Connecting Raymarine e7D to autopilot

[chala]

Originally Posted by chala

Method 2. The break on the positive does not have to be at the course computer but may be for example between the pilot head and the rest of the instruments.

Update. When a ST1 to STng converter is used and the autopilot is connected to an MDF using STng the data from the pilot should not be sent via ST1 and the converter to the MDF because the same data is also sent via STng. This create two sources of the same data to the MFD from the pilot or from the pilot to the MFD. The data from the converter may be slower and may create some malfunctions in the system.

[chala]

Originally Posted by chala

Maybe of interest:
“The maximum number of first generation SeaTalk devices which may be interfaced to the SeaTalk port of a SeaTalk to SeaTalk Converter is five.

The above limitation in fact relates to the current carrying capacity of the converter (950mA) Raymarine give no information in regard to the data capacity of the converter.
So for instance if there is 2 ST6002 controllers at 60mA, 200mA backlit.
1 ST50 Wind and 1 Wind repeater at 90mA, 215mA backlit and ST50 compass at 90mA, 215mA backlit, in all 5 instruments and it happen that pushing the “dis” button on one instrument a little to long, then backlit light will come in full on all 5 displays with a total of 1045mA. This is in excess of the rated capacity (950mA) of the converter and it may start smoking. The same may happen if a supply from the autopilot is also connected to the instruments. A voltage drop in the autopilot circuit created by the activation of the ram drive may draw current in excess of 950mA from the converter. It is to be noted that the power required by the instruments above does not have to be supplied by the converter or by the autopilot. The ST instruments can be supplied by a dedicated supply as per Raymarine Handbooks. To power isolate the instruments from the converter and the autopilot, only the Data and Negative wires are connected to the above.