i can't get radar or AIS connected with the c80 Raymarine any tips before I drag out the manuals?

What's displaying on the data bar? Is your screen set up to display the data bar with the little pictures of a radar etc? It's a handy little display to see exactly what's available and what's working. Press the round "data" button and then select on from the soft keys along the bottom of the screen. You can change the data bat setup from the menu button.

remember the soft keys along the bottom are different for different pages, so always check what options the soft keys display. Pretty sure that's where the radar on is but you have to get the right page.

if your power levels are low, the radar won't power up.

best idea is to grab a few coldies, take out the manual and sit down at the plotter playing with it. It's a pretty complex bit of kit and takes a while to figure it all out.

I have had my quoterar of coldies!

It's showing the radar but the AIS has no GPS and has a big red Cross through it. It seems I need to turn the radar on although I can't find a switch for it! I'm thinking the AIS has been installed but never connect other than to the switch board. But I could be wrong !

If it's showing the stationary radar icon, then it means its got power but in standby mode, the control will then be via the plotter. Press the plotter power button and that will bring up a "scanner" soft key, select it on and then another soft key for "TX". The radar icon should then spin.

sounds like the AIS may not be linked to the plotter, what type is it?

This Raymarine thread might be relevant.

http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/topics/c80-classic-ais-problem

It seems there are problems with splitting the NMEA 0183 output of an AIS. So I'd be inclined to try to get the AIS working by making sure it is the only device connected via NMEA 0183 to the c80, then take it from there. Also check the AIS's dedicated GPS is properly connected too.

Also on my Raymaine the fast heading compass is connected to the the NMEA input of the plotter. The Plotter can only listen to one NMEA input I beleive so not sure how your AIS is conected.
Alternatively the Fast heading could be connected to the course computer then on Seatalk to the plotter.

I fixed the radar issue as its only connected to the cockpit c70 and I doubt I will be running the cable down to the chart table c80 perhaps the AIS is connected to the same unit but now it appears the c70 has blown a fuse as won't start up!

I had a C80 with an Raymarine AIS. My AIS had a separate power supply. Maybe this is the issue. I'll try and find my original drawing and email it to you.

Can't seem to put an attachment on the email system Southace. Here is a picky of the wiring diagram I did up for my C80 installation.

The GPS Data was combined in the AIS module and sent to the C80 along with the AIS data. There are different ways the system can be wired depending on what equipment you are connecting. I have recently installed an e95 and the AIS and GPS are separate. Since you have both a C80 and C70 display it is possible the AIS is sending NMEA information to both.

Tha Master (in this case the AIS) can talk to multiple slaves (in my case the C80 is a slave). But a slave can only listen to one master. (as usual I could be wrong again )

Select to expand quote

southace said..
i can't get radar or AIS connected with the c80 Raymarine any tips before I drag out the manuals?

Just completed that feat this week,after having been initially unsuccessful
eventually went to c80 manual!
Connection from ais(GME) to c80 via NMEA 0183 was around wrong way.
Also software in c80 has to be configured,but i guess if you can see the ais logo then you have done that.
Must admit that the display on Marine Traffic on my phone is easier to use than C80 display,but the reliability and alarm features are worthwhile

Thanks all for the responses,

I finally got the AIS to find GPS. The AIS arial fuse had been ripped out of the connector! That's why I couldn't work out why I was getting GPS to the VHF and not to the AIS via the NMEA. It's lucky I investergated it futher and found the red and green signal lights on the AIS ariel Box where not active!

it is possible that my AIS is not connected to the C80 as its just showing active target lists on the the AIS unit and does not have a radius radar like my last unit.

So so I geuss now it's just a matter of getting a nmea cord to go from AIS to C80 right?

This stuff does my head in!

the dsc transceiver VHF radio and the AIS are connected to the same nmea port which I believe Is getting GPS info from the c80 or c70 the problem is I have a red cross through the AIS on both units . When I change the input from nmea 4800 to the recommended AIS 38400 I loose the GPS signal on the VHF and the AIS !

any help again would be appreciated!

Hi Southace,
I assume your GPS is connected to the Seatalk network and the C70's are both picking the signal up from there.
I also assume that the GPS data is being retransmitted from your c70 at the nav station on the NMEA output to the AIS and the VHF Radio.
Is the NMEA output from the AIS unit connected to the NMEA input of c70 at the chart table?

And if it is what is the baud rate for the AIS NMEA output set to in the AIS unit

Any chance of drawing a bit of a rough wiring diagram of how it's currently connected and posting it.

Also if you change the connections from 4800 to 38400 then there is a setting in the C80 that may need changing

Select to expand quote

Crusoe said..
Can't seem to put an attachment on the email system Southace. Here is a picky of the wiring diagram I did up for my C80 installation.

The GPS Data was combined in the AIS module and sent to the C80 along with the AIS data. There are different ways the system can be wired depending on what equipment you are connecting. I have recently installed an e95 and the AIS and GPS are separate. Since you have both a C80 and C70 display it is possible the AIS is sending NMEA information to both.

Tha Master (in this case the AIS) can talk to multiple slaves (in my case the C80 is a slave). But a slave can only listen to one master. (as usual I could be wrong again )

That is a great diagram Crusoe my main problem is now when I change my C80 to the AIS 38400 baud I loose my GPS on my AIS & DSC VHF radio.

I believed the problem was that the DSC runs on 4800 and the AIS runs on 38400 so today I disconected the DSC and tested the AIS with just the NMEA direct from the plotter going through the AIS reciver and watchmate AIS but after selecting the 38400 on the Raymarine i again lost the GPS on the watchmate AIS.

So now I'm looking into the multiplexer arangment and also just researched some info on wiring into autopilot compass rather than from the C80.

any more help much appreciated ......... Week 3 now!

Hello Southace, just trying to get my head around the gear you have.

C70 Outside with Radar connected to it
Does it already have GPS/AIS data or it this still a problem. Or is it only going to be for the Radar. I am not familiar with the C70 but would imagine it could take 4800 and 38400 data. If the C80 is set up to receive the NMEA data then the C70 should be able to have the same data connected in parallel with it.

C80 Inside
Requires GPS Data & AIS Data
Can have a 4800 or 38400 input

GPS Antenna
What Model?
Is this separate unit or built into the Watchmate AIS. If so what model is the Watchman?

AIS Receiver (or transponder) ( brand "Watchman" but what is the model)

DSC VHF Radio
Requires 4800

If I get this info (more the better) I may be able to do a diagram to suit your installation

Cheers

The cockpit is C70 with radar. That's all working sweet

The chart table is C80. AIS overlay is failing when I choose the 38400

both units have separate GPS antennas .

Ais is a Visper marine AIS watchmate reciver.

The AIS and DSC and C80 are all showing lat & long but when I switch C80 to 38400 for overlay setup I loose lat & long on the DSC and the AIS.

On the DSC there is only one wire with information the other they show as info out [of the DSC] goes to the common earth which you should have for all instruments.
This is so the DSC can 'see' the info coming in.

The AIS may also have the same problem, but I don't know your set up Southace.

This worked for me so may for you!

The other thing is I have to turn my Chartplotter and AIS on first BEFORE I turn on the DSC radio otherwise the DSC will not 'see' the info coming to it.

I'm using NMEA 0183.

It appears that one of your GPS antennas is supplying NMEA 4800 information to 3 things. The C80, DSC (VHF) and the AIS. For the AIS, it appears that this data would be coming through at 4800, which is the AIS's default/required baud rate. And if this data is also run in parallel to the C80 then the C80 needs to be set at 4800 as well. This is why the DSC, AIS and C80 all work until you changes the baud rate on the C80 to 38400.

I suspect that you need to remove (yes disconnect the wires from this 4800 data run) the existing NMEA feed to the C80 and run a new cable (2 wires) between the AIS NMEA 38400 output (assuming you have a Watchman 750, wires Yellow & Grey) to the NMEA Input on the C80.

This is going to sound a bit confusing but I'll do my best. Just be careful when you disconnect the existing NMEA to the C80 as it may not be the end of the NMEA 4800 data line. If there are only 2 wires at his location there shouldn't be a problem. But if there are other wires in parallel, they may be going (carrying GPS data) to the AIS or DSC and still need to reconnected in such away that they maintain data to the other pieces of equipment. Put a connector on them or solder.


The NMEA Output on the AIS carries the AIS & GPS data so once you have made the wiring changes and also set the C80 to NMEA 38400, the AIS and GPS data should appear on the chart.

There is a lot of guess work in what I have just written, but it may be the solution. Let me know what you find. Cheers (I'm in Mooloolaba, is that near you?)


Manual for the VM670 & VM750

downloads.vespermarine.com/AISWatchMate-WM670-WMR750-424.pdf

Approxmently 1500 NM away I will be there about this time next year ! Thanks for your help I will keep you updated.