WIFI Password?

[Garf]

Hi all

Not new to sailing but have just bought my first "larger" boat - a Jeanneau SO 37 from 2001.

My question. 25 years has led to a veritable smorgasbord of electrics, with Radar from Raytheon from the dark ages, Auto pilot from Raymarine (new), a 2024 Garmin plotter etc. On the boat there appears to be a wifi. I assume this is a NMEA network. However, the VHF, whilst having DSC, does not appear to be receiving location data. Sorting out this wifi is part of my journey to understand how the boat functions before taking her to sea. So,

1. Is is a sensible assumption that the network is something to do with the plotter / radar / ais etc.
2. What is the device at the centre of such a network - no-one knows the password so I am going to have to figure out how to reset it.

 

[PaulRainbow]

More info about the components would help, especially the router, VHF, plotter etc

 

[Refueler]

Maybe the Garmin Plotter is Tx'g WiFi ... as the update system can use WiFi based on your phone / tablet logging onto the Garmin Plotters WiFi. The password should be in the manual ? I think the Garmin WiFi on my boat was open without password - but its ages since I sorted it so could be wrong.

Many boats will have a multiplexor hidden away somewhere near the chart area ... taking in the various data feeds from gear and combining out into WiFi / USB / NMEA etc ... the WiFi password is usually listed on the label

 

[Daverw]

I would be surprised if the WiFi had anything to do with the instrument comunication, this would normally be hardwired to each, likely nmea0183 or N2k, look at the back of each and it should be clearer

 

[ylop]

I would be surprised if the WiFi had anything to do with the instrument comunication, this would normally be hardwired to each, likely nmea0183 or N2k, look at the back of each and it should be clearer

However it’s definitely not uncommon for there to be some box somewhere transmitting NMEA data out by WiFi for tablets/phones etc to use (eg to have ais shown on Navionics app). He does mention AIS in his second post. The box can be quite small and potentially very hidden. It may have its own antenna (which may or may not be visible) but it’s quite common for it to be wired to a splitter on the radio. So tracing where any junction on the radio antenna goes should find the AIS box, which may have its own WiFi built in or which will have data out wiring that goes somewhere.

When he’s there he can check what is connected to the data ports on the VHF, on an old boat (so probably old radio) that is likely to be NMEA0183 wires to either the GPS (which might be an old plotter) or the multiplexer which might also be the WiFi or at least connected to it.

Some modern plotters may also be broadcasting WiFi. Usually the SSID (network name) will give some clue at least to the manufacturer and by trial and error switching stuff on and off you may find the source.

With stuff that has been added and upgraded over the years there’s really no way to know what’s what other than open up the panels / slide stuff out and see what is wired where. I recommend (a) making a wiring diagram (a pack of felt tips will be handy if multicoloured) (b) adding labels to wires. If you find stuff that you can’t identify take photos - there’s probably someone here who has had one at one point.

Potentially you could have multiple different network interfaces going on!!! NMEA0183 for an old radio, Seatalk1 for wind instruments etc, STNG for the new autopilot, and N2K for the Garmin (N2K and STNG are the same but different connectors, plus whatever the radar uses and possibly some of the data being resent over WIFI!!!

That’s a fun mess to untangle.

 

[PaulRainbow]

And without knowing what equipment the OP has we need a crystal ball...............

 

[Refueler]

To me as Paul says - without knowing actual gear items .. its a haystack quest ...

1. Brand and model of gear involved ..
2. Check labels and manuals for info
3. If no manuals - download from manuals.lib online
4. With phone switch off WiFi ... then switch back on and see what WiFi comes up ...
5. Search for a Multiplezor ... usually a small box with NMEA wires going in from most of gear .. maybe has - maybe not.

Let us know and maybe we can delve a bit deeper ..