Question for NMEA experts

[boatmike]

I won't repeat previous posts but I am still trying to make my vetus wind instrument work properly. I want to see if it is the instrument read out or the solid state masthead transducer that is causing problems. Now on the Vetus website it says the transducer will work with any instrument accepting NMEA 0183. When speaking to Vetus UK I am told that this means that if I have the whole thing
I can also output NMEA to be read by any other instrument but that if I have another gauge head from another manufacturer it won't necessarily work with the trannie IN PLACE of the vetus one. Does this make ANY sense to anyone? Surely if the trannie is working OK and outputting data in NMEA 0183 any instrument that can read NMEA 0183 ought to work with it shouldn't it? Or is it more complicated than that? The NMEA sentences for wind direction and strength don't vary....or do they? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[tillergirl]

I guess that the masthead transducer isn't producing NMEA outputs. nor designed to. It will be producing electical impulses that the Vetus instrument head will read and be converting into NMEA - therefore output from the instrument head will be NMEA and compatible with any other instrument reading NMEA (a tiller pilot for example so you can auto steer to wind) not the masthead transducer which is probaly a Hall device.

 

[Danny]

[ QUOTE ]
I guess that the masthead transducer isn't producing NMEA outputs.

[/ QUOTE ]Having had a look at the Vetus website I don't think that's right. It looks like this xducer's output is actually the NMEA 0183 wind sentences and that it can be used with any display or instrument that can INPUT (and understand) the wind sentence.

If that's correct then you won't be able to use an alternative xducer unless it works in the same way (outputting in NMEA). Not sure if many work like this. I know mine doesn't but it's an old Stowe instrument which never heard of NMEA.

 

[Danny]

PM'd you.

 

[boatmike]

Yes that is what the website suggests Danny, actually though, I do suspect the instrument heads that are pretty poor and have been replaced by the one on the website. If the (very expensive) trannie is busted I will just buy a complete ST60+ to replace the lot I think. Thanks again for the PM. Have replied seperately.

 

[Talbot]

I can read nmea sentences in my laptop (including wind) if that will help in the diagnosis - simple to rig up a connection to the RS232 input

 

[boatmike]

Thanks! I have a couple of things to try first but that would be great Mark. I will come back to you....