Garmin 120 XL - nmea output how many devices?

[Burnham_Bob]

my new boat has a garmin 120 XL with the nmea interface connected for the tiller pilot........can i just connect the outputs to the new dsc radio by cutting them and using a connector to split the feed - one to the tiller pilot and one to the radio?

how many separate devices can one nmea output feed?

 

[hightech]

Depends on the devices at both ends. Senders vary in available "drive" and receivers vary in "loading.

Generally though, most units will drive three loads without too much problems. If you connect a new device and it will not receive or you see something else drop out or go flaky then the limit has been breached, then you need a buffer to increase the "drive".

 

[Danny]

As Geoff says it should drive two "listeners" with no problem. The way you propose doing the connection sounds OK to me. You need to work out which of the two wires goes to which terminal on the radio, of course. The different manufacturers like to label the NMEA connections in totally different ways, of course.

 

[MoodySabre]

That's interesting (excuse drift) as I have that GPS but have not connected it to my tiller pilot because I couldn't see why it would help. It will still point you at a waypoint even if you have drifted offline due to leeway and tide so you might not be somewhere safe without checking. I prefer to work out CTS and put tiller pilot on auto. Still need to check but less risk surely? or am I /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Burnham_Bob]

I agree moodysabre.....my preference would be to choose cts and then set the tiller pilot to that, but its already connected (at least i think so.....this weekend is opening up time!). However, I do want to interface the gps with a new dsc radio so if i can do it without losing a feature that may be useful ( i know of some long legs here on the east coast when it would be safe to just point it at a way point for a while).

 

[Danny]

[ QUOTE ]
It will still point you at a waypoint even if you have drifted offline due to leeway and tide so you might not be somewhere safe without checking.

[/ QUOTE ]I take your general point but the autopilot shouldn't just keep you pointed at the next wp. It should get you back onto the rhumbline between the previous wp (or where you initiated the track operation) and the target wp. Most a/ps will keep you well within 100 yards of where the GPS says the rhumbline is.

Of course, that won't always be the most efficient way of travelling from a to b. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ccscott49]

the 120 will drive three listeners, but I would never, connect a gps to an autopilot, the interface between a gps and an autopilot, should be a human, preferably YOU!