Northstar 6000 I to Simrad AP 22 pilot

[JLR]

I just swapped out my Northstar 6000i for another one bought from Max in Florida. Now, I cannot get the 6000i to output NEMA data to my Simrad AP 22 pilot. Needless to say, the only thing that has changed is the 6000i control head. I have played with the port setup, the sentences, and everything I could think of and have run out of ideas. Seems like once again, there is a cork in the bottle somewhere. Radar is on Port 2, echo sounder on auxiliary port and Port 1 is configured for gps and 0183 v 2.1. Checksums are on. Sentences are default sentences. I do not want to go into the AP 22 because nothing has changed there nor has any of the wiring changed. For what it is worth, neither the newish 6000i nor the 6100 slave on the bridge seems to be talking to the pilot. Is there a good way to tell whether the 6000i is actually outputting nema sentences. I know it is communicating properly with my Northstar radar but I assume that is just Port 2. Also, what kind of voltage should I be seeing on nema output sentences? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[JLR]

Another 4 hours into unit. Decided to send it back to verify port 1 is outputting NEMA data. I get a steady 18.5 milivolts on violet/ gray wires but I think with data being transmitted, those readings should fluctuate.

 

[JLR]

Does anyone know whether a simple TNC splitter would work to split the AN 150 gps antenna feed from one of my Northstar 952's between it and a Northstar 6100. Hoping not to have to do this but if I cannot get my other issue resolved, I may need to resort to turning my lower 6000i and upper 6100 into mere displays while controlling my upper and lower pilots with my 952 backups. Sorry for the tedious questions.

 

[gbharrington]

Since you have in fact changed the GPS source, you may want to go into the Installation Menu on the AP22 (Nav button for 5 secs) and take a look at the Parameters and the NEMA Test section.

 

[JLR]

The early reports are in. The 6000i I received from Max in Florida had a bad cold solder connection on the main board which prevented Port 1 from outputting NMEA data. I shipped it back to Max and he fixed it and turned it back around in less than 24 hours. Not only that, he responded to emails on the weekends and was available on the telephone. I would not hesitate to but again from him.

 

[Tim Powell]

The early reports are in. The 6000i I received from Max in Florida had a bad cold solder connection on the main board which prevented Port 1 from outputting NMEA data. I shipped it back to Max and he fixed it and turned it back around in less than 24 hours. Not only that, he responded to emails on the weekends and was available on the telephone. I would not hesitate to but again from him.

cONGRTULATIONS ARE IN ORDER.. I purchased a new garman 5200 gps and connected it to to simrad ap tried every thing finall purchased a garman auto pilot and all well 3500$ later it reads grate and kinda like the auto pilot some neet functions
Tim

 

[drburke]

Thanks JLR for the remarks about Max.

Just bought a 25KW radar from him and so far the interactions have been good. Glad to have your recommendation...

DAN

 

[JLR]

All is well but now, if I split the NMEA output from Port 1 on my 6000i, it will not drive both my AP 22 and my Anritsu radar nav data. Looks like I am going to have to buy a multiplexer to split the NMEA output from Port 1. Port 2 is already devoted to my Northstar radar.

 

[34Hatt]

cONGRTULATIONS ARE IN ORDER.. I purchased a new garman 5200 gps and connected it to to simrad ap tried every thing finall purchased a garman auto pilot and all well 3500$ later it reads grate and kinda like the auto pilot some neet functions
Tim

I got my Garmin 4210 to work with my simrad 22 last summer using nema 2000 nice and clean setup works great!

I do have to Thank Scott "boatsb" he helped get my head straight to setting it up the best way

 

[JLR]

Tech support wisdom suggests that the Anritsu radar is crashing the data. So, I either need to figure out which sentences to use (with both the AP 22 and the Anritsu) or give up.

 

[JLR]

Finally got the Anritsu radar to display Nav data from my backup Northstar 952. However, using identical sentences, the Anritsu will not display Nav data from my Northstar 6000i. I have no idea why?

 

[Boatsb]

That RADAR is probably from the 90's. probably not worth all the time your spending on it. Remember the magnetron has a finite life.

 

[JLR]

Probably right. The radar itself is working perfectly. This seems to be a straight NMEA compatibility issue that I just can't get right.