Looking for advice / suggestion / experience on interfacing a Garmi n
128 GPS to an Autohelm 3000 autopilot.
Is it do-able, and what do I need? Are cable interfaces ommercially
available?
Regards,
Syd Turner
According to the Autohelm 3000 Wheel installation manual I got from
www.raymarine.com, you need a "Z075 - NMEA format Radio Navigation
Interface", which the picture shows plugs into the control box of the
AH3000. It uses NMEA 0183 crosstrack error statements (data) to correct
its steering. Once you have this little, probably unavailable, box plugged
into the AH3000, you plug the Garmin's data out wire into the NMEA data in
on the box and hook up the grounds (NMEA - connections) of both. The
Garmin has a data output control in the MENU part of it and you would set
data output to NMEA 0183 at probably 4800 baud and you're in business.
I find no manual for the interface box, other than the reference in the
AH3000 manual. This manual is on:
http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=3&Page=657&Pa
rent=166
(paste the two lines into one that got wordwrapped.)
Now, at the bottom of the Autohelm manual list, there is a reference to
another converter box called "Autohelm NMEA Bridge (Z290)"
I downloaded the manual for THIS box and it lists under its conversions and
hookup diagrams Your AH3000. You would hook the NMEA out of the Garmin to
the NMEA in on the NMEA Bridge Z290, then hook the Z290's Seatalk output to
the AH3000 seatalk connections on the back of the control panel. THIS box
will also allow the Garmin, or a PC serial port with nav software, to
control the AH3000. Check around to the dealers who've been in business a
long time. They might have the box all covered in cobwebs in the storeroom
and be willing to part with it for a few dinar.
Without the box to convert NMEA into Seatalk for AH3000 control, it won't
happen. Sorry.
