Marine Electronics Forum - Lowrance NMEA 2000 network setup

OK, I have the HDS 10 and the LVR 880 VHF.

I just got the Lowrance 2000 network starter kit and the Yahmaha engine (mine is a one year old F150) interface cable.

I am attempting to create a NMEA 2000 network that connects everything. I may not have enough T's and short cables to do everything yet but is there anything I need to know about and/or be aware of?

For example...

!.) I am somewhat confused by the power requirements but before I get started, I am assuming that the VHF and the HDS 10 will remain powered as if they were NOT on a network, that is as if they were independent.

2.) I am assuming that the NMEA ports on the VHF and the HDS are what gets plugged into the network and these connections are used for cumminication with one another, gps data to the VHF, etc.

3.) But I am also assuming that the network will need a separate 12v connection via one of the T's in the network. Yes?

4.) I have the terminal ends figured out I'm pretty sure

5.) Once all this stuff is working I am thinking that the cable link to the Yamaha (already connected on the engine side) will simply tie in via another T and away we go, right?

Could use a little help with pointing out anything I might be missing, any tips I might need, etc.

Thanks

Sounds like you got it sorted out - each unit gets power, plus the nmea network gets power. Lowrance also recommends having switches on the power leads.

Yep, youve got it nailed nicely there.

A couple of rules to note: you must only plug devices into the "leg" art of the T pieces, not the top, cross piece, if ou follow!

A each end of the network oull have a T piece that has nothing to plug into one side of the top of the T piece. Thats where the terminating resistors go. One male on one end, one female n the oher.

One thing to not with the Yamaha interface - i dont think that it retains fuel used and remaining data. Check that with Yamaha or whoever you got it from. I have seen reports that to retain that fuel data, ou need to add a network storage device, i think its a EP85, and add that to the network. Then, when you have set up your boats fuel capacity etc, it should keep a record of fuel used, seasonal fuel used.

Cheers

ML

I may be reading it wrong, so I'm just making a statement.

The HDS unit will power the NMEA2K network if attached, so no need for the power drop down connected to the network in that case.

The LMS-880 will need some settings adjusted to read the NMEA2000 network as input for GPS position.

Great setup. Have the same on the SeaVee.

I may be reading it wrong, so I'm just making a statement.

The HDS unit will power the NMEA2K network if attached, so no need for the power drop down connected to the network in that case.

The LMS-880 will need some settings adjusted to read the NMEA2000 network as input for GPS position.

Great setup. Have the same on the SeaVee.

So I do NOT need an extra12v in the backbone if I have the HDS connected via the NMEA port?

I thought the NMEA port on the HDS was just sending gps data to the VHF and supplied no power. Does anyone know where it says this in the HDS manual?

Thanks

Rude - you might be thinking they use the same power cord. The HDS (& some LCX) units have a power cord which contains two power leads - one for the head unit, and one for the NMEA network. They get fused separately. The power cord only plugs directly into the head unit, but independently powers the network and the head unit.

The thing to remember is to only power the network in one place if you install more than one head unit.

Do you have a link to your thread about installing the resistor in the icommand trim & tilt harness?

Rude - you might be thinking they use the same power cord. The HDS (& some LCX) units have a power cord which contains two power leads - one for the head unit, and one for the NMEA network. They get fused separately. The power cord only plugs directly into the head unit, but independently powers the network and the head unit.

The thing to remember is to only power the network in one place if you install more than one head unit.

Do you have a link to your thread about installing the resistor in the icommand trim & tilt harness?

^^^^^ There ya go. The harness for the Head Unit has cabling to power the NMEA2K network. Either use that power OR the power Drop down with a T, not both.

Wow, the resistor thread...... I'll have to dig around.

I've had three different HDS units on my boat. None of them feed power to the NEMA 2K network. The old "blue" network could get power from an LCX unit but the "red/black" network used with HDS needs a separate power input into a network "T".

Alan

I've had three different HDS units on my boat. None of them feed power to the NEMA 2K network. The old "blue" network could get power from an LCX unit but the "red/black" network used with HDS needs a separate power input into a network "T".

Alan

Same here. None of the power cables on the HDS-5 Gen1, HDS-5 Gen2, or HDS-8 Gen1 I've bought have come with any wires for NMEA power input, nor a replacement cable.

Fishbear

Only the earlier Lowrance models had the cacacity to power the nmea network. The HDS series do not, so you definitely need a separate power node. Lowrance also recommend that you have it on a switch too. Thats how ive got mine set up.

Cheers

ML

Report...

Got it working. Now playing with all the available info that comes from the F150.

Way cool!

Thanks for all the help folks.