Adding an Autopilot to ST 60 instrument cluster

[Jeff Bacon]

Hi all:I am in the process of adding an ST 4000 MK II to my ST 60 Speed and Depth instrument cluster. I know the Autopilot must be "First in Line" for the power supply, but, here is my question....The St 4000 has a spot on it for a 12 V power supply, and, of course, spots for the seatalk cables. Can I simply take the seatalk cable from the existing instrument that supplies the power and plug it in to the Autopilot, or, do I have to physically provide power to the Autopilot at the 12 V connection and then use the Seatalk cables ONLY for talking to, and providing power, to the other instruments. I would prefer not to have to provide seperate power to the autopilot and simply move the existing seatalk cable powering the Speed instrument over to the Autopilot.Thanks ........ Jeff

 

[dlentz]

ST4000 hookup

If you only hook up the Sea Talk (which I belive is three wires. 12v+, data, Ground)the auto pilot will have power and function. The problem I see is the size and gauge of the sea talk cables. Not to mention the drive motor will be powered though you "instruments" breaker.I ran a seperate breaker and circut to the ST4000 to power the auto pilot and drive and removed the 12v+ from the sea talk cable. Works fine and the drive motor has it's own power and still communicates with the instruments. The instruments are only powered though their own breaker in this set up. You could feed the ST4000 first with an adequate sized circut then hookup the instruments to the sea talk system for power, but remove any other power to the instruments so they can't power the ST4000.dlentz