NMEA 2000

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I am fitting out a new boat with as many NMEA 2000 compatible bits as possible. Would be interested in others experiences, particularly on speed/depth/temp transducers and the new masthead wind sensors.

Many thanks

 

[RestlessL]

I have just made the decision to switch to NMEA 2000 instruments. I wish I had decided a couple of months ago when the boat was still out of the water, but I have been prompted by failures in the existing kit.

I will be keeping the Garmin 3000 plotter, so as a first step I have installed a transom mounted depth, speed and temperature transducer, and also an in-hull depth transducer (arranged so I can switch between the 2). I take the output NMEA 0183 from the Garmin to one of the new Garmin GMI10 multifunction displays. This is a superb bit of kit, and takes both NMEA 0183 and 2000 inputs (but does not convert 0183 to 2000).

This is the first step to a full NMEA 2000 installation. I am still in the planning stage, but my intention is as follows:

NMEA 2000 bus, using micro cable, terminated at the mast head (in line terminator) and at the transom.

A Maretron WSO100 ultrasonic wind sensor at the mast head, which I want to mount on top of the tricolour (Aqua).

A couple of T's in lockers at the front of the saloon feeding (1) a Maretrom SSC200 solid state compass and (2) an Airmar DST800 smart depth, speed, temp transducer. This, I notice is a 235kHz transducer, and I am hoping that it will not interfere with the 50/200kHz one feeding the Garmin sonar.

Moving back to the navigation table, there will be a Maretron USB100 NMEA 2000 to USB gateway, and possible another GMI10. I am also looking enviously at a Garmin 4000 chart plotter which has full NMEA 2000 functionality.

Next, in the cockpit will be 2 GMI10's alongside the Garmin 3000 plotter.

Finally on the pushpit I will mount a Garmin GPS17X NMEA 2000 GPS sensor.

I had also hoped that I could fit the Garmin GFS10 fuel sensor, but this seems to be for petrol only, and I think I am below the minimum specified rate of fuel flow. Shame, because I do not have a fuel guage.

Apart from the Garmin GMI10, all this is future plans, so I cannot offer any actual experience of the installation. However, I would welcome any comments.

John

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Excellent. We have lots of thoughts in common. Let's keep in touch. I have a detailed schematic of all the stuff I am planning to use. I have cut and pasted it below but I guess the fromatting may turn it into garbage. I could send it to you as a pdf if you are interested. Please just advise an email address.


Location Item description Manufacturer Model Product notes
Chart table AIS A&B Comar CSB200 Transmit and receive. Requires GPS and VHF aerials
Chart table Chartplotter Garmin GPSMAP 5008 Bluechart G2 Vision required
Chart table VHF/DCS Icom M505
Chart table Tank Monitor Offshore Systems NMEA2000 Multitank Display
Chart table Autopilot remote Raymarine S100
Garage Speakers Clarion CM1680A Switched with internal
Garage Instrument Garmin GMI 10
Helm Chartplotter Garmin GPSMAP 5012 On pod. Will use Bluechart from the 5008 via network
Cockpit Autopilot control Raymarine ST 6002+ On lower pod
Cockpit Thruster control Sidepower Touch panel (square) On lower pod
Hull Speed/temp/depth Airmar DST800 Either Airmar, Raymarine's badged or Maretron from MES
Hull Black tank senders Offshore Systems NMEA2000 Black Tank Level Sender This is the 1500-2000mm one, check tank size
Hull Fresh tank senders Offshore Systems NMEA2000 Fresh Water Level Sender This is the 1500-2000mm one, check tank size
Hull Fuel senders Offshore Systems NMEA2000 Fuel Tank Level Sender This is the 1500-2000mm one, check tank size
Hull Autopilot base Raymarine S100 base Included with S100 remote
Hull Course computer Raymarine SPX30 As recommended by Alex
Hull Engine data - NMEA Takes Nanni analogue engine data into NMEA
Mast Wind/temp sensor Airmar Includes heading sensor. We will use the Raymarine one instead, or alternate Airmar without sensor
Mast HD Radar Garmin GMR 18 HD version is due out August
Mast VHF windex Vtronix Hawk
Mast TV/Radio aerial
Mast Wifi aerial
Not sure AIS GPS aerial To match Comar Garmin?
Not sure AIS VHF aerial To match Comar
Not sure GPS aerial Garmin GPS 17X NMEA 2000 Included with both chartplotters. One possibly surplus.
Not sure Thrust/windlass Lewmar 68000845 remote kit 5 button windlass and thruster remote. To be wired into Sidepower. Do we need this or 6800047 - FOB only?
PC stuff NMEA/USB Actisense Check this is the NMEA 2000 to USB product
PC stuff USB hub Belkin F5U237 USB 2.0 7-Port Hub I have this already
PC stuff Laptop Dell Inspiron 8600 I have this already
PC stuff Cordless desk Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave - with Mouse I have this already
PC stuff Navtex Morer WIB I have this already
Saloon MP3 player Apple Ipod Touch 8gb I have this already
Saloon TV/DVD Avtex W153D (white) Mount to be decided
Saloon CD/Radio Clarion DXZ 388 RUSB
Saloon Speakers Clarion SRR1028 2 in upper saloon, 2 in lower. Switched with marine.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

A couple of comments on your spec.

I am also looking at the Maretron wind sensor. My only concern is that it seems to be specified up to 30 degrees heel. I wonder if it's performance degrades below that.
I too started with lots of GMI10's until I realised that they do not show anything that cannot already be seen on the plotter, so I have ditched most of them.
For fuel stuff, have a look at Offshore Systems. NMEA2000 and will link to the Garmin
You may want to note that the Garmin GPS17 does not need to go on the pushpit. They tell me it will work just as well under the sprayhood or even inside the boat. Less wiring perhaps.

 

[drk]

Re: NMEA 2000 wind

Airmar has new sensor coming in days, corrects wind for pitch and roll at the sensor and has gps, rate gyro compass, accelerometer, barometric pressure, etc. and all for just over $1k