Simrad IS12 instrument experiences?
- Thread starter jviss
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I just bought that instrument ...
It looks like a nice instrument! I just mounted the masthead unit so far. Our boat is still covered for the winter that is never ending so I have not been able to mount the display. :{ We have a Starwind 27 and I am replacing an old broken Kenyon wind instrument. If you have any specific questions, I can refer to the manual, but it is at home right now so I can't answer until later. The one thing about installation that I am struggling with is the connection at the base of the mast. They provided a 90' cable with female plug-in connections at both ends, intended to connect to the display at one end and the wind indicator at the other. They provided a sort of junction box where I assume you are supposed to cut the cable at the base of the mast and strip the 5 tiny wires at each cut end and re-connect at the junction box which can be mounted somewhere near the base of the mast. My preference would be to have a matching pair of plugs so that I can plug the two ends just above the mast plate (our boat has a coach roof-stepped mast) and feed the plugged ends inside the base of the mast where the other wiring connections are. I haven't worked out how I am going to snake the cable from the instrument to the mast as there are no openings in the headliner and I would prefer not to cut a hole (but I am thinking that I may have to). I haven't been able to find the type of plugs that I am looking for, so my fall-back position would be to cut a hole in the headliner and mount the junction box inside on the ceiling of the coach roof.
It looks like a nice instrument! I just mounted the masthead unit so far. Our boat is still covered for the winter that is never ending so I have not been able to mount the display. :{ We have a Starwind 27 and I am replacing an old broken Kenyon wind instrument. If you have any specific questions, I can refer to the manual, but it is at home right now so I can't answer until later. The one thing about installation that I am struggling with is the connection at the base of the mast. They provided a 90' cable with female plug-in connections at both ends, intended to connect to the display at one end and the wind indicator at the other. They provided a sort of junction box where I assume you are supposed to cut the cable at the base of the mast and strip the 5 tiny wires at each cut end and re-connect at the junction box which can be mounted somewhere near the base of the mast. My preference would be to have a matching pair of plugs so that I can plug the two ends just above the mast plate (our boat has a coach roof-stepped mast) and feed the plugged ends inside the base of the mast where the other wiring connections are. I haven't worked out how I am going to snake the cable from the instrument to the mast as there are no openings in the headliner and I would prefer not to cut a hole (but I am thinking that I may have to). I haven't been able to find the type of plugs that I am looking for, so my fall-back position would be to cut a hole in the headliner and mount the junction box inside on the ceiling of the coach roof.
Adding the wind instrument only?
Hi Scott, I like the looks of the instrument in the pictures, 'though I've never seen one in person. I share with your distress with the mast connection issue. It seems a shame ot cut the 30m cable when Simrad have gone to such trouble to design a proprietary connector system for the otherwise standard NMEA 2000 network connection of wind transducer to instrument. However, I am glad to hear they include a junction box. I guess they can't know in advance where exactly one would need to part the cable for mast installation, given the range of boat sizes this will be installed on. There is, unfortunately, no field-termination option for the Simnet connector. One could buy the SDJ 3-way joiner and mount it at the mast step, coil hte extra cable from the 30m cable and secure it inside the mast, and continue inside with additional Simnet cables, 'though they are not cheap! I recommend a high quality waterproof bulkhead connector for penetrating the coach roof - perhaps the Molex NMEA 2000 approved connectors? So tell me - does the instrument appear as if it will last 20 years? Thanks, jv
Hi Scott, I like the looks of the instrument in the pictures, 'though I've never seen one in person. I share with your distress with the mast connection issue. It seems a shame ot cut the 30m cable when Simrad have gone to such trouble to design a proprietary connector system for the otherwise standard NMEA 2000 network connection of wind transducer to instrument. However, I am glad to hear they include a junction box. I guess they can't know in advance where exactly one would need to part the cable for mast installation, given the range of boat sizes this will be installed on. There is, unfortunately, no field-termination option for the Simnet connector. One could buy the SDJ 3-way joiner and mount it at the mast step, coil hte extra cable from the 30m cable and secure it inside the mast, and continue inside with additional Simnet cables, 'though they are not cheap! I recommend a high quality waterproof bulkhead connector for penetrating the coach roof - perhaps the Molex NMEA 2000 approved connectors? So tell me - does the instrument appear as if it will last 20 years? Thanks, jv
Why not NMEA 2000?
Thanks for your reply jvss! I am not that technically oriented so I did not really know how to phrase my questions. I responded to a thread earlier on this subject (maybe I even started it by asking questions about this) and didn't get any replys that led me in this direction. Here is a link to a Maretron field connection that seems like it could work when you strip the 5 wires inside the simnet cable. Couldn't this work for a field connection? http://www.maretron.com/products/pdf/Cabling_Catalog/page%202.pdf I do think it is a little odd that they would make a proprietary connection but not provide a field connection. The junction box is basically a small plastic box about 2" x 2" x 3" with a couple of holes to feed the cable through and you basically mount it to a bulkhead with the junction strip inside. The junction strip is a plastic strip with tiny screw contacts where you feed the 5 tiny wire leads. The penetration through the coach roof on our boat is actually inside the mast through the deck plate. I don't have a slot in the mast where the wires exit above the deck. I know many people don't like this way, but I don't intend to change it at this point in time. The instrument does look like a high quality instrument that will last at least 20 years. I did not get any other instruments because my Datamarine depth and speed log work flawlessly and also seem like high quality instruments. A few years ago, when it seemed like Datamarine still had some wind instruments available, I thought about getting one but I balked at the price. I wanted Simrad because I thought I would eventually get a Simrad Wheel Pilot and I wanted the compatibility for wind input for steering. I thought about the IS15 (at almost double the price) but then re-thought that the upgrade was not warranted by our use on our boat. Raymarine was getting a bad rap in this forum for a long time until recently about their customer service. Simrad seemed like a very attractive alternative to me.
Thanks for your reply jvss! I am not that technically oriented so I did not really know how to phrase my questions. I responded to a thread earlier on this subject (maybe I even started it by asking questions about this) and didn't get any replys that led me in this direction. Here is a link to a Maretron field connection that seems like it could work when you strip the 5 wires inside the simnet cable. Couldn't this work for a field connection? http://www.maretron.com/products/pdf/Cabling_Catalog/page%202.pdf I do think it is a little odd that they would make a proprietary connection but not provide a field connection. The junction box is basically a small plastic box about 2" x 2" x 3" with a couple of holes to feed the cable through and you basically mount it to a bulkhead with the junction strip inside. The junction strip is a plastic strip with tiny screw contacts where you feed the 5 tiny wire leads. The penetration through the coach roof on our boat is actually inside the mast through the deck plate. I don't have a slot in the mast where the wires exit above the deck. I know many people don't like this way, but I don't intend to change it at this point in time. The instrument does look like a high quality instrument that will last at least 20 years. I did not get any other instruments because my Datamarine depth and speed log work flawlessly and also seem like high quality instruments. A few years ago, when it seemed like Datamarine still had some wind instruments available, I thought about getting one but I balked at the price. I wanted Simrad because I thought I would eventually get a Simrad Wheel Pilot and I wanted the compatibility for wind input for steering. I thought about the IS15 (at almost double the price) but then re-thought that the upgrade was not warranted by our use on our boat. Raymarine was getting a bad rap in this forum for a long time until recently about their customer service. Simrad seemed like a very attractive alternative to me.
oops! I forgot the link ...
then tried to edit it in, which didn't work. Hopefully, this will ... http://www.maretron.com/products/pdf/Cabling_Catalog/page%202.pdf Again, not working ... I'll try another. http://www.maretron.com/products/cabling.php Ok, good ... that worked. Now you can click on the field connector in the picture to get a view of what I am hoping might work!
then tried to edit it in, which didn't work. Hopefully, this will ... http://www.maretron.com/products/pdf/Cabling_Catalog/page%202.pdf Again, not working ... I'll try another. http://www.maretron.com/products/cabling.php Ok, good ... that worked. Now you can click on the field connector in the picture to get a view of what I am hoping might work!
Thanks
I guess not many folks are interested in this topic, eh? I don't understand your question "Why not NMEA 200?" What are you asking? I think Simrad screwed up with the proprietary cabling system, since it is more expensive and harder to get than standard NMEA 2000 stuff (from Maretron, for example).
I guess not many folks are interested in this topic, eh? I don't understand your question "Why not NMEA 200?" What are you asking? I think Simrad screwed up with the proprietary cabling system, since it is more expensive and harder to get than standard NMEA 2000 stuff (from Maretron, for example).
jvss, I missed you last post re NMEA 2000 ...
I was asking why not use the Maretron field connector for NMEA 2000 cable? As it turns out, I finally called Maretron and they said their field connector will work. I did call Simrad and after they said they thought it would work, the technician said he would check it out and follow-up with me. Despite an e-mail to remind him, I didn't get the follow-up yet. But my problem is solved and thanks for steering me in the right direction!
I ordered the plugs and will be installing them as soon as they arrive. They were $52 for the pair. It looks like a nice compact and robust pair of plugs designed for the marine environment. The simnet cable is a little smaller in diameter than the opening for the field connect plugs but that is easily resolved with some heat shrink or electrical tape. There is also a bulkhead connector that could be used but I don't think that will be necessary in my circumstance. I intend to make the field connect above the deck and tuck the installation inside the mast when it is stepped. The reason I figured the plugs would work is because the simnet cable consists of 5 wires and the plug is a 5-pin connector. I think the instrument will be a nice addition to the boat. As I said, I was tempted to get the IS15, but only because the IS15 has the option of a round or square display. The IS12 has only the square display. I was thinking that it would be nice to have a round display to match my Datamarine displays that are round. But for an extra $600, I think I'll have to pass.
I was asking why not use the Maretron field connector for NMEA 2000 cable? As it turns out, I finally called Maretron and they said their field connector will work. I did call Simrad and after they said they thought it would work, the technician said he would check it out and follow-up with me. Despite an e-mail to remind him, I didn't get the follow-up yet. But my problem is solved and thanks for steering me in the right direction!
I ordered the plugs and will be installing them as soon as they arrive. They were $52 for the pair. It looks like a nice compact and robust pair of plugs designed for the marine environment. The simnet cable is a little smaller in diameter than the opening for the field connect plugs but that is easily resolved with some heat shrink or electrical tape. There is also a bulkhead connector that could be used but I don't think that will be necessary in my circumstance. I intend to make the field connect above the deck and tuck the installation inside the mast when it is stepped. The reason I figured the plugs would work is because the simnet cable consists of 5 wires and the plug is a 5-pin connector. I think the instrument will be a nice addition to the boat. As I said, I was tempted to get the IS15, but only because the IS15 has the option of a round or square display. The IS12 has only the square display. I was thinking that it would be nice to have a round display to match my Datamarine displays that are round. But for an extra $600, I think I'll have to pass.- Status