Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

[TheChad]

Hey All,

I have a Lowrance LCX-26c HD Sonar/GPS combo unit that I installed last year.

When I installed it the GPS Antenna had no problems. I never got to use it last year because the season ended. Over the winter I installed the Fuel Flow sensor, and this year I finally got the boat on the water.

As soon as I turn the unit on, it says GPS module not responding, If I go into the NMEA devices, it always shows the Fuel Flow sensor, but does not show the GPS antenna.

If I crawl under the helm and unplug the T-Connectors, and terminators, and plug them all back in, the GPS antenna will apear in the NMEA Devices untill I turn the unit off again.

I Have it connected as follows...

{=}-----\/\/-+
[]---| |---------@

{=} - LCX-26c HD
\/ - T-Connector
-+ - Terminator
[] - Fuel Flow Sensor
@ - LCG-2000 GPS Antenna

Hopefull that's easy enough to follow?

Thanks for the help/suggestions.

-TheChad

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Check to be sure you have power going to the NEMA cable. It has to have power to see the GPS mod plus it should be on a switch as it will still draw power even with the unit off.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

I have similar problems at times. Are you using two 120 ohm terminations? One at the beginning of the network and one at the end?

Also, make sure you look on the Lowrance site for software updates. I just updated my 337DF and it seems the network is a little less flakey.

I just unplugged the network cable from the rear of the unit and then plugged it back in to reset mine.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

There is an update for that unit. I just did mine last week.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Check to be sure you have power going to the NEMA cable. It has to have power to see the GPS mod plus it should be on a switch as it will still draw power even with the unit off.

Power for the NEMA Network goes threw the head unit, which is unplugged when not on the water.

-TheChad

 

[TheChad]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

I have similar problems at times. Are you using two 120 ohm terminations? One at the beginning of the network and one at the end?

Also, make sure you look on the Lowrance site for software updates. I just updated my 337DF and it seems the network is a little less flakey.

I just unplugged the network cable from the rear of the unit and then plugged it back in to reset mine.

I have 1x 120ohm terminator at the end of the network. At the beginning of the network comes from the head unit. Which I assume has internal termination.

-TheChad

 

[TheChad]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

There is an update for that unit. I just did mine last week.

Yeah, I have the latest update. It still does it.



Thanks for the replies,

-TheChad

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Are you sure you are using one 120 ohm terminating resistor because you would normally use a 60 ohm if you were only using one.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Here is how mine is hooked up:

According to Lowrance, you want 60 ohms total termination. It can either be one 60 ohm or two 120 ohms(this will create 60 ohms because they are in parallel) put at opposite ends of the network.

Unfortunately, the cable to the fuel sensor is really long and there no way to terminate other than at the last "tee" where the fuel sensor cable attatches.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

I belive you need power going to the cable to power the GPS antenna. Also the terminators should be on the end of the Tee's. The power to you LCX-26 Does not power the network cable it only powers the LCX-26 in my opinion. SEE Link or call Lowrance.

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/LowranceNET/LowranceNet_sample.asp

 

[TheChad]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Are you sure you are using one 120 ohm terminating resistor because you would normally use a 60 ohm if you were only using one.

Maybe it's a 60 ohm. It's whatever it came with in the kit?

-TheChad

 

[TheChad]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

I belive you need power going to the cable to power the GPS antenna. Also the terminators should be on the end of the Tee's. The power to you LCX-26 Does not power the network cable it only powers the LCX-26 in my opinion. SEE Link or call Lowrance.

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/LowranceNET/LowranceNet_sample.asp

There are 2 power cables going to the Head Unit, 1 is for the Head unit, the other is for the NEMA Network. I wired it according to the instructions in the manual for the LCX-26c HD.

-TheChad

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

There are 2 power cables going to the Head Unit, 1 is for the Head unit, the other is for the NEMA Network. I wired it according to the instructions in the manual for the LCX-26c HD.

-TheChad

The LGC2000 wouldn't ever be powering up if you hadn't hooked up the NEMA 2000 bus power. That is not your problem.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Check Lowrance's FAQs under support.

 

[tommays]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

You need (3) tees and (2) 120 OHM units which come with the N2K-EXT-KIT Part # 119-501 ( mine is still on back order )

Be carefull as they NOW have OLDER BLUE TEES which you need and NEW RED TEES which you do not NEED

From the NEMA 2000 manual

http://www.lowrance.com/Manuals/Files/NMEA2000NetworksGeneralInfo_0154-173_112006.pdf


Most of the books that shiped with the units are not as good as the current PDF

Tommays

 

[TheChad]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Tommy,

The manual and picture you are posting are for the new RED end network connections. The Picture I posted above is directly out of the Manual for the LCX-26c HD.

-TheChad

 

[tommays]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Chad

I own a 3500C unit and it is the manual for everything NEMA 2000 the red tees are just a bit different and allow more things like a double TEE

Any network beyond a single item like the LGC-2000 with a single 60 OHM unit requires one kit with the 120 OHM units at the ends of the network EVERYTHING at Lowrance shows it being done like this
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/LowranceNet/LowranceNet_sample.asp

This allows any future item to be installed with only the TEE it ships with

The sell a cable to connect RED fittings to BLUE fittings


And it is the correct way to connect a network as i called lowrance last year when i bought my BLUE TEE unit


Tommays

 

[TheChad]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

Chad

I own a 3500C unit and it is the manual for everything NEMA 2000 the red tees are just a bit different and allow more things like a double TEE

Any network beyond a single item like the LGC-2000 with a single 60 OHM unit requires one kit with the 120 OHM units at the ends of the network EVERYTHING at Lowrance shows it being done like this
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/LowranceNet/LowranceNet_sample.asp

This allows any future item to be installed with only the TEE it ships with

The sell a cable to connect RED fittings to BLUE fittings


And it is the correct way to connect a network as i called lowrance last year when i bought my BLUE TEE unit


Tommays

I will give it a shot, and see what happens. I wish Lowrance would be ALOT more detailed about the whole LowranceNET connections..

On all the diagrams, it shows the NEMA Network being powered by a power cable plugged into one of the T's. But on mine, the Power cable that powers the Head Unit, also has wires that power the NEMA buss. So I don't need the external power cable connected into a T correct?

Thanks,

-TheChad

 

[tommays]

Re: Lowrance LCX-26c HD - GPS Module Not Responding

If you read the book about 8 times the level of confusion will go down


You do not need a power TEE if you power the NEMA 2000 network from the head unit



It is just a way to allow more flexabilty in different installs.


Tommays