Slaving Autohelm St4000 to Raymarine C120

[piratesbooty]

There must be a way to slave the autohelm ST4000 autopilot to the Raymarine C120.
The Autohelm ST4000 and the Raymarine C120 both uses Seatalk communications protocall. But I see nowhere in the users installation ro reference manual for setting up the autopilot so the chart plotting capability sends the course data to the autohelm St4000.

Am I missing something here on the Raymarine C120 setup? These systems must have ability to set and follow a charted course, but I see written literature that says this capability exist.

Just a little help is greatfully appreciated from my fellow Sailers.

piratesbooty - Portland, Oregon

 

[seadaddler]

Model

What model ST4000 and Auto do you have,I have St4000 and S1 auto I think that is the model.
I have a course computer that does the talking from chartplotter C-80 and Auto
talk to each other.
Nick

 

[piratesbooty]

Nick,
Are you indicating that the Autohelm ST4000 is not the model number? The unit only shows autohelm ST4000 autopilot. When its turned on it initially says it is a ST4001.
Sounds as if you have the Raymarine MKII autopilot with a course computer.

I see wiring out labeled "Seatalk" connected to a rather long wiring harness.
I reviewed the Raymarine C120 diagrams, and do not see any autohelm autopilot connected in the Integration diagrams. Why is that the case?
Seems the Raymarine C120 should be able to send course information to the Autopilot but it is not. Seems that a Course Computer should not be needed for this integrated system, as the C120 is the course computer, and the ST4000 Autopilot is the drive unit.
Am i missing something here?

 

[seadaddler]

St4000

Maybe I have the MKII and it has silver mountings on the steering wheel
and not black,come to think of it my manual may have said MKII and that ST4000 is really the wheel part of the auto and so many different models of the autopilots.
I am no expert when it comes to electronics but I think
you do need the course computer that comes with new auto to talk to the chartplotter and I have seen seatalk wires 3 wire plug from my auto going to my chartplotter and all my other instruments also.
Did you try calling raymarine and ask them and That is how I learn some of this stuff from ray tech support and they are really great and very helpful.

 

[piratesbooty]

Hello,
Since your reply, I went back to the Raymarine website and looked thru all the C120 documentaiton. I see a autopilot computer is attached via seatalk on all the autopilot installations. So likely that is what is needed. Maybe its just a communication controller / multiplexer. I will have to get details on this unit. Thanks for your reply

 

[seadaddler]

model

Do you have a course computer and what model auto do you have
and think I have a S1 and there is a 3 prong seatalk plug goes from
chartplotter to auto control head and also to my wind machine and depth and speed transducers all connected to seatalk.
I am no expert for sure but I think it is the yellow wire for seatalk and some place must also go down below to my auto course computer,everything talks to my chartplotter C-80.
Menu on the chartplotter is info for setting up auto talking to chartplotter.
Nick

 

[piratesbooty]

Do you have a course computer and what model auto do you have
and think I have a S1 and there is a 3 prong seatalk plug goes from
chartplotter to auto control head and also to my wind machine and depth and speed transducers all connected to seatalk.
I am no expert for sure but I think it is the yellow wire for seatalk and some place must also go down below to my auto course computer,everything talks to my chartplotter C-80.
Menu on the chartplotter is info for setting up auto talking to chartplotter.
Nick

What is an "S1"? the correct terminology would be a great place to start. You are also saying you have a "course computer". That is not terminology that I find in the manuals. If I am correct in guessing that you are trying to say you have a "Autopilot Computer ", is that correct? Is yes, Then you have a C80 chart plotter, autopilot computer, and something called "S1" . Again another wild guess you are trying to say you have Autohelm controller, (a motor controller for driving the helm wheel). All these must be tied into the Seatalk Bus to communicate the route info, and drive the boat.

The Raymarine diagrams show an "Autopilot computer" but I do not find one in or around the helm. So, I am wondering if some how I have a Autopilot Computer missing from my boat.