TZT13X Interface With Raymarine Smartpilot

[NT32+]

I am looking for some help from this excellent support community. I have installed my new Furuno gear - TZT13X, SCX20, DRS4D-NXT, HUB 101, and FIP-460. For now, I am hoping to continue with my Raymarine Smartpilot S2G computer with ST8002 display. I have interfaced the TZT13X NMEA 0183 output to the S2G 0183 input using the multi-cable. When I set a "go to" on the TZT13X, the bearing to waypoint is seen by the autopilot as a True value, not Magnetic, and the autopilot will attempt to steer to the true bearing. Actual heading information is currently coming from the Raymaring fluxgate. I have attempted to send heading information from the TZT13X instead, however there is no heading sentence (HDM, HDT) available to send from the TZT13X 0183 output. I have tried sending the RMB and RMC sentences in all combinations - RMC sends variation, neither send heading.

I'm not sure I have done a great job describing my issue. Bottom line is when I tell my autopilot to go to a waypoint, it receives all the information it needs (BTW, XTE, etc.) but the bearing to waypoint it steers to is a heading that is off by the difference between the true and magnetic headings.

I appreciate any help/insight you might have!

Thanks,

Doug

 

[Johnny Electron]

When running a pilot and a plotter; they really should be using the same source of heading and it should be good one. Some of those older smart pilots are RS232 NMEA 0183 not the certified RS422 level required now by NMEA.ORG. If it would accept your SCX20 heading via something like a IF-NMEA2k2 would be the best. The pilot would work much better with sat compass heading than an old flux gate. Once both the pilot and the plotter can use the same heading source, things should be more in line. If I recall correctly that pilot was a bit proprietary in how it requires "Seatalk" and not exactly following standards. Last I heard they ran out of NMEA to Seatalk converters which makes things even more difficult. Some of the pilot displays had a 0183 input connection that was a bit more forgiving but it sounds like you have a good challenge on your hands.

 

[NT32+]

Thanks a lot for your reply, JE. I totally agree on the single source for heading. I tried to get my SCX20 heading to the smart pilot rather than using the flux gate, but since the TZT doesn't transmit heading data I have no way to do it. Appreciate the suggestion to try the IF-NMEA2k2 to get it there.

Let me know if this next part should be in a new thread. In the event I decide to upgrade my autopilot, would you recommend the 300 or the 711c? Boat is a Nordic Tug 34. Current pump/cylinder setup (from the factory) is an Accu-Steer HRP75-12 with a Seastar 5318 cylinder with a 10.2 inch volume.

Thanks again.

 

[Johnny Electron]

If you decide to replace the pilot it would need to be with the 711c. If the tug has solenoids driving the pump then the Navpilot 1000 would be the best choice.