![website x5 evolution 9 forum website x5 evolution 9 forum](https://www.seoclerk.com/pics/60837-1.jpg)
(The ST4000 has a manual clutch, so I won’t need to use the clutch terminals on the NAC-2.)
![website x5 evolution 9 forum website x5 evolution 9 forum](https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/newzoo.jpg)
After the computers are calibrated they’ll appropriately drive any reversible DC motor connected to the motor terminals. The computers all have only two pairs of terminals for their rudder drive outputs, one pair for the clutch and one pair to operate the motor. What’s actually going on with these modular Raymarine and Simrad/B&G autopilot systems is that their computer units all use DC current at a fixed voltage to operate the rudder drive motor, controlling the direction of the motor via the polarity of the current and varying the torque and speed of the motor by using pulse width modulation of the constant 12-volt (or 24-volt) output to change the effective voltage seen by the motor. So I’m now planning to go ahead and buy the NAC-2, since it’s less expensive than the NAC-3 and can handle the relatively low 5-amp power draw of the ST4000. And for confirmation and comfort, I found on the Jefa Steering website a sprocket drive motor with an autopilot computer compatibility table that lists both the Raymarine Evolution and the NAC-2/NAC-3. Second, a B&G tech support rep told me on the phone that the NAC-2 and NAC-3 can drive any reversible DC motor within their power capacities.
#WEBSITE X5 EVOLUTION 9 FORUM UPGRADE#
The first piece of evidence that the ST4000 can be used in an upgrade came from Raymarine’s website documentation, which specifically says that the ST4000 will work with Raymarine’s new Evolution Autopilot system. The ST4000 bolts to the spokes on the ship’s wheel and is pretty much nothing more than big drive belt and a reversible 12vdc motor with a sprocket on its shaft. And no, there’s no whole-ship instrument replacement kit that I know of, but I’ll give you my thoughts on that below.Ĭoncerning the autopilot, the ST4000 was originally installed as the rudder drive module of an older Raymarine SmartPilot X5 Wheel system. Re progress on the autopilot question, yes, it appears that the Raymarine ST4000 Mk2 wheel-mounted rudder drive unit will indeed work with the Simrad/B&G NAC-2 and NAC-3 autopilot computers.