Raystar 120 GPS Recever Needs Replacement

[Greg_E]

I have a Raytheon RC530 Chartplotter with Raystar 120 GPS receiver.

I've been getting the dreaded intermittent "No Fix" error for some time, so I replaced the on board lithium battery in the Raystar 120. Still have the same problem so it appears to be more than the battery that is causing a problem.

I'm looking for a cheaper replacement than the Raystar 130 with Seatalk to Seatalk NG converter at about $400.

I've looked at the Evermore SA-320 and SA-920 but they are not sold in the U.S.

Are there any other name brands sold here that have been proven to work?

Specs would be NEMA 0183 Ver. 2.3 output, RS422, 4800 baud 8, none , 1

Many of the units sold now are NEMA 2000 or they don't list the specs in the owners manuals that I found online.

Any help would be greatly appreciate, by me and many other Raystar 120 owners with failing receivers.

[Captain Bill]

I had a quick look around the internet and it looks like a number of vendors are still carrying the Raystar 125 GPS which should be compatible with your existing equipment. The 125 supports 0183.

[Greg_E]

Thanks. I looked at those. I had checked one place but they said it was no longer available but others may have old stock. That is a 12 channel receiver and they want more than a new 130 sells for which is 48 channel. Even with the converter the 130 is only about $50 more.
I am looking for a cheaper solution.

[goboatingnow]

have a search for the Evermore SA320 gps, under 100 dollars

Dave

[Greg_E]

Yes, I've looked at those. If I can't find anything else, I will get the SA-320. Unfortunately there are no U.S. dealers. You have to get it from the U.K. or Germany.

[Greg_E]

I wound up using the Evermore SA-920 with RS232 interface. It tracks up to 20 channels and uses the SIRF 3 chip. Shipping from Germany was a little over a week.
The SA-920 RS422 was not available anywhere although Evermore did say they make a RS422 version.
I hooked it up this weekend and it works fine with the Raytheon RC530 chartplotter. It also picked up the DGPS signal which my old Raystar 120 was not locking onto.
It is a much more affordable solution compared to the Raystar 130 with conversion kit from Seatalk to Seatalk ng.

[Rchrdm]

Hello

The EverMore SA-920 is available in the US from Rose Point Navigation, the people who make the Coastal Explorer charting software. They sell the USB model, but not the RS-232 "bare wires" model.

[Cuttyhunk]

Check out the digital yacht gps 150. Defender sells it. It is supposed to be new and they are marketing it as a good replacement for the ray star 120 and 125, NMEA 0183. It is a special for ActiveCaptain members this week. I just saw the mention in an email from activecaptain and it caught my eye as I have a ray star 125.

[noelex 77]

Also consider some of the hand held GPS units.
Many have a NMEA 0183 output.

With a power and data cable you have a perminant GPS.
The advantage is that you have a standalone position display if your chartplotter fails. In addition it can be used as a low power anchor alarm (check the alarm volume), or a low power display of SOG, distance to waypoint etc, without the higher power consumption of running the chartplotter continuously.

The small B&W GPS units such as the Furuno GP-32 have similar advantages, but are usually a bit more expensive.

[Fireman_Bob]

Hi, I just replaced the battery in my 120. It is possible to unsolder the battery clips from the circuit board, pull the clips off the old battery and solder them onto a new battery, then solder the clips back into the circuit board. You will need a fine tip soldering iron and a steady hand. Some flux is also helpful when soldering the clips onto the new battery.
If you're interested, I can do this for a nominal fee. PM me and let me know.
Thanks,
Bob

[EngNate]

The Garmin GPS-19 in the 0183 version, about $200

[Amnesia II]

I recently swapped out my unreliable raystar 120 by purchasing a RS 125 on ebay...not cheap but a generally straightforward replacement with a slight wiring modification.

Guys in the US who upgrade Raymarine systems for customers are making a nice little side earner offering the old electronics, like the Raystar 125 for sale. I paid US$275+ freight to Australia


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[BJGWV]

Question: When replacing the battery on your Raystar 120, which way does the new battery go (lost my notes on the old one)? Does the positive side of the CR2032 face up (toward the viewer) or down toward the circuit board?

Ready to glue (conductive glue) in a new battery but want to verify the orientation.

[Fireman_Bob]

The + side goes towards the center of the PCB. There are 2 connection points for the + but they are internally connected so you only need to solder 1. Pick the one that is very easy to get to. The minus goes towards the edge of the PCB.

[BJGWV]

Fireman_Bob, clarification, please: The flat battery is horizontal when installed. When installed and in position on the boat, does the plus side of the battery face up or down? Thanks for responding.
Bill G. (BJGWV)