Simrad AC20 and new GPS

[wkearney99]

I've got a boat that's had a bunch of stuff set up on it over the years and some of it is obsolete.

Before I go down a particular path, I have to ask does anyone know of reasons why a Simrad AC20 autopilot would have any issues working with any one brand/model of NMEA2K-0183 bridge vs any other?

Currently my AC20 autopilot computer gets 0183 data through some Furuno MFD12 chart plotters. GPS->MFD->Ethernet->MFD->-0183->AC20. Likewise heading data is coming in via NMEA2k->MFD-Ethernet->MFD->0183. I'm likely replacing the GPS unit as I've had intermittent issues with losing position.

I've learned over the years to never assume something 'ought to work' just because of specs. I've also learned it's often better to know what DOESN'T work than anything else.

I'm also prepping the networks for the eventual upgrade of the chart plotters. I'm getting as much as possible onto the NMEA2k bus and away from being exchanged through the plotters. A lot of which I've already consolidated into one MFD instead of three different ones it had been using before. That and discovering stupid stuff like a bus being powered off much smaller gauge wire than could support it.

So anyone out there handled upgrading their GPS and heading gear while still using an older AC20 Simrad with AP26 remotes?

[smac999]

your best bet would be to get a plotter that has 183 and nmea 2000. many do. and feed the pilot 183 directly again. I have had issues with feeding a pilot with converters before.

[wkearney99]

Originally Posted by smac999

your best bet would be to get a plotter that has 183 and nmea 2000. many do. and feed the pilot 183 directly again. I have had issues with feeding a pilot with converters before.

Which, if you read, is already how it's set up. GPS into Multi Function Display (aka Furuno MFD12 chart plotter) and then back out over Ethernet, into another MFD12 (which was how Furuno shared data) and then back out using 0183.

So, yeah.... anyone else with AC20 and 0183 experience?