Electronics Upgrade
The goal of this electronics refit is to standardize the communication protocol onboard Mashnee to NMEA2000, improve reliability of instruments, integrate radar and AIS consistently, and support racing goals. To this end, we have decided that we should upgrade to a B&G system because it has more advanced sailing/racing features than other MFDs (multifunction displays) and it integrates with our current radar. We want to keep the MFD visible from the cockpit (using the existing swing-out box, ideally).
Specific tasks
- Measurement of MFD box
- Run NMEA 2k backbone from mast to the electronics
- Remove all other deprecated electronics wiring/equipment
- Connect vespermarine AIS to new NMEA 2k backbone
- Convert fluxgate compass seatalk NG to NMEA 2k. Confirm correct male/female end requirements
- Check on triducer dimensions and cabling -- can we use as is or do a 1:1 swap with another triducer of same dimensions (see more below)
- Is it possible to run a wired wind instrument? Seems some of the wireless options are not great (but also this isn't critical)
Major outstanding questions
- Are we all good with moving to a B&G system? If so, which MFD and what size can we fit
- Can we get the existing wireless displays to integrate nicely with this system? Supposedly they work on NMEA 2k but we may need a T122 wireless interface if we don’t have one already. If not, what wireless display options do we want?
- iPad mount that could probably work that into the existing mounts on the bulkhead
- Sailmon system (below) that seems pretty powerful in its own right – it is designed to be a racing system for dinghies and small boats but can integrate over NMEA 2k with a mysterious adapter that I couldn’t source yet here but just might need to dig more
Key components
- B&G MFD: key question: can we fit a 9" MFD in the box or do we need to stick with a 7". If the latter, we can only do the Zeus 3.
- New speed, depth, temperature sensor triducer (?) need to see if the current one is NMEA 2k, if not: ($400) https://pro.westmarine.com/bg-dst-810-thru-hull-transducer-with-depth-speed-and-temperature-20268405.html
- New wind sensor:
- ($800). The one I've linked includes the required bluetooth to NMEA 2k interface. However, I've seen mixed reviews on the B&G one and I'd suggest we look at alternatives. https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=4555736
- Would an ultrasonic one work for us?e.g. Calypso ultrasonic portable solar wind meter w/ NCP BT2000 ($724) networks the bluetooth wind sensor (and another bluetooth sensor, if desired) into NMEA 2k. https://calypsoinstruments.com/shop/product/ultrasonic-portable-solar-wind-meter-2#attr=63 + $25 mast mount: https://calypsoinstruments.com/shop/product/cmi1015-mast-mount-178#attr=
Wireless display options: it is nice to be able to have additional displays in the cockpit dedicated to speed, wind, depth. The current displays have been flaky and are Raymarine. However they can in theory get data over NMEA 2k.
- iPad mount on existing wireless display mount
- Sailmon wireless displays - really powerful racing features, can integrate over NMEA 2k with the below interface. It charges using a charger pad we can hook up to 12v via USB. A more expensive but more robust option; double benefit of redundant GPS signal; has IMU built in too.
- Display ($1,049): https://www.ronstan.us/marine5/product.asp?ProdNo=SM-MAX2
- NMEA2k interface (~$200):critical; needed to actually display speed, depth, etc. data. Can't find in U.S. but seems to be branded NavLink... -- https://shop.sailmon.com/product/max-nmea-interface-2000/
- Wireless charger ($48): https://www.ronstan.us/marine5/product.asp?ProdNo=SM-MAXCHARGE
- Screen protector ($37): https://www.ronstan.us/marine5/product.asp?ProdNo=SM-MAXSCREEN
- Mounting bracket: to mount on existing raymarine wireless slide piece -in the box.
