GDL39 Autopilot Testing with TruTrak
Using the same GPSMAP 696, cables and GDL39, we also tested the ability to provide NMEA data to a TruTrak GX Pilot autopilot with it set to receive data at 4800 baud. We were wired to pin 17 on the GX Pilot.
It too worked fine and quickly reported GPS OK when the system was providing data.
Update: We tested this same interface with an Aera 5XX and it also worked correctly to drive the TruTrak autopilot.
Thanks,
Steve
This morning we connected a GPSMAP 696 with a bare wire cable to a GDL39 with a bare wire cable. We then connected the orange wire (port B transmit) coming out of the GDL39 bare wire cable to pin 6 (NMEA In) on a Trio GX Pro autopilot. We also grounded the unused white/orange wire (port B receive) coming out of the GDL39 so it wouldn't be floating and coupling noise into the GDL39 receiver.
The autopilot came out of No GPS mode immediately and ran solid with no problems for over an hour.
We also ran a test with the white/orange wire floating and saw the autopilot frequently revert to No GPS mode as we expected. After re-grounding the white/orange wire the autopilot operation was solid again.
Next up we will test a TruTrak autopilot.
Using the same GPSMAP 696, cables and GDL39, we also tested the ability to provide NMEA data to a TruTrak GX Pilot autopilot with it set to receive data at 4800 baud. We were wired to pin 17 on the GX Pilot.
It too worked fine and quickly reported GPS OK when the system was providing data.
Update: We tested this same interface with an Aera 5XX and it also worked correctly to drive the TruTrak autopilot.
Thanks,
Steve
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