Lowrance HDS-5 to HDS- Upgrade Good Info

[Luv2fish]

I recently installed my HDS-7. Because I have a pilot house I need an external GPS receiver. I had a Lowrance GPS 3000 external antenna that plugged in to a NMEA 2000 network. This came as part of a kit when I bought the antenna. There was no power connector on the network and it worked fine with the HDS-5. When I installed the radar and HDS-7 I could not get a signal on the external GPS (nor the internal since it is blocked by the cabin). If I reconnected the HDS - 5 it would get a signal from the external GPS antenna. I called Lowrance and they informed me that all NMEA networks require a separate power source. This seemed very odd since both head units are supposed to be identical except for the size of the screen and the HDS 5 worked but the 7 didn't.

I found that to be odd that it had been working for 3 years with the other configuration but I went ahead and ordered the extra NMEA 2000 parts to add power to the network.

I decided to take the boat for a run on Sunday. Shortly after I left the dock I received the error that the GPS could not get a signal. I expected this but used the sonar on the HDS -7 and my backup GPS for navigation. While I was on the water playing with the new gadgets I noticed that the system had found a signal. The only thing I can figure is that the GPS 3000 (an older antenna) takes longer to get a signal than the newer GPS - 4000 and thus caused the system to shoot an error message.

I do believe that if you have more than one device fed off the NMEA network, it needs a separate power source. My configuration is basically a direct plug in from the external antenna to the back of the GPS through the network. No other devices are on the network.

Don't know why this works but it works. Now that the HDS -7 knows the antenna is there it takes very little time to find the signal and location. I was able to cancel the order for the VERY expensive additional NMEA network connections.

Steve

 

[windknotnc]

Tx for the info...I will be adding another display to my HDS-10 this year and I was hoping to not have to buy additional supporting hardware.

 

[Luv2fish]

If you add a second display that will be sharing input devices off the NMEA network I think you will have to add some things to the network, including power. I think mine works because it is the most simple application. One device in, one device out.

Steve

 

[rockhead]

I just got a 3g radar and GPS 4000 for my existing HDS. Trying to figure out how to install all this. I think I have the networking thing figured out, but am having problems with the rest. Did you mount your radar directly to the roof or raise it? Also, the 4000 installation instructions say not to mount it in the path of the radar beam. I'm not sure I could raise it above the beam because of towing issues. I've seen pictures of people mounting it under the radar. Did you do that, any interference problems?

 

[HOTPURSUIT]

I installed an HDS-9 in my 2520 three weekends ago, I have been out a few times since and played with it while docked several times and the GPS pics right up with just the internal antena,

 

[Luv2fish]

Bigger boat with bigger window. Unfortunately I installed mine so that it doesn't have any visibility to the sky through any windows.

Steve

 

[Luv2fish]

I finished the install of the HDS 7 and the radar. I pulled off the old transducer. I had to drill out the old holes a bit, plug with a wooden dowell and epoxy. I then put new gelcoat and a fresh coat of ablative paint.

I cut a piece of starboard and then mounted the two transducers and sidescan. I figured it would give me less holes and a little more flexibility to move if needed.

I also left the 50/200 transducer that I had mounted as a "shoot thru hull". I intend to test the unit with the skimmer and the old transducer. If there isn't much difference I may pull the one on the transom and put it on my skiff.

 

[warthog5]

That P66 or P58 what ever it is on the outboard side may work, but the other 2 will not at any speed.

You might want to read this. Look at Fig 10

http://www.airmartechnology.com/uploads ... 247-03.pdf

 

[Luv2fish]

That P66 or P58 what ever it is on the outboard side may work, but the other 2 will not at any speed.

You might want to read this. Look at Fig 10

http://www.airmartechnology.com/uploads ... 247-03.pdf

Thanks. You are correct. I'm going to have to move the starboard right along the bottom of the boat and mount them there.

The Lowrance (on the left) and side scan work when stopped but the side scan doesn't really do anything but shoot straight down. When I adjust it for left or right it won't show anything. Tested it under a bridge.

I'd really like photos of anyone's 2120 and how they mounted the sidescan.

Steve

 

[HOTPURSUIT]

[Thanks. You are correct. I'm going to have to move the starboard right along the bottom of the boat and mount them there.

The Lowrance (on the left) and side scan work when stopped but the side scan doesn't really do anything but shoot straight down. When I adjust it for left or right it won't show anything. Tested it under a bridge.

I'd really like photos of anyone's 2120 and how they mounted the sidescan.

Steve

[/quote]
Be carefull changing the mounts again. Ijust installed mine and it is not working so well. I mounted the regular transducer to the starboard side of the structure scan like you have it but mounted all even with the bottom of the hull (making the regular transducer lower than the side scan if you follow me). lowrance says my problem is caused by the side scan seeing the regular transducer giving it a false bottom and creatin too muck surface clutter. their recommendation to me was to put the side scan 1st on the starboard side (making it the lowest). I am hoping to get them swapped out today. Lowrance techs pick the phone up, no waiting. they had me take photos of my install and screen images and e-mail them to them. I had an answer back in two hours, Im hoping it works. you may want to do the same with all those transducers before doing it a third time.

 

[Luv2fish]

Thanks for the suggestion. Let me know how yours works out.

Steve

 

[HOTPURSUIT]

Well looks like i will be making another cal to navico. Still does not give depth, bad image, but surface interference gone. Forgot to mention the regular transducer that was in the way that i swapped was for my furuno unit similar to yours not the smaller lowrance transducer.

 

[Luv2fish]

Hotpursuit,
Have you had any feedback from Navico. I received my Lowrance Point 1 (http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Lowrance ... tenna.html) this week. I plan to move the transducers to a position along the bottom of the boat. I also got a new piece of "black" starboard to match the undercoating on the boat.

I hope to get this all settled before the beginning of striper season in a couple of weeks.

Steve