Raymarine RS232 User guide
PC/SeaTalk/NMEA
Interface Box
Owner’s
Handbook
Document number: 81166-3
Date: 1 February 2002
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Copyright © Raymarine Limited 2002
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Operation and Installation 1
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................... 3
Chapter 2: Mounting ............................................... 4
Chapter 3: Operation/Wiring ................................. 6
3.1 NMEA Output 6
3.2 NMEA Input 9
3.3 Main Alarm 12
3.4 Connecting to a Personal Computer 14
3.5 Connecting to a PC with RayTech Navigator 19
Chapter 4: Fault Finding ....................................... 20
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2PC/SeaTalk/NMEA Interface Box
EMC Conformance
All Raymarine equipment and accessories are designed to the best
industry standards for use in the leisure marine environment.
The design and manufacture of Raymarine equipment and
accessories conform to the appropriate Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) standards, but correct installation is required
to ensure that performance is not compromised.
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Operation and Installation 3
Chapter 1: Introduction
SeaTalk is the language used by Raymarine products to share
information. This is unique to Raymarine. The PC/SeaTalk/NMEA
Interface, by providing conversion between SeaTalk, RayTech PC
and NMEA 0183 data formats, allows operation with other
manufacturer's equipment and with PCs.
The PC/SeaTalk/NMEA Interface provides:
• Connection of SeaTalk to a PC running RayTech
• Conversion of NMEA 0183 data format to SeaTalk
• Conversion of SeaTalk to NMEA 0183 format
• Operation of the Raymarine Main Alarm when an alarm
condition exists on the SeaTalk bus
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4PC/SeaTalk/NMEA Interface Box
Chapter 2: Mounting
Select a suitable location that is:
• away from direct contact with water
• clean and grease-free
• accessible for cabling
• reasonably well protected from physical damage.
1. Once a suitable location has been found, thoroughly clea n the
surface with an alcohol based cleaner.
2. Remove the protective backing from the PC/SeaTalk/NMEA
Interface box and firmly press onto the mounting surface.
D434-2
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Operation and Installation 5
3. Alternatively, the PC/SeaTalk/NMEA Interface box may be
attached using the 2 self tapping screws provided.
4. Remove the top of the Interface box by squeezing the lid at each
end and pull away from the base.
5. Route all the necessary cables into the Interface box.
6. Connect the wires as described in Chapter 3. Also, secure cables
close to the unit.
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6PC/SeaTalk/NMEA Interface Box
Chapter 3: Operation/Wiring
EMC Installation Guidelines
All Raymarine equipment and accessories are designed to the best industry
standards for use in the leisure marine environment.
Their design and manufacture conforms to the appropriate Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) standards, but correct installation is required to ensure
that performance is not compromised. Although every effort has been taken to
ensure that they will perform under all conditions, it is important to understand
what factors could affect the operation of the product.
The guidelines given here describe the conditions for optimum EMC
performance, but it is recognised that it may not be possible to meet all of these
conditions in all situations. To ensure the best possible conditions for EMC
performance within the constraints imposed by any location, always ensure the
maximum separation possible between different items of electrical equipment.
For optimum EMC performance, it is recommended that wherever possible:
• Raymarine equipment and cables connected to it are:
• At least 1 m (3 ft) from any equipment transmitting or cables carrying
radio signals e.g. VHF radios, cables and antennas. In the case of SSB
radios, the distance should be increased to 2 m (7 ft).
• More than 2 m (7 ft) from the path of a radar beam. A radar beam can
normally be assumed to spread 20 degrees above and below the
radiating element.
• The equipment is supplied from a separate battery from that used for engine
start. Voltage drops below 10 V in the power supply to our products, and
starter motor transients, can cause the equipment to reset. This will not
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Operation and Installation 7
damage the equipment, but may cause the loss of some information and may
change the operating mode.
• Raymarine specified cables are used at all times. Cutting and rejoining these
cables can compromise EMC performance and so must be avoided unless
doing so is detailed in the installation manual.
• If a suppression ferrite is attached to a cable, this ferrite should not be
removed. If the ferrite needs to be removed during installation it must be
reassembled in the same position.
The following illustration shows typical cable suppression ferrites fitted to
Raymarine equipment. Always use the ferrites supplied by Raymarine.
D3548-2
Connections to Other Equipment
If your Raymarine equipment is to be connected to other equipment using a
cable not supplied by Raymarine, a suppression ferrite MUST always be fitted
to the cable close to the Raymarine unit.
EMC Conformance
Always check the installation before going to sea to make sure that it is not
affected by radio transmissions, engine starting etc.
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8PC/SeaTalk/NMEA Interface Box
3.1 NMEA Output
Provided you have the appropriate SeaTalk instrumentation, the
data listed below is transmitted in NMEA 0183 format for use with
non-SeaTalk equipment.
Note: NMEA is also output in response to NMEA input.
Data Transmitted NMEA Header
Apparent Wind Angle MWV, VWR
Apparent Wind Speed MWV, VWR
Bearing to Waypoint BWC, APB
Course Over Ground (M) VTG
Cross Track Error APB, XTE
Date ZDA
Depth DBT
Distance (Log) VLW
Distance (Trip) VLW
GPS Fix/No Fix GGA, GLL
GPS HDOP GSA, GGA
GPS PDOP GSA
Data NMEA Header
GPS Satellite Azimuth GSV
GPS Satellite Elevation GSV
GPS Satellite PR Number GSV
GPS Satellite SNR GSV
GPS Differential Station ID GGA
GPS Differential AGE GGA
GPS Number of Satellites GGA
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