Sending 'Go to Here' Active Route to an Autopilot

[Sail323]

I am trying to configure OpenCPN to send the active route created by right clicking a chart and selecting Go To Here. I am using VSPE to create a virtual serial port (COM5). I have NMEA Data Source and Autopilot Output Port both set to COM5.

When I create the active route and press the TRACK button on my ST4000+, I get a NO DATA message from the autopilot. The autopilot works fine with routes I create with OpenCPN and upload to my GPS.

I have added; AutoPilot NMEA Sentence Out=RMB;RMC to opencpn.ini

What am I missing?

John

[alex2035]

Please detail how you have connected your computer to the ST4000. As you describe it looks like you only have your GPS to it. alex

[Sail323]

The NMEA + and - pins on the ST4000+ control head are connected to pins 2 and 3 of the DB-9 on the attached drawing. The DB-9 is connected to a Parallax USB to Serial (RS-232) Adapter.

John

[alex2035]

Nope, the ST4000+ ONLY has NMEA in, and you are connecting input and output from PC.
You should connect ST4000+ nmea in positive (+) to pin 3 on DB9 AND ST4000+ nmea in negative (-) to pin 5 of DB9 (shield) , DB9 pin 2 is nmea in to the PC, the one you use with the GPS to receive its waypoints and rotes, no use for ST4000+ there. alex

[Sail323]

Alex,

Please disregard the pic of the connector in my last post, it's the wrong one. Mine is a four pin connector. I'll have to trace the wires and get back to you.

John

[alex2035]

I know, that was the picture from Garmin's pdf document, but my indications are generic and they work as it should. anyway check your wirings and I will give more advice. regards. alex

[Sail323]

Alex

I see the problem now.

Pin 2 on the DB-9 (Brown - Data Out on the Garmin) is connected to NMEA + on the 4000+ and Pin 5 on the DB-9 (Black - Ground on the Garmin) is connected to NMEA - on the 4000+.

It was wired this way to drive the autopilot from the GPS alone without the PC having to be on. I guess I could possibly direct the outputs from the PC and the GPS using a SPDT switch.

John

[Samantha ann]

Alex, just wondering. Several of us on another thread are having no success getting our Garmin 492/498 gps to send route info to our Raymarine AP. Any ideas? We are stuck and you sound like you may know.

[alex2035]

Originally Posted by Sail323

Alex

I see the problem now.

Pin 2 on the DB-9 (Brown - Data Out on the Garmin) is connected to NMEA + on the 4000+ and Pin 5 on the DB-9 (Black - Ground on the Garmin) is connected to NMEA - on the 4000+.

It was wired this way to drive the autopilot from the GPS alone without the PC having to be on. I guess I could possibly direct the outputs from the PC and the GPS using a SPDT switch.

John

Yes, I use a 3 pole switch , middle position is null, to derive either GPS out (brown) or PC out + (that is pin 3 of DB9) to ST4000 nmea + terminal, or make it both direct but only have one and only one with an active waypoint/route, as long as this condition is met no problems should occur, otherwise you get a lock pilot with a nmea conflict, anyway, option 1 is the recommended way of doing it and #2 is only for reference, avoid it. regards.alex

[alex2035]

Originally Posted by Samantha ann

Alex, just wondering. Several of us on another thread are having no success getting our Garmin 492/498 gps to send route info to our Raymarine AP. Any ideas? We are stuck and you sound like you may know.

I am on my way to an installation, let me get back to take a look at Garmin 492 manuals, I have done a 512 lately and had a little problems initially. Meanwhile, especify Raymarine AP model please.
Remember Raymarine only accepts route/waypoint data in nmea format, check you are under this protocol, some people do data transfers in garmin format and forget to change output to nmea for the AP. but this equipment probably has 2 or 3 switchable data outputs, Ill take a look. alex

[Sail323]

Originally Posted by alex2035

Yes, I use a 3 pole switch , middle position is null, to derive either GPS out (brown) or PC out + (that is pin 3 of DB9) to ST4000 nmea + terminal, or make it both direct but only have one and only one with an active waypoint/route, as long as this condition is met no problems should occur, otherwise you get a lock pilot with a nmea conflict, anyway, option 1 is the recommended way of doing it and #2 is only for reference, avoid it. regards.alex

That's what I'll do then. Thanks for your help.

[alex2035]

Originally Posted by Samantha ann

Alex, just wondering. Several of us on another thread are having no success getting our Garmin 492/498 gps to send route info to our Raymarine AP. Any ideas? We are stuck and you sound like you may know.

OK, 492/498 only has one nmea output, the other is a CAN output (nmea2000).
So the connection to the autopilot should be made with the BLUE cable of the power/data cable, this goes to the positive (+) NMEA IN terminal of the autopilot.
Depending the model that would be the back of the display (ST4000/5000 series) , the back of the cockpit connector (in tiller pilots) or the connectors in the course computer (S1/3, Type100/300, X series, et al)
Then connect negative (shield) to the - NMEA IN as well. This should be done bridging the BLACK Garmin negative cable and sending it to the pilot, but as shield is shared all around the boat, if for some reason this becomes difficult, I sometimes bridge NMEA IN - with the negative from 12V in the AP. should work, but the correct way to do it is with a direct connection of both + and - between the equipment you intend to share data.
Remember to program the Comm SubTab for NMEA IN/OUT. good luck. alex