Raymarine EV-300 Solenoid Autopilot Kit, For Hydraulic Steering, SeaTalkNG

Overview

The Raymarine T70160 is an EV-300 Solenoid autopilot pack for powerboats with solenoid-controlled electro-hydraulic steering systems. It is built around Raymarine Evolution autopilot control, using the EV-1 Sensor Core, ACU-300 actuator control unit, and p70Rs rotary control head to manage steering through the vessel’s solenoids.

The ACU-300 supports 12V and 24V DC electrical systems, with an operating voltage range of 10.8V to 31.2V DC. It connects through SeaTalk NG and supports integration with NMEA 2000 networks, making it a practical fit for boats already using networked instruments, chartplotters, and heading data.

This pack is intended for solenoid-controlled hydraulic steering and can also be used with constant-running hydraulic drive systems. It does not include a drive pump, so the existing steering gear or a compatible constant-running hydraulic drive must be matched to the vessel before installation.

Key features

• Made for powerboats with solenoid-controlled electro-hydraulic steering systems.
• ACU-300 works on 12V or 24V DC systems and accepts 10.8V to 31.2V DC input.
• SeaTalk NG networking supports connection to Raymarine instruments, chartplotters, and NMEA 2000 systems.
• EV-1 Sensor Core uses a 9-axis sensor package to track heading, pitch, roll, and yaw as the boat moves.
• No manual autopilot calibration is required during setup.
• p70Rs control head uses a rotary controller and 3.5 in color display for autopilot operation at the helm.
• ACU-300 provides up to 3A power output to the SeaTalk NG bus at 12V, fuse protected.
• EV-1 Sensor Core and p70Rs control head carry IPX6 waterproof ratings for exposed helm and pilothouse installations.
• ACU-300 is drip resistant and intended for protected below-deck mounting.

Installation and setup

The ACU-300 should be mounted below deck in a protected location where it can connect cleanly to the boat’s steering solenoids and SeaTalk NG backbone. Its enclosure measures 285 mm wide, 211.5 mm high, and 64.5 mm deep, so it needs enough service space for wiring and inspection.

The EV-1 Sensor Core can be mounted above or below deck, away from magnetic interference and heavy electrical equipment. Correct sensor placement matters on any autopilot installation because heading and motion data drive the steering response.

Compatibility and system integration

This autopilot pack suits larger powerboats using solenoid steering or constant-running hydraulic steering. It is a good match for refits where the vessel already has compatible hydraulic steering hardware and the owner wants to move to an Evolution-based Raymarine pilot system.

The SeaTalk NG connection keeps the installation tidy and allows the pilot to share navigation and instrument data with the rest of the network. For boats with mixed electronics, the NMEA 2000 support helps the autopilot sit alongside other marine systems without treating it as a stand-alone device.

Electrical and environmental details

The ACU-300 draws 300 mA on standby from the main supply and 20 mA on standby from the SeaTalk NG bus. It is rated for operation from -20°C to +55°C and up to 93 percent relative humidity, which suits normal below-deck electronics spaces on cruising and fishing powerboats.

The EV-1 Sensor Core runs from the SeaTalk NG system at 12V DC and draws 30 mA. Its IPX6 rating helps protect it from heavy spray and washdown exposure when mounted in an appropriate location.

What’s included

• EV-1 Sensor Core
• ACU-300 Actuator Control Unit
• p70Rs Autopilot Control Head
• Evolution cabling kit
• SeaTalk NG power cable, 0.4 m
• SeaTalk NG backbone cable, 5 m
• SeaTalk NG spur cable, 0.4 m
• SeaTalk NG 5-way connector block
• Two SeaTalk NG T-piece connectors
• Two SeaTalk NG terminators