Need Help With Old Electronics

kjdoyle1

kjdoyle1

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Jun 11, 2020
32
Hunter 29.5 Northport
We bought a '94 Hunter 29.5 this past Spring. We bought from a Marine Services company so we never met the last owner. The boat came equipped with (4) Autohelm ST50 Plus units (Wind, Tridata & Repeater, GPS & Navdata, and Wheel Autopilot). However, seems like none are working although they do have power.

I think the last owner was not using those 4 and instead had a chart plotter. I say that because there is a wooden bracket and 3 cables with plugs hanging that are nearby (see pics).

Any idea what those plugs are? Is there a way to see if I have any signal on any of them, or do I have to trace everything out?

I'm just not sure where to start to see what we have.
 

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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,364
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
The plugs all show a bit of corrosion.

First question, when you made the purchase was there a survey? Did you see all of the instruments working during the survey and the sea trial?

If so what has changed?
Have you turned all of the displays on at the DC Panel?

Is the problem you do not know where to plug in the wires?
What happened to the Chart Plotter you mentioned?
 
C

Calif. Ted

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Jun 8, 2004
2,958
Catalina 320 Dana Point
The autopilot is from about 2000 the other stuff is from 94 , the flat plug is Seatalk used to interconnect Raymarine devices. The 2 round plugs are probably for whatever chartplotter was removed and ????, the AP is NOT powered up in your picture. If we were there we could get the AP and instruments up and running as is IF they work. Without seeing where the break in power supply and the network is it's not possible.
What's a marine services company ?
 
kjdoyle1

kjdoyle1

.
Jun 11, 2020
32
Hunter 29.5 Northport
Hi John, the seller knew nothing about the instruments and the price reflected them not working. However, I am pretty sure some of it works.

Those 4 units do power up but there is no activity. That combined with the fact that there was a tail with 3 cables leads me to think the last active owner was plugging them into a chart plotter and using that to read instruments.

So yes, I do not know where to plug those wires, and which manufacturer or bus they work with.

We have a Garmin 74CV and none of those plugs match.
 
RoyS

RoyS

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Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
Look like my Raymarine chartplotter plugs. I have the C120 classic model. My instrument are ST60 and all work with or without the plotter. Sorry I could not help more.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,364
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
KJ
I would follow your hunch and spend the time tracking all of the wires from the displays to power and signal.

There are some neat tools (tone generator) used in the old wired phone industry that helps to track signals with out actually following the wires into hidden voids on the boat.

www.kleintools.com

Tone & Probe PRO Electrical Wire Tracing Set, Batteries and Carrying Pouch - VDV500-820 | Klein Tools

This kit includes the tools necessary to tone and trace wires in common wiring systems. This premium tone generator has Angled Bed of Nails (ABN) clips that securely grip the cable. Tone Generator emits five distinct tones. An RJ11 plug easily connects to telephone or RJ45 data jacks for toning...
www.kleintools.com www.kleintools.com

Find Power and signal. It can seem tedious, but you'll quickly build the skill.
 
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