Koos,

Unfortunately, the ram on the X5 is about an inch longer than the ST1000+ so I had to drill another hole in the cockpit locker to install the receptacle for the Autohelm. It is the same as the ST1000+. I strengthened it underneath with glass mat and epoxy. I have both the X5 and ST1000+ electrical connectors mounted by the engine control panel, and the receptacles on the cockpit locker so I can use the ST1000+ as a backup if needed. I keep both on the boat when cruising.

The pin I have on the rudder is fastened via a bent steel plate that allows the Autohelm to attach below the tiller curved section. This keeps the Autohelm horizontal and works for both the X5 and ST1000+ since they both have the same end fitting that slips over the pin.

Bill, what type of terminal block did you use for the 28awg wire?

Koos - I don't know where wire as small as 28awg wire is used. The X5 connections all terminate back the the X5 course computer that has its own terminal srtip. The Compass has the smallest wires, but runs directly from the compass in one length with no splices back to the course computer terminal strip.

I have used these Euro style terminal strips for other NMEA and power connections for instruments - you can get at Radio Shack

thanks Bill, Garmin reccommends 28awg to extend nema connections

A quick blast with a spray varnish keeps the terminals from corroding. Hard to find a clear spray as it usually has a red ting but its out there.

when choosing the new p70 control head keep in mind that a separately powered seatalk ng bacbone will be needed adding approx. $150 to cost

Koos - I guess that is ok if you stick with the proprietary Raymarine Seatalk NG instruments. For most applications on our boats, NMEA 0183 is sufficient for data rates. It is point to point rather than a bus, but there are enough I/O ports on the various instruments that permit interfacing everything I have. If a higher speed bus is needed, I would opt for something compatible with NMEA 2000 as a standard.

On Rhapsody I successfully integrate the following manufacturers equipment using NMEA 0183:

• TackTick Wireless to everything else (Via T122 TackTick to NMEA interface - on TackTick side it generates compass info, speed through water, wind direction & speed, depth and water temp. All is sent to NMEA and stuff on NEA side is sent to TackTick)
• Lowrance GPS (backup)
• Garmin GPS (Primary)
• Standard Horizon DSC Radio
• Raymarine X5 Autopilot (Primary)
• Autohelm ST1000+ Autopilot (Backup)
• Toshiba Netbook computer (backup chart plotter and data recorder)

Bill, I have Standard Horizon GX2150, Garmin GPSMAP640 , Tacktick wind/speed/depth/temp and Raymarine SPX-5 integrated, The reason for the Seatalk-ng backbone is because the SPX-5 course computer does not supply power to the P-70 control head through the Seatalk-ng port. I first had the P-70 connected so that it got power from the Raymarine S100 remote but that didn't make sense to me because it meant the remote was directly connected to both the course SPX-5 course computer via Seatalk and the P-70 via a Seatalk/Seatalk-ng adapter cable. Raymarine Technical Support recommended the Seatalk-ng backbone.

Koos - I don't understand why the connection to the remote wouldn't work. The Seatalk connection from the X-5 Course Computer supplies power to the S100 remote via SeaTalk. You can then power the P-70 using the S100 via Seatalk. Alternately, you can clip the Seatalk connector off the cable from the P-70 and hardwire it to one of the two Seatalk 3-terminal sets on the terminal board of the X-5 course computer.

It baffles me that Raymarine would make the Seatalk ng connection on the X-5 not have power included for the P-70 display, particularly for a single interface connection. I think the $150 you need to spend to power a Seatalk ng backbone is a rip off.

The P-70 is getting power from the S100. The P-70 is hardwired to the course computer via seatalk-ng. The autopilot ram is responding to the control head, haven't tried the remote. If it works as is I will not ask why and abandon the backbone.