RayMarine instrument network voltage

[callistov42]

I have I70 instruments at my helm station. Is there enough voltage in the network that I could install USB charging ports in my instrument pod so I can charge my IPad in the cockpit? If not and I have to run a new wire into my binnacle instrument pod, is there a 12v USB plug that anyone can recommend for charging?

[smac999]

no your i70 is powered by the small seatalkng backbone. run a new power wire.

[tkeithlu]

Voltage is potential; you're asking about current (amperage). Yes, assuming a suitable diameter wire from the battery or its bus. Your batteries can put out hundreds of amps at 12v, at least briefly, because they start your engine.

Then, the simplist local conversion to USB power for charging is an automotive 12v/USB adaptor, which is a little plug in thingy (12v, from old cigarette lighters) with one or two USB outlets on it. Available just about everywhere. Battery to socket (as for cigarette lighter) to USB adaptor and back to ground.

[tkeithlu]

Don't forget the fuse....

[Flatswing]

Run a new wire
12v receptacle most flexible. marinehowto.com has some good advice about best 12v usb adaptors. Otherwise you need the Blue Seas 4.8A USB outlet (the 2.4A is not enough for iPads)

[moseriw]

Wrong Question! Which network? seatalk, seatalk2, seatalk NG [seatalk universe ;-))]

[Redline452]

(i70 is SeatalkNG) but the answer is you could, but should NOT.

Don't mess with the navigation/instrument bus to power unrelated devices.



You really don't need your depth display to suddenly blank out when navigating a narrow/shallow channel because someone plugged in their phone.



FWIW, I have a mix of Seatalk1 / NG, the autopilot and main instruments are ST1, and the autopilot control head has its own dedicated ST1 line to the course computer, separate from the instrument bus. Why? Because (a) Raymarine suggests it be installed that way (unlike what the original dealer installed, and which I corrected despite the nuisance of running yet another cable through an already crowded conduit) and (b) so that a instrument failure jamming the bus (it happened) would not disable the autopilot (which is the reason for (a)).



Plus, you'll need more power than STNG/NMEA2000 can deliver to power those iThings, anhyway.