Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C140W

[Boat Guy]

I have the antiquated '97 Ray Marine Nav equipment.

I have:

Raychat 601xx - non functioning
Raydata - Functioning
R41xx Radar Screen / plotter - Functioning
xx Open Array Radar - Functioning
Raynav 398 GPS / Loran - Think it's functioning but not getting GPS data from 108 GPS antenna.

It has a non functioning Auto-pilot I will add the model numbers tomorrow when I check them.

I plan on upgrading everything in the future. But, I think there will be some big advancements in the next year or two, so I'm not in a big hurry.

I'm thinking of getting the C140W Ray Marine has on special now. It should tie into SeaTalk and pick up Depth and Speed and should be a good plotter.

What I don't know is what is required to get the autopilot running again. I think all the mechanical parts are still intact. I would guess the Raynav would need GPS. Can it get the signal from the C140W?

I'd like to get the autopilot working at least to maintain a course heading.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

That would be a Raypilot 650. It doesn't need a GPS connection to maintain a heading. Heading data comes from a fluxgate compass, which incidentally is the weakest link in the system. Fluxgates should be mounted low and center in the boat. Mine is in the center salon hold, on the fwd bulkhead that separates the fwd and center holds.

If yours isn't getting heading data, I would try to hunt down your fluxgate and investigate.

 

[Boat Guy]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

Ok, I'll see if I can find it... I saw something near the starboard tank when I opened up the compartment to check the sender. Not sure what it was.

So, you are saying it only needs the compass to function properly? I thought it was tied in somehow to the 398.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

I hope that's not where your fluxgate is - it should be lower, more centered and away from metal. It's about 2" x 2", black with a red seal and I think a Ratheon label. Unless you're lucky enough that the PO upgraded to something better. Did I mention I hate that thing?

It only needs heading info to maintain a heading. When you press the "Auto" key, the 650 should use input from the fluxgate to maintain the heading you set. So in other words, you could pilot the boat with the dial on the 650, and the boat will maintain that course until your adjust it. To follow a plotted course, it needs to communicate with the GPS and plotter. When you go into "Nav" mode, (AUTO, NAV, wait for confirmation beeps, then NAV again) the 650 expects dynamic data from the other devices.

That works in both directions btw: a GPS can only determine heading while in motion. At slow speeds and when still, a GPS/plotter needs a compass input.

 

[wellswa]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

I have the antiquated '97 Ray Marine Nav equipment.

I have:

Raychat 601xx - non functioning
Raydata - Functioning
R41xx Radar Screen / plotter - Functioning
xx Open Array Radar - Functioning
Raynav 398 GPS / Loran - Think it's functioning but not getting GPS data from 108 GPS antenna.

It has a non functioning Auto-pilot I will add the model numbers tomorrow when I check them.

I plan on upgrading everything in the future. But, I think there will be some big advancements in the next year or two, so I'm not in a big hurry.

I'm thinking of getting the C140W Ray Marine has on special now. It should tie into SeaTalk and pick up Depth and Speed and should be a good plotter.

What I don't know is what is required to get the autopilot running again. I think all the mechanical parts are still intact. I would guess the Raynav would need GPS. Can it get the signal from the C140W?

I'd like to get the autopilot working at least to maintain a course heading.

If your looking to replace the Raychart 601xx I have one for sale in working condition. I have C-Map electronic chips for it also but they are eastern Great Lakes region. I would take $100 for the Raychart unit including manual, cables and suncover.

 

[Boat Guy]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

The 601xx just adds the plotter feature to the 41xx, correct?

My autopilot is a STR600R - and I have an owners manual for Type 100/300 Autopilot and the ST600R.

The Flux compas is where I said above the Starboard Tank.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

Isn't that the handheld unit?!

I doubt the position of the fluxgate is within specs. They allow somewhat off-center, but that's pretty far over.

 

[wellswa]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

The 601xx just adds the plotter feature to the 41xx, correct?

My autopilot is a STR600R - and I have an owners manual for Type 100/300 Autopilot and the ST600R.

The Flux compas is where I said above the Starboard Tank.

Yes, it adds a plotter feature to the system.

 

[Boat Guy]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

I don't know what to say..... I happened to be looking for the fuel sender and found it in there. If I wasn't going into that area for that issue, I never would have known it was there. It seems like the original spot, but I don't know.

Yes, that's the handheld unit. But, I don't see anything else.

I don't see anything listed as a 601 unless it ties into something else.

Isn't that the handheld unit?!

I doubt the position of the fluxgate is within specs. They allow somewhat off-center, but that's pretty far over.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

I guess we could look at it either way: those old fluxgates are so finicky that they need every advantage, including being mounted as close to ideally as possible, OR they're so finicky that there's no reason to knock yourself out repositioning it...

I've never used the remote unit, so I don't qualify for knowing a lot about it after all. The 650 was by far the most commonly matched unit to the rest of your gear... The heading input info still holds true though.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

I have a newer Raymarine package with the fluxgate compass and I can't get the AP to hold a course. Raymarine has a very good support site and they told me I need to calibrate the FG compass which entails putting the control in setup mode to calibrate and making 2 360 degree circles no faster than 5 minutes. It has to be done with little wind or current. Almost impossible where we boat. I have been trying to calibrate for a year and still no AP.

There has to be a better way.

Shawn

 

[testlab]

Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new

I have a newer Raymarine package with the fluxgate compass and I can't get the AP to hold a course. Raymarine has a very good support site and they told me I need to calibrate the FG compass which entails putting the control in setup mode to calibrate and making 2 360 degree circles no faster than 5 minutes. It has to be done with little wind or current. Almost impossible where we boat. I have been trying to calibrate for a year and still no AP.

There has to be a better way.

Shawn

That could be caused by a whole lot of different reasons, from electronic issues to a bad hydraulic pump or slipping drive belt. All heading sensors need to be compensated and the most commons method is the slow starboard turn however an uncompensated sensor will cause the heading to be offset but the AP should still hold the course.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Re: Anyone know a lot about the '97 Ray Marine / Raytheon Nav equipment tied to new C

My compass heading and the heading on the GPS/Chartplotter always match. The AP usually shows a different course and it changes course even if I don't. It also sometimes reads "No Rudder Input."

In any event, the AP is currently useless....looks impressive though. Labor Day weekend I'm going to check all inputs to the brain with an ohm meter and match to factory specs. I may have to bite the bullet and get a Raymarine tech to pay me a visit.