NavPilot-300 Communication error between control unit and processor unit

[FreeBirdMark]

I just installed a brand new NavPilot-300 (control unit, processor, PG-700 compass, hydrolic pump). I bought all from Hodges Marine. The Control Unit and Processor Unit turn on, connect to each other and work just fine. I've completed the initial setup and the sea trial. The Auto Pilot is working as expected but during the sea trial, it would randomly give the "Communication error between control unit and processor unit", then pause, then reconnect to the processor unit. It did this multiple times. Cycling power to both units seems to make it work for a little while, then they disconnect again.

I'm able to recreate this at the dock. I've double checked all electrical and NMEA connections, all seem very solid. I have a Simrad EVO3s MFD on the NMEA network, when the control unit loses connection to the processor unit, I still see both connected to the NMEA network. I thought the processor may be dropping off the NMEA network but that does not seem to be the case, and power is stable to the unit.

After checking previous messages about this problem, I saw one that mentioned having different software versions on each unit may cause this issue.

Control Unit
App: 6454024-01.13
Boot: 6454025-01.07

Processor Unit
App: 6454026-01.12
Boot: 6454027-01.06
BLE: 6454032-02.01

Could these version mismatches be causing my problem? I bought this online from Hodges, how do I change versions on these units so they're both on the same?

Thank you for any help!

 

[Titanic II]

Those are the latest software versions and are compatible. Please describe/diagram your NMEA2000 bus...type of connections, terminators, power, connected devices.

 

[FreeBirdMark]

Thanks for the response. I did some more troubleshooting today and I believe the problem was due to my power connection to the processor unit. I was able to pull on that cable and get it to lose connection to the controller unit. It must've been rebooting the processor very fast, I never saw the processor unit drop off the NMEA network, but it obviously was if it was losing power, even if just briefly.

I put a new connector on the power line and then rebooted everything (NMEA, Controller, and Processor). After that I used it to move the rudder back and forth, on and off again for about an hour at the dock and it never lost connection. I still need to get it on the water and put it though its paces, but fingers crossed, that fixed the connection issue.

Regarding the firmware, good to know I'm all set there. Is there a way for me to do software updates myself in the future if I don't have a Furuno chart plotter? I could not find any info on this online, it seems like the older units had a USB for this but I'm assuming the new ones need a Furuno head end to upgrade?