Need Reassurance On Install of Lowrance

[FinsNFeet]

After reading the 12 pages of posts concerning networking Lowrance Units, I confused myself. I thought I had an understanding. So here goes with my understanding. I have a HDS5X with LSS1 and a HDS5M Gen2 at the rear of the boat (tiller). I have a LMS520c at the bow. A LCG4000 in the center of the boat. I run power to a switch from the battery, then connect each unit power connections to the switch. I then run the Power node for the Nema2000 to the switch powering the system. Each unit is networked in to the "T" connectors. Did I just power the nema twice? Once with the power node and again with the 520c? Could this be why my 3500c just took a dump on me? I looked at the available diagrams and it looks like power gets run to each unit in addition to the nema2000. Any help in clearing the up for me would be appreciated.

[1860Angler]

You are correct, each unit has its own power and the NMEA 2000 backbone has its own power.

[JDP]

Only power the NMEA 2000 network once.

If you use the power node that will power the NMEA 2000 network.

You will only need to power the 520c head unit. Do not connect the NMEA 2000 network wires coming off the 520c blue power plug.

Hopefully someone else will agree with my thoughts and post further confirmation or in a clearer/more concise fashion.

[LLewellin]

I believe your HDS units will not power the NMEA system but the 520 will. So to answer your questions I believe you have powered the system twice with the power node and the 520. Hopefully an expert will chime in.

[Jim Carroll]

There are two sets of labeled red and black leads in the power cord of the 520. One set powers the graph the other set powers the NEMA 2000 network.

If you have both red and black sets hooked up to power on the Lowrance 520 *AND* the NEMA 2000 "T" power node also you are going to have a problem.

If this is what you have, disconnect the NMEA 2000 power leads in the 520's power cord and power the network ONLY with the power node.

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

[jhebert]

Let me clear up a few misconceptions:

First, the network is a NMEA-2000 network. NMEA is an acronym for National Marine Electronics Association. There is another organization, NEMA, which is the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, but it is not involved in connecting NMEA-200 devices. Do not confuse the two.

Second, Lowrance created a bit of a problem with their early units that offered to provide power to the NMEA-2000 network. This practice is generally no longer considered to be a standard practice. It is better to use a network power T-connector to power the network. Lowrance wisely made the power lead for those older units that could power the network to be separate, so you can use an older unit and not have it power the network. You simply do not connect the power leads from that unit for the network to a power source.

Third, the network should have only one power source. Larger devices on the network will run on their own power, but the network needs power on the network bus to operate properly. Some smaller devices, for example a Lowrance STORAGE DEVICE like the EP-85R or some small sensor, will get their power from the network. I also believe that even on self-powered devices, like your chart plotter, the network interface inside the device may be powering itself from the network power.

Lowrance explains all of this in their literature. See

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads...lation-Manual/

for a thorough explanation including a lot of illustrations.

[FinsNFeet]

Thank you everyone. I think I see. The 520 comes with two sets of power leads, the unit which has the red, black and white and the NMEA-red,black and shield. Those do not get connected because I have powered the backbone with the power node. the power to the unit does. the NMEA 2K goes to the backbone from the back of the unit, the transducer gets plugged to the unit. 520 done. Now for the HDS units. Do I just use the NMEA 2k plug to the backbone or do I still use the blue plug and connect that to the power. Both the HDS5X and the HDS5M Gen2. Both would have NMEA 2K from unit to backbone. 5x yellow Ethernet to LS and obviously the transducer. The 5M would have the blue power hooked to switch and the NMEA 2k to backbone with the option of yellow Ethernet to ls1. The LGC 4000 directly to backbone. Now I should be networked in and able to share way-points. Correct ? Or am I still confused.

[jhebert]

Originally Posted by FinsNFeet

Now for the HDS units. Do I just use the NMEA 2k plug to the backbone or do I still use the blue plug and connect that to the power.

Read the owner's manual for the HDS. It has clear instructions on how to connect the unit to power and to a NMEA-2000 network.

Originally Posted by FinsNFeet

After reading the 12 pages of posts concerning networking Lowrance Units, I confused myself.

Discussions in on-line forums like this can be informative, but, as you say, they can often be confusing. It is common that forums contain conflicting information or misleading information. For this reason, I recommend you read the manufacturer's literature about installation. Usually the manufacturer's literature about installation will be carefully written and will have illustrations. Also, many manufacturer's offer telephone support for free.

The power available on a NMEA-2000 network is not sufficient to operate high-power devices like a chart plotter. The power on the network is intended only to power the data communication transceivers on the network or to power very low-power devices like a sensor that only needs a few milliamperes of current.

[FinsNFeet]

Thank you all, I now have a complete understanding. I really appreciate the help and the input. Going from the older units like the 520C to the newer HDS caused my confusion. The older units installed a few years back and forgot what was connected and what wasn't.Thanks again