Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › NexSysLink Gauges, NMEA standards (Humminbird), Merc too, challenging unbrella
Flyswatter.
I have gone through some button pushing phone calling time to get up to speed with these new gauges. First let me say that BassCats endeavor for premium gauge standards is refreshing (are we surprised). Kudos again with your leadership. The challenge toward that end is beyond impressive but yet challenging dealing and merging three standards (Mercury, NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 (Humminbird).I went down this similar path three years ago with my Sabre/150HO Etec. NMEA2000 has some very impressive features I think Merc too although not familiar with that setup. Going forward I want to share my path regarding my endeavors with premium gauges with NMEA2000. So I hope we can stay away from chevy/ford debates between Merc and NMEA standards. Its a moot point since Beede and BassCat has accommodated both with these Gauges.Here is whats important to me. Engine TempFuel Flow (MPG)Accurate Speedo Gauges (analog and digital display)TachTrimWPSITheres much more available but not listed.Having most data physically located to one reference point via LCD display has many positives espeically if you are running WOT to dial in your boat. Its a nice feature to say the least. Also, having fuel flow data to optimize best speed or tach range will net you best gas mileage too regarding future gas savings at the pump. Maybe not for everyone but something I appreciate and am glad its available.So what are the current challenges and the potential solutions from my experience to date?1. If your a Merc User your pretty much home free with the exception of some minor 3 function display challenges (Below Items 2 & 3 too). To be discussed at a later time. 2. If your are a Yamaha, Evinrude, Suzuki and Lowrance user life is good there too. Additional NMEA2000 fuel flow sensor required).3. Now if your are a Yamaha, Evinrude, Suzuki and Humminbird users there are two GPS function limitations with the NexSysLink gauges. The reason is because of the different NMEA standards, 0183 and 2000 protocols. Currently GPS needed info will not display (miles traveled and fuel flow) because the Humminbird GPS puck is not NMEA2000. NSL gauges require NMEA2000 GPS data for those functions to work. However there are two possible work arounds for solutions and full functionality. Either add a second NMEA2000 compliant GPS puck like Lowrances or use a bridge called NGW-1 from Actisense. In theory the NGW-1 allows the communication for both NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 data to talk with each other over a NMEA2000 network. Its out now and Ill be checking into that very soon. Also, for fuel flow to work with NSL youll need a NEMA2000 Fuel Flow (see item 2) sensor to connect into the NMEA2000 cable network. Do that and you are all set. These minor issues are not because of BassCat or Beede but the fact that Marine OEMs having different standards. Hopefully in the future Humminbird will adopt NMEA2000 standard like so many existing OEMs today. Also, heard a rumor that Merc was going to adopt NMEA2000 as well.To Be Continued.
Flyswatter, The NMEA 0183 protocall is supposedly set up to read the speed function on the NexSysLink gauges without the bridge. We have functioned many here without the bridge. We are not sure what you are trying to read that requires a bridge, though the speed function on GPS does not require it. You will be required to turn it on occasionally in the HumminBird unit, after you turn the unit off. BCB
Bass Cat Boats wrote:Flyswatter, The NMEA 0183 protocall is supposedly set up to read the speed function on the NexSysLink gauges without the bridge. We have functioned many here without the bridge. We are not sure what you are trying to read that requires a bridge, though the speed function on GPS does not require it. You will be required to turn it on occasionally in the HumminBird unit, after you turn the unit off. BCBKen Lapage confirmed to me that NSL MPG function is dedicated specifically to NMEA2000 so the GPS data from Humminbirds NMEA0183 cannot be read or be interpreted for MPG calculations. Youll just the “???” display. However, if you had Lowrance GPS data which is NMEA2000 it will work just fine. However the MPH Speedo will access the nmea0183 data just fine. Also, you will need a nmea2000 compliant fuel flow sensor T-boned into the network too. Please confirm.
That would be correct, so you either have to have the fuel sensor on Yamaha. We are not sure that the bridge is required. if you have GPH and the sensor, then you should be able to get there. You should have GPH now. BCBLast edited by Bass Cat Boats on December 13th, 2010, 11:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tom I went through some of this on my offshore rig setting up command link, GPS/Chartplotter, and autopilot. Try running Yamaha Command Link, Garmin Chartplotter, Furuno Bottom machine, Ray Marine autopilot, and get them all to talk to eachother. It is true Hummingbird only uses NMEA 0183 from my experience. Lowrance has the NMEA 2000 capabilities as well as a few others. I think Furuno does. Some of this stuff makes my head hurt. Not sure why Hummingbird wont go to NMEA 2000 as well. The Yamaha SHO has NMEA 2000 as that is what is used for Command Link if I am not mistaken. Figure all this out so when I upgrade Ill just bring it to you to set up.Last edited by Bama96 on December 14th, 2010, 12:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bass Cat Boats wrote:That would be correct, so you either have to have the fuel sensor on Yamaha. We are not sure that the bridge is required. if you have GPH and the sensor, then you should be able to get there. You should have GPH now. BCBYep, GPH is up and running. Called Fuel Rate under NSL display. So to me I either need a fuel flow sensor (not sure if command link is NMEA2000 and hopefully there). If it is then I think GPS Data info needs to be referenced which means I either need to add NMEA 2000 data coming from that GPS puck (adding another GPS antenna) or bridging NMEA 0183 GPS Data into the NMEA2000 network via Actisense NGW-1 gateway.http://www.blueheronmarin…o-NMEA-0183-Gateway-7499
Since you have GPH, then somehow the fuel flow is being monitored. BCB
Okay. So I think it gets down to NMEA 0183 GPS data getting ported into the NMEA 2000 Network to communicate and calculate MPG functions. Upon further evaluation from Beede and BassCat I am leaning toward Actisense bridge for my solution. I am committed to making this work the full NMEA2000 spectrum through NSL gauges. To be continued.BassCat Strong!
Flyswatter,I have a lot of experience with NMEA2000 and have used the Actisense NGW-1 and other network bridges such as the old Simrad AT-10 and Maretron USB100. If you need help figuring anything out or have general questions, let me know.I assume your existing Hummingbird GPS is connected to your unit, so youll need a way to get that data to your NGW-1. Do you have a “repeater” output port on your Hummingbird unit so it can receive the NMEA0183 GPS data and send it back out to the NGW-1? If not, youll need a NMEA0183 repeater. Actisense sells those too.What kind of NMEA2000 network are you running in your boat? The NGW-1 comes with DeviceNet on one end and bare wires on the other. Depending on your network, you may need some adapters as well. Youll also need a NMEA2000 network tee to host the NGW-1 on the network.Hope this helps.If you have further questions or need help, its probably best to shoot me an email (matthewdeese@gmail.com). Ill help you figure it out if needed. Good luck.
Matt,Many thanks for getting involved. Not sure what a repeeter is so jump in. 1. In my thinking I thought NMEA 2000 is very standardized. If not what be the oncoming challenges?2. Using Actisense NGW-1 NMEA2000 to NMEA 0183 gateway what would I need to do to connect this into the Humminbird 0183 GPS data so it gets read by NMEA2000? Below is a diagram with actisense. Is the Humminbird 0183 at the end of the NGW bridge not seen in the diagram?
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