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Old 22-11-2020, 17:52   #1
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Anyone install their own electronics package?

Howdy members.... I basically purchased a full B&G electronic package i.e.
Zeus3 S Chartplotter
Halo20+ radar
Auto pilot
Triton displays
3D fishfinder sonar
Forward sonar
ect.

Has anyone installed their own packages? Am I out of my league?
I'm a hands on guy.... I'm not an electrician by far, but, I can use an multitester. I've been pooring over all installation manuals, but sometimes I'm feel a tad overwelmed? Advise.

Thanks
Don
Windswept H46

My thought is....if I'm able to install....I will always know (cruising) where all is.
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Old 22-11-2020, 18:14   #2
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

I've installed on older system with a mix of SimNet and Garmin NMEA connectors, but the basics apply. The NMEA 2000 network is easy enough to hook up. The biggest gotcha is making sure you're aware of the difference between a backbone and a drop, along with the need to terminate the backbone at both ends (one end is usually done by default with the wind transducer as it will have inbuilt termination).


Radar is the odd man out as it will use (most likely) Ethernet for the data transmission, but should (famous last words) plug and play (pray?). Autopilot calibration can seem daunting, but there will be some guided step by step configuration utility to allow it to be set up good enough to get you up and running. You'll find the MFD has plenty of utilities to figure out if things are talking and whatnot and all this should be reasonably straight forward.


The hardest bit will be feeding all the darn'd cables through the boat, so if the commissioning proves too daunting at least you can save coin by running the wires.
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Old 22-11-2020, 18:31   #3
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

I did a simnet/nmea full install. I rtfm and it all worked right off.
I am a lifetime techie but the only tech skills I needed was reading comprehension.
This was 10 years ago. It’s likely easier now.
If you are even halfway careful you will break nothing even if you really mess up. Power polarity is key and even that is sometimes protected against.
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Old 22-11-2020, 19:18   #4
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Reefmagnet, Dfelsent, thanks heaps for the reply and wisdom. Well, you both give me confidence

Yes, I have a grasp regarding backbone, dropdown as well as polarity. Needless to say, I agree in running the wires and the contortionist i hope to become, LOL. I have Raymarine at the moment which I suspect most of it was with the boat at first splash (2000). Having said that....the existing equiptment is laying some slight ground work with power points.

I suppose, before I start.... place hardware where i think it should be, draw schematic (backbone, drop ect), so as to tie in. Advise.

Thanks in advance!
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Old 22-11-2020, 20:02   #5
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

On my last boat I installed an integrated Navico system including:
Two Simrad MFDs,
Airmar transducer
3G radar
LINK8 VHF radio
Suzuki DF225 outboard motor
Fusion stereo
Lowrance autopilot

All talking over NMEA2000 plus radar over Ethernet.

Not hard. Buy some spare components to replace bad ones. Start with a minimal network (one MFD) and add one device at a time while keeping it working.
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Old 22-11-2020, 21:16   #6
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Hello Kamen, thanks for the reply. What do you mean "Spare componets"? Interesting.....adding one componet at a time, while keeping it working.
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Old 22-11-2020, 23:37   #7
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Spare NMEA 2000 components, e.g. T-connectors, terminators, cables. Don't forget to power the network (cost me an hour of frustration).

Google "Lowrance NMEA 2000 starter kit". Buy two...
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Old 23-11-2020, 04:14   #8
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

I install all my electronics , autopilots , radar etc etc

I usually do it much better then “ professional “ installers

But then I’m a retired embedded systems engineer !!!
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Old 23-11-2020, 04:29   #9
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Most modern electronics are pretty easy with nmea 2000, if your hands on you should be fine, just read the instructions, also start small and make sure your backbone is working, then start adding a device or two at time.

That said a couple things to watch out for. One make sure your autopilot compass is no where near large amounts of metal like your engine or in a cupboard where you through things in it like a box of aluminum foil.

The other thing items with internal GPS are usually fine when installed outside, but will usually fall short when installed inside, so while you can always test, if it's a device like an AIS, spring for the external antenna.
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Old 23-11-2020, 05:49   #10
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Windswept-windy View Post
Howdy members.... I basically purchased a full B&G electronic package i.e.
Zeus3 S Chartplotter
Halo20+ radar
Auto pilot
Triton displays
3D fishfinder sonar
Forward sonar
ect.

Has anyone installed their own packages? Am I out of my league?
I'm a hands on guy.... I'm not an electrician by far, but, I can use an multitester. I've been pooring over all installation manuals, but sometimes I'm feel a tad overwelmed? Advise.

Thanks
Don
Windswept H46

My thought is....if I'm able to install....I will always know (cruising) where all is.
Who doesn't? All joking aside NMEA2000 makes it pretty simple to install all of this compared to the "old days" of NMEA0183!
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Old 23-11-2020, 07:41   #11
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Thanks guys for the push, and will certainly watch out for some of the above hurdles. I have to say, (reading installation manuals) it does seem like common sense, but having said that, couple years ago at the boat show....electronic show kiosk were all proposing 6/8 K to install. Those figures alone makes me feel like I'm missing something Thanks!
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Old 23-11-2020, 07:48   #12
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

I installed a full B&G H5000 system. No problems with the installation. Calibration will keep you occupied
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Old 23-11-2020, 08:13   #13
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Windswept-windy View Post
I suppose, before I start.... place hardware where i think it should be, draw schematic (backbone, drop ect), so as to tie in. Advise. Thanks in advance!
Yes, because it may change as you are thinking about it or as you go along, mine did. Finally make a really neat copy of it, printed out and put it in a boat file, for you in 5 or 10 years time, or even the next owner. Oh and yes, I have just given out advice for something that is still on my "Round TUIT"
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Old 23-11-2020, 08:37   #14
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Ahoy, The word "drop" has been used in this thread. Will someone define "drop" as used herein? Thank you very much.
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Old 23-11-2020, 08:40   #15
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Re: Anyone install their own electronics package?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Windswept-windy View Post
Thanks guys for the push, and will certainly watch out for some of the above hurdles. I have to say, (reading installation manuals) it does seem like common sense, but having said that, couple years ago at the boat show....electronic show kiosk were all proposing 6/8 K to install. Those figures alone makes me feel like I'm missing something Thanks!


These are all easy to connect and make work, however running wires NEATLY and well supported takes a considerable amount of time. This is where the price gets lumpy.
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