[C320-list] ST4000+ interfacing with NMEA2000 instruments

[Graeme Clark]

Doug

Not sure this will be a huge help, but I have an Actisense NGW-1 which happily converts output from my Standard Horizon plotter (NMEA0183) so it can be read by my new Raymarine STng autopilot. As you know, STng is directly compatible with NMEA2000 so all that is is needed is the NGW-1 version with an STng cable rather than an NMEA2000 cable.

(My previous 320 had a refit with a Raymarine e7 MFD. Our wind instrument was an ST50, so we needed a Raymarine adapter to convert the old ST to STNg so the mfd could read the wind data.)

Actisense also make an NMEA0183 multiplexer but I found that a clever mate of mine was abale to make the same device using an Arduino microprocessor so i didnt need one. That combined GPS, wind and depth into a single 0183 stream.

My Standard horizon cgartplotter has 3 pairs of NMEA0183 input/outputs. So I was able to take the combined NMEA0183 GPS/depth/Wind data, DSC VHF radio data  and NMEA0183 AIS data into the plotter and it multiplexes it all and outputs it as a single NMEA0183 stream that was fed through the NGW-1 to convert it to STng (NMEA2000) to be used by the pilot.

I guess you are doing the reverse as your MFD is N2000 and your pilot is N0183, but the NGW-1 works both ways.

The point Im making (rather badly) is that with some careful thought about what channels you have available where you may be able to combine signals through the MFD and then convert to 0183, without need for a separete multiplexer.

I would recommend the NGW-1 - simplicity itself, fit and forget.

Graeme
Jaskar, #366, 1996
On 15 Sep 2016, at 12:24, Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:

> Well in absence of any input from anyone, I'll be sure to let you all
> know how it goes! Might be next season before we get there, though...
> 
> --
> Doug Treff
> doug at treff.us
> 
> On Wed, Sep 14, 2016, at 09:18 PM, artstree at aol.com wrote:
>> 
>> I have a 741 and have used it for two seasons. It is not interconnected
>> to
>> anything so I can't help in that arena. Besides I am just now getting to
>> know my 320  with this being my first season on her. I would like to
>> offer
>> on comment about the 741 and the touch screen. Touch screens work great
>> at
>> the dock or in calm conditions but a slight bump during heavy weather or
>> waves and you quickly change the screen. It has not been a big issue but
>> one I have noticed from time to time. 
>> 
>> Art Harden
>> Tortuga -Catalina 320
>> 937-477-5544
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Doug Treff
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 1:00 PM
>> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] ST4000+ interfacing with NMEA2000 instruments
>> 
>> Everyone,
>> 
>> I am embarking on a refit of most of my electronics in the off-season. I
>> have already purchased the major components of the new system:
>> 
>> Garmin 741 MFD
>> Garmin GWind & Depth package with a GMI20 display an additional GMI20
>> display
>> 
>> All of this new gear will of course be interconnected with NMEA2000
>> cabling. Pretty straightforward install.
>> 
>> Here's the tricky part: I am electing to keep my existing (and still
>> working) Raytheon ST4000+ Wheel Pilot for now. I'd like to interface the
>> ST4000+ with my new gear so that I can steer to waypoints AND apparent
>> wind angle. I understand that the Garmin 741 MFD has an
>> NMEA0183 port on the back and that I could connect that to my Autopilot.
>> What I am unsure about is whether the 741 will also forward wind angle
>> information over to the ST4000 so that I can steer a wind angle heading.
>> Do you know if that data is sent by the 741 MFD or does it only send
>> heading and XTE data?
>> 
>> If the 741 will not handle sending that data, I have been looking at the
>> ActiSense NGW-1 (
>> http://www.actisense.com/products/nmea-2000/ngw-1/ngw-1.html ) as a
>> possible way to get the setup that I want. It looks like a pretty slick
>> way of interfacing single NMEA0183 devices on a boat that is mostly
>> converted to NMEA2000.
>> 
>> I've also seen the Raymarine Seatalk1 to SeatalkNG adapter (
>> http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=400&collectionid=197&col=1597 )and
>> thought that might work but it's got more ports than I will realistically
>> need for this application.
>> 
>> Surprisingly, the Actisense product is about twice the cost of the
>> Raymarine...
>> 
>> I was wondering if any you have first hand knowledge of the specific
>> situation that I am dealing with, and if you could offer any guidance.
>> I have reached out to Garmin to see if they can confirm what data is sent
>> from the 741 over the NMEA0183 port, but have not received an answer yet.
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> --
>> Doug Treff
>> September Song
>> Hull #350
>> doug at treff.us
>> 
>> 

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