Connecting Autopilot to GPS

[Alcyone]

Just bought a new Raymarine ST2000+. Works well. I've connected it to my Lowrance GPS which is apparently able to send nav info to the Autopilot.

I've set up the Com port on the GPS to NMEA 0183. There are two ports, one powers the gps repeater (nasa) in the cockpit, and works fine.

The autopilot has NMEA+ and NMEA-. The gps has NMEA Transmit and NMEA Receive. I've tried all combinations and tried the baud rate at 9600 and 4800, and the autopilot keeps saying no nav info received.

Anyone have any experience of this sort of thing, or any pointers of what to try next?

Cheers.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Radio

Hi martin

What Model gps? Have you got a dsc radio and have you connected gps to radio? if so did the vhf pick up the position from the radio ?

 

[Alcyone]

Hi martin

What Model gps? Have you got a dsc radio and have you connected gps to radio? if so did the vhf pick up the position from the radio ?

Hi, FM. No it's not connected to a GPS radio. It's a Lowrance. I think it's an LCX-35. It's about a year old, 10" plotter sounder with Navionics charts. It has it's own ethernet network, but also has legacy protocols, and it's the NMEA 0183 that the autopilot recognises.

The GPS works fine, and, as I said, does communicate, at least with a NASA repeater.

 

[pvb]

If it outputs OK to the Nasa repeater, you should be able to use the same cable connections (presumably yellow and shield) to give NMEA0183 data to the autopilot. You'll probably need to go into the Comms menu and select the sentences you want to send to the autopilot.

 

[Alcyone]

If it outputs OK to the Nasa repeater, you should be able to use the same cable connections (presumably yellow and shield) to give NMEA0183 data to the autopilot. You'll probably need to go into the Comms menu and select the sentences you want to send to the autopilot.

I've done that, as well. I selected all the sentences available to send. I can usually make these things work, but this has got me.

Cheers.

 

[fergie_mac66]

manual

Am looking for manual here

http://www.lowrance.co.uk/emea/Downloads/Manuals/



However only

LCX-28 and next on is Lcx-37 appear to be listed guessing one of those will cover the 35

IFthe Lcx-35 is the same as the LCX 28 /37(also LCX113-112-38-37-28-27)
You need to connect the YELLOW and the shield com 1 transmit on the data cable or the BLUE and shield com2 on the data cable In both com1 and com2 the shield want to be connected to the Green(ST) should be pin 5 on the st2000 socket ...
the white (should be pin 6 on the st2000 ) can go to the YELLOW or the BLUE on the lowrance ..

THe lowrance will output nmea 2000 by default So then you have to find the option for which com port you are using to change it to nmea 0183 and make sure the correct sentence's are being output (Nmea should output those without setting any sentence options though

The lcx 35 Might be an option that has a different chart base to the lcx 37 or 28






found this warning (cpopied txt )
Your unit packs with cables, a black T connector and a terminator to
connect the GPS module to the unit. Plugs and sockets on these items
are keyed. That is, each male plug has a key that fits an alignment
notch or keyway in each female socket.
Left, T connector. Center, extension cable. Right, end view of the
socket on a female connector. Note the alignment notch or keyway.
WARNING:
You can over-ride the key protection feature if the connectors
are misaligned and then forced together. This
can damage the unit or GPS module.
Alignment
notch
*
*
*
*
*
In the diagram at right,
asterisks (*) show where
damage can occur if plugs
and sockets are misaligned.
GPS Module

 

[fergie_mac66]

output time below 2SECS

Probably 4800 baud but the LCx might output too manys sentences

the st 2000 only picks up
Cross Track Error APB, APA,RMB, XTE, XTR
Bearing to Waypoint APB, BPI, BWR, BWC, BER, BEC, RMB
Distance to Waypoint WDR, WDC, BPI, BWR, BWC, BER, BEC,
RMB
Waypoint Number APA, APB,BPI, BWR, WDR, BWC, WDC,
RMB, BOD, WCV, BER, BEC
Speed Through Water VHW
Apparent Wind Angle and Speed VWR D3662-2

if it gets 2 many sentence it might get confused so worth cutting out any extra output sentcs' from the lcx

 

[Alcyone]

Thanks a lot for doing that research. It may indeed be the 37 - it looks like it.

I think you may have found the problem. I'm fairly certain I did not connect the shield wire - don't know how I missed that. I read and reread the manuals for both instruments.

I will try that first (boat is in Dale so can't until Friday). I will make a list of the sentences, too, and try switching off unused ones, one at a time if that fails.

Many thanks again.

 

[pvb]

I'm fairly certain I did not connect the shield wire - don't know how I missed that.

When I suggested the correct wiring connections, you replied "I've done that, as well".

 

[fergie_mac66]

Thanks a lot for doing that research. It may indeed be the 37 - it looks like it.

I think you may have found the problem. I'm fairly certain I did not connect the shield wire - don't know how I missed that. I read and reread the manuals for both instruments.

I will try that first (boat is in Dale so can't until Friday). I will make a list of the sentences, too, and try switching off unused ones, one at a time if that fails.

Many thanks again.

Thast Ok I fink pvb beat me! I was too busy being colour blind(green and blue) !glad its not green and red

edit: I couldnt bare to wear 3 d glasses on watch !