Garmin nmea 2000

[benw]

I have surprisingly managed to install a Garmin 300 AIS onto the existing backbone and it displayed ok on the 5012 chart plotter.
My next move is to install a nmea2000 depth and speed log as our Stowe instruments whilst working are original and I would like to instal new. I am aware Garmin offer a transducer that doesn't interfere with existing transducers. Are the other issues I need to consider?
However can the log and sounder simply be installed into the ackbone displaying on existing chart plotter ? Or will I have to add another display head? I am hoping the former and have a repeater setup at the chart table as the plotter is in the cockpit.
Thanks in advance and sorry for my ignorance!

 

[David2452]

I have surprisingly managed to install a Garmin 300 AIS onto the existing backbone and it displayed ok on the 5012 chart plotter.
My next move is to install a nmea2000 depth and speed log as our Stowe instruments whilst working are original and I would like to instal new. I am aware Garmin offer a transducer that doesn't interfere with existing transducers. Are the other issues I need to consider?
However can the log and sounder simply be installed into the ackbone displaying on existing chart plotter ? Or will I have to add another display head? I am hoping the former and have a repeater setup at the chart table as the plotter is in the cockpit.
Thanks in advance and sorry for my ignorance!

You be better served by installing a GSD box which is Garmin network rather than N2K, you will then have a much wider choice of transducer.

 

[tjbrace]

I have an Airmar DST80 (depth speed temperature) which feeds to a Garmin 4012 at the binnacle and a GMI10 at the chart table over n2k. All ok if you accept that paddle wheel logs foul a lot.

T

 

[snooks]

As long as the log (which is from Airmar btw) isn't the end of the back bone you'll be fine.

Everything plugs into the backbone, no instruments should be the backbone.

Only thing you might have an issue with is the size of the holes you have to drill to get the N2K plugs through, 13mm IIRC

Forgot to say if you can getaway without changing the skin fitting, don't change it. Don't be lured into the idea that the skin fitting with a little flap in will stop the water. Our flap worked once, and never worked again.

 

[David2452]

I guess if all you are looking for is the numbers then an N2K transducer is the way to go, but if you want a graphic detail then a GSD will be needed. The N2K transducer can be at the end of the backbone if you use an inline terminator, in fact it's not a bad place to terminate the backbone if its well aft.

 

[benw]

Thanks for the considerations. I will inevitably need new holes as the Stowe transducers are not compatible as I have been led to believe.

 

[richardsnowstar]

I have a 4008 chartplotter and simply plugged the Airmar DST depth/speed/temp into the Nmea200 backbone and the info is displayed on the chartplotter and the GMI10 displays. Very simple.

 

[snooks]

The N2K transducer can be at the end of the backbone if you use an inline terminator, in fact it's not a bad place to terminate the backbone if its well aft.

But the transducer isn't at the end of the backbone, the backbone finishes at the inline terminator. The transducer is just a spur off the backbone. Just the same as if you were to use a T piece and a terminator, only slightly neater.

 

[David2452]

But the transducer isn't at the end of the backbone, the backbone finishes at the inline terminator. The transducer is just a spur off the backbone. Just the same as if you were to use a T piece and a terminator, only slightly neater.

Sorry, but it is effectively at the end of the backbone as it is not on a drop cable (I assume that's what you mean by spur) but part of the backbone, at least that's what I was taught by the NMEA on my advanced level MEI couse, the exam actually included the example in the compliant / non compliant choice section. Another similar example is a masthead unit as most masts are too high for a compliant drop cable length, A terminator resistor can only be at the end of a backbone as it is what defines the end of a backbone... end of. Pardon the pun.

 

[bythor]

Benw, as already mentioned, you can install an Airmar DST800 (or similar) and add it to your existing NMEA2000 network to display digits for depth/speed/temp. You'll probably already have the general idea regarding where in the system to connect it. Some sensors, such as wind, have cable that is too long to work properly as a 'drop' (or 'spur') which is limited to 6m. The way this is overcome is to add a built-in terminator and they then become backbone and end of line. However I don't believe the DST800 has a built-in terminator so will need to be connected as a drop item on a tee. They usually come with just under 3m of cable, hence there is no need for them to have an internal terminator.
The Garmin part number for the transducer is 010-11051-00
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