[CA] [CA11] Integrating a 250 AIS

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Tim,

Q1. I don't seem to be getting any data from either the AIS or the SHS....(Via Nmea anyway).
A1. Please refer to FAQ referenced within my initial response addressing how to troubleshoot the lack of AIS communications. As indicated therein, incorrectly configuring the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1 setting may be responsible for the reported issue. Please additionally note that the long retired AIS250 may not have featured a heartbeat message as did later AIS receiver/transceiver designs. Should you have verified the wiring, and NMEA 0183 Port 1 setting and the MFD, and the suggested wraparound test indicate that the MFD's NMEA 0183 port is operational, then it would appear that the AIS250's multiplexer may have suffered a failure.

Q2. The SHS unit is transmitting the compass data on the sea talk... However the current wiring (Connected to the 2nd Nema port on the A50D) only has the Green and white wires connected on the SHS... Do I need to connect the yellow and Brown?
A2. My original instructions called for the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1 leads (both input and output) to be interfaced 38400 BAUD terminal of the AIS250. Accordingly, the NMEA 0183 output of the SHS should not be interfaced to the white and green leads of the MFD. Instead the NMEA 0183 output terminals of the SHS may either be interfaced to the 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 input terminals of the AIS250 or to the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 2 Input leads (Orange/White, Orange/Green). If select to use the latter, then the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 2 setting will need to be configured to AIS 38400.

Q3. I was going to connect the 230E VHF to the AIS unit (As specified in the wiring diagram)... I have 4 wires, However two of the wires are labelled hailer + and -... I presume the other two (black and white from memory) are connected to the 2nd nmea? and if so where??
A3. While the Ray230E will accept GPS data in support of DSC operation, it features no NMEA 0183 output leads. Accordingly, should you be seeking an additional 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 input to the MFD, then the AIS250's 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 IN terminals may be used to connect the NMEA 0183 output of the SHS.