NMEA-0183 Interface: Lowrance Link-8 to Garmin 545S

Electrical and electronic topics for small boats
andrey320
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:46 pm

NMEA-0183 Interface: Lowrance Link-8 to Garmin 545S

Postby andrey320 » Fri May 13, 2016 5:19 pm

Hello all (more specifically, Jim...),
After installing my new Link8 and connecting it to my Garmin 545S, the VHF was not getting a GPS signal from the plotter. It displayed a "Enter GPS Position" message. I made the following connections:

Link8--------------------------Garmin
GPS
Green---------------------Brown (NMEA0183 port 1 Rx (in))
Yellow--------------------Blue (NMEA0183 port 1 Tx (out))
AIS
Black----------------------Grey (NMEA0183 port 2 Tx (out))
White----------------------Violet (NMEA0183 port 2 Rx (in))

I've read your (Jim's) write-up on the Link8 wiring but cannot seem to figure out what I am doing wrong. My previous radio had DSC and was functional connected to the Garmin blue and brown wires. I did try to swap them with no luck. Also looked at the settings on both units and confirmed that regular NMEA (not high-speed) is selected.
Can you please help?
Thank you!

jimh
Posts: 11673
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

NMEA-0183 Interface: Lowrance Link-8 to Garmin 545S

Postby jimh » Sat May 14, 2016 7:26 am

Both devices are listed in the NMEA 0183 data collection (above).

Follow the interconnection rules (listed above).

Configure TALKER to send the required data.

andrey320
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:46 pm

Re: NMEA-0183 Interface: Lowrance Link-8 to Garmin 545S

Postby andrey320 » Sat May 14, 2016 11:45 am

Not really sure what you mean Jim. I think I'm even more confused after reading the sticky. Can you please be more specific / descriptive?
Thank you!

jimh
Posts: 11673
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: NMEA-0183 Interface: Lowrance Link-8 to Garmin 545S

Postby jimh » Sat May 14, 2016 1:06 pm

I have already described in detail how to accomplish the interconnection. Please re-read carefully the articles.

See STEP1 in http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5295

For your two devices, here are the individual articles that identify the signals

For Lowrance radios see http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5325

For Garmin 500 series chart plotters see http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5307

With identification of the wire color and signal names you have a mapping unique to your equipment. From here, everything else is generic. Follow the interconnection rules. See STEP 2 in this post:

http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816#p5295

Now move to STEP 3, same post

Then move to STEP 4, same post

I don't figure out individual interconnections of random combinations of devices. I have invented a method to interconnect any two devices, and I have translated the signal names of dozens of devices to the proper names and identified them by wire color. Just read, carefully and with a goal of learning, the first article in the NMEA-0183 Interconnection Data Collection Thread. Then read the two articles I link above that have the specific information about your two devices. Then follow the instructions.

You are going to figure out what wire color is the signal TALKER A for the first device. Then you will figure out what wire color is LISTENER A for the second device. Then you connect them together. Then repeat that process for the TALKER B of the first device, the TALKER A of the second device, and the TALKER B of the second device.

andrey320
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:46 pm

Re: NMEA-0183 Interface: Lowrance Link-8 to Garmin 545S

Postby andrey320 » Mon May 16, 2016 9:32 am

Thank you Jim.