Here's a basic diagram of my system:

I have a Raymarine C80 classic with sounder, Sirius, GPS and a Ray55 VHF. I'm adding a second C80 screen with radar.

How do I network the two C80 screens?

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab110/amar1293/RaymarineSetup.jpg

Semperfifisging on thehulltruth
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

It should be in the manual, but pretty sure all interfacing within Ray crap is Seatalk:hihi:

Semper is good, or just call Raymarine, 2 min phone call.

I do not believe the C series are networkable -- only the E series are able to share screens.

to my knowledge the C series is not "technically" networkable......However, I have two on my boat.....and they share waypoint data. I have one connected to sounder, the other connected to radar, and then the GPS antenna (ray 125) is spliced to both units. The VHF is then connected to one of the units thru NMEA. I use one the units as my main navigating unit, with radar.....the second is used mostly as sound, but also have bath charts for detailed viewing. I am not entirely sure how the sirus would connect into the system......

Also, when I bust into the boat to start getting her ready, I can make a detailed schematic if it would help?

Salty that would be awesome.

Sirius is getting tossed because it's $50 a month. I can get pretty much everything on my phone if I'm fishing close to P-town.

I'm particularly interested in the Ray55 radio to NMEA and the splicing of the GPS. I couldn't figure that out for the life of me.

I'm particularly interested in the Ray55 radio to NMEA and the splicing of the GPS. I couldn't figure that out for the life of me.

Your manual reads easier than mine (Garmin GPS to Uniden radio). besides the electrical (page 24, at least on the manual I downloaded) you need to activate/set the GPS NMEA software settings to output signal. I found that grounding is the key......

Just my 2 cents, since I don't have a Raymarine setup.

Andrew - I should be able to get into my boat this weekend or next (at the latest). I will draw something up and get it to you.


Rick

Alright, so i busted into the boat today....this is what I have. Two c-80's, one i use as a primary(directly in front of helm), and one as a secondary (off to the side). The radar is connected into back of primary, as is the NMEA interface to my VHF. The DSM300 (sounder) is connected into back of the secondary unit. The GPS antenna is spliced into both units through the SEATALK connector in the following manor: The red wire from each seatalk cable is spliced with the red and green wire from the GPS antenna. The yellow wire from each SEATALK cable is spliced with the yellow wire from the GPS antenna. The ground wire (may have black shrink over it ) from each SEATALK cable is splice with the bare wire and the brown wire from the GPS antenna. Thats it (other than the power cables for each display). Both units display Charts, although they will not share the same card (need two). The primary displays radar overlay.....the secondary displays sonar. Both units will display heading and waypoint when on chart page. Hope this helps.....Let me know if you need any more info.....

As for NMEA....I have a ray218 VHF....basically VHF IN+ (gray) to GPS OUT +(yellow). VHF IN - (purple) to GPS OUT - (brown). VHF OUT + (blue) to GPS IN + (white). and VHF OUT -(brown) to GPS IN - (green).

Good luck

Did you get it figured out?

Thanks I just saw this, this morning.

I'm printing off your descrpiption and working on it this weekend

Got the new radar down to the boat.

Th mounting holes on my radar tower are off. So I have to get a new plate fabricated.

it's never easy.

electronics box is fabricated thanks to my old man. Now I'm epoxying (west system)

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab110/amar1293/IMAG0922.jpg

Hopefully install this weekend.

looking good

Andrew,

Use some light glass with that West too......and West the crap out of it.

Anyone have any recommendations for color matching to my current off white gel coat? Just paint over it?

Anyone have any recommendations for color matching to my current off white gel coat? Just paint over it?



Call Joe @ Metrons
Merton's Fiberglass & Marine Supply (http://www.mertons.com/)
Roll 1 coat gelcoat on, sand, 2nd coat mix 50x50 with duratec clear roll or spray on 2nd coat.

Call Joe @ Metrons
Merton's Fiberglass & Marine Supply (http://www.mertons.com/)
Roll 1 coat gelcoat on, sand, 2nd coat mix 50x50 with duratec clear roll or spray on 2nd coat.


Awesome thanks Just got off the phone with Joe.

Awesome thanks Just got off the phone with Joe.

Should have added get gel coat with wax.
I'm assuming Joe @ Merton's suggested that.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Alright, so i busted into the boat today....this is what I have. Two c-80's, one i use as a primary(directly in front of helm), and one as a secondary (off to the side). The radar is connected into back of primary, as is the NMEA interface to my VHF. The DSM300 (sounder) is connected into back of the secondary unit. The GPS antenna is spliced into both units through the SEATALK connector in the following manor: The red wire from each seatalk cable is spliced with the red and green wire from the GPS antenna. The yellow wire from each SEATALK cable is spliced with the yellow wire from the GPS antenna. The ground wire (may have black shrink over it ) from each SEATALK cable is splice with the bare wire and the brown wire from the GPS antenna. Thats it (other than the power cables for each display). Both units display Charts, although they will not share the same card (need two). The primary displays radar overlay.....the secondary displays sonar. Both units will display heading and waypoint when on chart page. Hope this helps.....Let me know if you need any more info.....

Strangest thing. I'm splicing the raystar to both units. I done and re-done the connections twice and only one wire is giving me a GPS fix. Both wires are pretty much brand new.

Someone mentioned at the dock that on Garmin units it can sometimes take 45 minutes to get a fix.

So, the two seatalk cables are spliced together, and then splice to GPS antenna? (see pic).

You could check continuity between the two seatalk cables.....

So, the two seatalk cables are spliced together, and then splice to GPS antenna? (see pic).

You could check continuity between the two seatalk cables.....

yeah exactly the same.

both screens are in. The epifanes 2 part "off-white" looks nothing like the color chart. I will have to re-paint next winter. this picture is before a bead of 5200 and the screens are mounted flush.

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab110/amar1293/IMAG0984.jpg

5200? yikes!

yikes is right, just use latex white.
I can tint gelcoat any color for you, not a problem.

I didn't bead the units themselves. :D

Just the bottom of the box.

yeah exactly the same.

both screens are in. The epifanes 2 part "off-white" looks nothing like the color chart. I will have to re-paint next winter. this picture is before a bead of 5200 and the screens are mounted flush.


Ditch the 5200, use silicon.

Thats almost Interlux Brightside Hatteras Off-White (pre-1990 or whatever i used)

And for gods sake don't use permanent phone type splices like above, use the euro connection strips (radioshack has em) so you can make sure you got your crap right, or the (not really) waterproof seatalk junction boxes.

And 45min to get a gps fix?
Are they high?

The advantage to the "permanent phone type splices" is that that make waterproof connections. The jell inside the connector keeps the wires from corroding/oxidizing.

When you switch seatalk connectors between units, does the "other" unit now get a fix quickly. If so, I'm betting one of your splices is not making good contact.

45 min? you have other issues. Probably a broken wire. I use to have Ray and seatalk. never had any issue like that. Everything talked to everything else just fine.

BUT I agree with you though that: a) the seatalk box is lame. b) the tiny thin wires used (not just by Ray but by many electronics) are a complete joke on a boat. They need to be more stout so you don't have to use those tiny mounting methods. Anytime you take what amounts to an eyeglass screwdriver to work on your marine wiring you are headed for trouble. If they increased the gauge a bit you could use snap on or those euro connectors and have them in a sealed box .
When you use those tiny wires the question always arises....is it connected? The answer should not be: " I am not sure, turn it on?"

Make sure the compass is not affected when those units are powered up since they are kind of close.

45 min? you have other issues. Probably a broken wire. I use to have Ray and seatalk. never had any issue like that. Everything talked to everything else just fine.

BUT I agree with you though that: a) the seatalk box is lame. b) the tiny thin wires used (not just by Ray but by many electronics) are a complete joke on a boat. They need to be more stout so you don't have to use those tiny mounting methods. Anytime you take what amounts to an eyeglass screwdriver to work on your marine wiring you are headed for trouble. If they increased the gauge a bit you could use snap on or those euro connectors and have them in a sealed box .
When you use those tiny wires the question always arises....is it connected? The answer should not be: " I am not sure, turn it on?"

You should see the seatalk to autopilot interface, you'd laugh. Its about 10 tiny wires and installers seem to like to put the pilot black box in the bilge. :rotf2: