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Old 21-08-2019, 14:30   #1
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Powering on the GPS for the radio

I have both now, was wondering do you wire up the GPS so as its running all the time, or do you wire it to the engine ignition and accessory switch?

The radio has a knob to turn on and off.
The radio has the 2 data lines for nmea information.
The radio cant power the gps on or off.
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Old 21-08-2019, 14:42   #2
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Re: Powering on the GPS for the radio



This guy wired up his with a voltage adapter, but mentions he needs another switch to power on and off the gps. Another website mentioned use a switch to power on and off the radio and the gps together like a radio buss connection point. Its too bad a separate additional switch is needed.

I am thinking use the ignition key switch as I dont want to add another silly switch.
It is a good idea to be powering both radio and gps at same time.
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Old 21-08-2019, 18:51   #3
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Re: Powering on the GPS for the radio

what GPS? are you talking about a dedicated nmea 183 GPS antenna for the VHF?

you definalty don't want that on an ignition switch.

just but both on the same breaker. your VHF has a breaker right?...
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Old 21-08-2019, 19:05   #4
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Re: Powering on the GPS for the radio

I power my primary gps off 4 breakers using diodes for isolation. It you power on any of these the gps powers up.

1) vhf radio
2) chart plotter
3) auto pilot
4) Sailing instruments

I should note that the sailing instruments includes a Brookhouse nmea 0183 mux. This allows the gps to go to a computer too.
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Old 22-08-2019, 10:25   #5
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Re: Powering on the GPS for the radio

I'd keep them independent. There may be times you only need or want one.
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Old 22-08-2019, 13:59   #6
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Re: Powering on the GPS for the radio

Quote:
Originally Posted by evm1024 View Post
I power my primary gps off 4 breakers using diodes for isolation. It you power on any of these the gps powers up.

1) vhf radio
2) chart plotter
3) auto pilot
4) Sailing instruments

I should note that the sailing instruments includes a Brookhouse nmea 0183 mux. This allows the gps to go to a computer too.
As a follow on:

So if you only power up the VHF you will also power the GPS. This way your gps coordinates are displayed on the vhf display and the vhf dsc distress has a gps position to work with.

If you only power up the chart plotter the gps also powers up and now the chart plotter has all the gps sentences to work with.

If you only power up the auto pilot the autopilot "could" steer by gps. But I never give the AP that power so for me it is moot. But who knows, some day.

If you power up only the sailing instruments (wind, speed depth) the gps powers up and the nmea mux as well. You are then able to hook up a laptop and get OpenCPN running with the gps.

THe GPS comes from a Standard Horizons CP180 chartplotter which can be connected to the GPS and thus get a very small (7") chart plotter display and the ability to control the gps. The CP180 is the only device that has been wired to send nmea signals to the gps.

The idea was that the gps would be on for any instrument group that needed it. This allows making a very low power setup when conserving. Or full power with everything on. And no thought required to turn on the gps or the specific device that powers the gps.

Here is a link to the SH Smart antenna. (section 2.3.0) I cannot say what the current version is but this works great. There are versions available for less than $100.

https://www.milltechmarine.com/custo...ers_Manual.pdf

I should add that my AIS transponder has a separate GPS. It can be made to supply gps position to the other instruments with a little work. Just some backup.
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Old 22-08-2019, 14:09   #7
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Re: Powering on the GPS for the radio

Its a 12v GPS, this one here.
It is dedicated to the radio, that's all.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3291...74084c4d31yNQm

It would be so nice if the radio makers would provide 12v+ out when the radio is turned on by the knob.
I have thought of opening the radio and soldering in a wire to do that. Be nice to have the GPS cable come right to the radio itself.

The vhf is wired right to the positive buss thru a circuit breaker. Push button one.
I suppose the breaker panel could be modified to be a manual breaker with some effort. Involves moving stuff around in that panel, its just not going to be convenient.
And I know I will forget to turn it off!
The radio is a brand new Cobra MRF45D
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