B&G Hercules Compatibility

[wingssail]

I have been working hard to keep my old B&G Hercules 390 system with 4 MFD's and 20/20, Type C mast head, Halcyon compass, etc, working. So far so good. It all works and also feeds nmea0183 to PC and the tactical Sail Racer brick. We use this for both racing and cruising.

But I was just given box of used Hercules 2000 gear, processor, performance unit, and 5 20/20 display units, new Halcyon, and a rate compass, plus the compass, controller, and computer for an autopilot. No transducers.

What compatibility, if any, is there between my old Hercules 390 system and the newer Hercules 2000?

Can I find compatible aftermarket mast head and boat speed units?

Advice?

[skipmac]

Sorry I don't know the B&G product line so have to ask, do the systems both have NMEA2000 or NMEA0183? I know NMEA2000 units all seem to play very well together. NMEA0183 probably do ok as well.

[PeterSailor]

Your C-Type mast head should work fine. It is listed to work with Hornet, and the 213 MHU of my original Hornet system now work fine with my H5000 system.

Contact BandG Authorized Service and Repair, 213 Mastehead Unit Repair for speed unit compatibility. You did not say if you have depth tranducer. Original depth where 170kHz, and it was compatible up to H3000 system.

[Febrio]

There is very little compatibility between the 390 and newer units.
They changed the data bus between 390 and 690.
So the only thing that might work are your sensors but I'm not sure on this.

I propose that you contact one or both of the companies below :

In US Myles Electronics, https://www.myleselectronics.com/
In UK Tinley Marine Instruments ( also known as A+T ), https://www.tinleyelectronics.com/home.htm
Those two are the best on old B&G systems.
Tinley produce spare parts and converters that might be useful for you.



If you come to the conclusion that you will replace your old B&G Hercules 390 I'm very interested to bye parts or whole system but especially the 20/20 displays.
I have a 390 system on my boat that I'm trying to keep alive


Best Regards


Carl

[Febrio]

Hi

B&G changed the data-bus between model 390 and 690 so there are no compatibility with newer systems, unfortunately.
Might be that the sensors can work with the newer system but I think it is unlikely.
Both Myles Electronics in US and Tinley in UK support the 390 system and might be able to help you.
https://www.myleselectronics.com/
https://www.tinleyelectronics.com/home.htm
Tinley also manufacture and sell spare parts, instruments and converters to old B&G systems.

But!
If you decide to retire the old 390 system I'm interested to by parts or the whole system, but especially the 20/20 displays.
I have a 390 system on my boat that I try to keep a live

BRG

Carl