<![CDATA[Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Marine Electronics]]>

<![CDATA[Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Marine Electronics]]> https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ On-board computers, AV gear and communication equipment. Purchase, installation and repair. en Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:10:57 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Marine Electronics]]> https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ US National Weather Service seeks comments on discontinuance of HF weatherfax https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/us-national-weather-service-seeks-comments-on-discontinuance-of-hf-weatherfax-300661.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:40:29 GMT *Soliciting Comments through July 13, 2026 on the proposed discontinuation of the High Frequency (HF) Radiofax Broadcasts from Hawaii, Alaska,... Soliciting Comments through July 13, 2026 on the proposed
discontinuation of the High Frequency (HF) Radiofax Broadcasts from
Hawaii, Alaska, Massachusetts, California, and Louisiana.

Public Information Statement 26-48

The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Marine Services is accepting public
comments through Friday, July 13, 2026 on the proposed discontinuation of
the HF radiofax broadcasts from Honolulu, HI, Boston, MA, Kodiak, AK,
Point Reyes, CA and New Orleans, LA.

NWS will continue to produce HF radiofax charts and NOAA Weather Radio
(NWR) broadcasts will not be affected.

HF radiofax broadcasts transmit NWS high seas forecast graphics, but
users can receive the charts (and other forecasts) through other numerous
avenues. The availability of the Internet also enables faster and better
quality receiving of weather charts.

...

National Weather Service Change Notices and Public Statements, including this statement, is available here.

They told us they would extend the comment date if necessary. Before starlink this service was well used. Not sure who if anyone still uses HF weather fax. ]]> Marine Electronics joehersey https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/us-national-weather-service-seeks-comments-on-discontinuance-of-hf-weatherfax-300661.html Trying to find anemometer unit for Bav37 - and someone ti install it! https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/trying-to-find-anemometer-unit-for-bav37-and-someone-ti-install-it-300654.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:13:42 GMT Our anemometer unit has bitten the dust on our Bav 37. It was a Garmin GWS 10 which apparently Garmin don't make any more. Does anyone have any idea what we could buy/use instead? ]]> Marine Electronics msummersgill https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/trying-to-find-anemometer-unit-for-bav37-and-someone-ti-install-it-300654.html Raymarine Axiom 9/ NMEA / AIS troubleshooting advice https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/raymarine-axiom-9-nmea-ais-troubleshooting-advice-300652.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:03:05 GMT Hi,

I have a 2012 boat with Furuno instruments. When I bought the boat 4 years ago I put in a B&G VHF/AIS and upgraded the plotter to a Raymarine Axiom 9. For a couple of years all was good. Then 2 years ago I noticed the AIS info was gone from the chart plotter. Checked all the bus connections, put it all back together and a few reboots later it mysteriously started working again. At the time I didn’t think to check whether it was just AIS or if the other sensors were not available to the plotter.

This year the problem is back. The Axiom 9 sees no other devices on the network. Two boatyards have looked at it and failed to resolve it. So I’m looking for ideas either for simple troubleshooting diagnosis, or likely culprits in the mix.

The FiI-50 instruments all work, which suggests to me that at least the basic sensors and displays can communicate on the network.

My thoughts are:

Try my plotter on another boat with a known good network - at least we know if it’s a plotter issue
Or: Try another plotter on my boat - similar

Remove all the connections from the Furuno junction box, then try adding them in one at a time. However I know that termination is a thing with NMEA so I’m not sure if this is a viable strategy. What happens if I unhook something that is providing termination?

I have tried replacing the plotter’s combined NMEA/power cable, as I read somewhere of someone having a similar issue and this solving it. Didn’t work.

The only other piece of info to add is that my depth sounder (a combined log/depth/temp sensor) seems to lose the bottom reading increasingly frequently. Even in shallow water.

Any thoughts or ideas would be welcome. Should I consider buying some NMEA cables so I can bypass or replace sections of the network to try to isolate out problem areas? ]]> Marine Electronics kobolin https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/raymarine-axiom-9-nmea-ais-troubleshooting-advice-300652.html <![CDATA[Simrad/B&G Triton/IS40 displáy degradation]]> https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/simrad-b-and-g-triton-is40-displ-y-degradation-300631.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:41:20 GMT We stored our boat on the hard in Panama for six months and returned to find our instrument displays located over the companionway had severely... We stored our boat on the hard in Panama for six months and returned to find our instrument displays located over the companionway had severely degraded. In the photo below, they look readable, but this photo was taken at dusk in low light. In daylight, the displays are so dim as to be unreadable.

The Simrad unit is about 10 years old. I bought the B&G used, so unsure how old it is.

I have heard that it is possible to replace the polarizing film on these displays to salvage them. Does anyone have any info on how to do that?

Cheers!

Steve

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]]> Marine Electronics steve77 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/simrad-b-and-g-triton-is40-displ-y-degradation-300631.html Waterproof bow camera anyone? https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/waterproof-bow-camera-anyone-300629.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:29:48 GMT Hi,

we have a very low cut genoa without window.
Don't want to modify the sail.

Thinking of adding a camera in front though to improve awareness of the dead angle.

Can anyone please recommend a good camera from AliExpress, Amazon or the like which they have used successfully?

Should be small and light, have reasonable day and nighttime performance and has to be watertight.
12V cable connector, possibly built in WiFi.
Not too expensive. A model 2-3 years old but still available would likely do.

Could be even a 360 camera.

Appreciate suggestions from people who have actually used a specific model and can post a link to it. ]]> Marine Electronics Catamarangirl https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/waterproof-bow-camera-anyone-300629.html GPSMap internal battery https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/gpsmap-internal-battery-300613.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:28:08 GMT I have a Garmin GPSMap 498 with a bad internal battery. I ordered a Varta MC614 based on Google but found upon disassembly that that battery isn’t... I have a Garmin GPSMap 498 with a bad internal battery. I ordered a Varta MC614 based on Google but found upon disassembly that that battery isn’t right. Too small and the pins are too close together. Another search suggested ML614 or ML621, but those are incorrect also.
Anyone know the correct battery or recognize this one? I don’t see any markings.
Thanks

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]]> Marine Electronics sanibel sailor https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/gpsmap-internal-battery-300613.html ST4000+ unable to steer 36ft yacht with hydraulic steering??? https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/st4000-unable-to-steer-36ft-yacht-with-hydraulic-steering-300605.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:12:27 GMT Raymarine ST4000+ wheelpilot on a Van de Stadt Zeehond 36 (8ton) sail boat. Hydraulic steering, approx. 6 turns lock-to-lock. Under power in calm... Raymarine ST4000+ wheelpilot on a Van de Stadt Zeehond 36 (8ton) sail boat. Hydraulic steering, approx. 6 turns lock-to-lock. Under power in calm water the pilot turns the wheel only about 1/4 turn, even with Rudder Gain at 9. Boat does not reach commanded heading changes and eventually shows OFF COURSE. Wheelpilot continues driving and does not appear to stop prematurely. Hand steering works normally. Is this likely a calibration/setup issue, drive slippage, or simply a wheelpilot that is underpowered for a hydraulic system with 6 turns lock-to-lock?

Anyone with experience in this matter? ]]> Marine Electronics katkat https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/st4000-unable-to-steer-36ft-yacht-with-hydraulic-steering-300605.html Raymarine RD424 radar cable 8 way connector repair https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/raymarine-rd424-radar-cable-8-way-connector-repair-300590.html Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:43:04 GMT The 8 pin female molex connector that attaches the radar cable to the array inside the dome of my radar was damaged. Its a molex SL 70400 connector... The 8 pin female molex connector that attaches the radar cable to the array inside the dome of my radar was damaged. Its a molex SL 70400 connector made for discrete (not ribbon) 22 awg cable. I have a replacement connector but can not figure out how to crimp the 8 wires from a bosuns chair. In fact, I don't even understand how to do it on the ground, never mind 35' above deck.
What would be the easiest way to crimp this? I can't pull a new cable with the mast up (too crowded in the mast) and I just launched.
Jim

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]]> Marine Electronics jpendoley https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/raymarine-rd424-radar-cable-8-way-connector-repair-300590.html Axiom Frozen screen after update https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/axiom-frozen-screen-after-update-300575.html Sun, 07 Jun 2026 01:31:26 GMT Hello- desperately trying to fix my 2 Axiom chart plotters. I updated to Lighthouse 4 today and the plotters are no longer communicating. Each shows... Hello- desperately trying to fix my 2 Axiom chart plotters. I updated to Lighthouse 4 today and the plotters are no longer communicating. Each shows the other unit on the network however they don't talk. the chart table plotter immediately goes to "software update in progress" when the ethernet cable is connected and locks up.

Ive reinstalled the software on both units and it does not help.

Also connected them together directly with ethernet cables and bypassed the router and they still dont talk.

Any suggestions? Thanks!!! ]]> Marine Electronics Kenalt https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/axiom-frozen-screen-after-update-300575.html Will Icom IC-M424G GPS work below deck? https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/will-icom-ic-m424g-gps-work-below-deck-300557.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:58:28 GMT I have an older Icom IC-M422 mounted on the panel at my nav station. It has a transmitter issue that I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down to the radio itself so I want to replace it. Was thinking of an upgrade to the M424G since it should fit the same spot easily and I like that it has built in GPS. My question is does anyone use this radio in a flush panel mount below deck? Does the internal GPS still work or will the wood shelf and fiberglass deck block the signal? If the GPS doesn't work I'm thinking I might as well just get another M422 so I can keep my remote mic and not have to run a new cable. ]]> Marine Electronics Greenroute https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/will-icom-ic-m424g-gps-work-below-deck-300557.html Live AI Weather Routing over HF Radio – Arctic Crossing Case Study (Pactor 4) https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/live-ai-weather-routing-over-hf-radio-arctic-crossing-case-study-pactor-4-a-300551.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:57:19 GMT Thought this would interest the offshore comms community here. Sailor Harley Soltes (LA/KN7H) recently completed an Arctic crossing to Lofoten,... Thought this would interest the offshore comms community here.

Sailor Harley Soltes (LA/KN7H) recently completed an Arctic crossing to Lofoten, Norway with no cellular, no satellite, and no shore-side infrastructure — relying entirely on HF radio for weather data and passage planning.

Using SafecomLink over a Pactor 4 link on 14.120 MHz, he connected from his vessel to a land station in Austria (OE3FQU) and from there reached a live AI assistant (Safie) over the internet. The result was a real-time two-way dialogue about wind forecasts and the optimal crossing day — something WinLink's static bulletins simply couldn't provide.

After the passage:
- The AI weather forecast proved more accurate than his usual weather apps
- The Pactor 4 link reached Austria — farther than any WinLink connection he'd made
- He had access to email, Vmail, BBS, and beacons from the same single HF link

"This is pretty game-changing — to have fast Pactor 4 communication from sea to a real-time internet AI connection."
— Harley Soltes, LA/KN7H

Full case study with the live AI conversation transcript:
https://www.safecomlink.com/post/saf...study-maritime ]]> Marine Electronics deutschi https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/live-ai-weather-routing-over-hf-radio-arctic-crossing-case-study-pactor-4-a-300551.html Upgrade Raymarine C80 to Axiom https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/upgrade-raymarine-c80-to-axiom-300546.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:41:56 GMT Hi, all.
I've found many posts on what's required to upgrade my Raymarine C80 to Axiom while continuing to utilize old C80-era instruments. In my new-to-me boat, though, I have a mix of old instruments and new (Raymarine i70s). Previous owner installed an ITC5 instrument transducer converter, which, I think converts old Seatalk 1 data to SeaTalkNG so I70S can read them.
So... do I still need a SeatalkNG converter kit? Would it basically replace the ITC5?

Thanks! ]]> Marine Electronics Dirigible https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/upgrade-raymarine-c80-to-axiom-300546.html Plotter / radar on separate breakers https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/plotter-radar-on-separate-breakers-300515.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:58:50 GMT Hi, I’m doing an overhaul of my electrics and installing all new breakers / circuits. If you were installing a modern digital radar and... Hi,

I’m doing an overhaul of my electrics and installing all new breakers / circuits.

If you were installing a modern digital radar and plotter from scratch, would you have plotter and radar on separate breakers / circuits?

I currently have a Raymarine C80 and analogue radar, which are obviously all powered via the plotter supply.

At some point I will upgrade to a digital radar, and was planning to put a dedicated radar breaker switch in preparation for that.

I am now wondering if this is best practice, or whether it should really be coupled to the plotter supply. ]]> Marine Electronics SaltyOwl https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/plotter-radar-on-separate-breakers-300515.html Chirping autopilot part 2 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/chirping-autopilot-part-2-a-300493.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:56:39 GMT Hi all,

The Lewmar autopilot drive on our new-to-us Trintella 47 chirps while working. The drive unit works exactly as it should and it’s very strong, but I’m worried this is a sign of impending failure.

The computer is an Autohelm type 300 24V. The boat’s house voltage is 24v with some DC-DC converters to run some small items like radios. The drive unit is marked as 12V (and I’m not exactly sure how we’re getting from 24 to 12 V for the drive unit), but I assume there must be a DC-DC converter somewhere that I haven’t tracked down yet? I would imagine that unit would have to be fairly substantial given the amperage a unit like this draws.

Here is a video of the issue and photos are below of the mechanical and electrical connections.

The small gray box looks like many others aboard the boat, which are just junction boxes.

Any thoughts on silencing this noise would be greatly appreciated!

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]]> Marine Electronics Peregrine1983 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/chirping-autopilot-part-2-a-300493.html LFP battery over voltage https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/lfp-battery-over-voltage-300479.html Sun, 31 May 2026 03:33:01 GMT I had a very strange day today as I got ready to step the wing on my boat. My electric motor is a 7 hp outboard (48V nominal) that has, so far,... I had a very strange day today as I got ready to step the wing on my boat.
My electric motor is a 7 hp outboard (48V nominal) that has, so far, been reliable, although there have been unfortunate assembly quality issues. Today it failed to work.

I have thought of myself as being fairly competent around electrics and electronics. But now I am an old fart, and appear to be approaching idiocy in many things, electronics included. I'm hoping some of you who are less feeble-minded than I am can shed some light on what is happening with my boat.

My battery is 51.2V nominal. LFP, consisting of four 12.8V batteries, with the main breaker between batteries 2 and 3 rather than at the end of the string. My thinking was that when the breaker tripped, I would then have "non lethal" voltage in each of the sub batteries.

Today, I needed to reverse the boat in its slip to facilitate this wing stepping process. I cast off the lines, started to move under motor power, and things worked normally for perhaps 3 seconds. Then the motor quit, and I began to be blown toward my neighbor's boat and dock a little further up the creek. I managed to reduce the impact by fending off with a boat hook, and thankfully hit one of his pilings rather than his boat.

I checked the circuit breaker, and reset it, although it was not tripped. No change. Tried bypassing it. No luck. Eventually noticed a flashing red light on the motor. After some research, I found that it is an overvoltage warning. I blamed the motor for being overly sensitive. Turns out, however, that my maximum "battery" voltage has been 86.7 volts maximum (55.7 minimum) every day for at least the last month. I put battery in quotes, because I believe the actual battery voltage is 55.7, pretty consistently. (I haven't run the motor for at least a month.)

So, the motor is not to blame. Maybe Victron is, but I doubt it. Tomorrow, i'll check for loose terminals, which I expect to find. The consistent 86.7V seems possibly odd, but is the Victron (no load) output voltage capped by a zener or some such? (Each day the solar panel voltage reaches nearly 90 volts, and of course varies all over the place during the course of the day.)

I theorize that the Victron output runs up to a 86.7V limit if there is no load (from a loose terminal) The lead from the Victron and the lead to the motor are in contact and conducting (intermittently, I'd guess.) Neither is pulled down to battery voltage, because the connection is loose. The high voltage causes the motor overvoltage protection to kick in.

Why is the Victron not limiting voltage to the charge limit setting? Maybe it is not regulated in the usual sense, and relies on the battery to pull it down to something less than the charge limit setting, and then charges until the limit is reached?

In the morning, I'll disconnect the Victron and measure actual battery voltage. ]]> Marine Electronics Ken Fry https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/lfp-battery-over-voltage-300479.html