B&G network acp pilot. Nmea input

[jontysutton]

Does anyone know of a way to get NMEA0183 wind sentences into an oldish B&G network system?
The previous owner, replaced the wind instrument with a Raymarine i60. I've decoded the Seatalk data and converted it to NMEA0183 (V1. 5) with an Arduino, but, the B&G doesn't recognise it on the standard input...
I've tried vwr and mwv sentences to no avail.
The manual does imply these aren't accepted via the standard input.
So, does anyone have any knowledge on interfacing with the B&G network bus?

T. I. A
Jon

 

[dje67]

Does anyone know of a way to get NMEA0183 wind sentences into an oldish B&G network system?
The previous owner, replaced the wind instrument with a Raymarine i60. I've decoded the Seatalk data and converted it to NMEA0183 (V1. 5) with an Arduino, but, the B&G doesn't recognise it on the standard input...
I've tried vwr and mwv sentences to no avail.
The manual does imply these aren't accepted via the standard input.
So, does anyone have any knowledge on interfacing with the B&G network bus?

T. I. A
Jon

I came to the same conclusion as you - posted in this thread:-
NMEA input to old B&G network DATA display?

Don't think wind info can be put into the Pilot, unless someone has found a clever way of breaking-in to the bespoke Network comms cables and 'fooling' the Network protocol into thinking that there is a Wind module to talk to (when in fact it is a Arduino).

 

[Beneteau381]

I

I came to the same conclusion as you - posted in this thread:-
NMEA input to old B&G network DATA display?

Don't think wind info can be put into the Pilot, unless someone has found a clever way of breaking-in to the bespoke Network comms cables and 'fooling' the Network protocol into thinking that there is a Wind module to talk to (when in fact it is a Arduino).

I tried feeding B&G Network stuff from a cable they used to supply to break in to the network. I was feeding it in to a VyachtWifi which was supposed to mux it and then transmit wirelessly to my IPad with the free Digital Yacht App which would then display the data. I could see the pulses coming out of the Network but the VyachtWifi would crash, so ?

 

[jontysutton]

The manual says there is an NMEA0183 output available, which includes boat speed and wind data, but, it's not entirely clear where that's accessed from other than via a proprietary cable, which isn't shown in the connections details. That would be the source for your vyachtwifi.
I attached an Arduino with an Rs485 adaptor to the system bus this afternoon, and tried all the available baud rates and polarities, but, couldn't get any recognisable data out. Although, there were some definate character repetitions at 9600. Unfortunately, I live on the boat and don't have much test gear available.
So, I'm hoping someone can shed some light on it.

 

[Beneteau381]

The manual says there is an NMEA0183 output available, which includes boat speed and wind data, but, it's not entirely clear where that's accessed from other than via a proprietary cable, which isn't shown in the connections details. That would be the source for your vyachtwifi.
I attached an Arduino with an Rs485 adaptor to the system bus this afternoon, and tried all the available baud rates and polarities, but, couldn't get any recognisable data out. Although, there were some definate character repetitions at 9600. Unfortunately, I live on the boat and don't have much test gear available.
So, I'm hoping someone can shed some light on it.

As I said, Ive got the output cable, found the character repetitions on two wires, but put that to the Vyacht and it does sulky! It transmits AIS beautifully from the SH radio at 30K? but try to mux the slower BG stuff in, which it is supposed to and Nah!

 

[Beneteau381]

PS Ive got a spar ACP1 computer on the boat if any one wants it for some beer tokens! Mind youwhen I can get to Portugal now?

 

[dje67]

Another bit of info that might help...
NMEA_out on B&G Network ACP1

 

[jontysutton]

As I said, Ive got the output cable, found the character repetitions on two wires, but put that to the Vyacht and it does sulky! It transmits AIS beautifully from the SH radio at 30K? but try to mux the slower BG stuff in, which it is supposed to and Nah!

Ah! I thought you said you were trying to use the inter-unit network cable. That's where I'm thinking I may need to inject wind data. But, my investigations yesterday didn't reveal any ascii based sentences.
If you're using the nmea out. Your vyacht might not like the lack of checksums on the V1.5 sentences.
I had to make an Arduino based convertor last year to strip the checksums, and populate some 'blank' fields so my chartplotter could talk to the ACP.

 

[jontysutton]

Another bit of info that might help...
NMEA_out on B&G Network ACP1

Thanks for that. I had found that post before, but could not find it again!
I probably should have searched for ACP1 rather than B&G: the forum does not like it as a search term.
I do have a cable to the input (currently feeding autopilot sentences on it) and I've tried MWV & VWR sentences on that line, but, the ACP ignores them.
The output, I'm not too interested in at present, but, I may look at extracting water temp and depth for my opencpn install later.

 

[Ruyers]

PS Ive got a spar ACP1 computer on the boat if any one wants it for some beer tokens! Mind youwhen I can get to Portugal now?

Hi Beneteau381,

My ACP1 has failed and I am looking for a second hand device and some beers in Portugal hehe.
I have a B&G Network autopilot. Do you still have this unit available?

Btw, I am from Spain.

Fair winds,
Ruyers

 

[Beneteau381]

Hi Beneteau381,

My ACP1 has failed and I am looking for a second hand device and some beers in Portugal hehe.
I have a B&G Network autopilot. Do you still have this unit available?

Btw, I am from Spain.

Fair winds,
Ruyers

Yes, I still have it, its in Albufeira, will be there on the 12th Apri
07967 313792