DSC connection Garmin 740s to Garmin VHF 200

[Two killicks]

Good morning fellow tuggers!

I entered my MMSI number in my VHF radio that worked fine, did all the step required on both the chartplotter and VHF, but something is not working right... On my VHF radio, for some reasons, there is no GPS data? When I look at the wiring, it seems to be done all right. Is the wiring connected by the staff from the Ranger tugs? I assume that it is, because it goes thru the deckhead and down the hand rail post all the way below the deck to come back up to the chart plotter. I went thru the books but am lost, wonder if I should try to use the spare wires left and do a second connection to see if it is going to work? any thoughts?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Pat,

My VHF200 to Garmin 740 connection was made at the factory.

Pages 5 and 6 the Garmin VHF200 installation manual give the details of the connections.

Page 5 shows the NMEA 0183 (TINY wires) method. You connect 4 wires from the chartplotter to 4 wires on the radio. Determining the correct 4 wires is sometimes a bugaboo.

Page 6 shows the NMEA 2000 method which requires installing a backbone. This method is not difficult but involves purchasing N2K cabling. The advantage is that it is plug and play; no fussing with tiny wires. If you have or anticipate getting an autopilot; you will likely need an N2K network at that time.

good luck,

dave

 

[SnugTug]

Mine is on the NMEA 2000 backbone as Dave described. 740s and VHF 200 are supported by the NMEA 2000 protocol so you might want to add the backbone for any future add-on components like AIS 300/600.

 

[knotflying]

Usually you will get an alarm if the VHF is not receiving current GPS data. I have the 5212, but I assume many of the functions are similar. You should be able to enter a screen that will tell you what items are on the system and tied in. Additionally, was it working before you did what you did? If it was think about what you did and maybe that is what caused the issue. Did you do work behind the helm and accidentally disconnect something? Also the NMEA 2000 requires a termination connector at each end. Did one come off?

 

[Two killicks]

I have not made any modifcation yet, only entered my mmsi # in the radio... The data always have to be input manually ever since I got the boat... I can see the wiring set up as NMEA 0183 using the tiny wires... I will check the connections tonight to see if one of them is broken... Thanks for the info

 

[knotflying]

Well there is your answer. It either was never connected or somehow got disconnected. It should be an easy fix. Garmin is pretty much plug and play.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Well there is your answer. It either was never connected or somehow got disconnected. It should be an easy fix. Garmin is pretty much plug and play.

I don't find fiddling with the tiny NMEA 0183 wires at all easy...or simple. Struggling through that will make you appreciate N2K simplicity. But unless you are going to add an N2K network, that is your task - troubleshooting the tiny 0183 wires...

GOOD LUCK

dave

 

[Two killicks]

I am thinking about getting a N2K, the tiny wiring does not look right after all...

 

[Two killicks]

I looked at the wiring again this weekend, it was connected by the factory, but for some reason it just does not work, the wiring seems correctly attached... I will get the NMEA 2000 set up.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

I assume you set the protocol in the radio and plotter correctly, it is not just hooking wires. I had to set mine to get the radio and the plotter to talk.

 

[Two killicks]

Good morning John, yep just like the manual explained it... Perhaps there is a broken wire somewhere along the connection...

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Try giving each of the connections at the back of the radio a squeeze to reset the connection. On one older 21 the wires were loose and when moved around made connection.

 

[Two killicks]

yeah, I'll give it a try, thanks