nmea output from Raymarine Graphic

[artbyjody]

The ST-60 series of instruments, and that includes the "graphic" repeater - do not output any SEATLK to NMEA conversions whatsoever, The internal bridge is Seatlk it does some NMEA outputs but as you discovered limted.

If you want to interface NMEA without a display unit such as the C-70, C-80, or G series then you need this:



"When used with Raymarine's RayTech navigation software, the E85001 enables direct SeaTalk communication between the PC and network, supporting functions such as active route and waypoint transfer. Alternatively, the E85001 can convert SeaTalk datastreams to NMEA 0183, and NMEA 0183 sentences to SeaTalk, enabling other NMEA 0183 compatible navigation devices to communicate with Raymarine SeaTalk compatible instruments, autopilots, radars, and navigation aids. The E86001 serial data cable (sold separately) is recommended for connecting PCs to this device."

It can be had for around $150 - setup is a cinch and works well with displays or when building a device only solution that requires interfacing between other standalone NMEA products that you need to talk to seatalk.

[sailingdog]

Jody's got a nice photo of the SeaTalk to NMEA bridge I mentioned.

[j34035]

That is all well and good, but according to the documentation in Raymarines commisioning guide for the graphic instrument:

What NMEA data is supported?

Sea Talk to NMEA 0183

Data from Sea Talk is transmitted to the NMEA OUT connector every 2 seconds. The supported NMEA output data is detailed in the following table:
Depth: DBT
Heading, deviation and variation: HDG
Magnetic Heading: HDM
Water Temperature: MTW
Wind Speed and angle: MWV
Water Speed and heading: VHW

This is transcribed straight out of the Raymarine book document number 81228-1 dated January 2004.

Again, I can recieve the following data:

$IIDBT,10.5,f,3.2,M,1.8,F*2D
$IIMWV,131.5,R,2.3,N,A*3A
$IIMTW,21.7,C*17


This is a capture from the instrument to my laptop serial input using Hyper terminal. Why can I not get the other datas? I am posting this query to Ray in hopes they can settle this for me one way or another. I appreciate the input from you guys, but if the vendor says it will work, then doggone it, it should work. I will post whatever reply Ray gives me.
DD

[sailingdog]

Well, the data that you're receiving is the from the Tridata and wind instruments... don't see why you're not getting the VHW unless the VHW information is dependent on having the HDG and HDM data... which would normally be coming from a fluxgate compass.

Again, is your autopilot on when you're doing this, since that is the only fluxgate compass in your setup AFAIK. If the autopilot isn't transmitting the HDG/HDM data, you probably won't get the VHW data either.. since HDG is probably required to give you VHW.

The Tridata can only give you VBW IIRC without a fluxgate compass.

The graphic may not give you the HDG/HDM/VHW information without having a standalone fluxgate compass connected to it.

[j34035]

SD,
You may well be correct. The information is in the Graphic, as I can see magnetic headings displayed, but there may be some issue with the way the system is constructed or configured that keeps it from sending the data. It may be that I have to bite the bullet and spend money to make it work, but it is frustrating to see part of the data I need transmitted and not be able to see the rest. I also have my Garmin GPS inputting position data through the NMEA input connector. All that data displays correctly, but it will not repeat that data out through the output connector. I did not expect it to output that data as that was not a listed function in the output table. I did post to Ray and got a reply. They told me the graphic was not a full seatalk converter but I need to find out what is missing to make it function with the six sentences THEY say will work. Otherwise, I will have to buy the converter. Right now everything I need from the GPS I can bring in through the USB and read using a virtual com port, and the rest I was hoping to get through my COM 1 serial port. Stuff like this is actually fun to figure out, but can be frustrating. Thanks again for your help....
DD

[sailingdog]

Glad to help Doug.