Connecting Old B&G Network Data to OpenCPN

[Bulova100m]

I have installed OpenCPN on a Raspberry Pi 4, and would like to do a bit more than chart plotting. My boat has a couple of old B&G Network Speed and Depth devices, connected to a B&G Network Data in the nav station. I think it should be possible to connect the output from the Data device to my RPi through a serial (RS422) to USB converter/optical isolator (which I have already purchased - picture attached). However, I am a total neophyte in these matters and would need help identifying what each of the pins in the B&G connector is and where in the RS422 optical isolator they should be plugged to. Additionally, I would appreciate some general (and easy to understand) guidance on how to use SignalK to receive the NMEA0183 input and make it usable by OpenCPN. Your merciful guidance will be most appreciated by this newbie.

[Rasbats]

Do you have the adapter cable - 3m NMEA output cable 610-OA-030? (may not be available nowadays)

Mike

[Hakan]

Bulova..
In addition to Mike's note:
Do you have the type of your B&G navstation and/or the manual where you can check for the NMEA0183 output connection pin out?
From that info it would be no problem to wire it to the USB converter. The one you've would fit "everything".
To use Opeplotter's serial is next step. Very straight forward but we take the wiring as the first step.
Håkan

[Rasbats]

This should help with the cabling:
https://manuals.bandg.com/discontinu..._%28ACP%29.pdf

Mike

[Bulova100m]

Originally Posted by Rasbats

Do you have the adapter cable - 3m NMEA output cable 610-OA-030? (may not be available nowadays)

Mike

I do! But none of the documentation I have from B&G shows what each pin is, which is what I am trying to find out on this forum.

[Hakan]

So:
NMEA output cable 610-OA-030 (Red sig+, Blue sig-). Red to R+ and blue to R-
Connect the USB to a suitable spare port on the RPi4.

In OpenPlotter "Serial":
Find your converter. Give it an alias. (like my example)
Connect it to Signal K

[Bulova100m]

I do! But none of the documentation I have from B&G shows what each pin is, which is what I am trying to find out on this forum.

[Rasbats]

I was expecting a T-piece with a cable exiting from it. Not the same as your photo. This T-piece would be placed within the network cabling. Can it be added at the end of the network or is there an instrument with a spare port? Perhaps Hakan has an answer for this type of cable.

Mike

[nigel1]

The attached document shows what the NMEA output cable looks like.
It also implies that the B&G Network Depth will not output NMEA though this cable.

[Bulova100m]

Thank you!
Even though the document states that Network Depth will not output NMEA data, there is a statement about NMEA sentence for "Depth below transducer".
Given that the Network Data display is simply a display of data provided by the other displays, including depth (i.e. it simply aggregated data from other devices in the network), I suspect this means that I would get no data if I connected to the Network Depth display, but I may be able to get NMEA depth data if I connect to the Network Data display (as I intend to do). I will test this out next time I am on the boat.

[Bulova100m]

OK, so something like this...

[Hakan]

Bulova..
If your intention was to attache a picture copy-past is not supported on this forum API. You've to save the screenshot to a file, "Go advanced" -> "Manage attachments" and upload the file.

[Bulova100m]

Something like this?

[Hakan]

Bulova...
Yes! but if I understand the port designation on the USB converter correct you must use the "Receive" ports. So: Red to R+ and blue to R- instead.
And.. Just try! Nothing is destroyed by a false a connection. I'll just not work.
Check the OCPN "NMEA Debug Window" to study the result.
Good luck!

[Bulova100m]

Thanks!