Linking a Cobra VHF MR F57B E to a Garmin 551s chart plotter

[Salacia]

Hi Folks

After loads of problems with a Cobra MR 55F the shop eventually replaced the unit for the most recent model a MR F57B E the only problem is now I can't seem to get the chart plotter to interface with the radio I have checked the internet and can see a couple of options for connection but neither of them seem to work i.e. violet and grey cables and green and brown. Does anyone know the correct wiring for this the manual says NMEA 0183 + data in yellow wire and NMEA 0183 Green wire? I have also grounded the shielding to the chart plotter negative wire as I understand this is also a NMEA connection as well as a ground but the cable may be too thick does this make a difference?

Any pointers will be great as electrics isn't my big thing

Thanks

 

[StingrayMike]

Brown nmea in +, black nmea in - for the chart plotter, and connect to the radios yellow +, and green -.
so brown to yellow and black to green.

 

[Salacia]

Thanks for the reply I tried that without success there is a ground shielding on it as well does that need connected to anything and will the wire need to be a certain type?

 

[dingbat]

Remember, communications are directional...

The output (TX) from the GPS (grey or blue) goes to the input (RX) (yellow) the VHF. Tie Garmin black and MR brown together at ground

 

[Salacia]

Thanks will give that a try tonight but thinking about it makes sense

 

[Salacia]

I am really stuck guys what am I missing??? I have tried the following

yellow to blue brown to green
brown to yellow blue to green
yellow to blue brown to green black to ground sheathing
brown to yellow blue to green black to ground sheathing
yellow to blue black and brown to ground sheathing
Yellow to grey purple to green
purple to yellow grey to green
Yellow to grey purple to green black to ground sheathing
purple to yellow grey to green black to ground sheathing
Yellow to grey purple to green black and brown to ground sheathing
purple to yellow grey to green black and brown to ground sheathing

I really can't think of anything else I am I misunderstanding you Dingbat?

 

[StingrayMike]

Verify you are actually putting out 0183 data. make your chartplotter still setup to output 0183 data.
if so, then put a multimeter across the blue and black leads of the chartplotter, you should see a few volt fluctuation.

I misread the ddiagram earlier. it is blue and black, sorry

 

[Salacia]

Thanks Mike I will give it a go tonight. I think something is amiss as I had the old radio working on the wiring.

 

[StingrayMike]

Maybe the new radio? I have seen new equipment right out of the box not work
couldn't hurt to check your setup on the chartplotter.
hopefully it will be an easy fix

 

[Salacia]

Verify you are actually putting out 0183 data. make your chartplotter still setup to output 0183 data.
if so, then put a multimeter across the blue and black leads of the chartplotter, you should see a few volt fluctuation.

I misread the ddiagram earlier. it is blue and black, sorry

Well I gave that a try and got nothing back at all. I checked the set up on the plotter and that seems right. Any other thoughts? I am getting to the point I will need to get some to take a look at it!

Is it possible I have messed up the chart plotter with all the combinations I have tried?

 

[NYBo]

Are all the communication parameters for the chartplotter the same as those for the radio (baud rate, stop bits, etc.)? If not, they won't be able to talk to each other.

 

[Salacia]

Are all the communication parameters for the chartplotter the same as those for the radio (baud rate, stop bits, etc.)? If not, they won't be able to talk to each other.

Oh now your asking . I will need to do some research on that and check. I have had to put the boat back in storage today as the charming women across the road complained it was unsightly!!

Thanks for the response.

 

[StingrayMike]

NMEA 0183 is universal from equipment to equipment. There are different versions, but normally from chartplotter to VHF its pretty straight forward with no capatability issues.
yes there is a slight chance something got fried when hooking up diiferent combos. Still first thing is to verify if the chartplotter is putting out the data. UOTE=NYBo;n9933117]Are all the communication parameters for the chartplotter the same as those for the radio (baud rate, stop bits, etc.)? If not, they won't be able to talk to each other.[/QUOTE]

 

[Salacia]

Well I just checked with the deal who sold me the radio and he tells me it's 100% compatible so one last check on my wiring.

 

[Salacia]

In the end I got a dealer to take a look he spent hours on it and purely by chance noticed a fault on the socket for the plug at the back of the cable! Hard wired it and away it went!
Thanks for the help guys.

 

[StingrayMike]

Glad its up and running:happy: