Using Garmin GPS 17HVS NMEA with RL70C

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Q1. Can the 112LP be repaired? I have replaced the lithium battery, still doesn't work.
A1. Unfortunately, Raymarine's Product Repair Center can no longer repair this model of GPS sensor. It it is not operational, then it is recommended that it be disconnected from the system.

Q2. Can I use a to provide NMEA GPS data directly to the NMEA input on the RL70? I got a GPS 17HVS for free, and I'd like to replace the 112LP with it if the 112LP can't be resurrected. I tried hooking up the GPS 17 to the radar; GPS 17 NMEA out to RL70 NMEA in+ and RL70 NMEA in- to ground. The GPS 17 output swings roughly +5V to -5V and runs at 4800 baud. Doesn't work. There is no separate NMEA out- coming from the GPS 17. Is +/-5V enough swing, do I hook it up some other way, got any ideas?
A2. Should the Garmin GPS 17HVS support 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 v2.1 or higher communications protocol, then it may indeed be interfaced to the RL70C's Power/NMEA 0183 Input Cable. Please note that this generation of products is not designed to support multiple sources of any specific data item (ex. lat, lon, COG, SOG, depth, etc.). Accordingly, the RL70C system should only be interfaced to on source of each type of data.

If it is compatible, the GPS17HVS NMEA 0183 OUT+ lead (white) will be interfaced to the NMEA 0183 IN+ (orange) lead. The GPS17HVS ground lead (black) will be interfaced to the NMEA 0183 IN- (yellow) lead. The remaining leads of the GPS sensor should then be interfaced to power and ground per the GPS sensor's installation guide.

I tried hooking up the GPS 17 to the radar; GPS 17 NMEA out to RL70 NMEA in+ and RL70 NMEA in- to ground. The GPS 17 output swings roughly +5V to -5V and runs at 4800 baud. Doesn't work. There is no separate NMEA out- coming from the GPS 17. Is +/-5V enough swing, do I hook it up some other way, got any ideas?