Vesper to Axiom

[daletournier]

Hi, I recently installed a Raymarine Axiom 9 while on the hard.

I also added a new Airmar tri smart tranducer, and connected my Vesper Xb 8000 Ais transponder which I hooked up via the Raymarine Seatalk ng backbone system.

On the hard all worked well, I had the ais overlaying the chart etc.

Went in the water yesterday, depth worked but now dont have ais targets on plotter.

The ais is functioning as normal downstairs.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[Exile]

An idea but probably a dumb one, or at least one you've probably already ruled out. I just installed a Vesper XB-8000 and noticed that, when the boat moves its locale and sometimes when it doesn't, whatever device I'm using will auto-select the strongest Wifi signal which isn't always the Vesper. It wasn't obvious to me at first this was the problem but my boat's also at a busy marina with lots of different Wifi sources around. Maybe not an issue with your Axiom/SeaTalk system though as it sounds like it's hard-wired in? (not familiar with it)

[Pete7]

If you go into the menu on the Axiom with the "about" screen or the software update screen does it list the Vesper as a device. We have the Element 9 so the menu structure being a cut down version is slightly different. However, it should list all the devices on the network. Ours includes the autopilot and VHF etc on the SeatalkNg network.

The lack of a device might suggest trapped cable or a spur cable connector isn't working.

Does the CP connect via SeatalkNG directly or is there a DeviceNet plug on the Axiom which then connects to a STNg spur? that could be a weak link.

Final thought. Switch it all off and remove the Arimar sounder, then boot it all back up and look a the network devices again on the Axiom.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Exile

An idea but probably a dumb one, or at least one you've probably already ruled out. I just installed a Vesper XB-8000 and noticed that, when the boat moves its locale and sometimes when it doesn't, whatever device I'm using will auto-select the strongest Wifi signal which isn't always the Vesper. It wasn't obvious to me at first this was the problem but my boat's also at a busy marina with lots of different Wifi sources around. Maybe not an issue with your Axiom/SeaTalk system though as it sounds like it's hard-wired in? (not familiar with it)

Hi mate, the axiom won't work with the vesper via wifi, therefore its hardwired with a nmea cable.
The only thing that's changed is now I'm getting a depth reading, which I obviously wasn't while on the hard.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Pete7

If you go into the menu on the Axiom with the "about" screen or the software update screen does it list the Vesper as a device. We have the Element 9 so the menu structure being a cut down version is slightly different. However, it should list all the devices on the network. Ours includes the autopilot and VHF etc on the SeatalkNg network.

The lack of a device might suggest trapped cable or a spur cable connector isn't working.

Does the CP connect via SeatalkNG directly or is there a DeviceNet plug on the Axiom which then connects to a STNg spur? that could be a weak link.

Final thought. Switch it all off and remove the Arimar sounder, then boot it all back up and look a the network devices again on the Axiom.

Hi Pete, no it dosent show it.

I connect the vesper xb8000 via a spur cable directly to the 5 way connector. I have the blue seatalk cable that then runs from the 5 way to the axiom. That's obviously fine as the plotter and gauges are receiving depth etc.

Maybe it is the new spur cable? but as I said it was working fine on the hard.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by daletournier

I have the blue seatalk cable that then runs from the 5 way to the axiom. That's obviously fine as the plotter and gauges are receiving depth etc.

Maybe it is the new spur cable? but as I said it was working fine on the hard.

Oh that might be the problem, I thought each device had to have a spur cable white/black. The blue/black cables are network only and must end in a either a 5 block or the t block, also you must have the blue end plugs in any blue/black cable end that isn't used (unlikely) or any block with a empty blue connector.

Empty white spur connectors are different, the black plug for these is just a blanking plug to stop water or dust getting in. However, the blue connector plugs have wires to make the network connect properly.

Pete

[Pete7]

Some light reading:

https://raymarine.app.box.com/s/2ulw...le/23388950831

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Oh that might be the problem, I thought each device had to have a spur cable white/black. The blue/black cables are network only and must end in a either a 5 block or the t block, also you must have the blue end plugs in any blue/black cable end that isn't used (unlikely) or any block with a empty blue connector.

Empty white spur connectors are different, the black plug for these is just a blanking plug to stop water or dust getting in. However, the blue connector plugs have wires to make the network connect properly.

Pete

Yep that's correct. I have a black and white sour cable from vesper to 5 way, then blue and black network cable connecting 5 way to plotter.

I'm sailing at lunchtime, I'll run to the electronics store and see if they have a spare spur cable just to troubleshoot.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Hi mate, the axiom won't work with the vesper via wifi, therefore its hardwired with a nmea cable.
The only thing that's changed is now I'm getting a depth reading, which I obviously wasn't while on the hard.

Gotcha. My old NMEA 0183 system and its instruments are still working fine but, like everything else on the boat, I'm sure it's probably just a matter of time! Figured I'd better start paying attention to the newer tech, esp. since there was a recent thread reporting issues getting a B&G Zeus to play nicely with the Vesper.

Very happy with my XB-8000 btw, and have it displaying AIS and instrument data wirelessly to my laptop & devices. Also installed the external alarm & switch, and looking forward to checking out the anchor app which has good reviews. Good luck resolving your issue Dale.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Exile

Gotcha. My old NMEA 0183 system and its instruments are still working fine but, like everything else on the boat, I'm sure it's probably just a matter of time! Figured I'd better start paying attention to the newer tech, esp. since there was a recent thread reporting issues getting a B&G Zeus to play nicely with the Vesper.

Very happy with my XB-8000 btw, and have it displaying AIS and instrument data wirelessly to my laptop & devices. Also installed the external alarm & switch, and looking forward to checking out the anchor app which has good reviews. Good luck resolving your issue Dale.

My old Raytheon instruments were working fine but the displays were getting hard to read thus I replaced them.

I've used vesper since 2011, it's been very good. I have it wifing (is that a word?..lol)to a phone inside and to open cpn on the laptop. I don't really need it on the plotter at the helm but it would be nice and it did work. Sailing through the night tonight by myself thus would like it working.

My other disappointment was not being able to connect my B&G 3g radar upto the axiom.

My watchmate anchor alarm is on 24/7 unless I'm at a dock of course, I think it's a great feature.

Since fitting the airmar tri sensor smart tranducer I've been told they dont last much more than 3-5 years, the old one was going strong after 18 years, Im hopeing what I've read is wrong. I've kept the old one installed as well and can run it down stairs on a old Raytheon display I kept.

I like the easy at which the seatalk ng system is plug and play, well was upto now ..lol.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Since fitting the airmar tri sensor smart tranducer I've been told they dont last much more than 3-5 years, the old one was going strong after 18 years, Im hopeing what I've read is wrong. I've kept the old one installed as well and can run it down stairs on a old Raytheon display I kept.

I like the easy at which the seatalk ng system is plug and play, well was upto now ..lol.

Agree about SeatalkNg, came to the party late so went straight for Ng. The local RM dealer said the newer transducers fire a signal hundreds of times faster than the older types like ST60s. This creates heat, hence whilst the older models could be glued into the hull and work happily, the new Chirp types need to either transom or through hull to help dissipate the heat generated directly into water.

If a spur doesn't work, try disconnecting the Arimar. Do you also have another older sounder connected on the network like ST60? is there a conflict that is causing problems? just a thought.

Pete