Chain Counter

Sorry, guess I jumped to an incorrect conclusion. That base station in the picture has a silver sensor plug and a second plug that looks like an nmea plug. Can’t find any docs that discuss that model and I jumped to the conclusion that the nmea plug was the network but the network appears to refer to the wireless connection with the remote.
 
SKybolt said:
I have that sensor connected to my Maxwell and ran all the way back to the helm. No issues at all.
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Thanks @SKybolt
I cross linked in the 48 DA Owners forum to see if anyone has done that run specific to my model.
 
There have been several instances I wish we could use the DC power wiring also for data. Modern fire alarm systems communicate over the same two wires that provide power as well as industrial control systems (HART protocol for example).
Now if Maretron made a means to get NMEA 2000 data on and off of DC power wiring - opportunity.
But we then need a PGN for counting and a means to translate that counting into something visually meaningful like windlass chain feet; another opportunity for someone like Maretron or our resident inventor @Carpediem44DB
 
unsalted said:
... That base station in the picture has a silver sensor plug and a second plug that looks like an nmea plug. ...
Click to expand...

It does look like an NMEA2000 plug, except it is 1/2 the size and contains 3 wires. And to confuse things there are two connector (male/female) that look like N2K cables, one from the head unit and one for the sensor.
 
ttmott said:
There have been several instances I wish we could use the DC power wiring also for data. Modern fire alarm systems communicate over the same two wires that provide power as well as industrial control systems (HART protocol for example).
Now if Maretron made a means to get NMEA 2000 data on and off of DC power wiring - opportunity.
But we then need a PGN for counting and a means to translate that counting into something visually meaningful like windlass chain feet; another opportunity for someone like Maretron or our resident inventor @Carpediem44DB
Click to expand...

There actually are PGN's that support a windlass, 128776/7/8. Maxwell (AutoAnchor) makes a SmartBox AA802 and has a cell phone app as well. But that has just come out and can't find a price on it. Not sure it is actually available yet either, just not too much info. Only their flyer.

http://www.maxwellmarine.com/PDF/Catalogue/Maxwell_US_web_2019.pdf (page 332)

https://www.nmea.org/Assets/20190613 windlass amendment, 128776, 128777, 128778.pdf
 
SKybolt said:
There actually are PGN's that support a windlass, 128776/7/8. Maxwell (AutoAnchor) makes a SmartBox AA802 and has a cell phone app as well. But that has just come out and can't find a price on it. Not sure it is actually available yet either, just not too much info. Only their flyer.

http://www.maxwellmarine.com/PDF/Catalogue/Maxwell_US_web_2019.pdf (page 332)

https://www.nmea.org/Assets/20190613 windlass amendment, 128776, 128777, 128778.pdf
Click to expand...
I didn't see those PGN's in the NMEA list doc that I have; very good. A lot of windlass data is available.
https://www.nmea.org/Assets/20190613 windlass amendment, 128776, 128777, 128778.pdf
Now to the instruments to create and transmit the data - I wonder how capable and adaptive the Maxwell Smartbox is.
 
ttmott said:
There have been several instances I wish we could use the DC power wiring also for data. Modern fire alarm systems communicate over the same two wires that provide power as well as industrial control systems (HART protocol for example).[/USER]
Click to expand...

Another example is the Ethernet extenders that run over power. Those could be used to extend Ethernet to the front of the boat. Not sure if they just use the common wire to communicate or common plus hot. If both, then you would need to be careful about shutting off circuits at the breaker.
 
ttmott said:
There have been several instances I wish we could use the DC power wiring also for data. Modern fire alarm systems communicate over the same two wires that provide power as well as industrial control systems (HART protocol for example).[/USER]
Click to expand...

Another example is the Ethernet extenders that run over power. Those could be used to extend Ethernet to the front of the boat. Not sure if they just use the common wire to communicate or common plus hot. If both, then you would need to be careful about shutting off circuits at the breaker.
 
ttmott said:
I didn't see those PGN's in the NMEA list doc that I have; very good. A lot of windlass data is available.
https://www.nmea.org/Assets/20190613 windlass amendment, 128776, 128777, 128778.pdf
Now to the instruments to create and transmit the data - I wonder how capable and adaptive the Maxwell Smartbox is.
Click to expand...

Yeah it was an amendment in 2015. When I spoke with Maxwell last year they sent me a copy as I asked about this as well. They also told me about the SmartBox they announced but wasn't available yet because of COVID. I believe they are the only ones that have implemented any of this yet. My guess is the first offering will be quite expensive and out of reach for most pleasure boaters (or not worth the investment) as there isn't much value in N2K windlass info. I suspect. I can see the value for the much larger boats when manning the windlass is a very big chore.
 
SKybolt said:
Yeah it was an amendment in 2015. When I spoke with Maxwell last year they sent me a copy as I asked about this as well. They also told me about the SmartBox they announced but wasn't available yet because of COVID. I believe they are the only ones that have implemented any of this yet. My guess is the first offering will be quite expensive and out of reach for most pleasure boaters (or not worth the investment) as there isn't much value in N2K windlass info. I suspect. I can see the value for the much larger boats when manning the windlass is a very big chore.
Click to expand...
I see a big value for my boat. It would be excellent to have a rode counter on the MFD's or my Maretron displays when bringing in or playing out the chain from the helm. That is more important to me than Sirius on the MFD for example.
I rarely have issues anchoring but frequently when we anchor over night or anchor and leave the boat I'd really like to know for sure how much is out relative to the depth.
 
ttmott said:
I see a big value for my boat. It would be excellent to have a rode counter on the MFD's or my Maretron displays when bringing in or playing out the chain from the helm. That is more important to me than Sirius on the MFD for example.
I rarely have issues anchoring but frequently when we anchor over night or anchor and leave the boat I'd really like to know for sure how much is out relative to the depth.
Click to expand...

I totally get that, and why I installed a Maxwell AA560. Given it is on a dedicated separate display and can't be viewed from the cabin or cell. Right now neither Maretron or Garmin support those PGN's. But they might in the future. I know when I spoke with Maretron about adding the Music PGN's they said they had no plans on supporting that. But I could see windlass info taking priority over that.
 
SKybolt said:
I totally get that, and why I installed a Maxwell AA560. Given it is on a dedicated separate display and can't be viewed from the cabin or cell. Right now neither Maretron or Garmin support those PGN's. But they might in the future. I know when I spoke with Maretron about adding the Music PGN's they said they had no plans on supporting that. But I could see windlass info taking priority over that.
Click to expand...
Right; this stuff is right up Maretron's type of data to display. Although their anchor watch is a real pain to setup and operate.
 
ttmott said:
Right; this stuff is right up Maretron's type of data to display. Although their anchor watch is a real pain to setup and operate.
Click to expand...

I have never gotten that to operate correctly and as you mention - switching modes is not for the faint of heart. I use WatchMate for the Vesper 8000 instead, that works great.
 
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