Lowrance NMEA 2000, going red

... written for Panbo by Ben Ellison and posted on Jul 6, 2007

Lowrance N2K Red

Cool. Not only has Lowrance switched to standard style N2K screw connectors, but they’ve also added the nifty Double T fitting seen above, and they seem to be emphasizing NMEA 2000’s name and multi-manufacturer compatibility over “LowranceNet” in their new marketing (and, if interested, don’t miss their new PDF on the general N2K subject). To clarify, all new Lowrance connectors/cabling with red accents can plug directly to any standard NMEA 2000 device, which includes all of Maretron’s offerings, a few larger Garmins, and now all sorts of Lowrance displays and sensors. A simple patch cable will be needed to network with older blue-accented LowranceNet devices and/or cabling, or to Raymarine’s SeaTalk2, SimNet, etc. Apparently Lowrance’s cabling is not yet NMEA certified, but apparently that’s not stopping folks from using it beyond Lowrance gear. It sounds here like “yachtjim” used it to interface a Suzuki 250 outboard to a Garmin 5212 (guess they’re shipping now). He’s quite happy with the engine screens on the Garmin, but warns that since the Garmin doesn’t output any NMEA 2000 data, it won’t help do fuel calculations on his Lowrance LMF instruments. I’m just about to get back to my Garmin testing, by the way. And, finally, a Thanks! to Salvador Castellá for the head’s up about Lowrance updates. He works for the Spanish company Albatross Control Systems, which handles just about everyone’s NMEA 2000 gear under the Alba brand plus makes its own analog-to-N2K converters plus a system for collecting it on a computer and even sending it ashore.

Comments

need help
conecting 2007 yamaha f250 to garmin 5212
to get engine data

thanks

jc

Posted by: jc at July 23, 2007 1:52 PM | Reply

JC, I'm pretty sure that all you need is a patch cable to connect Yamaha's Command Link network to Garmin's standard NMEA 2000 port. Maretron sells one, though why it cost $125 I don't know.

But I'm not positive that it will work, mainly because Yamaha has stopped talking about NMEA 2000 compatibility. Will blog about this tomorrow.

Posted by: Ben at July 23, 2007 8:39 PM | Reply

I setupo my 2008 Yamaha 150HP with my Lowrance 112C last weekend. You need a connector cable between the Yamaha Hub and the NMEA red T Connectors. After that it's very straight forward to display the engine guauges on the Lowrance.

Everyone said it couldn't be done and wouldn't work but it is easy and straight forward

Posted by: Mike at August 14, 2007 9:03 AM | Reply

I'm trying to connect a straight inboard to Lowrance LMF-400 gauges. I've searched everywhere for a company that converts raw engine data to NMEA2000 and it looks as though Albatross Control Systems mentioned in your post has one. However I've been unable to contact them through their website. Anyone know how to contact them or how to purchase there products?

Posted by: Bryan at August 27, 2007 7:45 AM | Reply

Ditto on what Bryan said! I have Yanmar 6LYA-STP's and am interested in the ALBA-YANMAR interface, but cannot get anyone at Alba to answer my emails. It looks like the Maretron EMS 100 is the same unit, btw, but it won't be out for a couple of months...

Jim

Posted by: Jim at August 29, 2007 10:56 AM | Reply

Has anyone connected old (blue) Lowrance connectors with a new Sonar/GPS unit with red connectors? So its a mixed system. We have the connections. Question is - can you terminate the red end of the network spine with a 120 ohm red terminator and the blue end with a 60? Or do you have to get another adaptor for the blue end and terminate with a red 120?

Posted by: George at November 13, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply

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