Lowrance Ghost / HDS Live / NMEA 2000 Network Issues

[dcdayton1987]

I have recently done some upgrades to my boat, swapping out my older HDS Gen 3 units for HDS Live units and also upgraded to the Ghost TM. I nw have 3 Live units, a point-1 antenna, and the Ghost connected to the existing NMEA network. My issue is that when I view the device list on any of the connected units I am not seeing the Ghost or Point-1 at all and will occasionally see one of the other Live units show up with --- in front of the device name and for the serial no.

On the diagnostics page the bus status shows as "Bus Off" which I understand usually means the network is not getting power but since I am seeing the other units occasionally I wouldn't think that's the issue. I have checked the fuse and it's fine. The NMEA network was done from the factory so I assume it should be installed and wired correctly. I did add an additional T connector at the bow for the Ghost but it's terminated correctly and I have seen the Ghost show up before (I upgraded the bow unit first and only upgraded the others more recently.) so I'm at a bit of a loss here. I originally thought it was a comparability issue with having older gen 3 units on the same network but now all connected units are HDS Lives so there shouldn't be any compatibility issue now.

Any ideas or help is appreciated! Thanks!

[CatFan]

Not all of the devices need power from the bus, so I’d check bus power first since the Point 1 is one thing that does.

If that’s good, shrink your network. Pull off the backbone cable, terminate and try operating segments of the network. Loose connector, bad cable or even a bad unit are possibilities. Narrow it down and you’ll find it.

[dcdayton1987]

Alright, I finally got a chance to sit down and do some trouble shooting. Here's what I've found: With my live 9 at the console disconnected from the nmea 2k network everything else shows up as expected, Ghost trolling functions appear, etc. When plugging in the live 9 (even while powered off) the whole network shuts down. I'm no expert with networking so does anyone know how connecting a powered off unit could bring down the whole nmea 2k network? Doesn't make sense to me. Not enough power possibly? Any insight appreciated!

[CatFan]

Alright, I finally got a chance to sit down and do some trouble shooting. Here's what I've found: With my live 9 at the console disconnected from the nmea 2k network everything else shows up as expected, Ghost trolling functions appear, etc. When plugging in the live 9 (even while powered off) the whole network shuts down. I'm no expert with networking so does anyone know how connecting a powered off unit could bring down the whole nmea 2k network? Doesn't make sense to me. Not enough power possibly? Any insight appreciated!

A bad NMEA port on the unit could do it. I’d try plugging the unit in at another spot on the network and try another device in that spot to determine if the unit is bad or the wiring or T is bad.

[dcdayton1987]

A bad NMEA port on the unit could do it. I’d try plugging the unit in at another spot on the network and try another device in that spot to determine if the unit is bad or the wiring or T is bad.

Good call! I'll check that next.