Raymarine experts? ACU400 comm problem.

[LeoKa]

Correction.
I did it incorrectly. The power on the network has to be turned off, to be able to measure resistance on the cables. Now I can measure the ACU400 pins and show 50 ohms. I also measured each spur cable end for the devices and they show 120 ohms. I suppose we are back to the 5 way blocks being suspicious?

 

[LeoKa]

Are you using the Seatalk NG 5 way connectors?
I had two of them fail. The would let some info pass through but not all of it.

Did you have to replace both?

 

[Jeff F]

I'm back on my boat after winter layup, and had the same error when I powered everything up. I have the STNG and N2k connected, so went through the device list on my MFD and found that the EV-1 sensor wasn't on the network. Mine is below the floor in the bilge area. When I checked it was blinking red.

I traced my problem to the 5 way connector I had used to connect the sensor. I had left two ports open, and enough crud and moisture got in to kill the connector. Replaced it with a Tee and all good now.

After earlier discussion on the connector I cut my old one open. They're soldered and then sealed in silicone inside the boot.

 

[LeoKa]

After earlier discussion on the connector I cut my old one open. They're soldered and then sealed in silicone inside the boot.

I ordered a new 5 way connector. West Marine only had one in stock, so I hope it will do magic. We'll see tomorrow.
The picture shows the R12112 cable for the ACU400 ?

 

[Jeff F]

The picture shows the R12112 cable for the ACU400 ?

Yes. Should have been more clear.

 

[LeoKa]

I have measured the ACU400 spur cable this morning and it shows 49.9 ohms. I disconnected all wires and cables from it. Per Raymarine Tech Support, each device on the NG network has to show 120 ohms, but at least 60 ohms. They say anything below 55 ohms is suspicious. Unless there is another way to test this, it seems that ACU400 is the problem. It shows this resistance just by itself, or on the NG network, no difference.

 

[MV Cricket]

Did you have to replace both?

I did.
What happened was I was updating the firmware for the Axiom chartplotter and the 5 way connectors popped up saying they needed a firmware update. So I did that. Right after the update, they stopped transmitting some of the data.
I went and got two more newer ones and they updated without a hitch. Tech support at Raymarine was stymied as to why that happened. They were pretty old but...IDK. Gremlins maybe.

 

[LeoKa]

I thought the 5 way connector was a simple distribution block with some wiring. How could that have a firmware? Although, the high price reflects something more supposedly. Is there a chip inside it?

 

[MV Cricket]

I thought the 5 way connector was a simple distribution block with some wiring. How could that have a firmware? Although, the high price reflects something more supposedly. Is there a chip inside it?

That is EXACTLY what I thought and then I realized that I have the Seatalk to Seatalk NG converters. So my bad, I should have been a bit more clear.

 

[NoRain]

I did.
What happened was I was updating the firmware for the Axiom chartplotter and the 5 way connectors popped up saying they needed a firmware update. So I did that. Right after the update, they stopped transmitting some of the data.
I went and got two more newer ones and they updated without a hitch. Tech support at Raymarine was stymied as to why that happened. They were pretty old but...IDK. Gremlins maybe.

This is very interesting and disconcerting. I’m just wrapping up a pretty extensive new N2K install, and have a SeaTalk to SeaTalkNG involved (I actual have 2 of them, one spare). I also did the firmware update on them as prompted when installing my new Axiom+ units. I am swatting a few new-install bugs, not unusual, but your experience caught my eye….especially as I ponder a couple of the more puzzling bugs.

With no more to go on than what you’ve described, it sure sounds like a bad firmware release doesn’t it? Do have that same feeling?

 

[LeoKa]

I am confused here. Are you updating the firmware on this;

SeaTalk NG 5-WAY Connector | SeaTalk Cables | Raymarine

The SeaTalk NG 5-Way connector is used for connecting spurs to the backbone. Find your SeaTalk cable solutions here.

www.raymarine.com

or this:

iTC-5 Instrument Transducer Converter | Marine Instruments | Raymarine

The Raymarine iTC-5 converts analogue transducer signals used in i70, ST70+ and ST70 instrument systems to SeaTalkNG. Find out more about the iTC-5 networking capability here.

www.raymarine.com

I don't see how the first one has a firmware update, but I could be wrong.

 

[MV Cricket]

I am confused here. Are you updating the firmware on this;

SeaTalk NG 5-WAY Connector | SeaTalk Cables | Raymarine

The SeaTalk NG 5-Way connector is used for connecting spurs to the backbone. Find your SeaTalk cable solutions here.

www.raymarine.com

or this:

iTC-5 Instrument Transducer Converter | Marine Instruments | Raymarine

The Raymarine iTC-5 converts analogue transducer signals used in i70, ST70+ and ST70 instrument systems to SeaTalkNG. Find out more about the iTC-5 networking capability here.

www.raymarine.com

I don't see how the first one has a firmware update, but I could be wrong.

The one pictured above does NOT have firmware. I got the two confused. My fault for the confusion.
This one below has the firmware. You can see the LED in between the white input and the yellow one. This flashes when you have connection.

 

[MV Cricket]

This is very interesting and disconcerting. I’m just wrapping up a pretty extensive new N2K install, and have a SeaTalk to SeaTalkNG involved (I actual have 2 of them, one spare). I also did the firmware update on them as prompted when installing my new Axiom+ units. I am swatting a few new-install bugs, not unusual, but your experience caught my eye….especially as I ponder a couple of the more puzzling bugs.

With no more to go on than what you’ve described, it sure sounds like a bad firmware release doesn’t it? Do have that same feeling?

I don't think so. But maybe.
I will say that I have since bought two new Seatalk NG converters, crossed my fingers and did the firmware update. This time it took and I have not experienced any problems. <touch wood>

 

[LeoKa]

The one pictured above does NOT have firmware. I got the two confused. My fault for the confusion.
This one below has the firmware. You can see the LED in between the white input and the yellow one. This flashes when you have connection.
View attachment 164837

I don't have this on my network. Never had.

 

[LeoKa]

I am struggling with Raymarine Tech Support. Not easy to understand their conclusions. I just sent them this text about my latest troubleshooting.

I did another step by step measurement and here are the results. In this scenario, all devices are connected to the STNG network by blue/black cables.
There is no any other protocol exists on the ST network. Pure NG.

NG network powered and all connected:
EV-1 74.9 ohms
GPS. 71.4 ohms
Axiom. 28.5 ohms
R70Ps. 28.2 ohms
i70s 29.1 ohms
ACU400 zero ohms
VHF. 50 ohms
Depth. 50 ohms
Rudder. 2.5 ohms

Without power on the NG network
EV-1. 74.9 ohms
GPS. 72.4 ohms
Axiom. 28.5 ohms
r70Ps. 28.2 ohms
i70s. 28.2 ohms
ACU400 50.4 ohms
VHF. 51.6 ohms
Depth. 50.4 ohms
Rudder. 2.55 ohms

There is one blue terminator plug at the T connector which connects the VHF radio to the network. I replaced twice, but no change.
There is a black terminator plug on the first 5 way connector block. Replaced twice, but no change.
There is a second 5 way connector on the network, but no plugs.
There is a T connector to the network for the ACU400, also replaced, but no change.

Each of these measurements were done at the 4/5 pins in each spur cables.
The rudder reference cable is a simple transducer cable where only 3 colored wires and the shield wire is connected to the ACU400 connector.

 

[tpbrady]

I went and read this thread again and think the original thought of a bad EV-1 is still valid. Rather than ohm out cables remove the EV-1 and plug it into the STng cable on the P70. If the EV-1 still doesn’t show up on the network, then that indicates the EV-1 has a problem. Did you ever order the new one?

Tom

 

[LeoKa]

I went and read this thread again and think the original thought of a bad EV-1 is still valid. Rather than ohm out cables remove the EV-1 and plug it into the STng cable on the P70. If the EV-1 still doesn’t show up on the network, then that indicates the EV-1 has a problem. Did you ever order the new one?

Tom

No I have not ordered EV-1. At this point, I am nor sure what is malfunctioning.
I don't understand how do you suggest to connect EV-1 directly to p70Rs ? There is only one spur cable connection on each. I can plug them into each other, but there is no power supply, so nothing works. As of now, they are both on the network by using the 5 way connector. EV-1 shows solid green light, which as it suppose to.

 

[tpbrady]

Disconnect the P70 and connect the EV-1 to that cable. Go to the Axiom and see if the EV-1 shows up in the device list. If it doesn’t then the EV-1 is suspect. Conversely you could take the P70 and plug it into the EV-1 cable and if it still shows up on the device list that cable is probably good.

My network is a hybrid of STng and NMEA 2000 with one Seatalk 1 device and the interface device 5 ports with the LED light. STng and NMEA 2000 are essentially the same except for the proprietary connector. You can cut the STng connector off and put on a NMEA 2000 connector and connect the two networks together (the wire colors are the same). The STng devices show up as devices on the NMEA network and vice versa.

At the Seattle Boat Show this year Raymarine said they were going to switch to the NMEA 2000 connectors to be like everybody else.

Tom

 

[LeoKa]

OK, I did what you have suggested. No luck. The EV-1 does not show up. It does not show either when it is normally connected and it does show when it is connected with the p70Rs cable.
EV-1 also has a NMEA2000 port and I have the converter cable from Raymarine. I tried that port as well, but no show. This port does not have power, so I had to connect the spur cable, too, but still did not show.
I think you might be correct and it is the EV-1. I just wish someone could loan me one to test, before I spend $700 bucks on it.

 

[MV Cricket]

OK, I did what you have suggested. No luck. The EV-1 does not show up. It does not show either when it is normally connected and it does show when it is connected with the p70Rs cable.
EV-1 also has a NMEA2000 port and I have the converter cable from Raymarine. I tried that port as well, but no show. This port does not have power, so I had to connect the spur cable, too, but still did not show.
I think you might be correct and it is the EV-1. I just wish someone could loan me one to test, before I spend $700 bucks on it.

You could buy one from Amazon, try it out and then utilize their return policy...

 

[LeoKa]

Yes, I can do the same with West Marine here in Portland. They give you 60 days for returns and match Amazon prices. I will talk to them tomorrow.
Do you have EV-1 in your system?

 

[MV Cricket]

Yes, I can do the same with West Marine here in Portland. They give you 60 days for returns and match Amazon prices. I will talk to them tomorrow.
Do you have EV-1 in your system?

I do. I put it in couple years ago.
I also found these guys for a remote control for the autopilot. It is a real slick system. No affiliation other than being a happy customer.
I think that is where I got the Seatalk NG converter now that I look at the link.
It's funny how I get amnesia when I spend money.

 

[LeoKa]

Nice. So how do you benefit from this?
Where are you in Seattle?

 

[MV Cricket]

Seattle. Correct.
My boat came with a wired remote from Raymarine that failed early on. That Raymarine replacements were/are very expensive. I was doing some googling and came across these guys.
When we are motoring up to desolation sound or wherever really, autopilot drives, of course, but we have logs in the water, tons of shipping traffic, ferries, fishing boats, etc, this makes it easy to not have to run to the helm make course corrections. I also do a lot of solo boating and this is like another crew member almost.

 

[LeoKa]

When we are motoring up to desolation sound or wherever really, autopilot drives, of course, but we have logs in the water, tons of shipping traffic, ferries, fishing boats, etc, this makes it easy to not have to run to the helm make course corrections. I also do a lot of solo boating and this is like another crew member almost.

I see. It seems that it is truly beneficial to you. My situation is different. Here on the river, I do need to be at the helm most of the time. My visibility is limited inside the boat, only the PH gives me a horizon. Yes, we have tons of logs here, too. I do like the autopilot, when it works, but I rarely leave the PH while sailing somewhere. I suspect it would be different by crossing the ocean far away from everything, but I don't that anymore.
Let's hope it is the EV-1 only what I need to replace. These devices are quite pricey. I still need to walk around my marina to find similar setup, so I can test my EV-1 with a working system.

 

[tpbrady]

I have the Raymarine equivalent of that remote. It has become a POS. Disconnects, doesn’t respond, needs frequent remove and replace the batteries to reboot. Raymarine says they are coming out with a new wireless remote sometime this year. I think that will finally bury SeaTalk 1 from their product line.

Tom

 

[JackConnick]

Raymarine has been promising lots of stuff including that remote for years now.

 

[rharper]

I had that error coming up intermittently, it was a faulty rudder sensor.

 

[Newtrawlerowner]

I have a few years old 12V Raymarine autopilot system. Everything was doing well since installation, but recently the ACU400 is having communication problems.
Soon after I turned on the autopilot yesterday, within a minute, I received a ' No pilot ' error. Luckily the trip was just about an hour, so I was able to hand steer back home.
My system is all hydraulic, so the pump connected to the ACU400 was not absolutely necessary. I could steer the independent hydraulic steering.
Before I left the marina, I have updated all the devices to the latest software. See photos. I don't think this issue is related to the software updates. I had similar situation twice last Fall during a two days river cruise, but it recovered all the time.

The whole system is SeaTalkNG wired. There are two blocks involved to connect all the devices and I tested each device by disconnecting each cable. They all seem to work. I did the same with the breakers and fuses. All good.
The ACU400 is providing power to the SeaTalkNG network 12V, so there is no other power source involved, except for the Axiom MFD, which requires its own 12V. The transducer for depth and speed is connected to the ACU400 and that works, because it shows the depth on the displays. So, the data goes through the wires just fine.
On the photos you can see the tested data sources displayed by Axiom7 and the Heading source is missing, cannot be detected.
I tried the Raymarine Forums, but I could only find old entries and no solutions. In the past, the recommendation was to send the unit in for testing/repair, if it was possible. If not, they will still charge you and/or offer you refurbished/new units to purchase. That is the last resort, as these units are around $2K new.
Any advice for further troubleshooting is appreciated.

I too have the same system. While my system has been mostly trouble free. I had an issue with the auto-pilot pump (motor seized) and got a similar notice, but only after I tried to engage the pump.

When I have had issues I searched the old Raymarine Forum but you can also post your issue using the new support page. Product Support | Raymarine

I also called the local West marine and asked for a referral to a certified installer. I called that person and did get some great suggestions for troubleshooting. Good luck.

 

[Mambo42]

OK, I did what you have suggested. No luck. The EV-1 does not show up. It does not show either when it is normally connected and it does show when it is connected with the p70Rs cable.
EV-1 also has a NMEA2000 port and I have the converter cable from Raymarine. I tried that port as well, but no show. This port does not have power, so I had to connect the spur cable, too, but still did not show.
I think you might be correct and it is the EV-1. I just wish someone could loan me one to test, before I spend $700 bucks on it.

Did you check the whole back bone of your set up ?
I spoke with Raymarine this week again about another failing DST 810 depthmeter and they gave me some tips to check my network.
- All the devices are connected with black and white cables to the network, max length (total) is 20 mtrs
- The back bone is the black/blue cable and the max length of that cable is 180 mtr.
- You can have a max of 2 end caps in your set up, which means going from white/black cable to the backbone. Usually that is the depthmeter and the windmeter. If you have more than 2 end caps your network will not operate well. If you have only 1 end cap then the network is incomplete.
- The network requires a max of 1 power connection, which should be in the middle of the network, so that you have the same length of backbone and equipment on each side. If you put the power supply at the beginning of the network chances are that they voltage will drop too much along the length of the network.

I read you had a problem with the depth meter as well, is that a DST 810 ? Last year mine malfunctioned, they gave me a new one this winter, worked fine for about 1 month and now has failed as well. Readings are completely incorrect if I have any reading at all.