Pypilot with ST4000 autohelm

[SYWindveer]

For my ST2000+, it was 4800 baud. If the cable between pi and nmea input is long it could pick up magnetic interference when starting the engine; in that case I'd suggest using shielded cable e.g. ethernet cable, and tying the shield to 0V - only on one side. Please note that the autopilot route plugin was not essential. But it seems to be a slick way to go around the corner.

Having said all that, the reality of sailing by a track is that I don't really use it that often. Clicking those waypoints together on a rolling boat can be a bit of a challenge to start with. In open water you sail straight lines. In narrow, windy creeks you cannot leave the boat alone, and with wind, waves and tide together, don't expect miracles with regard to precision. With a buoy dead ahead of your bow, you don't want to go fiddle with a waypoint.

So, still, if I were you I'd first use the USB to NMEA (RS232) cable and see if it's worth all the trouble for you.

I actually think I’ll have quite a lot of use for it because I do sail in complicated waters with lots of rocks, islands and other obstacles. For days with no wind or little wind I can see the advantages of this and spend my time on bbq, fishing, kids, wife etc... I’ll program an alarm based on the distance to track as a double safety barrier.

I’m going to implement the UDP solution which should be very easy and OPENCPN can send the autopilot to any udp address and port.

On the ESP32 side in the raymarine I’ll pick up the udp and print it to serial. As for the inverse signal I guess you are handling that using the 3.3V instead of ground - right?

I feel safe with the photocoupler protection, they usually have like a 7000v protection. Or does the galvanic protection of the octocoupler wear over time? I mean - it’s galvanic so why would it?

Br, Peter

---

By the way - now that we are on the st4000 topic, I made this remote some years ago and I absolutely love it. Instead of the IR a udp, tcp or Bluetooth can alternatively be used connecting it to your smartwatch or phone which is so enjoyable.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/ericn/

As for the PCB part you can get that manufactured for a couple of dollars

Br, Peter

So it was you who wrote that, Peter? I have been using it with my st2000 for years.