Raymarine SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalkng & NMEA 2000

Raymarine SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalk^ng & NMEA 2000

We get asked this electronics question more than just about any other, from customers who have a perfectly operating SeaTalk 1 network and want to add the SeaTalk 1 data to the NMEA 2000 bus. The article deals specifically with older Raymarine products that operate on the proprietary SeaTalk 1 network.

The conversion from SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalk^ng / NMEA 2000 is actually pretty simple once you have the Raymarine E22158 converter kit:

The SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalk^ng  Converter Kit can be purchased via the affiliate link below

Raymarine E22158 -Amazon

What You’ll Need:

• Raymarine E22158 SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalk^ng conversion kit (see image above)
• A male or female SeaTalk^ng to NMEA 2000 drop cable:
• Male SeaTalk^ng to NMEA 2000 = A06046
• Female SeaTalk^ng to NMEA 2000 = A06045

A lot of boat owners don’t realize that Raymarine’s SeaTalk^ng is essentially NMEA 2000 that is using Raymarine’s proprietary SeaTalk^ng cables/connectors. Once your SeaTalk 1 data is converted into SeaTalk^ng / NMEA 2000 the conversion & connection to the rest of the vessels NMEA 2000 bus is much easier.

The SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalk^ng converter is actually a small electronic signal converter that has operational software doing the conversion. This converter is not just a busbar or fancy terminals strip, as some have described it. The device below is actually a small processor running software.
WARNING: We have seen a number of individuals physically damage equipment or disable a complete NMEA 2000 system by trying to hard-wire an older SeaTalk 1 network to SeaTalk^ng or NMEA 2000 networks.

YOU CAN NOT DO THIS!

Getting from SeaTalk 1 to SeaTalk^ng / NMEA 2000 requires a proper electronic language conversion.

Connection to a standard NMEA 2000 network will look similar to this:

In the image above we are connecting a customers SeaTalk 1 instruments to an NMEA 2000 Garmin chart plotter. This wiring puts the SeaTalk 1 data onto the NMEA 2000 Garmin chart plotter..

The total cost for this upgrade will run you slightly over $100.00 in order to get your SeaTalk 1 data converted over to NMEA 2000 based electronics.

Important Notes:
#1 If the E22158 converter is used only as a drop device, to port SeaTalk 1 over to NMEA 2000, and is not at the end of a back bone, or in a backbone, you would not use any terminators in the blue ports.

#2 If the E22158 converter is the end of a back bone, as shown here, a blue terminator would be used. Terminators are only used at either end of a back bone! For empty drop ports you can use Raymarine blanking plugs in the SeaTalk^ng drop ports or NMEA 2000 blanking caps to protect any unused future expansion ports on an NMEA 2000 bus.

#3 IMPORTANT: Only two terminators are allowed per NMEA 2000 network. One terminator at each end of the back-bone. We’ve seen DIY installations using numerous terminators and no, the systems were not working correctly.

#4 If the SeaTalk 1 network was already powered, and you are connecting to an already powered NMEA 2000 network, you’ll need to disconnected the red power feed wire for the SeaTalk 1 network. Having multiple sources of power can create a potential for ground loops, if not wired correctly.

Good luck and happy boating!