1-800-324-1356

Navico
12000 E. Skelly Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74128

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Networking Lowrance units with NMEA2000 (Lowrancenet)

Below are a couple diagrams of a Lowrance NMEA 2000 Network. I found the diagrams online and modified them to help you during installation. These include wiring of the power cable and a typical red network bus.

This power cable diagram does not apply to HDS units it is meant for the LCX/LMS units please see your manual for proper NMEA2000 powering options for the HDS units.

Some boats come pre-rigged withe NMEA2000 network backbone from the boat manufacturer and may use a Power Node to supply power the network. This Power Node is hooked directly into a Tee in the network bus. If your boat has one of these on the network DO NOT power the NMEA power wires from either graph. It is already done. Powering it twice will cause damage to the Module, graph and any sensors. I could not find an online picture of the red power node, but the concept is the same.

Note** HDS Models would require a Power node to supply power to the Network Bus. This diagram below shows the network bus configured for networking 2 LMS or LCX units to one GPS module

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Networking HDS Models with NMEA2000
The Diagram below shows adding an external antenna, which is optional. If you are not hooking up an external antenna get rid of the extra Tee in the diagram.
Please note if you are only interested in waypoint sharing all you need to do is connect the two HDS units with an Ethernet cable. No NMEA Network is required unless you are using network sensors like temperature, fuel, interface cables or an external gps module.
The NMEA Network is totally expandable, just remove the terminator, add a Tee to plug in your new sensor and replace the terminator back on the new end. It's that easy!
HDS units Networked

Parts needed to network two HDS Models:

1) NMEA Starter kit: N2K-EXP-RD-2 (#124-69)
kit includes: Includes 2 terminating resistors (TR-120M-RD, TR-120F-RD),
two T-connectors (N2K-T-RD), one 2 ft extension cable (N2KEXT-2RD),
and one 15 ft extension cable (N2KEXT-15RD), and a power node (N2K-PWR-RD).
$51.99*

1) T connector, N2K-T-RD #119-79 $14.99*

* prices at time of posting from

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Wiring options for Structure Scan Module (LSS-1)

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Updating software in older units using the LGC2000 Antennas. Before doing the update to the unit you must make sure the update to the LGC2000 antenna is done first. This is very important. Read the update instructions page for the LGC2000 antenna, it tells you how to identify which version your antenna currently is using. If you do not update the antenna before updating the unit you will lose connectivity with the antenna and have to get it fixed or possibly replaced.
I would suggest that you verify the antenna update has completed successfully before moving on to the next step of updating the head unit.

Use a smaller size SD card for updating older units using the LGC2000 antennas some older units worked better if the card was smaller than 1 gig, a 256mb or 512mb SD would work great.

The following contributed by champ203rude Thanks
Updating some units which use the LGC12W antenna ( ex. LCX-15MT)

It has to be the old MMC card style.... and has to be 512MB or smaller.

Specifically...

1) The card is 512MB or smaller !

2) Looking at the MMC card, there must only be 7 copper strips exposed ... not the 9 that show on the newer SD cards that are same size but are *not* the old MMC card.

If when u are putting in the bad card type the unit just kind of blinks with some icon at the bottom and doesn't seem to work... then u are failing due to card type. I had to go on web and find the old MMC cards. I bought them at OEMPCWorld.com

A Software update instructional video posted on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz7zpFgL5tA

An HDS unit software update tutorial video from Lowrance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0sW49IPmgE

Link for information on HDS Insight Mapping
http://primus.lowrance.com/sup...Goto5

What type and size cards can I use in my HDS unit?
The following contributed by Jeremy aka "fishin couillon"

Ok this came up in a post last night. Figured I would post under new topic so all can find it. I emailed lowrance last night and low n behold I got a response from them this morning. I basically asked them what size sd card do the recommend for the HDS units. Here is their response:
Thank you for contacting us.

The unit will read SD cards up to a maximum of 32GB per card. Use MMC, MMC+, or SD cards for this additional data storage.

If further assistance is needed, please let us know.

Lowrance Customer Service
Division of Navico Inc.

Installing a shoot thru hull transducer
Some great tips by "fishin couillon"
http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread/250770

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Lowrance Reset Procedures
This works with most newer LMS and LCX units, I have a complete list in pdf format if you want a copy just send me an email or go to Lowrance website and type in Lowrance Resets in the search field.
This reset usually clears up missing pages and menu items, it reorganizes the software when a problem occurs. It may correct gps connectivity problems as well as transducer problems. Always shut down the unit with the power button, never by unplugging it or disconnecting the power supply from the battery.

Soft Reset
Power unit down, press pages key and power key, hold keys until USA map appears. This will not delete waypoints or other user saved data.

Hard Reset
This method will delete waypoints and trails so be sure to back them up first unless you have no choice.

Shut unit off, press Zoom in, Zoom out, and the power key, hold keys until USA map appears. Unit will reset to factory default, you will need to allow time for unit to reinitialize gps position. This may take up to a few minutes on the first gps position lock.
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Temp Readings Not Showing up on HDS Units
Backup your waypoints first..just in case.
Make sure everything is plugged in, power for network is on (if you are networked) also make sure other graphs in the network are turned on.
In the HDS menu under settings, NMEA2000 Network run the Auto-Configure option. This should allow your temperature to display correctly.
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HDS units power cable
Just a heads up..
Before installing your HDS unit check the NMEA 0183 wires on the power cable and make sure they are capped off. If your not using these wires just simply clip the ends off. Lowrance inadvertently shipped some units out with these wires pre-stripped which causes a lot of problems if they touch together. Problems like the GPS speed reading extremely high...
Always cap off any unused wire on the power cable, this goes for any of the other models as well.

Once I moved my 3000 antenna a foot away or better there were no interference issues at all!

Well done.

Is it necessary for a dropper cable to connect the antenna to the "T" as shown in the above diagram, or can you hook the antenna directly up to it?

Do I have this correct: I am not adding any separate gauges, just using one antenna for two 520C's so if I have both units powered and I also have the antenna powered on the console, then I will not need the separate NMEA2000 power cable. Is that right?

The dropper cable to the antenna also gives you room to move the antenna away from the head unit, lessening the chances of interference. Some guys have been able to hook the antenna directly to the tee with no ill effects, others had to move it at least three feet away. Thats why you should test the location of the antenna before making it permanent.

I believe it's the orange, yellow, and shield. The orange of the sending will connect to the yellow of the receiving, the yellow of the sending, the orange of the receiving and the sheilds connect together. I use telephone wiring to carry this. This will allow both units to run off the same antenna and to share waypoints. You will also have to go into the screens, set baud rates and set one as receiveing and one as sending unit. The manuel will walk you though this. John

BBC Sponsor
http://www.jonestrollingmotor.com
(870) 773-3474

I think I just went cross eyed!! Carpe Diem!!

your waypoints are saved from the position of the gps puck so yes it would be more accurate if the gps puck is directly over the transducer. Some guys have it set up that way. I'm not needing that accurate of a waypoint myself.

I have two GSP pucks spaced about 15 feet apart, can the GPS really see the difference?

I fish in southern Illinois and I might acquire a WAAS signal about once or twice a year.

BBC Sponsor
http://www.jonestrollingmotor.com
(870) 773-3474

John,

The data cable method of connection you spoke of will probably be the route I go since neither of my units came with all the necessary "T" connectors, terminators, and extension wiring. And your method won't cost me any extra $$$. You stated you "believe" it's the orange and yellow. Where can I find this information confirmed. I don't want to roast any comm ports with a guess. I've looked through my manual but it tells me to consult Lowrance. So I've also sent an e-mail to Linda at Lowrance.

http://www.lowrance.com/upload...6.pdf

Page 36 of the manual (its in PDF format) describes the connection of NMEA 0183 data as such:

Com-1 uses the yellow wire to transmit, the orange
wire to receive and the shield wire for signal ground. Your unit does
not use the blue wire.

This would go from the unit the antenna is connected, to the "second" unit. Then from the second unit back to the main, it would also be yellow to orange (transmit to receive). In the settings you will make sure the baud rate is set the same on both units and set the send/receive. Hope this helps, John

BBC Sponsor
http://www.jonestrollingmotor.com
(870) 773-3474

Thanks.


Modified by drgrammer at 6:56 PM 11/26/2008