Raymarine electronics hookup help

[Frill]

I am trying to get farmiliar with the boat eletronics such as chart plotter, Ais, and auto helm. I am sure someone on here knows exactly what I need todo. I will try to keep it simple.
I have a Raymarine ST 6002 Auto helm thats tied into the smart pilot X5. This was on the boat when I bought it.
I have purchased an Em-Trak 921 class B Ais for it.
I have also purchased a Raymarine Axiom+7 chartplotter.

Now, I am confused on what needs to connect to what and what cabling do I need? I am thinking I am thinking it should all connect to the smart pilot X5? And then I see ports for NMEA 2000 and 0183, which one should I use?
On the back of the ST6002 is an empty SeaTalk port, could I use this to tie in my chart plotter?
Here are some pics as to what I am looking at.
Should my chart plotter wire into the AIS or smart pilot X5, or can I adapt it to plug into the other port on the ST6002
Note: the old chartplotter Standard Horizon CP 300i is tied into that white junction block with the blue data cable on the other end going to the smart pilot X5
I thought I could figure this out for sure but I needs some guideance from someone that knows a little more than I do........lol
Thanks in advanced guys!!!

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I recently had a similar thread on this topic that may be helpful. Networking NMEA 2000 ... help! In your case, it seems that your original chartplotter was networked with your SPX-5 course computer for both power and NMEA 0183 protocol. Your ST6002 control head is obviously networked via Seatalk, which is Raymarine's proprietary version of NMEA 0183.

So, now you have a new chartplotter and AIS that is undoubtedly networking in NMEA 2000. What you need to do is think in terms of creating a NMEA 2000 backbone with all your components networking in NMEA 2000. As you probably know, Seatalk ng (STng) is the equivalent to NMEA 2000. Simple .... create a NMEA 2000 backbone. You can do this with STng components (Raymarine) or Devicenet components (NMEA 2000) ... your choice. You have plug and play connectivity with your new chartplotter and AIS. I think that you will need to have separate power cables to your new chartplotter and backbone ... installation manuals should tell you. There is a spur cable between the backbone and the SPX-5 that has NMEA 2000 plug (STng if you choose) on one end and stripped wires on the other end to fasten to the STng connectors on your course computer ... do that.

Here's where it gets a little tricky, I think. Your ST6002 is Seatalk (1 - same thing) and it is already networked to the course computer, but Raymarine's diagram shows it networking directly into the STng backbone via a Seatalk - STng conversion cable. You will disconnect your Seatalk connection to the SPX-5 since everything is network-based on the backbone. That pair of ST terminals on the back of ST6002 are for daisy-chaining devices. You don't want to do this. Just plug the control head into the backbone via the conversion cable, which you will have to purchase along with the appropriate kits and components to do all this. I've just purchased all this and received the kits yesterday and have not yet put it together.

This leaves your instruments. You'll want to put them on the network as well depending on what versions you already have. You may need conversion kits to put Seatalk instruments on a STng or NMEA 2000 backbone and that is a whole nuther (similar) story ... I have STng instruments with analog transducers and am still unsettled on this configuration (based on the transducers). The instruments are simple plug and play to NMEA 2000.

I just found this article that helps clarify some things (but not everything) for me. Beginners Guide to Raymarine's Seatalk and Derivatives

 

[BarryL]

Hello,

The Axiom is the 'brains' of the system. Everything gets connected to that.

Your new AIS has a NMEA 2000 port on it, you need to create a simple network and have the AIS connected to the network and the Axiom connected to the network. The autopilot should be connected to the same network but doesn't have to be. If you do connect the pilot to the network then the Axiom can control the pilot - you can enable / disable it, steer to a waypoint, run a route, etc.

Good luck,
Barry

 

[Frill]

Thanks guys!!
Scott, I understand that I need to build a NMEA 2000 network and everything gets connected to that. The dealer sold me an Anchor dual device starter kit for NMEA 2000. I read your other post and it is way to compicated compared to what I have going on I think.

Barry, based on what you said, I should just keep the Axiom and Ais together and leave it seperate from the autopilot. As you say there is really no advantage here. Or if I upgrade the pilot I could tie it into the network at a latter date.

Based on the pic I have included here. I will need to use the NMEA 0183 cable that came with the AIS just for powering the unit and do not connect the other NMEA wire to anything.
Then connect the wire that i am holding in the second pic to the NMEA 2000 port and I am done. The wire that I am holding in the pic is from the Axiom and has another lead coming from it for power. Both unit (Axiom + AIS) connected to each other and powered seperately. No need to connect it to the pilot. I would just have to set my course manually on the ST6002, thats not an issue.

Do I have it figured out?????????

 

[BarryL]

Hello,

I believe you are correct. Use the power cable to provide power to the unit. You don't need to connect and of the other wires, just 12V power and ground. Use the NMEA2000 cable to connect the unit to your network (plotter).

Barry

 

[Johann]

The AIS N2K port will connect to one drop port on the Ancor dual device kit, the Axiom N2K port will connect to the other. A terminator will go in one side of the Ancor double T, and on the other side a backbone cable to the N2K power cable T. The second terminator will go on the other side of the power T.

EDIT: Actually I think the power T will connect directly to the double T without a backbone cable.

 

[jssailem]

The manual indicates the following connections for the B921.

The Anchor Kit... has wires for NMEA 2000 connections.


You may need a NMEA2000 cable to SeatalkNg to connect the Axiom to the network backbone (the 2 connector T unit in your Anchor package). They normally come with just the SeatalkNG connector at both ends.

Your use of the AP with out going through the MFD Chartplotter is perfectly acceptable. I understand how power boaters want to be able to "set a course" and walk away from the helm (opinion - bad seamanship).
Let the AP do all of the directional changes.
Somehow in a Sail boat I feel that usually does not turnout well. Too many variables for my comfort.

 

[Frill]

Ok guys I thing we are all on the same page here and I am a lot further ahead. One other thing, and yes that is the exact Anchor kit that I have, do I need to use this powered NMEA 2000 "T" that is in the kit? The AIS will have power when I use 0183 port that is labeled "power" also. And the Axiom has the 5 pin NMEA cable coming from the larger that plugs right in.
John, the Axiom will plug right in to the Anchor kit with the cable provided.
I am thinking that the red tee is not needed in this case as both units have its own power. This maybe for some other units that may require power. I really don't know and just guessing at this point. Does anyone know for sure here guys???????????? Red Tee or not????

 

[jssailem]

Frill. To answer the question you need to examine the systems you plan to connect to the backbone.
The axiom is connected to it’s own power source because it draws power at a rate greater than can be provided by the network backbone. It does not share this power with the network. The connectors to the network are data signals both incoming and outgoing.
You need to understand the other components. As an example, a wind sensor uses low power to run the electrical elements of it’s system. It gets needed power from the network backbone.

 

[rgranger]

What @jssailem said... or alternatively try it with out and if it does not work then the answer is yes.

 

[Johann]

Ok guys I thing we are all on the same page here and I am a lot further ahead. One other thing, and yes that is the exact Anchor kit that I have, do I need to use this powered NMEA 2000 "T" that is in the kit? The AIS will have power when I use 0183 port that is labeled "power" also. And the Axiom has the 5 pin NMEA cable coming from the larger that plugs right in.
John, the Axiom will plug right in to the Anchor kit with the cable provided.
I am thinking that the red tee is not needed in this case as both units have its own power. This maybe for some other units that may require power. I really don't know and just guessing at this point. Does anyone know for sure here guys???????????? Red Tee or not????

Yes you will need the red T. The N2K network needs power of its own independent of the devices attached to it. Some raymarine autopilot course computers supply this power if connected, but the SPX-5 does not.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

This diagram below should help understand the requirements. I have the SPX-5 / ST6002 combo and I am connecting it to the network.

Marine Electronics Products | Raymarine

High-performance marine electronics products from Raymarine. Our full range includes Chartplotters, Fishfinders, Radars, Marine Instruments, Marine Cameras, AIS units and VHF Radios. Explore them all here.

www.raymarine.com

As shown above, the SPX-5 has it's own power supply. The network power supply comes from the ST70 Plus instrument and if I'm not mistaken, this instrument can supply the power to the network. I'm eliminating the power supply to my i50 & i60 instruments and using the power cord to the network. In summary, I'm providing power separately to the chartplotter, to the instruments via the backbone, and to the SPX-5 directly. However, my power feed to the instruments and to the autopilot are on the same panel switch. The chartplotter is on another panel switch, with the VHF.

 

[Frill]

Ok, thanks guys I appreciate it!

 

[Terry Cox]

On the back of the ST6002 is an empty SeaTalk port, could I use this to tie in my chart plotter?

Hi Frill. fam bought me a Garmin 178C Sounder chart plotter many years ago and I wanted to connect it to our boat's autopilot with SeaTalk so that it would steer to a route/course automatically. Wrote an article about the problem and the solution that has worked very well ever since. Unclear whether this is what you're looking for, but that article is here. Hope it helps. Hunter 42 Owner Modifications and Upgrades

 

[jssailem]

Terry
It sounds like you used the "Thru-Hull" mounting of the transducer.

Do you get water temperature from this mounted system?
What is your source of tide state on the system?
What source are you using for chart data?

Thanks for your help.