Instruction manual

Instruction manual

E04596

5.4 Interfacing via NMEA

The built-in NMEA processor allows NMEA0183-compatible

equipment to be connected directly to the Wheelpilot, without

any need for a separate interface unit (Fig 5.14) -

WP32

Fig 5.14 - NMEA integration examples

NMEA0183

SpeedWind

SimNet

Wheelpilot power

GPS/Chartplotter

If a GPS or Chartplotter is connected to the Wheelpilot, it can

extract the data necessary for Nav mode. Other functions such

as Steer To Wind may also be available if NMEA0183-compati-

ble instruments are transmitting the correct NMEA sentences.

When connecting an external (“talker”) unit to the Wheelpilot,

two terminals are used – usually labelled DATAand COMMON

(or COM). These should be connected to the junction box

NMEA terminals as follows :

NOTE Some third party equipment does not have a dedicated

COMMON connection. In this case, the DATA connection will

usually be labelled NMEA OUT, and the junction box’s NMEA

Com (-) terminal should be connected directly to the Power 0v

terminal. If in doubt, refer to the manufacturer, or Simrad’s

Product Support department for advice.

NOTE Due to the limitations of NMEA0183, it is recommended that

only one talker is transmitting to the Wheelpilot at any one

time – i.e instruments, or GPS/chartplotter, not both simultane-

ously! If more than one unit needs to be interfaced to the

Wheelpilot, these should be connected to the junction box’s

NMEA terminals via a changeover switch.

NMEA

talker unit

NMEA Out

Data/+

NMEA Out

Common/-

Junction box

terminals

NMEA In

Data (+)

NMEA In

Com (-)