Help - Garmin Ais 300 to GPSmap 557 Wiring and Settings

[Pords]

Struggling to get AIS targets on Chartplotter.

Spoke to Garmin Support yesterday before wiring up today as NMEA 0183 as follows.

AIS Grey to GpsMap 557 Violet (Ground Pink from AIS)

AIS Yellow to 557 Orange. (ON/OFF both devices which works.

Set Serial port's to 1 Standard 2 High speed.

In the medway and no AIS targets at all on plotter. I'm i doing something wrong? or by some miracle there's no AIS targets to find. I'm only 5 miles from Thames as the crow flies. Aslo RX indicator on AIS flashes intermittently. Power steady.

Thanks in advance for any guidance or pearls of wisdom.

 

[pvb]

I'm not convinced you can connect them using NMEA0183. I think you may have to use NMEA2000. If you look at the supported NMEA0183 sentences in the plotter's installation instructions, AIS sentences are not listed.

 

[Pords]

Thanks PVB

When I spoke to Garmin yesterday this was his recommendation. I was going to Fit NMEA 2000 but he advised against it with only having this plotter and AIS. He said this was the best way forward without spending more money on Backbone etc.

 

[pvb]

Thanks PVB

When I spoke to Garmin yesterday this was his recommendation. I was going to Fit NMEA 2000 but he advised against it with only having this plotter and AIS. He said this was the best way forward without spending more money on Backbone etc.

Are you saying the Garmin guy recommended you to use NMEA0183?

I just re-checked the list of NMEA0183 sentences in the 557's installation manual and VDM is in fact listed, so perhaps it should work. If it doesn't have you gone into Settings menu and ensured AIS reception is turned on?

 

[Pords]

Yes he went through the wiring with me. AIS is turned on just rechecked wiring to ensure connections. Stumped and Garmin are closed for the weekend.

 

[pvb]

How about the AIS display range? (Menu > Other Vessels > Display Setup)

And you've checked the plotter has AIS turned on? (Settings > Other Vessels > AIS > On)

 

[Pords]

I've just wired AIS into Serial Port 1 set to High speed and seems to be working. Cant understand why it wouldn't work in Port 2. Maybe as there was nothing wired to port one as I was going to wire VHF Dsc later this was causing the issue. Thanks PVB for help.

Jon

 

[ex-Gladys]

What version software on the 557? There was an issue with the early 6.x versions that stopped Port 2 working at all.... update to the latest 6.50... I know about this because I discovered it for Garmin this time last year...

 

[pvb]

What version software on the 557? There was an issue with the early 6.x versions that stopped Port 2 working at all.... update to the latest 6.50... I know about this because I discovered it for Garmin this time last year...

Ahh.... that makes sense.

 

[Pords]

Thanks Gladys. I haven't updated plotter in the last 2 years this was my next job when I download it. As PVB said that makes sense now. I knew someone would have the answer on here. Once I update will rewire back to what the guy from Garmin suggested and link in VHF or vice versa. First impressions of AIS is that I'm very pleased with the info its knocking out and how it ties in nicely with the chart plotter.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Thanks Gladys. I haven't updated plotter in the last 2 years this was my next job when I download it. As PVB said that makes sense now. I knew someone would have the answer on here. Once I update will rewire back to what the guy from Garmin suggested and link in VHF or vice versa. First impressions of AIS is that I'm very pleased with the info its knocking out and how it ties in nicely with the chart plotter.

Be interesting to know what the version of SW is, you will see it as you power up the plotter...