Cheap GPS unit for VHF / Autopilot / other
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:32 pm
Hi folks,
So I bought a Nice new VHF, and was determined to have it's DSC fully functional, including GPS location data. It's a big safety item in my mind. I go to wire up the NEMA connections from my Raymarine E120...and there's no output. (Support says the NEMA board must be bad). $$$. But wait, what about a stand-alone GPS unit that will supply the data for the Radio...
Humminbird makes a 50 chanel reciever that does the job and only costs $150. There's no documentation on how to do this, but it's "obvious" to me.
The unit has a green "nema out" wire in addition to the nema out from control head wire. The green wire's output is simply GPS NEMA data. Perfect. There is another lead for NEMA negative.
The unit is designed to "plug" into one of their fish-finders...so one must cut the connector off and expose the wires. Sure enough, RED = 12v to the unit, and Braid = ground. That's it; it works.
Now I have a backup GPS to boot!
I'm hoping one more cold spell and New England will get into a steady spring weather regime!
So I bought a Nice new VHF, and was determined to have it's DSC fully functional, including GPS location data. It's a big safety item in my mind. I go to wire up the NEMA connections from my Raymarine E120...and there's no output. (Support says the NEMA board must be bad). $$$. But wait, what about a stand-alone GPS unit that will supply the data for the Radio...
Humminbird makes a 50 chanel reciever that does the job and only costs $150. There's no documentation on how to do this, but it's "obvious" to me.
The unit has a green "nema out" wire in addition to the nema out from control head wire. The green wire's output is simply GPS NEMA data. Perfect. There is another lead for NEMA negative.
The unit is designed to "plug" into one of their fish-finders...so one must cut the connector off and expose the wires. Sure enough, RED = 12v to the unit, and Braid = ground. That's it; it works.
Now I have a backup GPS to boot!
I'm hoping one more cold spell and New England will get into a steady spring weather regime!