HDS 8 Arrived and installed

[pjay9]

The new Lowrance HDS-8 is installed. Had to make a bracket mount base out of Starboard to get it into a good usable position. The images show the side view and top vies of the bracket and base...note that i ran the wires thru a vertical surface so if any water was to get to the dash console it would not run down thru a hole and onto to the radio and other items below. I know the GPS unit is working as it pinpointed my backyard with in initial moments of power up. I think I have the transducer situated correctly and will take tools to adjust if it isn't.

The HDS-8 is just the right size for the spot it needed to go...the 10 appeared when measuring the space that it would be a bit crowded and possible overkill for the boat. Sure beats any of my other electronics over the years, Raytheon flasher and a paper burner that really stunk and the paper was expensive, plus it was as big as a tackle box...nice thing about the flasher I could see it from the transom of the boat thru the pilot house door about 25 feet away...it was all relative position and remembering the scale it was set on.

We sure have come along way...I didn't even have a Loran or radar, just charts and compass and depth sounder and clock plus a speed chart for rpm...did many deadreckoning in the fog to the fishing holes.

I think I am going to like this HDS-8!! Capt PJ

[Chaps]

Nice - I thought Lowrance went to red NMEA 2000 connectors?

[JETTYWOLF]

yer the star-board king of the AAB.

Have always liked Lowrance stuff. Had 4 of them myself.

[goldenarrow]

Nice - I thought Lowrance went to red NMEA 2000 connectors?

They did, the GPS antenna is internal he doesn't have any network cables. NEMA 2000 is red and the Ethernet port is yellow. those 8's are pretty nice I would love to get a hds 7 but my old x 15 is still working good the black and white screen is just hard to see.

[IN2DEEP]

Capt PJ,
Nice sanitary work!
I like the way you ran the cables thru the base and into the counsel

Not that I'm complaining, but I think that your compass mtg. base would look better if it had rounded corners or the same shape as the compass base, just bigger.

Nice work
Scott

[Chaps]

Nice - I thought Lowrance went to red NMEA 2000 connectors?

They did, the GPS antenna is internal he doesn't have any network cables. NEMA 2000 is red and the Ethernet port is yellow. those 8's are pretty nice I would love to get a hds 7 but my old x 15 is still working good the black and white screen is just hard to see.

I'd like to try the new hi-def machines as well. Are you up to speed on troubleshooting NMEA 2000 issues? A client bought a LCX111HD a couple of years ago on a close-out and I was going to mount it in his boat but we never got around to it before he sold the boat. Anyway, I've put it in my LaConner to see how it works and the sounder is fine but it won't acknowledge the gps puck (LC2000) so the plotter side of the machine won't function. Its a single node blue plug network with only the gps antenna, one T and a single 60ohm terminating resistor. If I unplug the gps and plug in the data cable from the engine that works OK so it appears that the minimal network is functioning but the LC2000 gps no worky.

[goldenarrow]

Yeah it sounds like a verry common problem. The power cord has two sets of red and black wires, one set is the power for the unit and the other set powers the nema 2000 including the gps puck. make sure bothe sets are hooked up.

[goldenarrow]

Also be careful of the LGC2000 some of the older ones were not shealed at the factory and radar can fry them.

[pjay9]

If I unplug the gps and plug in the data cable from the engine that works OK so it appears that the minimal network is functioning but the LC2000 gps no worky.

Chaps, talk to me! The Yamaha 90 I have is a 2005, it probably has a data cable that is presently feeding the multifunction tach plus...do you mean to tell me that it will probably plug into the back of the HDS and read out in the gages function screen of the HDS? Electronics I am only a user not versed in all the little nice things, but with this boat I am learning fast! THX for any info and guidance.

[Chaps]

If I unplug the gps and plug in the data cable from the engine that works OK so it appears that the minimal network is functioning but the LC2000 gps no worky.

Chaps, talk to me! The Yamaha 90 I have is a 2005, it probably has a data cable that is presently feeding the multifunction tach plus...do you mean to tell me that it will probably plug into the back of the HDS and read out in the gages function screen of the HDS? Electronics I am only a user not versed in all the little nice things, but with this boat I am learning fast! THX for any info and guidance.

Sorry PJAY, its only on the newer, larger engines that the NMEA 2000 network system is supported. My Suzuki is a 2006 and I think that was the first year for them and Yamaha only recently started to pull data from their engines over that style network. The cable that feeds your multi-function tach is proprietary as far as I know. My Suzuki also has a multi-function tach that is on a totally separate harness than the NMEA 2000 data.

[goldenarrow]

Hay pjay check this site to see if your engine is on the list.
http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Prod ... NMEA-2000/

[pjay9]

Looks like i missed it by a year, mine is 2005. Too Bad! I wonder if anyone makes a kit or what ever so it can work? HUMMM!!! THX for the info and comments. Capt PJ

[goldenarrow]

They didn't list a year that it started working it just says that before 2006 the trim and temp don't interface but it sounds like the other sensors should. Is your engine a model 90f?

[pjay9]

Now that I reread it you are certainly on the right track..hopefully! I'll call the dealer and see what they have on it! THX for pointing that out! Funny how things can be confusing or misread! THX. Capt PJ :-?