Raymarine Evolution Autopilot Actuator Control Unit, SeaTalkng

Overview

The Raymarine ACU is a family of Evolution autopilot actuator control units that supplies drive power and control between the autopilot electronics and the boat’s steering drive. It is the part of the system that handles the electrical load for the drive unit, so matching the ACU to the steering type, drive type, and vessel electrical system is a key part of a correct autopilot installation.

The range covers 12 V dc and 12/24 V dc installations, with maximum continuous drive output options from 5 A to 30 A depending on the ACU model. Smaller ACU-100 and ACU-150 units use a 180 mm x 140 mm x 52 mm housing, while ACU-200, ACU-300, and ACU-400 units use a larger 285 mm x 211.5 mm x 64.5 mm housing for higher-output systems.

These units are used as part of a Raymarine Evolution autopilot setup with an EV-1 sensor, compatible autopilot control head, SeaTalkng backbone, and the correct drive unit for the boat. They are a practical match for owners replacing an ACU or building an autopilot system around Raymarine hydraulic, mechanical, wheel, tiller, or solenoid-controlled steering hardware.

Key features

• Part of Raymarine Evolution autopilot systems, linking the steering drive with the EV-1 sensor, control head, and SeaTalkng network.
• Available in 5 A, 7 A, 12 A, 15 A, and 30 A maximum continuous drive output configurations to suit different steering drive loads.
• ACU-100 and ACU-150 support 12 V dc systems with an operating voltage range of 10.8 V dc to 15.6 V dc.
• ACU-200, ACU-300, and ACU-400 support 12/24 V dc systems with an operating voltage range of 10.8 V dc to 31.2 V dc.
• SeaTalkng integration lets the ACU communicate with the rest of the Evolution autopilot network.
• LEN 1 network load rating across the range helps with SeaTalkng backbone planning.
• Operating temperature range of -20 °C to +55 °C supports installation in typical protected marine equipment spaces.
• Model choice is tied to steering system type, including wheel and tiller drives, Type 1 hydraulic drives, Type 1 mechanical drives, solenoid-controlled systems, and Type 2 or Type 3 drives.

Variants

This Raymarine ACU range is offered in five configurations, with each variant matching a specific ACU model and drive current output.

The main differences are maximum continuous drive output, supported steering drive type, supply voltage, and housing size. All variants are part of the Raymarine Evolution autopilot ecosystem and connect through SeaTalkng.

• E70098: ACU-100 with 7 A maximum continuous drive output. This 12 V dc unit is used with smaller Evolution autopilot setups, including compatible Type 0.5 hydraulic pump, wheel drive, and tiller drive installations.
• E70099: ACU-200 with 15 A maximum continuous drive output. This 12/24 V dc unit suits Type 1 hydraulic, mechanical linear, and mechanical rotary drive systems.
• E70100: ACU-400 with 30 A maximum continuous drive output. This 12/24 V dc unit is the higher-output option for Type 2 and Type 3 hydraulic, mechanical linear, hydraulic linear, and mechanical rotary drive systems.
• E70139: ACU-300 with 5 A maximum continuous drive output. This 12/24 V dc unit is for solenoid-controlled steering systems using constant-running hydraulic pumps.
• E70430: ACU-150 with 12 A maximum continuous drive output. This 12 V dc unit is for hydraulic steering only and pairs with a Type 1 12 V hydraulic drive unit.

Compatibility and fit

Autopilot drive compatibility matters more than the amperage number alone. The ACU-150 is focused on hydraulic steering and Type 1 12 V hydraulic drive use, while the ACU-200 covers Type 1 hydraulic, mechanical linear, and mechanical rotary drives. The ACU-400 is the higher-output choice in the range for Type 2 and Type 3 drive installations.

For smaller systems, the ACU-100 fits common Evolution setups using compatible wheel, tiller, or Type 0.5 hydraulic drive hardware. For solenoid-controlled steering with constant-running hydraulic pumps, the ACU-300 is the model built around external solenoid control.

Electrical and network integration

The ACU should be wired as part of a complete Evolution autopilot system, with the correct power feed, drive cabling, SeaTalkng backbone, EV-1 sensor, and autopilot control head. The 12 V dc models are the ACU-100 and ACU-150, while the ACU-200, ACU-300, and ACU-400 support 12/24 V dc installations.

For larger ACU models, the SeaTalkng bus power output is 3 A at 12 V with fuse protection at 3 A. This is useful when planning the network layout, especially on boats with several connected Raymarine instruments and sensors.

Installation and setup

Mount the ACU in a protected location where the wiring can be secured and the unit can be reached for inspection. It should not be treated as an exposed cockpit or deck component; the waterproof ratings and drip-resistant classifications are intended for protected marine installation spaces, not direct washdown mounting.

After installation, the system still needs proper dockside setup and commissioning through the Evolution autopilot controls. Matching the ACU to the steering drive before installation helps avoid overloading the drive circuit or choosing a unit that does not match the vessel’s steering hardware.