Linking instruments

[Norman_E]

I have to grasp the expensive nettle and replace some instruments. I really don't want to replace the mast head unit because of the wiring difficulty. Also I have a complete spare MHU. My present plan is to keep the VDO wind system but replace the other parts of the VDO system with an NMEA 2000 system. This will probably be B&G Triton instruments because I like the clarity of their displays.

The VDO wind instruments consist of a main wind display to which the MHU is connected and a repeater. The main unit has NMEA 0183 output which I propose to connect to an Actisense NGW 1 NMEA gateway, to feed the wind data to the NMEA 2000 system. If the LCD display on the VDO instrument blacks out I will just hide the instrument out of sight but keep it connected.

What I would really like to know is whether the VDO masthead unit is itself communicating with the display using NMEA 0183 sentences, such that I could just connect it to the gateway? Does anyone know, or know how to find out?

 

[Playtime]

What I would really like to know is whether the VDO masthead unit is itself communicating with the display using NMEA 0183 sentences, such that I could just connect it to the gateway?

Is it this unit?

If so then the MHU connects to the display using 8 wires (into 6 terminals) which is definitely not NMEA 0183.

 

[Norman_E]

I may have found an insuperable problem. The VDO wind instrument outputs old NMEA 0183 sentences VWR & VWT for apparant and true wind speed and angle, whereas the current NMEA 0183 standards use MWV for both. The Actisense Gateway shows VWR but not VWT in its conversion list.

 

[Norman_E]

Is it this unit?

If so then the MHU connects to the display using 8 wires (into 6 terminals) which is definitely not NMEA 0183.

The instrument is different, mine is older, but the MHU looks the same.

 

[rogerthebodger]

My simrad MHU also has 6 wires 3 for the 3 phase wind direction potentiometer and the wind speed +V supply 0V and pulses from a hall effect sensor for from the wind speed.

The conversion to NMEA is done in my SIMRAD central computer together with the input from the other sensors.

 

[BeBe]

You might have a problem with B&G and NMEA.

I have to grasp the expensive nettle and replace some instruments. I really don't want to replace the mast head unit because of the wiring difficulty. Also I have a complete spare MHU. My present plan is to keep the VDO wind system but replace the other parts of the VDO system with an NMEA 2000 system. This will probably be B&G Triton instruments because I like the clarity of their displays.

The VDO wind instruments consist of a main wind display to which the MHU is connected and a repeater. The main unit has NMEA 0183 output which I propose to connect to an Actisense NGW 1 NMEA gateway, to feed the wind data to the NMEA 2000 system. If the LCD display on the VDO instrument blacks out I will just hide the instrument out of sight but keep it connected.

What I would really like to know is whether the VDO masthead unit is itself communicating with the display using NMEA 0183 sentences, such that I could just connect it to the gateway? Does anyone know, or know how to find out?

You might have a problem with B&G and NMEA. I know I had a B&G/NMEA problem that Tinley Electronics solved. Additionally, I know that Tinley will be able to make this work for you. http://www.tinleyelectronics.com £60.00 Per Hour. Normally complete repairs within the first hour. £30.00 for a quotation before repair, which includes the first 1/2hr of repair. These rates apply to consulting work also. They also have an inventory of used B&G parts and can refurbish any B&G part or instrument.

The only connection I have with Tinley is that I am a satisfied customer.

Bill

 

[Norman_E]

Thank you for that. I will contact Tinley. The VDO system has its own proprietary logic bus, which is CAN based. I wonder if Tinley can interface that with NMEA 2000 which is also CAN based?

 

[BeBe]

Thank you for that. I will contact Tinley. The VDO system has its own proprietary logic bus, which is CAN based. I wonder if Tinley can interface that with NMEA 2000 which is also CAN based?

They say they can interface anything to/from B&G/NMEA.

 

[Norman_E]

Progress.

I have contacted Tinley and sent them an e-mail with details of my system, but I also contacted Actisense to ask if the NMEA 0183 true wind speed and direction sentence VWT could be added to the Actisense NGW 1 gateway conversion list, and had this reply back:
We will be reviewing the NGW-1 conversion list early next year.
New conversions will be prioritised by custom requests.
I have added your request to the list.

I think that is a great response and will follow developments.