Raymarine MFD problems - replacement

Dec 22, 2008
5
Pearson 37 Severna Park, MD
My Catalina 385 came with all Raymarine electronics. The MFD (an e97 model) has recently developed a "ghost touch" problem, in which it perceives that someone has touched the display somewhere and makes whatever change that signals. I understand from another forum that this is a fairly common problem with these displays. I want to replace it in the simplest manner possible, which means sticking with Raymarine. My model has been discontinued and replaced with a Raymarine Axiom display, but there are multiple different models of Axiom and I am having trouble deciding which would be the best replacement. Based on the (inadequate) information I have received from Raymarine, I think I may have to replace one or more of the existing cables running to the system. Has anyone else done this replacement? I'd appreciate any help.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,949
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I’ve heard of Gremlins in the wiring but not poltergeist in the MFD. Sure makes the hair on my neck rise.

The wire connections depend a lot on how your E97 model was connected. What sensors you have and how do they connect to your Seatalk network. The axiom is SeatalkNG. Older sensors may be Seatalk 1. This means you will need to connect these older sensors to a translator. The ITC-5 is one of these.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,949
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
You’ll want to size the axiom to the space you have available.
 
Dec 22, 2008
5
Pearson 37 Severna Park, MD
Thanks jssailem. This is helpful. My existing MFD is connected to my autopilot, radar, AIS, and depth transducer. All Raymarine. I know it uses Seatalk but not what version. If I need it, where can I get a translator?
 
Jan 19, 2010
1,283
Catalina 34 Casco Bay
If you can live with the Gremlins through the end of this boating season, you might want to attend a boat show during the off season. Often you get " show" pricing. This will afford you the opportunity to see what other electronic providers are offering. You'll also see what is new and not what is being cleared from the shelves too make rom for the new..

Good luck....~~~(\_~~~
 
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Jun 8, 2004
2,937
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Easy to distinguish, Seatalk ng (and nema 2000) use round plugs on cables, older Seatalk versions use rectangular plugs. The manual is here: E Series Classic Manuals | Raymarine
If you have radar you must use a Raymarine MFD, otherwise you can use any brand of chartplotter/MFD and connect instruments using a Seatalk to Seatalk ng converter. You'll probably need the converter to connect your instruments to a newer Axiom, if they use older Seatalk and not ng.
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,949
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Another resource "The GPS Store.
 
Jan 22, 2008
405
Catalina 380 16 Rochester NY
When I bought our 1997 C380, I wanted to add an MFD. The boat had come with Autohelm instruments and the SPX-10 autopilot. All of this was connected using the old Seatalk cables with their rectangle plugs. My wind instruments were also not working and required replacement , but any of the new wind meters were SeatalkNG...the round plugs with the white/black cables.

As jssailem says, you'll need to buy an iTC-5...$200-300 right now.

I ended up buying the Axiom 9 and I had to buy a Navpod that fit the 9" model and it also had the hole for the autopilot control head. I already had the 2 original pods that each housed 3 Autohelm control heads.

All of this then required a purchase of a SeatalkNG cable kit, that has the long blue backbone cables and terminal that provides input for a number of white/black cables. You'll need to provide separate power to this system and try to keep that power input somewhere in the middle of the system based on what they call LEN.

In the end, I was able to place a SeatalkNG 5-way connector under the housing in the aft cabin where the steering quadrant is and another in the aft bilge area under the aft mattress. Using the iTC-5, I was able to connect the wind instrument, speed, temp and depth to it and then it was shunted to the SeatalkNG.

I found a lot of information on the obsolete Raymarine question and answer site....and here!!!!!!

The Axiom is a great product and you only need the 9" one and it will provide all the information you could possibly want!
Chris
 
Sep 24, 2018
3,323
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
Sounds like a bad digitizer or other type of touch detector. This should be an easy parts swap for an electronics repair shop