Chart Plotter & AIS Engine

[Grumpybeagle]

I have a Standard Horizon CP180i chart plotter. I have just purchased a Nasa AIS engine.

The Nasa engine has a 9 port serial cable. The chart plotter request I connect the AIS to the nmea in + - cables.

Now this might sound a silly question, but how do I go about doing this. Do I cut the supplied cable (with the nasa AIS engine) and try to find the nmea out + - cables, if so could anybody let me know which cables I should be looking for.

Any help in the right direction would be most appreciated.

Grumpy Beagle

 

[SvenglishTommy]

I would try and get a female serial plug with bare wires, just in case you want to use the AIS with a computer, or sell it or something, then wire this to the chart plotter from pins 5 and 3.

Pin 5 = - (green) and pin 3 = + (red)

 

[Robin2]

I put a 9-pin male plug on my CP180 and I have two other 9pin female plugs - one inside the boat and one outside so I can plug in the CP180 in either location. The female plugs provide power as well as AIS data to the CP180. I did cut off the Nasa plug to simplify wiring it into the system. I also have two male plugs inside which allow me to connect my laptop either to the CP180 or to the Nasa AIS engine. This allows me to upload and download waypoints. Normally the laptop receives GPS data from a separate GPS receiver so it does not need to connect to the AIS and the CP180 at the same time. The Nasa AIS engine can provide data to the CP180 and the laptop at the same time.

The CP180 also connects to my ST4000 autopilot - so you get distance to waypoint etc on the ST4000 display. I don't use the CP180 to control the autopilot - but I think it can.

The choice of male or female 9pin socket was arbitrary - but designed to prevent the PC being plugged in where the CP180 is meant to be connected - because the CP180 plugs carry 12v power.

For the outdoor plug I filled the plastic cover with silicon to keep the water out - so far so good.

9pin plugs and covers are inexpensive at Maplin.

 

[quatropesos]

I have recently purchased horizon products. Some include necessity of hook ups. I found emailing support at Horizon was fastest and most support for all wiring and hook ups. I was also provided a direct phone line for assistance.