SeaTalk to NMEA 2k

Hello again friends. Another nuanced question but I am sure someone has gone through a similar set up.

I currently purchased the Triton 2 instrument package from B&G to replace my failing Raymarine set up. I will be replacing the displays at the helm, the DST sensor as well as replacing the wind instrument with the new wireless instrument. The only thing that has me scratching my head is how to network this to my newish Raymarine autopilot which uses the SeaTalk interface. The system currently lives in isolation from the instruments but I would like to combine the network with the new NMEA 2k system for future chart plotter install at helm.

Couple of issues to work through:

1. SeaTalk backbone is full with the Autopilot system.
2. Would this SeaTalk backbone provide power to my NMEA 2k network?

My current thought is I would buy a additional SeaTalk backbone with a NMEA 2k Adapter cable. I would then network my compass for the autopilot which is near the chart table on the interior of the boat to the new backbone. I would plug the existing SeaTalk cable into the back bone and add a new one to the compass, that will allow me an extra hole for the adapter cable to the NMEA 2k network which all seems to just daisy chain off each other.

Am I on the right track?

Does that backbone need power if it already is run to the existing backbone?

Do I need to power my NMEA 2k Network if its connected to the SeaTalk Network which has power?

Guessing everything on that network now all works on the same fuse on the DC panel if so.

I am currently working through similar issues. I have latest Raymarine wheel pilot on its own SeatalkNG network, and chart plotter, radar, and other instruments on a separate NMEA 2000 network. Everything works fine as is. But I would like to make the A/P compass available to the NMEA 2000 network. From my research, I should be able to join the two nets with a Raymarine adapter, A80674 (male NMEA 2000) or A80675 (female NMEA 2000), depending on the gender of the NMEA 2000 backbone cable or fitting you intend to connect to.

If your Seatalk network is functional, then the power lead in that network is active. Likewise for your NMEA 2000 network. I don't think you want the two parts of the network powered by (likely) different circuits, so you have a choice of how to kill one or the other:
1) disconnect the drop cable supplying power to the NMEA 2000 network, or
2) disconnect the drop cable (red) supplying power to the Seatalk network, or
3) consider partially stripping the adapter cable to expose and cut the red and black power wires. Leave the white and light blue wires intact, as those carry the data.

Once I get my new adapter cable from Defender, I plan to do option 2, since it is easy in my case.

Good luck.

There are two different and incompatible versions of SeaTalk — SeaTalk1 and SeaTalkNG. What is the model number of your Raymarine autopilot? Do the autopilot cables have blue or white connectors, or do they have oblong black rubber connectors?

I misspoke. There are three SeaTalk versions — SeaTalk1, SeaTalk2, and SeaTalkNG. SeaTalk1 and SeaTalk2 have oblong black rubber connectors; SeaTalkNG has either blue or white round connectors. SeaTalk1 connectors have three pins, SeaTalk2 connectors have 5 pins. I believe that SeaTalk2 cables and connectors are relatively rare. SeaTalk2 and SeaTalkNG are electrically compatible, just different connectors.

Marlin Prowell said:

I misspoke. There are three SeaTalk versions —

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And this is exactly why everything on my boat (except the single-source wheel pilot) is B&G, and not Raymarine. But this is a very important point to make.

Unless you are planning on buying more Raymarine gear, I would advise against buying another Raymarine backbone connector strip. If everything you install in the future will be standard NMEA2000, then it is time to transition to NMEA2000 backbone cables and drop cables.

There are lots of Triton 2 instruments and several Raymarine autopilots. Telling us what exactly you have, and are planning for the future, will let me give more specific advice.

I have Raymarine Seatalkng instruments and added a Garmin plotter. I decided to install a NMEA2000 backbone and connected the seatalkng instruments to it with an adapter they sell. Key is what vintage your Raymarine "newish" autopilot is and if it's seatalk2 or seatalkng. You can interface both but the the ng is a simple cable adapter as it's pretty much nmea2000 with different connectors. Hopefully newish means it is not a Seatalk1 device as I am not sure that would even communicate with a different network.

Marlin Prowell said:

I misspoke. There are three SeaTalk versions — SeaTalk1, SeaTalk2, and SeaTalkNG. SeaTalk1 and SeaTalk2 have oblong black rubber connectors; SeaTalkNG has either blue or white round connectors. SeaTalk1 connectors have three pins, SeaTalk2 connectors have 5 pins. I believe that SeaTalk2 cables and connectors are relatively rare. SeaTalk2 and SeaTalkNG are electrically compatible, just different connectors.

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I have the newer SeaTalkNG with the Blue and White connectors. Raymarine Autopilot is the EV-100 Sail pack

Marlin Prowell said:

Unless you are planning on buying more Raymarine gear, I would advise against buying another Raymarine backbone connector strip. If everything you install in the future will be standard NMEA2000, then it is time to transition to NMEA2000 backbone cables and drop cables.

There are lots of Triton 2 instruments and several Raymarine autopilots. Telling us what exactly you have, and are planning for the future, will let me give more specific advice.

Click to expand...

The issue I have is the current SeaTalk Backbone is out of connections to network into a NMEA 2k system. So my thought is if I add a new back bone I can make the connection. Right now the autopilot hogs 1 full backbone. Everything moving forward will be NMEA 2k but I need to make the connection.

Dave G. said:

I have Raymarine Seatalkng instruments and added a Garmin plotter. I decided to install a NMEA2000 backbone and connected the seatalkng instruments to it with an adapter they sell. Key is what vintage your Raymarine "newish" autopilot is and if it's seatalk2 or seatalkng. You can interface both but the the ng is a simple cable adapter as it's pretty much nmea2000 with different connectors. Hopefully newish means it is not a Seatalk1 device as I am not sure that would even communicate with a different network.

Click to expand...

I have the EV-100 Sail pack - so current model autopilot on SeaTalkNG. I think its cheaper to get a backbone with 1 adapter cable than a bunch of new adapter cables for the existing Raymarine system.

The Molly Ann said:

I have the newer SeaTalkNG with the Blue and White connectors. Raymarine Autopilot is the EV-100 Sail pac

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As Marlin suggested I would install a NMEA2000 backbone and then just use the right orientated adapter to plug in the EV-100. As autopilots generally have dedicated power(you need to verify 12v source) you will probably need to "delete" 12v going to it from the network. You will need to do that no matter which way you go. Of course I presume(?) you are running all new wiring(different connectors) so switching would make the most sense.

I have a EV-100 wheel pilot, too, so I am very familiar with the cabling. The three EV-100 components each require a SeaTalkNG connection. The cabling also requires a power cable. The Raymarine backbone strip has only three white sockets, so you must be using a blue backbone cable and tee fitting to be able to connect everything. You'll have one blue terminator on the backbone strip and the other blue terminator plugged into the tee fitting.

It will be cheaper today, and in the future, to start converting to NMEA 2000 now. I'm using defender.com for all prices.





To use the NMEA 2000 version, remove one of the blue terminators from your existing cabling and plug in the A80675 or A80674 adapter cable. Plug the other end into a tee fitting from the starter kit and use the starter kit NMEA 2000 drop cable to connect to your new device. Plug a NMEA 2000 terminator from the starter kit into the other side of the tee fitting.

You still have a couple of tee fittings available for future NMEA 2000 devices. You won't need the NMEA 2000 power cable.

As an aside, for my EV-100 installation, I used all NMEA 2000 cabling with Raymarine A06083 adapters at each Raymarine device. See this post.