NMEA idiot needs help - AIS to Computer

S

SV Kittiwake

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 Feb 2017
Messages
150
Visit site
So we've installed our BandG V50 AIS onboard Kittiwake. I want to connect this to my Macbook pro running OpenCPN so that I can see the targets nice and big when we're going through Gibraltar.

We're not at the boat at the moment, so I want to figure it out and order the bits so I can put it together when we're back.

Am I right in thinking that I can get a DB9 terminal connector, like this:

https://www.amazon.it/SIENOC-adattatore-maschio-Terminal-connettore/dp/B01M8JRDN0/ref=sr_1_3?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1516448208&sr=8-3&keywords=db9+terminal

Then extend the wires from our AIS (they're bare wires for NMEA) using terminal blocks (maybe replace with crimped connections later), and connect them to the DB9 connector in the following fashion:

RS422 Out POSITIVE (Black) from the AIS to the DB9 Pin no.2 - PC Rx (receive)
RS422 Out NEGATIVE (White) from the AIS to the DB9 Pin no.5 - Ground

On the other end of the DB9 connector I'll get the cables (probably from Staples in Portimao) to convert it to USB to plug into the Macbook.

Then if I follow the instructions about Baud Rates etc on the OpenCPN website (haven't really gotten into this bit yet) it should link up?

Is this right?
 
Hi SVKittywake,
I was only yesterday looking at a BandG V50 for a way of getting AIS on board. Have you used this yet, and if so how have you found it. Ive not managed to find one to try out other than boxed models.

Steveeasy
 
Hi Steveeasy,

The unit feels well made and is really easy and nice to use. The AIS function has only been tested in the yard but picked up plenty of boats around us. The screen on the AIS is ok, but a bit small unless you're right up close to it. Hopefully there'll be a way to connect it to the laptop as I'd like to use the OpenCPN AIS radar plugin.
 
SV Kittiwake said:
Hi Steveeasy,

The unit feels well made and is really easy and nice to use. The AIS function has only been tested in the yard but picked up plenty of boats around us. The screen on the AIS is ok, but a bit small unless you're right up close to it. Hopefully there'll be a way to connect it to the laptop as I'd like to use the OpenCPN AIS radar plugin.
Click to expand...

Ill keep a watch then on this thread. If you can I might just go the same way.

Thanks

steveeasy
 
V50 seems to output NMEA 0183 over both RS232 and RS422 serial lines. If you use RS232 to USB converter, you need to use the blue wire and the shield and if you use RS485 to USB converter, then the wires are black and white. (RS485 to USB converter can be used with RS422 but not with RS232)
 
Thanks Taika and Roger,

So it looks like the second product should do the job - I'll get that and wire the black and white output wires from my AIS unit into the appropriate pins (PC Receive and Ground). It seems that the RS422 converter only has 6 pins not 9 - is it still pins 2 and 5? Hopefully there'll be labels on the connector block.

Then I'll plug that USB straight into the laptop and start trying to figure out how to get all of the software settings right.

Thanks to everyone for your help - Steve, I'll try to remember to post on here to let you know how I got on, but it might be a while so feel free to drop me a message to remind me if I forget.

Cheers

Ryan
 
Not sure how the terminals of the RS485 to USB converter are marked, but you might find IN+ an IN-. Black sould be connected to the plus and white to minus. (Neither of the signals is ground, both are active)
 
SV Kittiwake said:
So we've installed our BandG V50 AIS onboard Kittiwake. I want to connect this to my Macbook pro running OpenCPN so that I can see the targets nice and big when we're going through Gibraltar.

We're not at the boat at the moment, so I want to figure it out and order the bits so I can put it together when we're back.

Am I right in thinking that I can get a DB9 terminal connector, like this:

https://www.amazon.it/SIENOC-adattatore-maschio-Terminal-connettore/dp/B01M8JRDN0/ref=sr_1_3?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1516448208&sr=8-3&keywords=db9+terminal

Then extend the wires from our AIS (they're bare wires for NMEA) using terminal blocks (maybe replace with crimped connections later), and connect them to the DB9 connector in the following fashion:

RS422 Out POSITIVE (Black) from the AIS to the DB9 Pin no.2 - PC Rx (receive)
RS422 Out NEGATIVE (White) from the AIS to the DB9 Pin no.5 - Ground

On the other end of the DB9 connector I'll get the cables (probably from Staples in Portimao) to convert it to USB to plug into the Macbook.

Then if I follow the instructions about Baud Rates etc on the OpenCPN website (haven't really gotten into this bit yet) it should link up?

Is this right?
Click to expand...
Instead of hard wiring to the pooter and a load of grief, why not do as I have done and get a wifi box as a hub. Hard wire the ais to the wifi then yo can pick up the wifi data on your mac, tab or whatever and overlay it in to open cpn. I used a vyacht one but there are loads out there.
Stu
 
What reduction in grief does adding a wifi box achieve? I'm curious?

In my experience adding wireless to anything increases complexity/points of failure...
 
ShinyShoe said:
What reduction in grief does adding a wifi box achieve? I'm curious?

In my experience adding wireless to anything increases complexity/points of failure...
Click to expand...

I use wifi for a lot of data onboard. Big benefit is being able to mount the box where you want it and the data available for anything which can receive wifi.

I've had nmea wires fail before (well, one :) ) but wifi has been rock solid so far. Live 24/7 on a liveaboard boat . Still need to get the nmea wires to the wifi board of course. But from the real world it's working very well. Cheap ESP8266 board sending AIS, various engine temperature, voltage & barometer. If you have internet access then going a diy route makes it easy to send the data to the web.
 
Hello,

If you want to use wifi to connect your AIS to your laptop see my forum for a device made by me. You can do it yourself (firmware available from my site) or get an assembled unit in eBay.

Regards, Luis
 
ShinyShoe said:
What reduction in grief does adding a wifi box achieve? I'm curious?

In my experience adding wireless to anything increases complexity/points of failure...
Click to expand...

I originally started with a usb gps in to a netbook, with a charger connected and a usb serial hard wire connection for the ais. all in the cock pit!
Nah. Standard Horizon radio below, hard wired to a vyacht wifi box next to it then just use an ipad or tab wirelessly to opencpn. Easy, no trailing wires, accessible all over the boat!
Stu
 
This worked perfectly, thanks everyone for your input - the AIS was really easy to connect to OpenCPN and I've now got targets on the chart and the radar plugin is working.

Cheers

Ryan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top