840.

Advantages of the EV100:
-Fairly simple installation
-Relatively inexpensive
-Quiet in operation (I have pump mounted under helm seat)
-Works well in maintaining direction (course) of boat
-Simple to operate
-Has several fishing patterns internal in unit that can be selected
-In an emergency, one can still turn the helm wheel which over rides the small AP hydraulic pump (Although best to put the AP in standby)
-Follows "Route" guidance from Garmin Units (sort of. Still needs "acceptance" at each turn point.)

Disadvantages of the EV100:
-Requires Raymarine MFD to update software (or factory or dealer).
-Does not follow "Tracks" or "Autoguidance routes" from Garmin units.
-Requires track acceptance at each turn waypoint when on a route.

In all honesty, I did make several attempts to return this unit to Hodges Marine or Raymarine due to my displeasure with it not being completely compatible with the Garmin GPSMAP's, or having an internal method for software updates. None the less, in the end, I couldn't justify spending an additional $1000+ to replace it with the next cheapest Garmin unit. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have gone with that Garmin unit to keep everything in the same manufacturer family. But still hard for me to justify a higher priced autopilot in a CD-22. With that being said, I've resolved myself to leaving this Raymarine unit installed, as it does a great job at what it does... Colby
 
Since my last post, I've also had the opportunity to use the EV-100 while salmon trolling. Trolling at 3 mph, with smooth (for Lake Michigan, vs. chop) 2-3 ft rollers off the Quarter Bow or Stern, the autopilot had a hard time keeping me on course. So while it kept me straight long enuf to go back and pull or drop lines, I couldn't leave it by itself for long. Colby
 
While RayMarine recommended a bigger pump for my system, I didn't see any need for it today. Pump didn't work much, and didn't need to put more than about 20 degrees at most of outboard turn. For my planned use of the autopilot, I can see hooking it up to follow a route more than the manual use. But guess I'll only know that after time. I'll have to monitor the compass heading a bit more however. I'm within about 15 degrees between my GPS shown magnetic heading, my compass, and the EV-1 sensor heading. However, many times my GPS and EV-1 appear to be within about 5 degrees of each other. I may just have to "swing" my compass later to make sure it is accurate. (Seems like last year it went off abut 5 degrees or so on Southerly headings....) Just hard to get a solid reading on any of them.
Click to expand...

With the autopilot struggling to keep a heading at 3 mph while trolling, do you believe that a larger pump motor would have helped?

Have you swung the compass? How much off, is the EV-I sensor from your GPS magnetic heading? Were the courses you were taking, such that there was a significant deviation from the GPS calculated course?

Three MPH is a speed where an auto pilot should work OK--it is down in the 1.5 or so MPH that they begin to really struggle more. The EV-i heading sensor is a 9 axis sensor, so it should handle the slow speed, and the difficult circumstances of quartering seas.
 
Back
Top