Looking for advice on setting up NEMA 2000 /Fox Gateway

boatrboy

boatrboy

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2006
1,854
Orange, CT
Boat Info
2006 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Horizons with V-Drives
I am going to get a Fox gateway and install a NEMA 2000 system.

I currently have a Garmin 741xs with a airmar p66 connected directly to it.
I have the standard horizon vhs with AIS receiver.
I also have a Navman fuel computer (now with a bad sensor - which is no longer available)
Currently the vhs, gps and fuel computer are connected using nema 0183.
All working fine.

Since the fuel computer is not functioning, and I like the additional info I can get on the Fox, I decided to get the NEMA 2000 and use the fuel data from the fox in the gps.

I will connect the GPS to the backbone
I will connect the Fox to the backbone
I will connect the VHF to the backbone??

Questions I have;
1) Should I disconnect the nema 0183 connections between the vhs and gps and convert to the backbone?
2) I am thinking that the expense of the fox will get me fuel burn data and really wont need the Garmin fuel sensor - am I correct?
3) Are there any 4” gage displays that are under $300? I would like not to have the extra displays on the GPS screen if possible (meaning fuel burn, etc) so I looked at the Garmin display but its around $500 plus. The Simrad are in the $300 range.

Thanks,

Mark
 
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1) that would give you a much cleaner setup
2) That depends on whether your engine provides that data to the gateway. If so, that should be more accurate than the Garmin sender. Fuel flow data is usually available on Fuel injected engines. but I doubt you'd see the data from a carbureted engine.
3) No. (at least none of which I am aware)
 
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Bobeast,
Thanks for the feedback. My boat is MPI so I will get pulse info from the fox.
When you say “cleaner” what were you thinking? Will I get more data transferred? Or were you thinking”wiring wise”? Keep in mind it’s already wired nema 0183.
Thanks
 
A NMEA backbone provides future-proofing. Many manufacturers still support it, but most new innovation is around NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 is there only for backward compatibility.

It is also much easier to add new devices from a wiring standpoint.

Here's a good article on the differences.
 
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All devices that have NEMA0183 and NEMA2000 can support both simultaneously. A conflict can occur if (for example) you have a NEMA0183 GPS receiver and another NEMA2000 GPS receiver both providing information to a device timing errors can occur. You can disable one (0183) in the device setup and keep it as a backup if you desire.
But, I would begin migration over to all NEMA2000 sooner than later.
Data from the Fox Gateway can be displayed on most marine MFD's and ancillary displays. You will find, however, that the flexibility of the MFD's is limited in what they can display and the screen layouts. If it were me I would move to a Maretron DSM410 in conjunction with the MFD.
 
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Thanks TT.

I ordered the Fox today and did buy enough cables to convert it all to Nema 2k. So shall I assume I can leave the wiring for the 0183 there and just configure everything to look at the 2k?

Also - I found this (SIMRAD IS35 DIGITAL DISPLAY 000-13334-001) for about 1/2 the price and it seems functionally it would do the same. Even with my Defender 1st price it is still about 1/2 the price.

I agree if I can swing it a dedicated gage would be my best option. Still looking for that magic MFD for $200 :)

Below is a picture of my helm and you can see replacing the Navman display with a MFD would be ideal. When the Navman worked it was spot on. I really miss not having this working (as in the picture - I wish it burned 3 gal/hr.).

36517af4-38b9-41cb-b25f-a739a58819a6.jpg
 
there are no issues having both networks other than if both are used be aware of conflicting devices as previously explained.
The Maretron DSM410 looks to be almost the same size as that Navman. Here is a pic of the Maretron display to the left of the gear shifters -
IMG_4176.jpg
IMG_3588.JPG
 
From the DSM410 manual on Fuel management. If the FOX Gateway outputs legit NMEA2000 PGN's on fuel data then the Maretron should display and provide calculations-
upload_2021-3-15_18-4-56.png

upload_2021-3-15_18-5-29.png
 
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ttmott said:
there are no issues having both networks other than if both are used be aware of conflicting devices as previously explained.
The Maretron DSM410 looks to be almost the same size as that Navman. Here is a pic of the Maretron display to the left of the gear shifters -
View attachment 101320 View attachment 101321
Click to expand...
Is there a protective cover available for that display?
 
tdschafer said:
Haha. OK, thanks. I'm surprised someone hasn't come up with a 3D printed cover or something.
Click to expand...

That's funny, when I first got the DSM410 and found that there is no cover, I called tech support and that's what they recommended and that was a few years ago. The guy said so matter of factly, just print one ... As if everyone has a 3D printer.
 
SKybolt said:
That's funny, when I first got the DSM410 and found that there is no cover, I called tech support and that's what they recommended and that was a few years ago. The guy said so matter of factly, just print one ... As if everyone has a 3D printer.
Click to expand...
Seriously! Sounds like a good side business!
 
You would think for $500 plus, the cover might be gold laced.
It looks like a nice unit but I think if I go with a separate gage I’ll try the Simrad I mentioned above (it even comes with a cover )
 
I am one of the original Fox Gateway owners, and was the beta tester for dual MPI engines of your vintage.
What I did for displays, was to get a couple of Raymarine ST70s, which are basically the same footprint as the Navman 3100. I in fact replaced my Navman with the Fox setup, so welcome to the club. My equipment setup is primarily Raymarine, so I had to "build" a cable to go from SeaTalk NG (NMEA 2K with proprietary connectors) to standard NMEA 2K, which Fox is. Eventually I got an A95, so I can show engine data on the chartplotter as well.
Photo Feb 15, 3 37 49 PM.jpg
Photo Feb 15, 3 39 50 PM.jpg

I think (don't know, TT does) that the DSM410 is a generic N2K unit, which would be more plug and play than my setup.
I can use that Navman display on another boat I have, so don't throw it away. shoot me an email at searay370suncancer@yahoo.com.
 
One more question - if I install a 4 port “t” can one of the ports remain unused? In other words I will have the terminator say on the left, a cable on the right going to the bilge, and on the drops of the 4 port I will have power, gps, vhf and one open for future use.
Of course the cable in the bilge will have a t and terminator and connect to the fox.
Can this be done or does each port have to be connected to a device?

Thanks in advance,

Mark
Edit - found out my answer from Garmin today- I do not need to have every port filled.
 
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I ended up purchasing and installing the Simrad IS35. All seems to be connecting to the Fox, however, I noticed that when I set both my Garmin and the Simrad to display “mpg” it displays “———-“. Is this because my engine is not running. All other fields show actual data like engine temp, volts, depth. But gph shows ”000” so I was assuming mpg would show the same.

370 - do you remember if your motor is not running, does your display do the same? I noticed in your pictures the st70 shows those dashes and not zero so I’m wondering if that changes the minute you start the motor?

I’m a week away from being ready to start my motor.
 
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