Garmin chartplotter compatible with Digital Yacht AIS?

[Boatagain]

I was wondering it anyone has a Digital Yacht AIS connected to a Garmin chartplotter? If so, does it work well, or not?

Specifically, my chartplotter is the Garmin 7612xsv. I'm interested in integrating it with the the DY AIT2000 Class B transponder via NMEA 2000. The DY unit is about $150 less than the Garmin AIS 600. I learned today that one of the reasons for the high price of the Garmin is that it contains an integrated active VHS/AIS splitter which one does not need if you're willing to install a separate AIS antenna. An active splitter costs about $200 separately. A downside to using a splitter is, according to several reports I've read on the internet (and we all know how reliable that is), that the range of the VHS is degraded. Neither unit comes with an AIS antenna which will run about an aditional $150.

Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks!

 

[ixlr8]

Sorry I can't help, but I am interested in what you find out.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Boatagain,

I do not have experience with the DY unit you reference. I have connected a B & G brand VHF with AIS receive to my N2K network. The AIS info shows on both my Garmin and Simrad displays.

I would be very surprised if the AIS data from the BY unit did not display on your Garmin. Integration of this type of data is the whole point of N2K networking.

dave

 

[Boatagain]

Thanks Dave, that helps and I appreciate your response. I, too, suspect it will work, but it would make me feel better if someone with direct experience and/or more knowledgeable than I (from your previous posts there's no doubt you're in that category), would confirm.

Michael

 

[Larry H]

How about asking either the seller or Digital Yachts directly if their AIS works with Garmin?

 

[baz]

Hello Boatagain,

...snip...
I would be very surprised if the AIS data from the BY unit did not display on your Garmin. Integration of this type of data is the whole point of N2K networking.

dave

I agree with Dave. It should simply work with the N2K networking. It's the whole point with using N2K as it is a standard communication protocol for connecting devices.

On my R-21EC I installed a Raymarine Autopilot and connected its controller using N2K to the R-21EC's N2K backbone and it was seamless and worked without issues. I also connected a Garmin AIS 300 in a similar way, but of course it was a Garmin product. 😉

 

[Boatagain]

The Digital Yacht website claims the AIT2000 will integrate (and I paraphrase), "...with any modern chartplotter on the market...including Garmin". That, plus the encouraging input from the forum, and I pulled the trigger and ordered the DY unit with the GV 30 combo AIS/GPS antenna from Hodges Marine.

I plan on doing the install myself in a few weeks. Will post when it's done. Wish me luck. :roll:

 

[Metric Rider]

I installed an Em-trak B100 transceiver unit to my Garmin 721 via Nema 2000 with good results. Also went the separate antenna route. In my area (eastern Canada) this seemed to be my most economical solution for AIS.

 

[oneeyedjackass]

We've been trying out different AIS app's on our phones. http://boatwatchapp.com/ This ones seems to be working the best now. Need to have phone coverage to use but it's free to try out.
What would be cool is if you could pull up your phone screen on the garmin chartplotter.

 

[baz]

...snip...
What would be cool is if you could pull up your phone screen on the garmin chartplotter.

If you have the factory TV and an Apple TV 4 you could use the iPhone's AirPlay feature to display its screen on the TV. 😱

I experimented with this AirPlay feature at home, using my TV, ATV4, iPhone and a MacBook Pro to ensure it works. Thus, when on board I can use my iPhone or laptop to stream stuff to the boat's TV. The ATV4 will need to be powered and a small portable 500 watt inverter will do the trick.

 

[Boatagain]

After finishing the install I can now report that the Digital Yacht AIT2000 AIS transponder does indeed integrate very well with the Garmin 7612xsv chartplotter via NMEA 2000. As always, the hardest part was running the dual antenna cables (one for the ais, one for the gps) from DY's dual purpose antenna. I haven't had the boat out on the open Chesapeake yet, but it works great in the marina! 😀

I'm no expert, but experience is a great teacher. Happy to answer any questions for anyone who wants to DIY the install.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I'm entirely interested in how you ran the cables to the roof through the interior panelling. at some point I want to hard wire in a second VHF antenna and WIFI antenna which will require two more cable runs. this is the daunting part. taking apart interior panels and potentially drilling into the roof of the cutwater28

 

[Boatagain]

I'll do my best to describe what I did, but keep in mind that other models may have significant differences from the C30.

The daunting part was drilling the hole(s) so the cables could enter the cabin from the outside antenna. Taking a clue from how they ran the stock VHF cable on the starboard side at the factory, I did the same thing on the port side. Rather than drilling down through the roof, I drilled into the port side wall as far aft and towards the top as possible. I'm not sure about other models, but on the C30 this hole winds up coming in way up high and just forward of the aft cabin wall behind the wood valence that supports the side curtain track. That wood piece, which runs the entire length of the cabin, has to be removed - it's not too bad to do so, just five screws, but a helper is invaluable to support the length while removing and then re-installing.

From there the cable can be snaked behind the ceiling panels towards the centerline and run forward to the wood trim over the front windshield. I did not have to remove any of the panels, but did loosen some of the screws and removed the two pieces of wood trim that run down the centerline of the cabin ceiling. The front windshield trim is just flexible enough to snake the cables behind without removal, but be careful, the wood is thin and could easily break. The cable then runs behind the starboard wood windshield trim down to the top of the helm. I did remove this piece which is held on by some pin nails and adhesive, just be patient and gently pry the piece off, again being careful as this is another piece of thin wood. Removing the stock window fan gives you access to the hole drilled in the top of the helm (under the fan) for the fan's power wires. Use that hole as a guide for drilling a new hole(s) for your cable. Voila, you are in the electronics cabinet behind the helm, accessed in the head. That's where I mounted the AIS unit itself - an N2K backbone and 12v power are readily accessible there, as are the rearends of the helm electronics.

I estimate it took about 10 hours, over two days, for the entire install, but I work slowly. If I had to do it a second time, it would probably take me half that time. Hope this helps.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

excellent thank you.

What did you use to seal the hole on the side of the roof? 5200? did you put a short piece of conduit in and run the cable inside that as its comes through the roof?

because I have to run cat6 cable for the wifi there is a good chance that the cable fails after a few years and I dont want to have to dig it out but somehow run a new length in the existing condiut. (no idea how I would make it waterproof in the meantime.)

also how thick is the roof there? my existing VHF antenna is screwed into the roof did you do the same or mount to the roof rails? it creates more holes if I have to screw in the antenna too...

I guess for power for the AIS unit you also took power off the bus at the back of the helm? on the 30 is this in the panel in the bathroom as well?

thanks for advice!

 

[Boatagain]

I'm glad I could help.

To seal the entry where the cable enters the cabin wall, which is about 1/2 inch thick, I used a Blue Sea Systems Large Cable Clam (West Marine; Model # 540757 | Mfg # 1003 | UPC # 632085010034). I added some 4200 for a better night's sleep, but the Cable Clam is purportedly waterproof without the sealant. Without the sealant you could replace or add cables easily in the future. Adding the sealant just makes that process a bit messier.

The antenna is mounted on the hardtop that extends over the cockpit. There are two pads on top, one port, one starboard, molded into the hardtop that are flat, about 6" x6", and look to be designed to mount...anything. There's wood in those pads so screwing into them provides a very secure mount, plus a leak would only drain into the cockpit. Again, using some 4200 to seal the screw holes is probably prudent.

I recently also added an 8' tall Shakespeare am/fm antenna to improve that radio's reception. Big improvement, btw. That antenna is mounted on a ratcheting mount on the side rails. I used a Cable Clam with 4200 there too, but this entry is on the roof due to the anatomy of the cabin structure at the forward/port corner. We've had a few downpours since and there's no sign of any water ingress so far.

On the C30 there are several fuse panels mounted to the inside of the electronics cabinet door, accessed in the head. One of the panels had some unused fuse slots, which is what I used to provide fused 12v power to the AIS unit.

Good luck with your projects!