Navman 5500 Chartplotter NMEA Output

[mireland]

Currently I have my Raystar 560 GPS giving an output to the autohelm. I want to replace this with the Navman 5500 but don't know which colour wires to use. The Navman manual says that the white wire is the NMEA output - so far so good - but which other wire do I use. Is it the blue wire? Anyone have any experience of the Navman?

 

[chippie]

A one word google search for Navman found their site which has a download form for technical enquiries if your manual or dealer cant help.

 

[bonny]

I had a 5600 plotter, think it's the same.

The NMEA o/p is the white wire, the return is the black (ground wire).

Make sure you have the NMEA o/p switched on in the set-up menu.

 

[bonny]

Yep, just checked your manual on "www.navman.com/assets/marine/MN89_1951383B_Tracker5100-5500i_Eng.pdf"

Page 35 Pin 1 (black), Ground(power negative,NMEA) is definately your return wire.
I've always used screened cable to connect plotter to autopilot.

The blue wire is for a 2nd nmea i/p to the plotter. I used this on mine to receive NMEA data from B&G network stuff and was able to display wind data, sea temp, log speed etc on the chartplotter. Unfortunately the plotter doesn't repeat the data on it's NMEA o/p to the autopilot so couldn't steer to wind. Had to use a separate switch to switch between plotter & B&G to get round that.

 

[philip_stevens]

I've also got a 5500, and had connection problems when I installed it. There is a connection supplement that Navimo sent to me, and if you don't have it, PM me with your email address and I will send it to you.

This supplement gives all the connections in colour.

regards,
Philip

stiveswebdesign.co.uk

 

[mireland]

Manual is not much help. The existing set up uses two wires to connect the GPS to the autopilot. Neither is a ground wire. They enter the ap via a telephone style plug/socket. If I understand you I should connect the white Navman wire to one of these wires. The black ground navman wire should then be connected to the other as well as to the negative(ground) of the boats wiring system?

Perhaps I have misunderstood? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Electrics are not a strong suit!!

 

[Anonymous]

If you go 'DISP' on the front panel then select 'ABOUT' you should have the correct wiring instructions for your unit. Mine does but judging from a present discussion in the gps-navigator yahoo group not all 5500s are the same! Do let me know if you also get the wiring instructions. BTW, my software is version 1.5.7 dated 5/7/2004

 

[philip_stevens]

Would you like a copy of the connection supplement,in colour, as well?? If so, send me a PM with your email address. It is a pdf file, or you could also have it in MS Word .doc format.

regards,
Philip

www.stiveswebdesign.co.uk

 

[mireland]

Thanks Lemain. I have not powered the unit up yet but will do so asap and let you know the outcome.

 

[bonny]

Sorry if this is a bit wordy but it should get you going.

You need to identify the polarity of the NMEA input connections on your autopilot, hopefully these will be labelled +/-, NMEA+/NMEA-,NMEA data in/NMEA return (you don't say which autopilot you have, mine was Raymarine 4000+).

If not, use a voltmeter (approx 10VDC range) across the two terminals with your current setup (existing plotter to autopilot). Most plotters talk to the autopilot approx once every second or 2 and this will show as a pulsing needle (if analogue meter) or an erratic reading (if a digital meter). If the needle goes backwards (analogue meter) or you get a negative reading (digital meter) then reverse the meter leads. Once you get a forwards or positive reading make a note of which terminal of your autopilot is connected to your meters "+" terminal, that is your NMEA+ input which needs to be connected to the Navmans' white wire. The other needs to be connected to the Navmans' black wire.

Just looked up the Raystar560 manual from "www.raymarine.com/raymarine/SubmittedFiles/Handbooks/Legacy_Handbooks/fishfinder/L560.pdf" (takes ages to load).
Page 17 shows the NMEA (Data out) connections.
Pin 4 (yellow, or poss brn?) is DATA OUT + (NMEA+) and is equivalent to Navman white wire.
Pin 3 (Green) is DATA COM (Data common) and is equivalent to Navman black wire.

 

[mireland]

Thank you so much Bonny. Makes perfect sense.

A supplementary question. Do you reckon I can split the output from the Chartplotter to the ap ANd the DCS VHF? Is there a splitter gadget or do I just parallel them or what?

 

[bonny]

Just wire them in parallel. The only gadget you need is a connector block!

NMEA works by having 1 talker and one or more listeners.
The plotter is a talker, both the ap & DSC VHF are listeners. There is a limit to the number of listeners a talker can talk to (up to about 10).

What you cannot have is more than one talker cos they just talk over each other and no-one hears nowt, thats when you need a a special gadget to combine them (over £100).