I have a Raystar 112LP GPS system , Seatalk version, connected to a Raymarine 520 chartplotter. I get a NO FIX message on my chartplotter. I've checked the voltage on the gps and all is okay. Are there any other diagnostics and does anyone know if the gps receiver can be repaired or do I need to replace the unit with the new Raystar 125?
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Antenna
It's probably the antenna. Check Raymarine's website for some diagnostics, but that's pretty much likely it. I had intermittent failure last year that turned to full failure, and sent it back to Raymarine fully expecting I'd have to replace it with the new model. Turned out to be just a check and reprogramming and she's been working just fine ever since. The extent of the diagnostics as I recall was connections and voltage to it and the plotter. Rick D.
It's probably the antenna. Check Raymarine's website for some diagnostics, but that's pretty much likely it. I had intermittent failure last year that turned to full failure, and sent it back to Raymarine fully expecting I'd have to replace it with the new model. Turned out to be just a check and reprogramming and she's been working just fine ever since. The extent of the diagnostics as I recall was connections and voltage to it and the plotter. Rick D.
NO FIX
The GPS proper is working fine. It is not getting information from the satellites. This could be due to antenna cabling or the antenna being blocked by something. Go to the satellites screen and see how many satellites are being locked onto. You need at least 3 to get a 2-D fix and 4 to get a 3-D fix. There should be some indication of the strength of the signal also. If you are getting no satellites then it is most likely a cable or connection problem. If you are getting just a few satellites then something is blocking the signal or there is a software/hardware problem.
The GPS proper is working fine. It is not getting information from the satellites. This could be due to antenna cabling or the antenna being blocked by something. Go to the satellites screen and see how many satellites are being locked onto. You need at least 3 to get a 2-D fix and 4 to get a 3-D fix. There should be some indication of the strength of the signal also. If you are getting no satellites then it is most likely a cable or connection problem. If you are getting just a few satellites then something is blocking the signal or there is a software/hardware problem.
No Fix
I traced the cable to the junction box and measured 12v between the red wire and the screen. I'm receiving no satelites at all. I'm curious why you think it's the cable and not the receiver?
I traced the cable to the junction box and measured 12v between the red wire and the screen. I'm receiving no satelites at all. I'm curious why you think it's the cable and not the receiver?
Similar fix, no fix!
Stan: We had a similar situation in our harbor. My harbormate has a Ray Chartplotter that would not make a fix. We used my Raystar 120 in place of his old one and it picked up a fix in a matter in seconds.
Stan: We had a similar situation in our harbor. My harbormate has a Ray Chartplotter that would not make a fix. We used my Raystar 120 in place of his old one and it picked up a fix in a matter in seconds.
Hey Bill:
The RayStar 112LP is a GPS transducer. There is no separate antenna. These GPS sensors connect to the RayMarine Seatalk network. There are only 3 wires. 1) Screen or ground, 2) The red wire, which is +12v nominal, and 3) The yellow wire which carries the Seatalk data from the GPS sensor to the rest of the system. The 520 Chartplotter has no inherent GPS capability, it relies on Seatalk data from the 112LP GPS sensor. Stan, you can check for data from the GPS sensor by going to the junction box where the GPS sensor is connected to the Seatalk buss and temporarily disconnecting the yellow wire coming from the GPS sensor. Next, using an analog multimeter set to +12v range, measure between the disconnected yellow wire and the screen. The voltmeter’s needle should bounce between +9VDC and +11VDC. If there is no needle movement, or the voltage is steady, or there is no voltage, the GPS sensor has died. Also, check the following: - verify that the GPS sensor is installed such that it has a clear view of the horizon and is not installed below or adjacent to any hard surfaces - like a new BBQ or solar panel
. - verify that the GPS sensor is not installed within 3' of a radar scanner (if mounted within its beam angle) or VHF antenna. - measure voltage across the 112's red and bare wire leads. The measured voltage should be between +10.5VDC to +13.5VDC. - turn off all power to the Raymarine system. With your voltmeter insure that the voltage between the red wire and the screen to the GPS sensor has dropped to zero. Removing power from the GPS sensor will force it to reset. If you have the manual for your 520, perhaps following the instructions to reset the 520 to factory defaults might be worth trying. I don't know if Raymarine considers the 112LP servicable. Hope that helps, Rodney S/V Sashay SF Bay
The RayStar 112LP is a GPS transducer. There is no separate antenna. These GPS sensors connect to the RayMarine Seatalk network. There are only 3 wires. 1) Screen or ground, 2) The red wire, which is +12v nominal, and 3) The yellow wire which carries the Seatalk data from the GPS sensor to the rest of the system. The 520 Chartplotter has no inherent GPS capability, it relies on Seatalk data from the 112LP GPS sensor. Stan, you can check for data from the GPS sensor by going to the junction box where the GPS sensor is connected to the Seatalk buss and temporarily disconnecting the yellow wire coming from the GPS sensor. Next, using an analog multimeter set to +12v range, measure between the disconnected yellow wire and the screen. The voltmeter’s needle should bounce between +9VDC and +11VDC. If there is no needle movement, or the voltage is steady, or there is no voltage, the GPS sensor has died. Also, check the following: - verify that the GPS sensor is installed such that it has a clear view of the horizon and is not installed below or adjacent to any hard surfaces - like a new BBQ or solar panel
. - verify that the GPS sensor is not installed within 3' of a radar scanner (if mounted within its beam angle) or VHF antenna. - measure voltage across the 112's red and bare wire leads. The measured voltage should be between +10.5VDC to +13.5VDC. - turn off all power to the Raymarine system. With your voltmeter insure that the voltage between the red wire and the screen to the GPS sensor has dropped to zero. Removing power from the GPS sensor will force it to reset. If you have the manual for your 520, perhaps following the instructions to reset the 520 to factory defaults might be worth trying. I don't know if Raymarine considers the 112LP servicable. Hope that helps, Rodney S/V Sashay SF Bay- Status