B&G to Raymarine integration

[valmeida]

Hi
I am new to NMEA 2000 and I have a (silly?) question before spending some money: I have a B&G Zoom3 chart plotter attached to a NMEA 2000 network. If I buy a Raymarine Wheel drive autopilot, will it communicate and operate on my plotter?

Thanks

[Ziggy]

EV100 WheelPilot receives nav data from my B&G Vulcan. You just need an adapter cable to connect SeatalkNG to NMEA2000 backbone. Note that you can't control or configure a non-Navico autopilot from the chart plotter.

[valmeida]

Thanks, that was my doubt. So they can see each other but they don't communicate. I am trying to find a feasible solution for an autopilot, but as far as I know, only Raymarine has the wheel drive

[Ziggy]

But you control and configure the autopilot using the P70 control head, which comes in the Evolution Autopilot package. So lack of the ability of B&G to control it is not much of a loss, in my opinion. By the way, the B&G does receive the autopilot heading data, which is very useful.

[valmeida]

And that info is used by the plotter as heading/compass info? so you don't need an external one for the Vulcan? Do you have a rudder position sensor?

[Ziggy]

Both correct.



I don't currently have a rudder position sensor. Because I have so little space near my steering quadrant I couldn't figure out how to install it. But the autopilot seems to work fine in most circumstances without it.

[valmeida]

Sorry to bother you with these questions, but "most circumstances"?

[Ziggy]

Sometimes, when i'm trying to sail in very light wind (boat speed down to 1 knot or so) the autopilot gets confused and loses track of the rudder position. I suspect it would do better with a position sensor. Also, I've heard that adding a position sensor can reduce rudder movements and make the autopilot more efficient. When/if I figure out where to put it, I'd probably install a position sensor, but I don't think it's essential.

[valmeida]

Thanks. Even I sometimes, at low speed, get confused about the rudder angle...

[Ziggy]

One more quirk of the ST4000 WheelPilot: Sometimes the clutch spontaneously disengages every few minutes. The cure appears to be to flush the mechanism thoroughly with fresh water. You don't need to disassemble the pilot, just put a stream of fresh water from a hose into one of the holes on the front of the pilot. Fresh water flush is recommended in the maintenance instructions, but I didn't pay any attention to it. Now I flush at the beginning of each season and all is well (so far).

[valmeida]

Thanks, that's good information! I am not sure yet what kind of drive I will install, but having the system on my sight and not under the cockpit is more appealing to me. Also, easier maintenance

[valmeida]

Never had an autopilot, that's why these questions. There is a lot of info around, but that can'/t beat someone using the systems for some time.

[Snore]

The correct answer is it will sorta work.

I have a Ray acu 100 AP connected to seatalk-1 depth and water speed, connected to a new Vulcan B&G plotter and wind instruments (on 2K) with a Vesper AIS.

There is a NMEA2k to SeaTalkNG cable. That is easy. BUT to update the firmware/software of the AP you will need to uncounted everything. Secondly, is the whole wheel pilot thing. I have a wheel drive on my Tartan 33 and truly hate it. But my boat spends most of its time in Tampa Bay. Most of my blue water is on other folks yachts doing deliveries.

If you are going to put a new AP on a 36’ boat, I would recommend a proper linear drive. It will cost more now, but you will be happier.

If you can see your way to staying B&G that is better. Or know going into it that the drive cannot be updated-unless you go to a Ray MFD.

[valmeida]

For sure, if I go linear, it will be B&G. All my sensors are B&G so I will keep with the brand or affiliates. Thanks for your information, it has been helping me a lot to choose the direction to go. But first, I will need to prepare physically and psychologically to go up the mast change the wind sensors...

[DeValency]

Originally Posted by valmeida

Never had an autopilot, that's why these questions. There is a lot of info around, but that can'/t beat someone using the systems for some time.

In that case, I would start with the most simple straightforward installation and at least in the beginning do not connect the autopilot to the plotter.

The autopilot is going to be your absolute best friend! get some experience with the new slave and then decide if it worth connecting any further