ESP32 Evolution Remote Pilot NMEA2000

This is a Remote Control for an Evolution EV-1 Auto Pilot via NMEA2000 (SeaTalk-NG).

It is based on the work of this project in GitHub: https://github.com/matztam/raymarine-evo-pilot-remote. Many thanks for all the work to identify the NMEA 2000 codes for the EV-1 Course Computer.

The hardware consists of an ESP32 NodeMCU (here from AZ-Delivery), a CAN bus transceiver, a 433MHz receiver (RXB6) and a power converter. Thats's all what is required to control an EV-1 based Auto Pilot with a simple 433 MHz remote control.

A standard 4 button 433 MHz KeyFob is used to send (+1 / -1 degree) and (+10 / -10 degrees) course changes to the autopilot (Auto/Standby is optional and requires two more buttons or an additional KeyFob). An accustical feedback for each received key is provided with a piezo buzzer tone. I tried to use the alarm function of the MFD (as within the Seatalk remote control). But so far I was not successful to send any alarm PGN that generates an alarm on the MFD.

For questions/discussions regarding the project you can use the OpenBoatProjects area this Sailing Forum.

It's a German Sailing Forum, but other languages (preferred English) are welcome.

The schmatics file and the pcb details are in the KiCAD folder. You can simply order a board from aisler.net: https://aisler.net/p/SXWTZTTS

The code is using the NMEA 2000 libraries from Timo Lappalainen (https://github.com/ttlappalainen).

Download and install the following libraries from GitHub link above:

• NMEA2000
• NMEA2000_esp32

The Remote Control is using the RCswitch library (to be installed with the Arduino IDE Library Manager).

For the ESP32 CAN bus, I use the "Waveshare SN65HVD230 Can Board" as transceiver. It works well with the ESP32 (GPIO pins 4 and 5). The 12 Volt is reduced to 5 Volt with a DC Step Down Converter (D24V10F5, https://www.pololu.com/product/2831).

GPIO 15 is used for the data from the RXB6 receiver. As antenna please use a short wire (e.g. 17,3 cm). GPIO 2 is used to generate accustical feedback with a piezo buzzer.

Programming the 433 MHz KeyFob

For programming the KeyFob please use the sketch ESP32_433_Programming.ino (https://github.com/AK-Homberger/ESP32-Evo-Remote-Pilot-NMEA2000/tree/master/ESP32_433_Programming). The Transmitter is connected to GPIO 19.

You should change the four codes in the software to individual random numbers. The same codes have to be copied to the programing sketch.

Send each code individually and programm the keys of the remote according to the programming description of your KeyFob. Press "Send" button in serial console for next key.

Key 1 = button A = -1 degree

Key 2 = button B = +1 degree

Key 3 = button C = -10 degrees

Key 4 = button D = +10 degrees

If you use Auto/Standby function you also have to program the two additional buttons accordingly. After programming you can check directly if codes are programmed correctly. Just press the key on the remote and check if the shown value is correct.

It is possible to integrate the Remote Control code also in other ESP32 NMEA2000 projects (like the WiFi Gateway). But unfortunately the WLAN interfers with the 433 MHz receiver. Either RF part or interrupt for the RCSwitch). I noticed problems with the correct recognition of keys from the remote. As a result, I would suggest to avoid the integration in any other project with WLAN.

Remove the 120 ohm resistor from the transceiver

For unknown reasons, many CAN bus transceivers for the ESP32 have a 120 Ohm resistor built into them. The resistor does not belong to the devices at the ends of the stub lines, but to the ends of the backbone cable.

Whether the transceiver contains a 120 ohm resistor can be determined either by looking at the circuit diagram or by measuring with the multimeter.

A knife tip is suitable for removing the SMD resistor. Use it to scratch or pry off the resistance. With the transceiver shown here, place the tip of the knife in front of the resistor (between the chip and the resistor) and support the knife against the chip. Then lever the tip against the resistance and use it to scratch / loosen / break the resistance. Whichever happens first.

It then looks like the picture. Then measure to be on the safe side. Without a 120 ohm resistor, the multimeter shows approx. 75 kOhm.

Parts:

• Board (PCB) Link
• ESP32 Link
• RXB6 433 MHz receiver Link
• SN65HVD230 Link
• D24V10F5 Link
• Buzzer Link
• Resistor 3,3 KOhm Link
• Transistor BC547 Link
• Connector 2-pin Link

For programming: 433MHz transmitter Link or Link2. The second one has only internal antenna.

Remote Control (KeyFob): Link or Link2 or Link3

Updates

• Version 0.7, 29.08.2021: Switch off WiFi and BT completely.

• Version 0.6, 16.12.2020: Changed PCB layout to Rev 1.2. Corrected orientation of ESP32 (USB connector to outside).

• Version 0.5, 05.11.2020: Changed PCB layout to Rev 1.1. Bigger terminal block (5.08 mm) and different transitor footprint for easy soldering.

• Version 0.5, 30.10.2020: Added KiCAD files and PCB.

• Version 0.5, 25.09.2020: Changed BeepOn() in code to generate beep even if no EV-1 device is found (to alow testing).

• Version 0.4, 04.08.2020: Changed TX pin from 2 to 5. Addedd buzzer to pin 2. Store/restore last used NodeAddress.

• Version 0.2, 26.07.2020: Avoid using delay(), added SetN2kPGN65361 (Seatalk Alarm State) to allow alarm beep for key received feedback.

• Version 0.1, 24.07.2020: Initial version.