Network Power Connection- SeaTlkng

Fred

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Sep 27, 2008
493
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
My auto helm ST4000+ has its own power feed and circuit breaker. My other instruments have a separate power circuit with breaker.
I am currently installing a network
connection between the autohelm (SeaTalk) and the other instruments (SeaTlkng). This involves using an interface kit. When I hook up the SeaTlkng cable, it powers up the autohelm without turning on the autohelm circuit breaker. I’m concerned that the wheel servo drive would take too much power from the SeaTlkng network but having two connected dc circuits isn’t good either. What is the recommended solution?
 
Jun 14, 2010
2,081
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
The autopilot drive motor connection should be a separate (additional) connection from the seatalk bus, and it should be powered whenever your instruments are powered. Otherwise you’ll get a drive error from the AP when it tries to turn the boat. Is there any reason not to put them on the same breaker? (Each fused separately with appropriate size fuses)
PS- not sure what AP course computer you have, but the ACU200 in my last boat had the option to power the seatalk bus.
 

Fred

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Sep 27, 2008
493
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
The ST4000+ control head only has one power connection that I can see. Not clear how I can separate the circuits without cutting a wire in the SeaTlkng bus cable.
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,993
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
ST4000+ control head
Fred
You have Control Head, fluxgate compass, and the drive motor.

The drive motor gets power messages from the control head. There is a cable that runs from the control head to the motor. 2 wires in the cable carrying POWER. It is not part of seatalk. The motor is a DC direct drive motor. It responds to a positive charge from one of the wires. The control head decides which of the wires carries the positive charge. This causes the motor to rotate (either forward or backwards to give a direction). The motor then transmits this motion to the wheel turning the wheel either left or right. The motor turns till power is cut off, a signal to stop from the control head. A very simple system.

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Jun 8, 2004
2,841
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Not clear how I can separate the circuits without cutting a wire in the SeaTlkng bus cable.
Not in the NG cable but rather the flat seatalk cable from AP to rest of instruments, I forget which one however, probably red ?
At least that is how power between instruments and AP were separated on my boat before addition of nema 2000. When I added adapter et al I did not connect power lead on the 2000 adapter as it is powered already by (old) Seatalk connection.
Otherwise you are supplying power to 2000 network thru it's own power lead and the flat seatalk.
Don't know if I've helped or added to the confusion, for a start just disconnect power to the Seatalk ng network and see if it isn't still be powered by the Seatalk/Seatalk ng adapter cable.
 
Last edited:

Fred

.
Sep 27, 2008
493
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
(Each fused separately with appropriate size fuses)
I don’t think that this would necessarily solve the problem. In case of excessive current one fuse might blow but power would still be present from the other source until/if that fuse blew as
 
Jun 14, 2010
2,081
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
I don’t think that this would necessarily solve the problem. In case of excessive current one fuse might blow but power would still be present from the other source until/if that fuse blew as
No, it solves the problem stated above. If you blow a fuse there is a different problem.
 
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Fred

.
Sep 27, 2008
493
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Not in the NG cable but rather the flat seatalk cable l
I think you’re right on that. Makes sense. I have three connections on that cable. I’m guessing 1) power 2) ground 3) data.
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,993
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Before rushing forward with a smile check the number of pins in your motor. Assuming you are trying to connect the motor to the display controller.
 

Fred

.
Sep 27, 2008
493
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Before rushing forward with a smile check the number of pins in your motor. Assuming you are trying to connect the motor to the display controller.
There are two connections from the St4000+ control head to the motor.
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,993
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
That is what I thought. That 3 prong plug is not for the AP motor.
 
Jun 8, 2004
2,841
Catalina 320 Dana Point
I think you’re right on that. Makes sense. I have three connections on that cable. I’m guessing 1) power 2) ground 3) data.
Exactly right, red, yellow and bare if memory serves, so usually only one instrument is supplied power and others added solely by seatalk plug which powers them also. Assuming your using the Seatalk/Seatalk ng converter if it is connected to seatalk it will get power from it. So if you also power it with the yellow power plug in center of adapter it would mess things up. I have power to one st60 instrument, others connected by seatalk. The seatalk plug from instruments to AP has red cut so AP is getting it's power from separate battery connection. Seatalk to Seatalk ng adapter cable then connects AP to the adapter which it powers from the AP. Everything then exits nema 2000 cable to your new MFD and everyone plays together well.
If your wiring is similar I suggest unplugging the yellow power in center of adapter and see if 2000 network still powered.
 

Fred

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Sep 27, 2008
493
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
I went ahead and cut the red wire in the three conductor SeaTalk cable going to my ST4000+ control unit. Everything appears to work fine, I can get network info on the AP and I can now navigate on wind vane info. I still haven't figured out how to navigate on the chart plotter route. I also determined that I need to power up the AutoHelm before the other instruments to allow it to properly get recognized and communicate over the network.
 
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Jun 8, 2004
2,841
Catalina 320 Dana Point
I still haven't figured out how to navigate on the chart plotter route.
You have to set the chartplotter to "Navigate" or "Go To" a waypoint first, then engage the "steer to waypoint" on AP.
 

Fred

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Sep 27, 2008
493
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Thanks... I did figure it out and it was actually simpler than I thought. Once I get the chartplotter to follow a route I simply set the autohelm to AUTO and then press TRACK and the autohelm follows the route instead of the magnetic heading. There does seem to be a bit of a conflict when I reach a waypoint since the chartplotter warns me of arrival (currently set at 500 ft before), if I acknowledge the warning the AP immediately steers the boat to the next waypoint and essentially cuts the corner, which is not always prudent. I think that I may need to reduce the 500 ft warning distance.