NMEA 2000 wind sensors/transducers?

[nickj]

Hi all,

I'm bringing my mast down for a refit soon and I'd like to install a wind sensor while its horizontal. I have a Raymarine Axiom MFD and I can't see any real justification in having a dedicated display unit (Raymarine i60 display etc) when I could just use the MFD to display wind information instead.

Looking around, it doesn't seem obvious that there are really any dedicated NMEA2000 transducers which I can just plug into my backbone cable? It appears as though they get onto the NMEA network via the displays (i60 display etc), making it kind of a redundant.

Any recommendations?

Cheers!

[smac999]

Simrad / bng has a nmea 2000 wind transducer. And would show on your raymarine screen.

An analog raymarine could go into an itc5. No need for a screen. I’m not sure if raymarine makes a nmea 2000 one or not.

Having a separate wind gauge is very Nice tough. .

[OldGreyB]

If you have more legacy Raymarine equipment, then the already mentioned Raymarine ITC-5 # E70010 will integrate any of the standard Raymarine wind indicators plus other transducers (depth, speed) onto the Seatalk NG network.(NMEA 2000)

If only using a ST60 windvane #E22078 or similar then you will also need the ST70 POD Wind module #9093941 to integrate onto the SeatalkNG network.

For the listed retail prices in Australia for these units, you may be better looking on gumtree etc for complete used ST70 unit.

[baltic sailor]

Would like to use a ESP-32 mikro processor (got the Code already) to translate wind data from NMEA0183 to NMEA2000.
The update rate will be 1 Hz. Wonder if the update rate is fast enough to control the Raymarine EV-200 auto pilot. Will use the exsisting Advansea Wind with 4800 baud.
The ITC-5 does also only a translation, but I dont know what the update rate is.
Before I go down this route and test it all out, it´s easyer to ask if it will work.

[goboatingnow]

I’d definitely consider an ultrasonic one.

[baltic sailor]

I agree with the ultrasonic transducer, but it means in addition a I70 display. Just for controlling the autopilot.....wonder how well it works with the ITC-5.

[Slovak]

Originally Posted by nickj

Looking around, it doesn't seem obvious that there are really any dedicated NMEA2000 transducers which I can just plug into my backbone cable? It appears as though they get onto the NMEA network via the displays (i60 display etc), making it kind of a redundant.

Earlier this year I went through the same research. Most anemometers will be:
1) Proprietary systems that only work with specific / paired displays. Less expensive but you're locked in.
2) Bluetooth / wireless systems; potential pairing & battery issues.
3) NMEA 0183 - low power, reliable communication even over long distances.
4) NMEA 2000 - terminated units that will effectively extend your network backbone via a thick cable.

I went with LCJ CV7 ultrasonic anemometer. No batteries, no moving parts, reliable. There is no distributor in the USA, but I was able to efficiently order one through https://www.anchormarineelectric.com The CV7-WINDYPLUG unit combines best of points 3 & 4 above. NMEA 0183 (ie small, flexible wiring through the mast) unit with a "converter" to plug into your NMEA 2000 network.

As for transducer, no matter the brand on the box (Garmin, B&G, Furuno, Raymarine, etc) - they are all made by Airmar. I went with DST810. Mine came in a Garmin branded box but presents itself as Airmar on the network. I just searched online for the lowest price. Measures depth, speed, water temp (thus DST model), and also provides pitch and roll (no yaw) for attitude data onto the network. Easy to calibrate with a phone app, plug & play.

[Sandy Frank]

I have a ICT-5, happy with it.

[baltic sailor]

The CV-7 Ultrasonic looks good. The ICT-5 works most likely with the EV-200 Autopilot.
The brochure of the CV-7 shows the compatibility with most vendors.
There is only the question, do the spider nets on the mast effect the operation of the CV7?
The rotors destroy normally the net.

[Slovak]

Originally Posted by baltic sailor

There is only the question, do the spider nets on the mast effect the operation of the CV7?

No moving parts, so spider nets have no effect.

[Slovak]

If you're interested in a cheaper, NMEA0183/2000 solution, check out NASA Marine. Same concept as I mentioned above, where the unit itself is NMEA0183, but also comes with NMEA 2000 converter box. About $379 in the USA - just a quick search, didn't really look for lowest price.

[George_SD]

You need to consider several aspects here:

1) Some windvane transducers need to be calibrated/set up. This is the case with Raymarine i believe according to their installation manual. Which is why they tell you to get an i60 or R70 display as the MFD can't perform the calibration/setup.


2) You can get a pure NMEA unit relatively inexpensively, such as by NASA Marine and pair it to any NMEA system.

3) Since you are running Axiom, you probably need to feed it other data as well, which requires ITC-5 (as you probably have other old analog sensors, such as speed through water and depth). Without both speed through water and wind speed/direction, not all functions related to autopilot and data-points will work on it. The only way to feed the data is either via pure NMEA sensors on the network or analog converter like ITC--5.

[Jerry Woodward]

I have the B&G 508 wind sensor. It came with 20M of N2K cable. The wind sensor has a N2K termination and becomes one end of the backbone which then runs down the mast and through the boat. I get my wind speed/direction on a Zeus 2 MFD. Works great.