SH GX 2150 to Garmin 740S

thataway · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 10:09 am Post subject:

Boris,
Certainly not a RS 232 connector--but if you mean one way (+), both transmit and receive, with a common ground--yes. That seems to be the Garmin standard on the 400 thru 700 series. The 800 and 1000 series use the same convention NMEA 0183, ́ Black is ground (Power and NMEA 0183)

thataway · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 12:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Boris,
It would appear that SH, Garmin, and looking at the Lowrance, all use the 232 protocol. On the SH, there is one wire (green) which handles the (-) for the transmission. In the latest units, the out AIS/DSC go out thru the gray wire (+) and of course their green wire is (-) for the NMEA 0183 sentencing. On the older units SH GX 2100, brown was the AIS (+), and Gray was DSC (+), but in all cases there is the single green wire (-), which goes to ground on the Garmin. Jumping to Lowrance HS; Lowrance HS, uses a braid ground as their (-) for the NMEA 0183 sentence. This is probably one of the reasons that the NMEA protocol is slow (in comparison). I don't know about the auto pilot heading indicator, which is what I suspect you are using for the Radar overlay, but my guess is that you would go the the braid on the Lowrance, which logically would be grounded on the Lowrance. I am not aware of any "converter" for RayMarine's 0183--but as you know there are two types of "Sea Talk"--and a converter is necessary for these. I have to assume that everything you are using is NMEA 0183. Of course Lowrance Makes the Point One, which I understand is both a GPS and electronic compass--thus is used by some folks as heading indicator for overlay (and some say it is OK for MARPA), using the Lowrance radar. However, I note that it is NMEA 2000, so I doubt that would help you…

Garmin uses ground as the (-) in the NMEA sentence. So, yes, I meant that these are the RS 232 protocol. As for connector, I was referring to the RS 232 standard serial connector for computers--vs the USB connector. That is moot, as you explain what you are looking at.

Regards,

Bob

localboy · Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 5:27 pm Post subject:

Finally had time. Wired it up. Quadruple checked all the connections. My wiring was confirmed by product support from Garmin.

Radio Gray wire goes to the GPS Brown wire
Radio Blue wire goes to the GPS Blue wire
Radio Green wire goes to the GPS Black wire
Radio Brown wire goes to the GPS Violet wire

I then programmed both, per the manuals, and entered my MMSI #.

I used the Garmin instructions (manual) for diagnostics. This is what installers use to verify everything is working. It shows the "sentences" input and output.

Everything said "has not been received" but one; VDM said "age is greater then 10 seconds". See the pics. The VHF does show position (lat/lon) and the little satellite icon is showing in the upper right corner. So I'm confident the radio is receiving the DSC info from the GPS plotter, I think. http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album2093&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

I need some input as to:

-what "has not been received" on the Garmin unit means;
-what "age is greater then 10 seconds" on the Garmin means.

This is all in my driveway, so I have no idea if I'm able to pick up AIS signals or not or if the units are working as advertised. Confused

thataway · Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 8:12 pm Post subject:

I just hooked mine up and went on the water--AIS appeared as it should.

It is possible that yours will work the same way.

Most of the sentences are not going to show up because of the location of the boat: DBT and DPT are depth. DSC is selective call information, as is DSE.
VDM is AIS/VHF data link message (no targets?)
WPL= waypoint location
VHW= speed and heading,
PAAN=proprietary message identifier

So I would not expect any of these messages to be received correctly, with out depth, speed, heading, etc--

You do have the location correctly (I assume).

I would put the boat in the water and see if it works correctly.

localboy · Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 4:09 pm Post subject:

So here is the latest.

I wired it up as per the last posting (above) and did not change anything. Yesterday I fired everything up again; in the driveway. I increased the range on the AIS to 15 miles and picked up two boats transmitting. One stationary in Everett Marina and one proceeding up the Snohomish River.

Got their MMSI #s and everything. So, I surmise that it's working as advertised. Both showed up on the Garmin and the radio display.

I have some more tweaking/adjusting to do and some programming, etc once I get the boat out on the water, but I'm happy I was able to complete it.

I even wired up a small external flush mount speaker to the new radio so hearing everything will be better. The boat is totally dialed in now! Only luxury we do not possess is an auto-pilot. I may put a davit on at some point; my left shoulder is totally arthritic and that dinghy and engine keep getting heavier with each season. But for now we are simply going to use and enjoy her!

Thanks to all for your input and support! CoolSmile

thataway · Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:17 pm Post subject:

Great that it is working! I am putting a davit on "Thisaway" currently. Trying to make it simple, and two places--one with the foot mount on the side deck, and the standoff bolted thru the cabin brim overhang, to bring the dingy to the cabin roof. The second mount in the cockpit to move the kicker to the dinghy--and bring items aboard the boat, such as batteries and freezers…all assists necessary due to aging processes...

localboy · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:27 pm Post subject:

With work and all, we finally had time to go use & enjoy the boat yesterday. First use since last November! Weather was great! Launched out of Everett for a leisurely trip south. Anchored at Picnic Point for lunch. Then home. The AIS worked flawlessly. Cool