Autohelm 6000 help!

[j24jaded]

I have a '88 Irwin and I assume the auto pilot is original to the boat.
I just got it working again and I'm happy to be able to aim the boat and push the Auto button and have Otto drive...but!

I would like to be able to hook up a gps and have it track to a way point.

this is a simple boat with out any type of networking.

I can't tell for sure which course computer I have but i think it is a Type 1

there was a Loran C on the boat, that I removed. it was hooked to the course computer and also there was a cord from the loran to plug in a laptop.
I also have a Navigation Interphase...?

So I am hoping someone here will coach me through this.

does my course computer speak Sea Talk only or will it understand NMEA 018?

Also where do I hook the gps wires?

thanks in advance

[Capn Dan]

"Type one" refers to the drive and not the computer. If there are 4 wires from the control head to the computer, it is pre Sea Talk. If you have a small black box labeled "Navigation interface", that is for pre ST computers and it is the interface between NMEA 183 and the computer.

If the control head and computer do not have labels, post a pic.

[j24jaded]

thanks Cpn Dan

I have basically the same as shown here
Raymarine Retired Autopilot Manuals

the course computer shown here has a gain control knob on the end that I don't have, other than that. it looks the same for the computer and control head.
I do have a linear drive, I'm assuming a type 1 since its a 38' boat and no rudder indicator.

I do have a Radio Navigation Interface ( shown at 1.1.6 in the manual above)
with bot speed selections on the knob.

So let me review my understanding to this point, I have a pre SeaTalk autopilot?
and I need to wire the GPS to the input side of the Nav interface?

So what wires go to what?
this is the info from the Garmin

Marine Navigation
Connecting the Power/Data Cable
The power/data cable connects the GPS 72H to a 8-35 volt DC system and provides interface capabilities for connecting external devices. The color code in the diagram below indicates the appropriate harness connections. The replacement fuse is a AGC/3AG - 2.0 Amp fuse.

Color Function

Power-Red
Ground-Black
Data Out (Tx)-Brown
Data In (Rx)-White
Interfacing
> >
GPS 72H Power/Data Cable
The following formats are supported for connection of external devices: GARMIN proprietary Differential GPS (DGPS), NMEA 0183 version 2.3, ASCII Text Output, and RTCM SC-104 input (version 2.0).


So far so good?
I'm going to hte boat tomorrow and will get some pictures, and check the wire colors that hooked to the old Loran C, I guess I can just wire the GPS straight to that?

Thanks
Jimmie

[Capn Dan]

Jimmie

The link in your post takes me to all manuals, not a specific one. If your manual was "autohelm 6000 stern drive", then yes, it is pre ST.

From the garmin, use the data out wires direct to the nav interface. I am sailing in MX so I do not have access to my nav interface manual. I think someone posted a copy here on C.F.

If you can't find it, I can email you a copy later in the week.

It has the correct wiring diagram in it.

[j24jaded]

Thanks Dan
sorry for the delayed response.
You are right it is the 6000 stern drive.
i have tried hooking it up but I can't get the autopilot to connect.
I'm not sure of my wiring or how to test it.

I have the brown from the garmin to the red on the Nav interface.
and the white form the garmin to the blue..? These red and blue where connected to the Loran. The Nav Interface book says the a the blue should go to earth?

the test procedure says to create a cross track error of .01nm? at what distance out?
I tried to do this on the gps but I don't really get it.

thanks again

[j24jaded]

here are some pictures, can you tell me which computer I have?

[Capn Dan]

The nav interface blue needs to go to your garmin black. The garmin white is for data in to the garmin so you won't use it. Make sure the garmin is set for nmea 183

[j24jaded]

ok I'll try that. I set it for 0183.
what about the testing?

thanks