new chartplotter and tiller pilot

[Ningaloo]

Hi Steve. If the Vulcan in totally stand alone then you will need to start creating an N2K network to add additional sensors. This isn't difficult because data on the network is then available to all other devices on the same network. Your transducers will also need to be N2K. And yes you'll also need a compass for beat heading rather than just COG.

 

[bitbaltic]

Ive installed my new Vulcan 7 chart plotter on its own at present. Its been suggested I install a duel purpose through hull depth /speed transducer that will link to the chart plotter. no displays to save money and I can get all the info on the screen. does this sound workable ?. can the same be done with wind transducers ?

Only disappointment is ive no heading on the Vulcan even though its got GPS. I had heading on my 30 yr old Garmin 128. so I suspect I'm of to find a nmea 2000 compass.

Steveeasy

Yes as mentioned you will need to start making an N2k backbone to add sensors but it’s only a few connectors. But yes you can add both a masthead wind sensor and a depth/log combi sensor to a network and have the plotter as your only display.

You will need the power the backbone independently of the chart plotter and ensure a terminal resistor at both ends, exactly what you buy depends on whether you want to build it in micro-c or simnet parts. A Navico wind instrument would include the resistor so would go at one end, the other end for a small system would be a power supply cable with a terminal resistor also built in. These would go to a multi-joiner which would drop feed your plotter and log. It would be maybe 100 quid for a power cable, multi-joiner and drop cables (going on experience of simnet prices, not sure about micro-c).

 

[prv]

Only disappointment is ive no heading on the Vulcan even though its got GPS. I had heading on my 30 yr old Garmin 128. so I suspect I'm of to find a nmea 2000 compass.

You won't have had heading on the 128, even if it erroneously had a figure labelled as such.

It will have been showing you CoG because that's all that a conventional GPS source has available. The Vulcan I'm sure will be able to display CoG as a numerical figure and probably as a line projecting from the front of the boat symbol on the chart.

Whatever the manufacturer, you will indeed need a compass either magnetic or satellite (or gyro) to provide heading.

Pete

 

[steveeasy]

You won't have had heading on the 128, even if it erroneously had a figure labelled as such.

It will have been showing you CoG because that's all that a conventional GPS source has available. The Vulcan I'm sure will be able to display CoG as a numerical figure and probably as a line projecting from the front of the boat symbol on the chart.

Whatever the manufacturer, you will indeed need a compass either magnetic or satellite (or gyro) to provide heading.

Pete

Pete,
The 128 would give a compass bearing providing you were moving. I have a standard compass on board. any suggestions which would be more suitable?

Steveeasy

 

[RubyII]

Hi
I am just about to buy a new BandG Vulcan 7 that is NMEA 2000. My plan was to pick up a Raymarine ST 2000 at the same time and use them together. ive just noticed the st2000 is NMEA 0183 input | SeaTalk. Does this mean they wont work together ?.

Thanks
Steveeasy

I would love to know if you achieve this as I have the same predicament

 

[Ceirwan]

A Raymarine autopilot will not work with a B&G Plotter. (As in sail to waypoints, control from plotter... etc)

However if you are just talking about data sharing, then you need an NMEA2k <-> NMEA0183 converter.
The Actisense NGW-1 does this.

 

[RubyII]

Thank you, I have Actisense NGW-1 in my system already, not sure if I can share more than one device ! So, despite information in catalogue, does this mean I cannot control autopilot with BnG plotter not intending to sail a course, as such just a straight line !

 

[steveeasy]

I would love to know if you achieve this as I have the same predicament

Hi Rubyll,
Old thread. Oh I fitted a Vulcan 7 and just used a St2000 tiller pilot. Did not bother linking them. Poor old boat has long gone and I wonder why I ever tried to make things complicated.

Steveeasy

 

[Ceirwan]

Thank you, I have Actisense NGW-1 in my system already, not sure if I can share more than one device ! So, despite information in catalogue, does this mean I cannot control autopilot with BnG plotter not intending to sail a course, as such just a straight line !

Unfortunately not, both Raymarine & B&G use different 'messages' on the network to control their own hardware, they can share basic info, but that's it.

I mean, I'm sure it would be possible for someone who was very savvy to make a box using an arduino or something similar and convert the messages to make it work, but that's well beyond the capability of most of us, and a lot of work for not much reward.

 

[Tranona]

Thank you, I have Actisense NGW-1 in my system already, not sure if I can share more than one device ! So, despite information in catalogue, does this mean I cannot control autopilot with BnG plotter not intending to sail a course, as such just a straight line !

The ST 2000 will only take NMEA 0183 sentences for wind.