C80 interface with Bennett trim tab via NMEA 2000

[PederKorgaard]

I had a discussion on the Raymarine Forum regarding integration of of Bennett trim tab position indictions on a C80 Classic display via NMEA 2000. It seems feasible as long as the C80 runs the latest software version. The only problem was the calibration of the trim tab positions as the C80 does not support calibration of NMEA 2000 trim tabs.

Does anyone have any experience in how to calibrate the trim tabs when the MFD cannot be used?

 

[Tabman]

It seems odd that Raymarine would not include the calibration protocol, without it there is no reason for the unit to have the capability to display Trim Tab Position!

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[Henry Boyd]

Just guessing here, but I've had extensive conversations with Raymarine's cs people on the subject of NMEA 2000 compatibility. The short version is that they do not certify the c70/80/120 as being nmea2000 compliant. They did implement a sub set of nmea2000 for engine monitoring data under the name Seatalk2. That being said they categorically stand by the official position that the c classic series does not support nmea2000. I went round and round with them on this topic last spring and have a number of very emphatic emails from them stating their position.

That doesn't help solve the op's problem, but does suggest that there may be no solution other than to use a Bennett display.

Henry.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[PederKorgaard]

Thank you for the replies - I sort of got the same response on the Raymarine Technical Forum. I have seen pictures of the trim tab in function with a C80 so somehow it must be possible to calibrate them. I am wondering if you can hook up a PC to the NMEA 2000 network and carry out the calibration on the PC - would that also work on the C80 - or do you have to calibrate each display individually?

Tabman: Would you be able to describe how the Trims Tabs normally get calibrated via NMEA 2000 - would you be able to provide a reference document describing it?

I am running out of space on the dash board and therefore seeking alternative ways of displaying useful information.

Peder

 

[Tabman]

Peder,

Actually the calibration routine is up to the manufacture of the electronic device that the Trim Tab Position will be displayed on, not us. We put out the information as called for by NMEA2000 standards and then it is up to the electronics manufacturer to write the code to display it as well as calibrate their unit. Instruction would be found in their manual.

Normally calibration consists of going to the instrument's menu and selecting the Trim Tab "page". On that page will be a "button" for calibration. It will prompt you to have the Trim Tabs in the full up position, then run them fully down and then fully up. It varies a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer but will be roughly what I described.

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[Henry Boyd]

Tom,

Assuming the c80 only has partial NMEA2000 support, how could someone calibrate the display?

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Tabman]

Henry,

I have been looking into this and I don't think that the c80 can be calibrated. It is interesting to note that if there is another unit in the system that can calibrate the Trim Tab data the c80 will display it. Here is a link to a page showing the c80 used in a system with Lowrance LMF-200 / LMF-400 displays and Trim Tab sensors, http://www.boat-project.com/nav/n2000.htm

I went to the Raymarine technical forum (Peder has been active there asking about this question), and found a somewhat related question about Trim Tab calibration http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/topics/trim-tab-calibration

The c80 is not the only Raymarine MFD that will not calibrate Trim Tab (and other sensor) data, but Raymarine's reply is interesting:

"While the new a/c/e-Series MFDs (a65, a67, c95, c97, c125, c127, e7. e7D, e95, e97, e125, e127, e165) feature support for displaying data from third party NMEA 2000 devices such as trim tabs, they do not presently support calibration of such devices. Support for NMEA 2000 trim tabs would certainly add value to these products and this feature request has been logged accordingly."


Here is a link to Peder's discussion with Raymarine http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/topics/c80-nmea-2000-interface-with-bennett-trim-tap

Again Raymarine says "With the exception of E-Series Widescreen MFDs and G-Series systems, Raymarine's MFDs do not support calibration of NMEA 2000 trim tabs. As with other third party NMEA 2000 products, calibration of NMEA 2000 trim tabs would need to be accomplished via a product (display, computer program, etc.) provided by the third party NMEA 2000 device manufacturer."

So, I think as it stands the c80 alone cannot be made to work with Trim Tabs.

I think that it would be great if Raymarine could add Trim Tab calibration to the c80 and other MFDs as it is a very desirable feature.

Tom
Bennett Marine