I recently installed a Raymarine EV100 Wheel pilot on my 1983 Hunter 31, the original ST 4000 finally gave up the ghost and went to "Iron Mike" heaven. I had an existing N2K network (also called "Devicenet" who knew?) with a wind instrument, Garmin 541s , Simrad RS35, and Ikommunicate on the N2K network. All worked flawlessly together. I was very concerned about adding "Seatalk NG" to the mix. But with few wheel pilot options I went forward. Here is what I learned from talking to a Raymarine tech and installing the auto pilot. Sea Talk NG (do not confuse with previous versions is Seatalk) is a N2K network with an extra wire and a proprietary connection system.
You have to use a Seatalk NG cable to plug into the Raymarine instrument, after that you can use a field installable Devicenet connector or use a Seatalk NG to Devicenet adapter cable (stunningly enough both similarly priced). N2K always has five wires the same color, a bare wire, blue, white red and black. Though the color of blue can vary, it's still blue. Seatalk NG has a sixth yellow wire for talking with previous Seatalk versions. When using the Devicenet field installable connectors just cut the yellow wire off and do not attach it. I used these connectors to plug the Raymarine instrument for the auto pilot into my existing N2k network and it all worked like a champ. The Raymarine components that were supposed to draw power from the network did just as the were supposed to and everyone talked they were supposed to.
So don't be afraid to cut the ends of those Seatalk NG cables! Here is a screenshot of a cut Seatalk NG cable and the field installable Devicenet male connector and the adapter cable. Poster does not necessarily endorse these vendors, they were handy for what it's worth riggersbench.com has some good information.
You have to use a Seatalk NG cable to plug into the Raymarine instrument, after that you can use a field installable Devicenet connector or use a Seatalk NG to Devicenet adapter cable (stunningly enough both similarly priced). N2K always has five wires the same color, a bare wire, blue, white red and black. Though the color of blue can vary, it's still blue. Seatalk NG has a sixth yellow wire for talking with previous Seatalk versions. When using the Devicenet field installable connectors just cut the yellow wire off and do not attach it. I used these connectors to plug the Raymarine instrument for the auto pilot into my existing N2k network and it all worked like a champ. The Raymarine components that were supposed to draw power from the network did just as the were supposed to and everyone talked they were supposed to.
So don't be afraid to cut the ends of those Seatalk NG cables! Here is a screenshot of a cut Seatalk NG cable and the field installable Devicenet male connector and the adapter cable. Poster does not necessarily endorse these vendors, they were handy for what it's worth riggersbench.com has some good information.