Connect Raytheon ST4000 to B&G Zeus

[dmksails]

Does anyone have instructions for connecting a Raytheon ST4000 autopilot to a Zeus system?

[skipmac]

Does the 4000 have a Raytheon Seatalk connection? If so I've been researching this issue to interface my Raymarine bidata display including asking Raymarine tech support on their forum. Seatalk to Garmin 740s?

First you start with a Raymarine Seatalk to SeatalkNG converter kit Raymarine SeaTalk1 to SeaTalk NG Converter Kit. SeatalkNG is the Raymarine, sorta/almost/kinda compatible with NMEA2000 if you buy adapters, cables and tinker with it.

The output from the converter has to link with the backbone of the B&G NMEA2000 network, NOT connect as a spur. This will take an adapter cable that connects to the Raymarine converter and to the end of the NMEA2000 backbone, replacing the terminator on that end.

[skipmac]

By the way, all that adapter stuff is another reason why I will not be buying Rarmarine for any new electronics.

I have a Garmin chartplotter and a Simrad autopilot. Connected them to the same, totally standard NMEA2000 network with standard cables, no adapters, converters, or special cables, and it all works together seamlessly. Totally plug and play.

[Jerry Woodward]

Originally Posted by dmksails

Does anyone have instructions for connecting a Raytheon ST4000 autopilot to a Zeus system?

This is exactly what I would like to do. Anyone actually do this so that the Zeuss can control the autopilot? I thought I had if figured out. The Seatalk to SeatalkNG converter kit seems to be the preferred way to get older Seatalk instruments onto an N2K backbone. However, when I read the manual for the converter kit, is says:

Autopilot restrictions
Important: A SeaTalk autopilot or associated controller must not
be connected to the SeaTalk - SeaTalkng converter.
• SeaTalk autopilot (e.g. S1, S2 or S3 course computer with
ST6002 controller) — This cannot be connected to the converter,
nor to any device on the converter’s SeaTalk spur. A SeaTalk
autopilot will usually be connected directly to the multifunction
display.

OK, so I'll connect the ST4000+ directly to the Zeus MFD, right? Well the ST4000+ only has a single NMEA 0183 output, no input. Thus, it doesn't seem like the Zeus could control the ST4000 without being able to input into the ST4000.

I know that Actisense has a bunch of Seatak to N2K adapters, but I can't figure out whether it would work in this particular situation.

It would sure be nice to hear from someone who actually got this to work.

[Pizzazz]

You can only have a Raymarine MFD control an ST4000+, either via Seatalk direct or through the converter if you have a NMEA2000 output only. Third party chartplotters will only send the waypoint and you will need to accept it at the autopilot control. You can send the way point via NMEA 0183 in this case.

Easiest way is just to add an autopilot control head at your second station and avoid this MFD controlling autopilot issue completely.

[Jerry Woodward]

Yes, I have come to the conclusion that it can't be done. My ST4000+ has a new motor and works reasonably well. It is mounted at the helm next to the Zeuss 2. I would be ok with using it as a standalone, but the display is almost gone. The Zeus 2 is so rich with autopilot control features that if I had a compatible computer, I wouldn't need the ST4000 control head any more. Can I buy a separate autopilot computer that would be compatible with the Zeuss 2 and hook it up to the existing motor and fluxgate compass?

[smac999]

you would need the pilot and compass. you can reuse the motor.

[Pizzazz]

You can get replacement LCD for your ST4000+ off eBay, $129 or so. It is a 5 min job to change it.