I've installed a Raymarine ST6002 (Wheel)and a Garmin GPSmap 540 in my sailboat, and while each one works independently, I can't seem to get them to communicate in order to chartplot. I've read and reread the wiring instructions, and switched the wires numerously, I just don't seem to be able get them to "talk". According to Garmin manual I should only have to connect two wires into the from the GPS into the NEMA connections on the autopilot, plus the ground and power wires. But to no avail. I really need specific information, i.e. what color wire to what connection, because I am not very technicial by nature. Any help will be very much appreciated.
Connecting my ST6002 to my Garmin GPSmap 540
- Thread starter bman88
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The Manuals
You manuals should give you the proper colors. Garmin should give you the NMEA outputs and the power and ground connections. Ray manual should give you the input information for the 6002. If it still doesn't work, I would recommend you call Garmin ro Ray tech support.
You manuals should give you the proper colors. Garmin should give you the NMEA outputs and the power and ground connections. Ray manual should give you the input information for the 6002. If it still doesn't work, I would recommend you call Garmin ro Ray tech support.
Here you go
Garmin uses a brown wire for the signal and the black (ground) wire for power is also the signal ground. On the back of the 6002 control head you will see the GPS + and - connections. Tie the black to the - and the brown to the + and you are set. Note in my graphic (GPS VHF AP Connections.jpg) I use my Humminbird 100% of the time and my Garmin is now a backup not normally connected as there can only be 1 NMEA transmitter on at a time.
Now the biggest thing to remember is that you will not see any GPS data on the AP until your GPS is in navigate mode. So to see that, pick a nearby waypoint, select GOTO waypoint and select it (this will depend on your gps controls) and set your AP in Auto and you should see something like in the attached (GPS Data,jpg) graphic. Just note that TIM1 is the waypoint I was heading to and you should see BTW and DTW (Bearing to Waypoint and Distance to Waypoint) update. Note that DTW does not seem to show up unless you are under 2nm away. If you have a course your AP will dutifully follow your GPS - fairly cool.
Garmin uses a brown wire for the signal and the black (ground) wire for power is also the signal ground. On the back of the 6002 control head you will see the GPS + and - connections. Tie the black to the - and the brown to the + and you are set. Note in my graphic (GPS VHF AP Connections.jpg) I use my Humminbird 100% of the time and my Garmin is now a backup not normally connected as there can only be 1 NMEA transmitter on at a time.
Now the biggest thing to remember is that you will not see any GPS data on the AP until your GPS is in navigate mode. So to see that, pick a nearby waypoint, select GOTO waypoint and select it (this will depend on your gps controls) and set your AP in Auto and you should see something like in the attached (GPS Data,jpg) graphic. Just note that TIM1 is the waypoint I was heading to and you should see BTW and DTW (Bearing to Waypoint and Distance to Waypoint) update. Note that DTW does not seem to show up unless you are under 2nm away. If you have a course your AP will dutifully follow your GPS - fairly cool.
Attachments
It is fairly straight forward to download a virtual terminal program to examine the output of a NMEA talking divice's sentences. However, you will need a USB to Serial cable and a cross-over fitting at the end that switches two pins. You can cut the end off of the USB to Serial cable and connect the wires accordingly if you don't want to buy the cross-over fitting.
There is a host of NMEA variants and you usually have to tell your divices what NMEA words to look for. That is why it is always helpful to examine the NMEA sentences via virtual terminal. There are many people on this forum that can help you with any trouble you may have with hooking up your terminal. Do it and you will become more comfortable with NMEA communications.
There is a host of NMEA variants and you usually have to tell your divices what NMEA words to look for. That is why it is always helpful to examine the NMEA sentences via virtual terminal. There are many people on this forum that can help you with any trouble you may have with hooking up your terminal. Do it and you will become more comfortable with NMEA communications.
Good advice
This sounds very good, but my Garmin manual shows a blue wire connecting to the ST6002's NEMA + connection located on the computer below deck, but I'm not certain I'm even reading the wiring diagram in the manual correctly.Nevertheless, I will try your advice the next time I am on the boat, and let you know the outcome.
Thanks so much.
Dick
This sounds very good, but my Garmin manual shows a blue wire connecting to the ST6002's NEMA + connection located on the computer below deck, but I'm not certain I'm even reading the wiring diagram in the manual correctly.Nevertheless, I will try your advice the next time I am on the boat, and let you know the outcome.
Thanks so much.
Dick
RPWillia You have a mistake in your diagram. The 540,270 and many other garmin plotters use the Blue wire as NMEA 1 out and in the case of the 540 the grey for NMEA 2 out. The brown wire is used for NMEA 1 input. Attached is the relevant page from the Garmin 540 manual. You will also need to configure the communications for serial port one to output NMEA as shown in the second image. Therefore it is the blue wire which should be wired to the NMEA + on the ST6002.
Attachments
Do you connect diretly to the ST6002 or to the coursecomputer?
If you have connected to other items as well your NMEA signal might be to weak! In that case disconnect the other items from the GPS.
Not sure about your Garmin, but my Garmin 172 map has to be told in the setup to give out NMEA signals, that can also be the case for your unit.
If you have connected to other items as well your NMEA signal might be to weak! In that case disconnect the other items from the GPS.
Not sure about your Garmin, but my Garmin 172 map has to be told in the setup to give out NMEA signals, that can also be the case for your unit.
Okay, I attached the Blue wire from the Garmin 540 GPS to the + wire on the ST6002 computer panel, and the black wire to the - connection and I'm receiving the signal info for BTW and DTW. The brown wire configuration did NOT work.
However, two problem remain:
1. The bearing on the ST6002 and the GPS is off about 6 degrees, but I think I can recalibrate the auto pilot to agree with the GPS. Is this correct?
2. When I set a destination and GO TO on the GPS, and push AUTO on the auto pilot, which it displays on the BTW and DTW screens, it does NOT steer to the course.
What is my next step to get it to actually steer the correct bearing to the destination?
However, two problem remain:
1. The bearing on the ST6002 and the GPS is off about 6 degrees, but I think I can recalibrate the auto pilot to agree with the GPS. Is this correct?
2. When I set a destination and GO TO on the GPS, and push AUTO on the auto pilot, which it displays on the BTW and DTW screens, it does NOT steer to the course.
What is my next step to get it to actually steer the correct bearing to the destination?
What now?
Okay, I attached the Blue wire from the Garmin 540 GPS to the + wire on the ST6002 computer panel, and the black wire to the - connection and I'm receiving the signal info for BTW and DTW. The brown wire configuration did NOT work.
However, two problem remain:
1. The bearing on the ST6002 and the GPS is off about 6 degrees, but I think I can recalibrate the auto pilot to agree with the GPS. Is this correct?
2. When I set a destination and GO TO on the GPS, and push AUTO on the auto pilot, which it displays on the BTW and DTW screens, it does NOT steer to the course.
What is my next step to get it to actually steer the correct bearing to the destination?
Okay, I attached the Blue wire from the Garmin 540 GPS to the + wire on the ST6002 computer panel, and the black wire to the - connection and I'm receiving the signal info for BTW and DTW. The brown wire configuration did NOT work.
However, two problem remain:
1. The bearing on the ST6002 and the GPS is off about 6 degrees, but I think I can recalibrate the auto pilot to agree with the GPS. Is this correct?
2. When I set a destination and GO TO on the GPS, and push AUTO on the auto pilot, which it displays on the BTW and DTW screens, it does NOT steer to the course.
What is my next step to get it to actually steer the correct bearing to the destination?
What now?
Okay, I attached the Blue wire from the Garmin 540 GPS to the + wire on the ST6002 computer panel, and the black wire to the - connection and I'm receiving the signal info for BTW and DTW. The brown wire configuration did NOT work.
However, two problem remain:
1. The bearing on the ST6002 and the GPS is off about 6 degrees, but I think I can recalibrate the auto pilot to agree with the GPS. Is this correct?
2. When I set a destination and GO TO on the GPS, and push AUTO on the auto pilot, which it displays on the BTW and DTW screens, it does NOT steer to the course.
What is my next step to get it to actually steer the correct bearing to the destination?
Okay, I attached the Blue wire from the Garmin 540 GPS to the + wire on the ST6002 computer panel, and the black wire to the - connection and I'm receiving the signal info for BTW and DTW. The brown wire configuration did NOT work.
However, two problem remain:
1. The bearing on the ST6002 and the GPS is off about 6 degrees, but I think I can recalibrate the auto pilot to agree with the GPS. Is this correct?
2. When I set a destination and GO TO on the GPS, and push AUTO on the auto pilot, which it displays on the BTW and DTW screens, it does NOT steer to the course.
What is my next step to get it to actually steer the correct bearing to the destination?
Okay, I attached the Blue wire from the Garmin 540 GPS to the + wire on the ST6002 computer panel, and the black wire to the - connection and I'm receiving the signal info for BTW and DTW. The brown wire configuration did NOT work.
However, two problem remain:
1. The bearing on the ST6002 and the GPS is off about 6 degrees, but I think I can recalibrate the auto pilot to agree with the GPS. Is this correct?
2. When I set a destination and GO TO on the GPS, and push AUTO on the auto pilot, which it displays on the BTW and DTW screens, it does NOT steer to the course.
What is my next step to get it to actually steer the correct bearing to the destination?
Had the same problem with Garmin 640 and x-5 auto
I finally got my Garmin 640 GPS to communicate NMEA to my X-5 autopilot. Connect the GPS NMEA TX wire to the NMEA + terminal on the course computer. Connect NMEA - terminal on the course computer to ground (i put a jumper wire from the NMEA - terminal to the ground wire of the computer). Connecting to the NMEA + and - terminals on the back of the autopilot control head did not work.
Denis Duhaime
I finally got my Garmin 640 GPS to communicate NMEA to my X-5 autopilot. Connect the GPS NMEA TX wire to the NMEA + terminal on the course computer. Connect NMEA - terminal on the course computer to ground (i put a jumper wire from the NMEA - terminal to the ground wire of the computer). Connecting to the NMEA + and - terminals on the back of the autopilot control head did not work.
Denis Duhaime
Re: Had the same problem with Garmin 640 and x-5 auto
One additional point. After making the connections, be sure to cold start everthing. I had to turn power off to all the instruments, autopilot and GPS and back on before it would work.
Re: Had the same problem with Garmin 640 and x-5 auto
bman - you mention that your gps and auto pilot are off by about 6 degrees. That sounds to be about the magnetic variation in your area. Did you check that both instruments are displaying the same course - either magnetic or true?
bman - you mention that your gps and auto pilot are off by about 6 degrees. That sounds to be about the magnetic variation in your area. Did you check that both instruments are displaying the same course - either magnetic or true?
Snif, my Garmin did not have a blue wire ...
only brown as per my manual and it worked. Suspect it is because we have different models. As always you need to follow the manual for your model.
As far as using the NMEA connections on the back of the control head or the computer they should be the same. A ground/signal issue perhaps?
only brown as per my manual and it worked. Suspect it is because we have different models. As always you need to follow the manual for your model.
As far as using the NMEA connections on the back of the control head or the computer they should be the same. A ground/signal issue perhaps?
Re: What now?
bman - to get the 6002 to follow the gps track you need to follow the instructions on pages 13-17 of the operating manual for your autopilot. You can get a pdf copy here:
http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1§ion=3&page=1926
bman - to get the 6002 to follow the gps track you need to follow the instructions on pages 13-17 of the operating manual for your autopilot. You can get a pdf copy here:
http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1§ion=3&page=1926
Great advice
Dear Skippers:
Thanks for all the excellent advice. I will put to test this weekend, and am hopeful all will work well.
Bman
Dear Skippers:
Thanks for all the excellent advice. I will put to test this weekend, and am hopeful all will work well.
Bman
Finally, it works! My Raymarine ST6002 and Garmin GPSmap 540 and happily communicating and working together, making my cruising experience that much more enjoyable. Thanks to everyone who contributed to my post and helped me get everything working.
Bman
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