Adding GPS puck with heading sensor to Helix

[squib]

I have a G2N Chirp GPS Helix 7. It is connected to my Ultrex. I would like to add an external GPS puck with a heading sensor so that I can make better sense of my boat positioning when sitting still or drifting sideways.

Anyway, I was looking through my unit manual last night and it seems that it is not possible to add the puck if I am connected via ethernet to my Ultrex. Any advice?

[Wayne P.]

https://www.humminbird.com/support/faqs/HELIX_EXT_GPS

[squib]

Thanks Wayne. So when I click on the Humminbird page describing the puck, I see this:

• Note: this GPS receiver WILL NOT work with InterLink.
  
  
  

[Wayne P.]

Thanks Wayne. So when I click on the Humminbird page describing the puck, I see this:

• Note: this GPS receiver WILL NOT work with InterLink.
  
  
  

The AS INTERLINK accessory was discontinued several years ago and is not compatible with any Helix.

Bottom line, that statement is irrelevant to you.

[Ches.]

I just added an HS puck to my Gen1 Helix 12 this year. Just plugged it into the back. I think either I selected it as the source of GPS receiver or checked it, not sure which. Works great especially at slow speeds. I run course up so my map doesn't flip flop on me.
Ches.

[squib]

Talked with Humminbird. The Helix 7 requires some tinkering to make it work because the unit is not set up to provide power to the heading sensor. They walked me through how to splice some wires and get it going. I'll report back if I do/do not screw it up.

[Wayne P.]

Talked with Humminbird. The Helix 7 requires some tinkering to make it work because the unit is not set up to provide power to the heading sensor. They walked me through how to splice some wires and get it going. I'll report back if I do/do not screw it up.

I have done it with the AS YC cable and the G2 Helix 7 CHIRP SI just for testing.

[squib]

I have done it with the AS YC cable and the G2 Helix 7 CHIRP SI just for testing.

I still don't exactly see how it is done. I hope it will make sense when I have all the cables in front of me.

1. Where do I get power to the puck? Do I just find a hot and ground wire near the unit and tap in there?

2. How does this 1-foot-long cable plug into the puck?

[Wayne P.]

I still don't exactly see how it is done. I hope it will make sense when I have all the cables in front of me.

1. Where do I get power to the puck? Do I just find a hot and ground wire near the unit and tap in there?

2. How does this 1-foot-long cable plug into the puck?

The AS YC cable is a splitter that used to be used to share the COMM port on older units with external GPS antennas. It shared that port with the AS INTERLINK accessory.

You connect the cutoff plug side of the AS YC to a 12V power source, plug the GPS antenna into the other side of the AS YC and then plug the AS YC into the unit COMM port.
Basically you need to extend the AS YC to whatever power supply you can connect to. Each leg of the Y cable is about 12" long.

I do a lot of testing stuff, so I have many places on my boat to get 12V, I just added an Auto plug to the Y cable and plugged that into one of the Auto receptacles I have installed. Did not need a permanent power connection for testing.

[squib]

So, I am not sure why I keep hearing that the GPS puck will be limited to being within one foot of the unit. If I connect one side of the plug to a power source, and connect the other side to the 20-foot long cable on the GPS puck, couldn't I put the puck anywhere?

[Wayne P.]

So, I am not sure why I keep hearing that the GPS puck will be limited to being within one foot of the unit. If I connect one side of the plug to a power source, and connect the other side to the 20-foot long cable on the GPS puck, couldn't I put the puck anywhere?

Yes, you would have 21' of cable to work with for a location.

[squib]

Got the GPS/heading sensor in today. Easy job of supplying power by modifying the pigtail. Got everything plugged in but can't figure out how to get the Helix to change over to external GPS.

The directions from Humminbird say:

Menu>Menu>Nav>GPS Receiver Override; Set to External GPS

There is no choice of "GPS Receiver Override" when I scroll through the Nav options.

Any clues?

[Bob B]

Got the GPS/heading sensor in today. Easy job of supplying power by modifying the pigtail. Got everything plugged in but can't figure out how to get the Helix to change over to external GPS.

The directions from Humminbird say:

Menu>Menu>Nav>GPS Receiver Override; Set to External GPS

There is no choice of "GPS Receiver Override" when I scroll through the Nav options.

Any clues?

Do you have it outside where you can acquire a GPS signal?

[squib]

Yes, I strung it out in the driveway. Finally go it working I believe. The Humminbird directions are incorrect on where you go to select "external GPS." I actually had to go to Network Setup.

[Bob B]

Glad you figured it out.

[sfw1960]

Yes, I strung it out in the driveway. Finally go it working I believe. The Humminbird directions are incorrect on where you go to select "external GPS." I actually had to go to Network Setup.

That's how it was in older software versions & units, you got it now!