Autohelm 4000 to Chartplotter

[SuddenVibe]

Question:

Boat has Raymarine Autohelm 4000 installed... works great! Only accessory that I see is the wired remote unit that plugs into the main control module. This is the older style without LCD.

Under the main unit there are 2 inputs... 1 for windvane, 1 for remote or accessory.

Currently the unit holds course off of the internal gimbaled compass.

The manual says that it is compatible NMEA0183.

Recently, I purchased Garmin 78SC handheld GPS/Chartplotter.

Associate at west marine sold me a data cable/hard wire power for the garmin unit and explained that the track/chartplotter features of the GPS unit would communicate with the autohelm using NMEA0183 to hold the course but was unable to offer any info farther than here are the pieces... have a nice day.

My question is, is it this simple?

will the Garmin send the equivalent +/- navigation commands to the autohelm to keep us on course?

Do I need an additional unit?

[Lancerbye]

In a simple word. Yes. Unless your autopilot is very unusual, the info accepted by the autopilot is of a standard format. I use a Garmin 2010c with an Autonav Autopilot. Works great.

[tcac92405]

I have the same system and I will be hooking up a radar gps this weekend.. how do you interface the two?

[Lancerbye]

Welcome aboard. tcac92405. What is the question? lol Raymarine, Garmin, or Autohelm? Which to what?

[Capn Dan]

If your 4000 control head is the older pre ST version -- black rectangular head with six buttons and NO Display, you need to have what is called a "radio navigation interface". I think the part number is Z075.

[JPOwens]

Originally Posted by Lancerbye

In a simple word. Yes. Unless your autopilot is very unusual, the info accepted by the autopilot is of a standard format. I use a Garmin 2010c with an Autonav Autopilot. Works great.

I'm just now trying to get this to work with a Garmin GPSMapper 700-series over 0183 protocol. At this point looking for hardware -- plug-type to make up my own cabling and then dive into the Garmin to set it up to issue the XTEcross-track error sentence... seems archaic but if it works, then why not?

JPO

[sailorchic34]

The older 4000 unit without the display is not nema 0183 compatable. There is no way to connect it to a chartplotter. The radio interface mentioned earlier was for Loran I believe. It predates Nema 0183. These somewhat newer redesigned autohelm 4000 with display is nema 0183 compatable.

On the plus side the older units were easier to repair.

[JPOwens]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

somewhat newer redesigned autohelm 4000 with display is nema 0183 compatable.

Anyone have a surplus/retired AutoHelm 4000 *with display*? I expect it would interface with the helm-drive unit the same? or would an ST-type be an option?

JPO