expansion ports

[gettinthere]

I thought that's what I was trying to do.

There are 6 wires for GPS & AIS out of the SH VHF. I'm trying to wire those into an RJ 45 plug and plug that into the Garmin port expander. This should work if I can match the wiring.

 

[Tim R.]

I thought that's what I was trying to do.

There are 6 wires for GPS & AIS out of the SH VHF. I'm trying to wire those into an RJ 45 plug and plug that into the Garmin port expander. This should work if I can match the wiring.

The Garmin network is compatible only with other Garmin devices. The chart plotter does not send any non-proprietary signals across the network. NMEA 0183 does not go through the network interface on the Garmin chart plotter. I would not even try it as the voltages are different and could damage your VHF. I am very surprised that the tech at SH thinks it could work. Call Garmin, they will tell you the same thing I have.

Also, check with your Garmin manuals and you will not find any RJ45 pin-out diagram for NMEA 0183.

 

[Maine Sail]

Any new thoughts on buying a generic ethernet hub anyone?

The Garmin hub is proprietary...

The Garmin network cables are A/B ended and the Garmin watertight plugs are strongly recommended for system reliability

The VHF / AIS would get wired to the Garmin power/data cable as NMEA 0183 NOT through the Garmin Marine Network

 

[Maine Sail]

I thought that's what I was trying to do.

There are 6 wires for GPS & AIS out of the SH VHF. I'm trying to wire those into an RJ 45 plug and plug that into the Garmin port expander. This should work if I can match the wiring.

WHOA!!!! STOP!!!! That is not what the network expander or network connections are for. They are single brand GARMIN marine network only and only for devices that are intended to plug into the Garmin Marine Network. The VHF/AIS runs on NMEA 0183 not the Garmin network....

 

[gettinthere]

Heeded Tim R's advice. And double checked with SH & Garmin.

All done, working well.

Sending the port expander back since I won't be adding any Garmin network devices. Just replaced the depth display, wind won't work with my 3208, XM is too rich for my blood and so is a second plotter.
Radar works fine direct to the plotter.
Now that I finally understand some of this a bit better, I'm going to feed the old Ray ST6000 autopilot to the chartplotter to make MARPA work.


And, I found a second VHF cable behind the nav station. Plugged it into the old VHF and found the other end at the base of the mast. Plugged in an emergency VHF rubber ducky style antenna and presto, spare base station! Yea, limited range I know. I'll be testing it soon to see how limited it is. Like to use it for bridge tenders so range doesn't need to be extreme.

On to the next project...Lectrasan electrode! Oh Cr@p!