Before I decide where to do my permanent installs of the new Raymarine ST40 instruments, I wanted to see how they all interface with each other. This was actually a more straightforward task than I initially thought. The manuals talk about SeaTalk buses and interface cables and a SeaTalk Interconnect Kit (that retails over $200!!!). The reps at Raymarine were a little less than helpful when I explained how I wanted to connect: ST40 Depth - Master on companionway bulkhead
ST40 Speed - Master on companionway bulkhead
ST40 Wind - Master on companionway bulkhead
ST40 BiData - Repeater at helm
The response was to buy the interconnect kit. This would be the only way that they could all talk to each other. Meaning the only way for the BiData to get info from speed & depth and the only way for the wind instrument to talk to the Speed to get TWS as well as AWS.
I asked the guys at West Marine what was up with the SeaTalk Junction Box (a $30 item). They were just as dumbfounded as I and had about the same luck with Raymarine. I bought 3 junction boxes to try out anyway. It turns out, that with one connection to the fuse panel, the power is fed to the 1st junction box, which daisy-chains power to the other instruments. At the same time, it connects the SeaTalk system. With the flick of one switch, all the instruments powered up and immediately started talking to each other. It really shouldn't be this easy... Maybe the hang-up will be when I calibrate them after launch!
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