SH CP180...can I add another NMEA device?

Iain C

Iain C

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My CP180 is currently running the following devices...XM DSC VHF, Autohelm ST1000, and NASA GPS cockpit repeater. As I understand it, I'm now out of NMEA outputs.

Stupid question, but can I add another device (NASA AIS) just by connecting it at the same time to one of the existing outputs, eg the cockpit repeater? Surely all it needs is the position info?

Thanks, from an electronics Luddite.
 
One NMEA output is normally capable of driving up to 4 listeners, so you probably could parallel one of the outputs (the GPS Repeater maybe, as the least safety critical) with the NASA AIS. However, to be sure, you should give SH Support a call - I'm sure they could advise.
 
I wouldn't bother calling them unless you find a problem - you should be perfectly fine connecting a second device to one of the outputs. It is perfectly normal to have one talker feeding multiple listeners - what you can't do is combine more than one talker on the same bus.

Pete
 
Iain C said:
Stupid question, but can I add another device (NASA AIS)
Click to expand...

AIS is an INPUT device to the CP180 unless your AIS is the more expensive one that transmits your position to other ships.

Smart GPS Cable FOR CP180
Pin Wire Color Description
1 Red Battery Positive
2 Green Smart GPS NMEA Output
3 Brown Smart GPS NMEA Input <-- AIS connects in here but remember to set the baud rate.
4 NC
5 NC
6 Black/Yellow Battery Ground
 
LadyInBed said:
AIS is an INPUT device to the CP180 unless your AIS is the more expensive one that transmits your position to other ships.
Click to expand...

Or the "Radar" one which will need to be told its own position in order to plot correctly, or if he's connecting an "engine" one to a PC in which case he'll want to multiplex position information into the stream so that the PC knows where it is.

If you have an AIS transmitter, I believe it's required to have its own GPS rather than receive position via NMEA. Certainly the Vesper one does.

Pete
 
Last edited:
LadyInBed said:
AIS is an INPUT device to the CP180 unless your AIS is the more expensive one that transmits your position to other ships.

Smart GPS Cable FOR CP180
Pin Wire Color Description
1 Red Battery Positive
2 Green Smart GPS NMEA Output
3 Brown Smart GPS NMEA Input <-- AIS connects in here but remember to set the baud rate.
4 NC
5 NC
6 Black/Yellow Battery Ground
Click to expand...

As already suggested, I think the OP needs GPS data for a Nasa AIS Radar device.

I wouldn't use the antenna cable to feed NMEA to other devices; I'd take the NMEA output from the CP180.
 
I have just looked up the NASA AIS and see that the one with its own screen needs a GPS INPUT (OUTPUT from CP 180) but the NASA AIS Engine 3 is an OUTPUT device (INPUT to CP 180).
If you have the former, then try just tapping another wire off the CP 180 pin 2. Although they give a maximum number of devices an extra one may well work ok depending on the cable length between devices.
If you have the latter (Engine 3) then my previous post holds true.
 
Have a CP180i an I'm sure it has 3 output channels available for NMEA output. I think it's simply a case of obtaining a ACC1 cable instead of a smart cable. This gives you the extra connnections.

I think the normal limit is 3 devices receiving from each output.
 
Bloater said:
Have a CP180i an I'm sure it has 3 output channels available for NMEA output. I think it's simply a case of obtaining a ACC1 cable instead of a smart cable. This gives you the extra connnections.
Click to expand...

I think he's already got that, and has connected one device to each of the ports. He now wants to know if he can double up on the ports. The answer is yes.

Pete
 
LadyInBed said:
If you have the latter (Engine 3) then my previous post holds true.
Click to expand...

I don't think it does, SH don't recommend connecting an AIS engine to the Smart GPS antenna cables. They suggest connecting direct to one of the inputs of the CP180, so that the port can be changed in the menu to 38400 baud.
 
pvb said:
I don't think it does, SH don't recommend connecting an AIS engine to the Smart GPS antenna cables. They suggest connecting direct to one of the inputs of the CP180, so that the port can be changed in the menu to 38400 baud.
Click to expand...

'swot I said didn't I :confused:
3 Brown Smart GPS NMEA Input <-- AIS connects in here but remember to set the baud rate.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks guys...it is the NASA "radar" device, not the "engine" device. I am not looking to display ships positions on the CP180, I want the CP180 to tell the AIS radar where it is.
 
Iain C said:
Thanks guys...it is the NASA "radar" device, not the "engine" device. I am not looking to display ships positions on the CP180, I want the CP180 to tell the AIS radar where it is.
Click to expand...

We've come full circle - the Cp180 nmea output can ALSO be connected to the AIS's nmea input as was stated in post 2!
 
pvb said:
No, you didn't. You quoted the connections for the Smart GPS antenna, not the CP180 itself. Have you looked at the CP180 instructions, I wonder?
Click to expand...

My deepest apologies, I did look at the book but swiped the wrong table :o
Should have been CP180 / CP180i Page 15:
2.4.0 Connection Table
12VDC Power and NMEA Cable
Pin Wire Color Description Connection Example Additional Comments
1 Black Battery Ground Connect to Battery Ground
2 Red Battery Positive Connect to Battery Positive
3 Green NMEA Common Common for NMEA devices
4 Blue Port1 Input Connect to Output of NMEA device Default is NMEA0183
5 Brown Port1 Output Connect to Input of NMEA device Default is NMEA0183 with GLL, RMB, RMC
6 Gray Port2 Input Connect to Output of NMEA device Default is NMEA0183*
7 White Port2 Output Connect to Input of NMEA device Default is NMEA0183 with GLL, RMB, RMC
and XTE sentences
8 Yellow Port3 Output Connect to Output of NMEA device Default is NMEA0183 with APA, APB, XTE,
COG and BOD sentences**
 
Iain C said:
My CP180 is currently running the following devices...XM DSC VHF, Autohelm ST1000, and NASA GPS cockpit repeater. As I understand it, I'm now out of NMEA outputs.

Stupid question, but can I add another device (NASA AIS) just by connecting it at the same time to one of the existing outputs, eg the cockpit repeater? Surely all it needs is the position info?
Click to expand...

http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/files/Standard Horizon Chart Plotter Wiring Plan2011.pdf

Second diagram show what you want, I think - and parallel the green and brown (plotter end) to radio to your repeater and use the AIS as input.
Maybe the Green & Yellow plotter output will also feed the repeater.

I've got a Digital Yacht ANT-200 on the green and grey (plotter end) as an *input*.
 
mcframe said:
Second diagram show what you want, I think - and parallel the green and brown (plotter end) to radio to your repeater and use the AIS as input.
Maybe the Green & Yellow plotter output will also feed the repeater.

I've got a Digital Yacht ANT-200 on the green and grey (plotter end) as an *input*.
Click to expand...

There many too many people who post "answers" without fully reading the question, and it seems you're one of them. Did you read the post where the OP said "Thanks guys...it is the NASA "radar" device, not the "engine" device. I am not looking to display ships positions on the CP180, I want the CP180 to tell the AIS radar where it is."??
 
pvb said:
There many too many people who post "answers" without fully reading the question, and it seems you're one of them. Did you read the post where the OP said "Thanks guys...it is the NASA "radar" device, not the "engine" device. I am not looking to display ships positions on the CP180, I want the CP180 to tell the AIS radar where it is."??
Click to expand...

OK, I replied before I'd read that, but at least I linked to a diagram that's part of the instructions...

Maybe tap the NASA "radar" into the green and yellow SH *outputs* in that case.
 
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