I would like my digital I Command gauges to read MPG. I have a Raymarine C 120 unit that I want to connect to rather than purchasing a seperate GPS antenna. I am told that it is possible. Does any one know how I would go about connecting the gauges to the C 120. What type of cable, junction box, etc. So far, I have been unable to obtain precise information on any connection from BRP dealer and Raymarine. Thanks for the help.
I have a 2005 250hp ETEC.
There are several levels of discussion in your inquiry.
First, the I-Command instruments are connected to a NMEA-2000 network. You do not really connect anything directly to the instruments. The I-Command instruments read data from the network. If you want the I-Command to read information from a GPS, you have to connect the GPS to the NMEA-2000 network.
Next, the Raymarine C120 is just a display unit. It does not generate data. You probably have a Raymarine GPS sensor connected to the C120 in order to read your position. Raymarine uses NMEA-2000 networking, but they just give it their own name.
Now the question becomes can the Raymarine GPS be networked to the I-Command gauges? The answer is yes, but it may not be completely straightforward. Raymarine uses NMEA-2000 protocols, but their physical layer connector is not compatible with the physical layer connector of the NMEA-2000 network used by I-Command. These problems with connector compatibility are one of the biggest problems with the NMEA-2000 standard--it is not much of a standard when it comes to connectors. And, as you see, many manufacturers use the standard but they obscure it by giving it their own name.
You will need to buy or make your own adaptor cable to join the Raymarine and I-Command networks. The exact nature of the adaptor cable will depend on the connectors you have on the current devices. On a 2005 E-TEC you probably have the original 6-pin Deutsch connectors. And on the Raymarine network you probably have some proprietary Raymarine connectors. You will have to obtain the appropriate mating connectors and wire up an adaptor cable.
If you have the familiarity with serial data communications and the skill to wire, solder, and assemble the adaptor cable yourself, you can find most of the information you need in this white paper on NMEA-2000 networking:
http://www.jackrabbitmarine.co...2.pdf
If you are not familiar with digital serial communications and not comfortable obtaining the necessary connectors and fabricating the adaptor cable yourself, you might want to find an experienced marine electronics technician or engineer to fabricate that cable for you. I doubt that you will be able to buy this adaptor off the shelf from either Bombardier or Raymarine.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fyrsout »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would like my digital I Command gauges to read MPG. I have a Raymarine C 120 unit that I want to connect to rather than purchasing a seperate GPS antenna. I am told that it is possible. Does any one know how I would go about connecting the gauges to the C 120. What type of cable, junction box, etc. So far, I have been unable to obtain precise information on any connection from BRP dealer and Raymarine. Thanks for the help.
I have a 2005 250hp ETEC. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Does anyone know if Humminbird GPS systems work with Etec I-command as well? Strongly considering this.
Thanks, misr12
Hummingbird SONAR and Electronic Chart Display systems do not have a NMEA-2000 interface. In fact, I don't think they even have NMEA-0183 inputs. There is no possibility of displaying any data on a Humminbird electronic chart display that originates outside of the unit if it does not have a NMEA input of any kind.
Modified by jimh at 6:15 PM 3/20/2008
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