Old B&G Network Instrument Wiring

[andyskip]

I hope these may be of use to someone. Was trying to figure out how to connect new systems with NMEA0183 input / output for the old (now obsolete) B&G Network instruments.

Unfortunately the original NMEA0183 INPUT (612-0A-014) and NMEA0183 OUTPUT (610-0A-030) cables are unavailable unless one pops up on eBay. Hence this info shows how to connect in directly.

For me the most interesting document was the original (internal) design spec for the output cable. This shows the exact wiring and pin-outs for the instrument tails.

In summary:

- PIN1 (black) is a common ground for power, NMEA RX- and TX-
- PIN2 (red) is the 12V power
- PIN3 (white) is a proprietary B&G data I/O connection (2-way) between instruments
- PIN4 (green) is NMEA0183: NB RX+ in tail plugs, TX+ in tail sockets
- PIN5 (drain) is the shielding

So depending on whether you want to connect NMEA0183 IN or OUT you need to connect (or splice into the wires) of either the plug OR socket tails.

[andyskip]

In my case I was trying to connect old B&G Network instruments to a new B&G Zeus3 plotter. The Zeus3 can RX/TX on NMEA0183 via the optional video cable, which (aside from 2 video connectors) includes 4 bare wires for the NMEA0183 connections.

[andyskip]

I wanted to post an update to the initial post updating the NMEA0183 inputs and outputs. I don't have access to B&G documentation so based only on my own testing and deductions:

NMEA OUTPUT

It seems that any instrument can OUTPUT NMEA0183 data as described above from the tail SOCKET, PIN4 (green), TX+. This should be connected to RX+ in a listener, and the black wire (common ground) to the listener's ground connection (not RX-).

The NMEA output contains data from all instruments that are connected together via the dedicated B&G I/O connection which runs between them all.

NMEA INPUT

However, updating the original post: it seems that PIN4 (green) in the PLUG tails is NOT connected. The only way to pass NMEA0183 into an instrument is to use a dedicated NMEA connection which some instruments have in addition to the tails (e.g. a Network GPS or Network Pilot), and the NMEA0183 input cable (612-0A-014).

That instrument will then share that NMEA0183 data with all other instruments via the dedicated B&G I/O connection which runs between them all.

[robifz]

This is very interesting. Thanks for posting. I want to get NMEA sentances from Network Quad instrument. This has the depth info displayed so I am hoping it. NMEA is 5 volts. So which 2 pins do I need to use to get NMEA output?

[robifz]

Originally Posted by andyskip

I hope these may be of use to someone. Was trying to figure out how to connect new systems with NMEA0183 input / output for the old (now obsolete) B&G Network instruments.

Unfortunately the original NMEA0183 INPUT (612-0A-014) and NMEA0183 OUTPUT (610-0A-030) cables are unavailable unless one pops up on eBay. Hence this info shows how to connect in directly.

For me the most interesting document was the original (internal) design spec for the output cable. This shows the exact wiring and pin-outs for the instrument tails.

In summary:

- PIN1 (black) is a common ground for power, NMEA RX- and TX-
- PIN2 (red) is the 12V power
- PIN3 (white) is a proprietary B&G data I/O connection (2-way) between instruments
- PIN4 (green) is NMEA0183: NB RX+ in tail plugs, TX+ in tail sockets
- PIN5 (drain) is the shielding

So depending on whether you want to connect NMEA0183 IN or OUT you need to connect (or splice into the wires) of either the plug OR socket tails.

Do you have information what the Network Depth transducer sends in the cable to the display unit? I need this to problem solve my bad depth data.

[andyskip]

CAVEAT .... in the end I took a NMEA0183 output from a network GPS unit, which has a couple of dedicated NMEA0183 sockets as well as the two tails.

Back in the day there was a dedicated NMEA output cable (610-0A-030) which tapped NMEA0183 from any tail including your Quad. However unless you get lucky on eBay these are obsolete and unavailable.

Hence the manual approach... here's how I think it all works.

You'll have a few head units each connected to each other in a 'daisy chain', via the two tails. Power will come into the end of the chain - the cable is a 'plug' i.e. has female connections and goes into the spare male tail at the end of the daisy chain.

Each head unit also connects to its relevant sensor (e.g. the depth unit will have an additional socket at the back for the depth sensor).

Back to the tails. Pin 3, a white wire, connects all head units to each other. Data flows backwards and forwards through the daisy chain... it doesn't matter what order they are connected. This is a proprietary B&G 'I/O' input-output connection and is a white wire within the tails.

In addition to this, EVERY head unit outputs NMEA0183 to the 'female' tail, i.e. with sockets. This is a green wire, and is connected to pin 4. Refer to the 'B&G Output Cable' plan.

So to get your NMEA0183, pin 4 (green) is TX+ and pin 1 (black) is your TX- / common. Pin numbers are confusing... look at the diagram, use a voltmeter to find 1&2 which are ground and 12V, then you know where pin 4 is.

The easiest connection to use would be the spare tail on the unit at the 'far end' i.e. furthest away from the power input. But in principle you can tap into any tail as long as you keep the ground connection to the next head unit intact. You can break the green wire (pin 4) this doesn't connect through from one unit to the next.

I haven't personally proved the approach. But equally NMEA0183 is very robust / designed to cope... if you get the connections wrong you shouldn't hurt anything.

Ideally get a NMEA0183 listener to hand and set up to look at data flow. e.g. a plotter may let you steam a live data feed i.e. just show the sentences coming though. You could make temporary / test connections to your quad before cutting into the tails or making things permanent.

Hope that helps. Let me know!

[robifz]

Thanks. Hmmm I might actually have a B&G NMEA cable because I just realised that some of the B&G data is displayed on my non B&G radar via NMEA.

[robifz]

Did B&G give you any specs on the transducer cables and how they work?

[andyskip]

OK great, In that case just connect your additional 'listener' to the same NMEA0183 output pair (in parallel). You can connect several listeners to one output.

[andyskip]

Originally Posted by robifz

Did B&G give you any specs on the transducer cables and how they work?

No unfortunately not... all of the sensor connections are proprietary and non-documented. "Sensor plugs in to unit". That't it as far as I know.

[Ultegra]

All good stuff.
I'm trying to connect a Hydra 2000 NMEA 8 buttonMFD to me new Zeus3 system. I have the video cable and the CP is sending position to the VHF and AIS data is coming back. Unfortunately the HYDRA didn't work. The HYDRA manual shows the wiring codes but they aren't making sense. To me.
What is "ve"? Can find nothing on it.
Can anyone decifer for me? What connects to the NMEA 0183 red, black, blue, green and bare?

I also have an Actisense NWG-1 NMEA converter which would make this much simpler. Again, to connect it I need to understand the MFD 8 wires. red, black, white, green, blue, yellow, brown and mauve.
Thanks

[foxinsox8]

Is this what you want?
https://manuals.bandg.com/discontinu...ser_Manual.pdf
Go to 4-18 (ie chapter 4 page 18) which is page 114 in the document and it shows the nmea output wiring from the junction box to the Hydra 2000 FFD

[foxinsox8]

If you have the performance board in your processor (rather than the plain vanilla Hydra 2000 processor) you wire to nmea from there with more options

[Ultegra]

Thanks for the quick response.
It’s that wire code on that page in the HYDRA manual that I’m not understanding.

I’m not getting what are the talker + and - and what are the listener + and -.
If I can get that I should be able to get this to work. Fingers crossed.
I was on hold for an hour and a half with B&G tech support today on Skype before my call dropped. Then I couldn’t get re connected.

[DeValency]

Hello,

This is very helpful and interesting. I have the B&G Network Quad: Wind(2), Depth, Speed and repeater at the nav station. No GPS etc. at this system. I have all new Raymarine MFDs, Quantum Radar and a new Zeus MFD I got only in order to get a better display of the old B&G network instruments.

From all the wirings in the documents attached, my understanding is that the black wire in the Network cable and the GREEN are those I need to connect to the Acisense NGW-1 adapter 0183 to 2000 https://actisense.com/products/nmea-2000-gateway-ngw-1/

*** But you write the green is not connected?

What was your final solution?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by andyskip

I wanted to post an update to the initial post updating the NMEA0183 inputs and outputs. I don't have access to B&G documentation so based only on my own testing and deductions:

NMEA OUTPUT

It seems that any instrument can OUTPUT NMEA0183 data as described above from the tail SOCKET, PIN4 (green), TX+. This should be connected to RX+ in a listener, and the black wire (common ground) to the listener's ground connection (not RX-).

The NMEA output contains data from all instruments that are connected together via the dedicated B&G I/O connection which runs between them all.

NMEA INPUT

However, updating the original post: it seems that PIN4 (green) in the PLUG tails is NOT connected. The only way to pass NMEA0183 into an instrument is to use a dedicated NMEA connection which some instruments have in addition to the tails (e.g. a Network GPS or Network Pilot), and the NMEA0183 input cable (612-0A-014).

That instrument will then share that NMEA0183 data with all other instruments via the dedicated B&G I/O connection which runs between them all.