Is this a NMEA 2000 cable?

[WestTexasRanger]

I'm installing a Garmin Echomap UHD unit on the bow of my 2020 Ranger 1850MS and when I removed the bow panel, I found what appears to be a NMEA 2000 cable with a termination plug.

My boat came from the factory with a Lowrance Hook2-5 at the console (nothing at the bow), which I'll be replacing with an Echomap unit.


Is this a NMEA 2000 connection?

If so, can I simply connect the Echomap (at the bow) to it?

Will running the Echomap and Lowrance on the same NMEA backbone (until I can get the console unit changed) cause any problems?

[fishin couillon]

From what I can tell, yes its a N2k cable BUT the Hook 2 unit is not nmea capable. No issue to have Garmin and Lowrance on network together but before you do might trace the wire to see what it goes and what else may be on net work

[WestTexasRanger]

I'll trace it out tomorrow.

The only other electronic item on my boat is the Infinity Stereo, which Ranger says in NMEA Capable (whatever that means).

[WestTexasRanger]

Mystery Solved!

I just spoke with one of the production managers at Ranger Plant #2. The N2K cable that I discovered behind the bow panel runs to the Infinity stereo system. That makes sense because the cable is exiting a conduit on the Port side, which is the same side as the stereo. The stereo system can communicate with certain fish-finder/chart-plotter units. I don’t know what a stereo and a fish-finder have to talk about, but it’s there, should the need arise.

My boat does not have a N2K installed from the factory.

[flyinghappy]

I would dig further. It should have a "T" somewhere. NMEA2000 can't just be a cable from one device to another, it needs to be a system. I'm sure there is a power "T" and a "T" for the radio at the very least.

[fishin couillon]

Mystery Solved!

I just spoke with one of the production managers at Ranger Plant #2. The N2K cable that I discovered behind the bow panel runs to the Infinity stereo system. That makes sense because the cable is exiting a conduit on the Port side, which is the same side as the stereo. The stereo system can communicate with certain fish-finder/chart-plotter units. I don’t know what a stereo and a fish-finder have to talk about, but it’s there, should the need arise.

My boat does not have a N2K installed from the factory.

Glad you got it figured out.....Some brands can connect to these marine radios and you can use the head unit to control it like change stations, volume, source, etc.

I would dig further. It should have a "T" somewhere. NMEA2000 can't just be a cable from one device to another, it needs to be a system. I'm sure there is a power "T" and a "T" for the radio at the very least.

Its there in the event that he install unit(s) that will work with the radio.

[WestTexasRanger]

What John at Ranger told me is that it’s a cable drop from the area where the stereo is mounted, to the bow access. The cable at the stereo isn’t plugged, and the stereo is powered from the switch at the console. They simply install the cable drop for future use, should a N2K be installed.

[bmwnc2]

Makes sense, you’d find the backbone of there was more, I agree who cares to have radio communicate to fish finder but hey ya never know!

[LWINCHESTER2]

Actually it's handy. Thin media bar across top of screen. Mute, Volume, change channels. GXM 53 Sirius.