The NEMA in/out wires of the E80 are connected to the A/P. Can I add the NEMA 183 output of the AIS on to the same wires to the E80 or will I need a Multiplexer? How many inputs/outputs can you connect to one NEMA183 pair of wires?
On a separate question, when two E80 are networked via STHS ethernet, and an input is in the 0183 of one E80, must that E80 be on in order to transmit the AIS input to the other E80 in the cockpit? In other words, I don't always need both chartplotters on to save power, but the AIS650 will be installed near the E80 on the navstation which i dont always have on.
Thanks.
Lee
Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Lee,
Q1. The NEMA in/out wires of the E80 are connected to the A/P. Can I add the NEMA 183 output of the AIS on to the same wires to the E80 or will I need a Multiplexer?
A1. The AIS650 features an internal NMEA 0183 multiplexer. Accordingly, the autopilot should be disconnected from the MFD's NMEA 0183 leads and should in turn be connected to the corresponding 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 leads of the AIS650. Next, all four of MFD's NMEA 0183 leads should in turn be connected to the corresponding 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 leads of the AIS650.
Q2. When two E80 are networked via STHS ethernet, and an input is in the 0183 of one E80, must that E80 be on in order to transmit the AIS input to the other E80 in the cockpit?
A2. Affirmative. Should the E80 be switched OFF, then no AIS data will be transmitted by the E80 to the system's other devices. Accordingly, should one of the system's MFD always be operated when the system is in use, then it would be recommended that the NMEA 0183 interface of that MFD be interfaced to the AIS650's 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 communications interface.
Thank you for the useful information. I will try to do just that. However, for general knowledge, I would like to know the answer to whether I can connect more than one pair of leads to the 0183 output of the E80 without a multiplexer because I need to provide an input to the VHF radio for GPS coordinates. If the answer in no as I suspect, how do you recommend I do that. Thanks.
hadjiosif,
Q1. I would like to know the answer to whether I can connect more than one pair of leads to the 0183 output of the E80 without a multiplexer because I need to provide an input to the VHF radio for GPS coordinates. If the answer in no as I suspect, how do you recommend I do that.
A1. A 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 output communications interface of Raymarine products will typically support driving data to up to three NMEA 0183 listeners before requiring a NMEA 0183 expander. The NMEA 0183 Port setting (NMEA 4800 or AIS 38400) of the C/E-Series Classic MFDs will cause both the MFD's NMEA 0183 input and output ports to be configured to the selected setting. Accordingly and as the MFD's NMEA 0183 Input port will be interfaced to a NMEA 0183 receiver/transceiver, and the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port Setting will need to be configured to AIS 38400, its NMEA 0183 output port will also be configure for 38400 BAUD communications and create a BAUD rate mismatch between the MFD's NMEA 0183 output port and most autopilots (the latter typically support only 4800 BAUD communications). This mismatch will prevent reception of GPS data by a device featuring a 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 input port. For this reason, Raymarine designed the aforementioned NMEA 0183 multiplexing capability within its AIS700/350/650/500 products and the solution provided within my prior response had been recommended. Should you not elect to use the solution provided, then a third party programmable NMEA 0183 multiplexer supporting both 4800 and 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 communications would need to be installed between the MFD's NMEA 0183 output port and the 4800 NMEA 0183 input port of the autopilot and if seeking to get data (ex. heading, rudder angle) back from the autopilot to the MFD, then a second third party programmable NMEA 0183 multiplexer supporting both 4800 and 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 communications would need to be installed between the NMEA 0183 output ports of the autopilot and AIS650 and the NMEA 0183 input port of the MFD.