How to Build a Lowrance NMEA Network

[@lag_profil]

Did you actually get this to work or did you have to reconnect it corectly?

[@ericblackburn9829]

I think you missed the other resistor. You need a resistor at each end of the backbone. It is my understanding that the power should be through a t connector. Can you please clarify?

[@bwmswrestling5673]

I think you are correct, the 12v installs like a drop down in a T.

[@ericelmer5289]

I like your videos, and this one included. So I just bought the ghost and the 360 and I’m new to this Nema stuff. In the box with the ghost, I got a TMC white puck sensor. What does that do? Also, with as much technology as we got today, you would think this stuff would all hook up wirelessly

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

Thanks for watching!

[@ericelmer5289]

@@RussellMarineProductsLLC I like your no nonsense presentation. Straight to the point

[@TRP0852]

Power supply cable instead of terminator? Does it really work?

[@FishOn1]

I usually like your stuff, it this one missed the mark. I don’t think you can plug the power into the end of a T like you did. I believe it has to run into the top of a T, with a terminator on the end. In one of the other comments you responded that was correct. This video. Is supposed to help people understand how to establish a NMEA system and will end up confusing people instead. It needs to be corrected or taken down.

[@Rockers1121]

I'm actually watching this video as I am setting up my nmea system to my hds live ... the other resistor is not hooked up in this video.. you ha e to have that for the system to work .. and I believe you are correct the power supply has to be set up from the middle t connecter not the side ... I'm just confused on why I need two power supplies for everything to work .. my hds live unit came with a power supply and this nmea system also has one .. I'm not sure if both need hooked up or not.

[@FishOn1]

@@Rockers1121 you need both power supplies. The HDS is power by its own supply and the NMEA network is a low power network, but it does not draw from the HDS.

[@Rockers1121]

@@FishOn1 oh OK.. damn ... that's unfortunate.. I'm hooking my hds live to a separate 18ah lithium battery because I didn't want interference from my trolling motor battery or my starting battery .. so do you think it would be OK to wire the nmea power supply and the hds power supply together and just hook them straight to the battery ? Or am I gonna have to hook up the nmea to a switch that is powered from one of my other batteries, and if I do would it cause interference to the nmea network?

[@Rockers1121]

@@FishOn1 I'm honestly not impressed with how the wiring for lowrance and the nmea network wiring is designed at all, the tranducer plug that plugs into the back of the hds unit is way to big in diameter .. no way am I drilling that big of a hole into my transom .. I had to go over the whole transom with the cable .. I couldn't use the hole that was already there unfortunately .. .... I just think that there are some things that lowrance didn't think through very well when it came to designing the wiring.. and the whole back bone setup for nmea setup is kinda dumb too.. I just think all of it definitely should have been designed better .. hopefully the technology will make up for the bad wiring designs .. I havnt used the hds live yet.

[@FishOn1]

@@Rockers1121 I would hook it up via a switch or a fuse I can easily remove. Otherwise, it will draw power 24/7 and drain your batter my over time. No reason you couldn’t hook the NMEA network to your starting battery. There would be no interference issues with the NMEA.

[@kenschleben4126]

Do i need to go through a tee connector to hook up my new ghost trolling motor.

[@timross7046]

All other videos I've watched on this use a T for the power connection and use the second resistor end to finish the system ?

[@dreusch22]

I’m putting a nmea 2000 system I have the stuff too hook a motorguide trolling motor to my lowrance. I’m looking to go from the lowrance to my mercury 40hp efi. What would I need for that to work? Thanks for any help you could give me

[@Nick-vx6pr]

Why did u use a t at the front? Can u just run that cable into the unit instead of a t and another cable used?

[@brandonm180]

I would like to know that too?

[@kristophercarpenter2995]

I'm trying to install a Lowrance ghost and a carbon to my bow... I already ran a main line to my bow graph, do I do 2 drops 1 for graph and 1 for trolling motor 🤔 or foot pedal then a cap?

[@805soung]

I have 2 Elite ti12 and have it rigged the same way as you. But it's not sharing my waypoints. Wats the cause of it?

[@bobmorton8743]

I'm in the process of setting up new electronic package on mtg boat. NEMA 2000 communication is the way to go. Thanks for the informative video.

[@peterc504]

Hey just came across your video. I'm having issues with my point 1 antenna actually being seen by the hd7 Gen 3. Is there any diagram out there on how this should be connected? My unit is using a big blue cable that powers it however in the manual is using a nema cable for power so it's very confusing... I'm guessing the point 1 is not getting any power so the main unit is not seeing it... Lmk if you have any advice

[@levitolentino9759]

Do I need to hook up power supply to each component or does the unit get power from nmea 2000

[@tommckelvey3609]

Some devices such as the Point 1 are powered from the nmea network, multi function displays such as Sonar/Chart Plotters require their own power source.

[@kirkwesterveltoutdoors]

Very Well Done. You did a Great job explaining to us how this works

[@huskerfan]

hooked up two Elite Ti's this way but still not networking together. Are you sure two Elite Ti's can use the same transducer?

[@Nick-vx6pr]

I'm pretty sure they can't use the same transducer just share way points or control a motor etc that's connected as well

[@Eugene2ndW]

Are the blue connector still available, pins in a circular pattern? Tee in particular

[@brucecomer5308]

New to all this so please excuse the newbie question. My boat already had a network(s) established. HDS Live 12 (console) and HDS Live 9 (bow). I’m adding an HDS Live 7 at console (because I already have it). The power connector has two cables, power and NMEA 0183 cables. Do I need to connect the NMEA 0183 cable to anything or will connecting the yellow Ethernet ports from my 12 to the 7 provide all the networking I will need? Primary purpose will be displaying 2d and down scanning while side-scanning on the 12. Any help would be appreciated.

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

you will not need to connect anything to the NMEA 0183 cable, just use the yellow ethernet port sir

[@enoughcedd_1121]

I have 2 elite ti2 units I am assuming they both need to be on the NMEA network to control my trolling motor from either unit? So 2 units and trolling motor all on the network..

[@bradyoungbluth3490]

Why do you have to put a second T connection up front for the bow graph when you are already running a 15'ft cable off a T connection to the bow?

[@tommckelvey3609]

It's needed in order to be able to connect the required network terminating resistor on the end of the back bone.

[@185vsranger2]

Can a hds9 gen 2 and a hdi elite 7 be hooked together with the nmea system?

[@thecastingdeck9204]

so do I need to tie this somehow into my ghost to utilize routes etc... with elite fs... and how ? thanks

[@johntate3354]

I have a motorguide x13 with nema end coming out. Can I run short nema cord to front depth finder only using grilling motor as power source?

[@johntate3354]

Trolling motor

[@TX_Nupe]

Do you need a nmea 2000 system to work with the Ghost trolling motor and Elite Ti2 consoles?

[@vernonteague553]

Does Nitro already have a Can Bus from the motor to the console< or did you have to install the gateway at the motor and extend to the console?

[@umienh916]

Those 2 ft drop cables has how many pins universal?? ? Or do i need to buy one to fit my hds 9 gen 3 units?

[@travislalonde8310]

What if my bow graph and console graph are networked with ethernet, but I want to add a steady cast and another console graph. Can I just run NMEA for the steady cast, the second console graph, and the first console graph? Then the first console graph is on the nmea, but also ethernet connected to the bow graph. Will all the graphs/steady cast then be connected?

[@LakeMurrayBassGuide]

So in the video you plugged the power cable directly into the end of the T. Will that work or does it need its own seperate T connector? Im really confused now.

[@rickyreed1362]

Me too. The starter system only comes with 2 termination caps, 2 cables, 2 t's and 1 power cable . This doesn't provide enough supplies to connect any two things if you need a T for the power, and one for each unit. Need clarification.

[@moonj24]

The power cable needs its own drop from a T connector, not connected at the end of the T. The two end-most T connectors both need resistor caps to complete the circuit. For what it’s worth, I’ve also seen advice that power should ideally be run from a T connector near the middle of the backbone rather than the end of the backbone.

[@travispadgett4887]

So. to connect two units you need a minimum of the starter kit and an additional drop cable. Is that correct.

[@mikehart7390]

I was always told you have to use to terminators.... and that the power supply has to go through a T

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

Mike Hart you are correct.

[@mikehart7390]

Russell Marine Products, LLC then why did you plug the power into the end of the t

[@ahaua1]

Yes...I believe you are correct. The power supply plugs to a T drop and then you add a terminator on the end if it's the end of the backbone..

[@staffing504]

So for my carbon unit if I’m not running point one or spot light I don’t need these wires correct? Thanks.

[@andybowlin]

Ok if I already linked 2 units with Ethernet cable, do I still need a nema200 kit for lowrance point one antenna and two graphs system?

[@kmsvids4254]

Can’t the 15ft cable at bow go directly into fish finder? Why the extra T and wouldn’t an extra cable be necessary to purchase?

[@neillee3793]

I am installeing second Chart-plotter HDS LIVE at the aft steering station, some one mentioned having to supply separate power directly to the second unit as there would not be enough power thru the NMEA network?

[@benderbass62]

Can you please explain what the purpose of NMEA Network is? Cause I just find it's more money spent, and I don't know how people can afford to keep up with all newest Sonar.

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

Nmea network is somewhat an industry standardize communication system to share certain information. A lot of engine maunfacturers use it to send digital engine data and other things, point one heading, certain sensors. It isn't always mandatory that you use it/have it.

[@magicdolphin451]

No. This is wrong. The power input has to also be on a tee. A network has a terminator on both ends of the network.

[@318android3]

Where you put a resistor cap at bow, could you of wired a point 1 GPS there? Or must it be near the backbone? Also on this nitro, where did you place the backbone? Driver locker?

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

Yes you can put the point on on the bow and have it there instead of the end cap. Backbone was placed under the dash, its easier to ziptie it up under the dash for that.

[@mikehart7390]

Russell Marine Products, LLC I thought the point one had to be hooked to a T is well.... not directly into the backbone end

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

Mike Hart you are correct, the t from the point one can be plugged into the end of the other t connector. I should of been more specific.

[@rangerbull]

Can you connect a lowrance elite 9ti2 to a lowrance elite 5 HDI

[@mxpx07rawker]

I'm really confused by this setup. Hoping someone can clarify. I don't see the need for the T connector at the bow unit. While this works, he essentially split up the backbone and I dont see why. Why couldn't you just do the following: hook 4 T connectors end to end with a terminal connector at each end. This is your single backbone. That way you have 4 "ports" availble to run drop down cables directly to console graph, bow graph, point-1, and NMAE power. That way there is no need for T connectors at the end of your cable runs and you can just plug dirctly into the unit. Is that right??

[@razorsharpbt7666]

I believe you're correct and I don't see how that wouldn't work as long as you don't exceed 18 feet with your drop-down cable, which he obviously wouldn't in this application. I could see how you would want to use remote T connectors if you had several components to connect to the system in the front or the back of the boat, so you wouldn't have to run so many cords. I'm not sure why he used the connector at the bow here. He also ran the power for the backbone off the end of a T which is incorrect. I'm not sure what this cat was thinking with this setup.

[@TeamJesusOutdoors]

Can an Elite HDI unit be networked with an Elite Ti unit?

[@Shanester66]

So through this system, it powers all the units? No need for separate power cables?

[@ahaua1]

My understanding is that, if the "unit" has a low power demand, it can get it's power from the system. If you have a large display such as a chart plotter, it requires it's own power supply in addition to being connected to the network.

[@jimfuhlbrugge1814]

The NMEA 2000 network requires a power cable JUST for it. All other devices like a Garmin Chart Plotter need their own power. A small GPS antenna will not require its own power as it consumes very little.

[@dougchandler1596]

What are the lengths of the cables that come with the starter system?

[@travispadgett4887]

I have hooked everything up (On the deck :)) and both units show in the device list both units. However my chart screen on the front unit is not recognizing the Navionics chip & contours. (The chip is in the console unit)

[@MarkPolsky]

So you can plug the power supply into the same "T" that you plug your first graph into?

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

Mark Polsky yes you can

[@MarkPolsky]

Russell Marine Products, LLC Thank you for your response, I have one more question, I don't have console on my boat so I wanted to connect both "T's" directly together and run the 15' cable from the center of the second "T" ,and use that 15' cable to run to the bow, plug that 15' cable directly into the the graph at the bow? Can I do this or is that 15' cable only for plugging into the "T's" not the Graph?

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

they need to go to T's and have a drop down cable from your graph to the T connector.

[@markhanson1452]

Where dose the transducer hook in as I only have one contacts on my unit elite 3 X

[@jimmyjones6101]

Do I really need the fuse at the end of the power node when I'm installing it to a fuse already?

[@Mr_Navil_Campo]

Would this apply to a LCX-113C-HD system ? Gps Radar Fish finder Speed sensor

[@Anspaughsnowfishingnetwork]

Im not getting power to my hds live from the nmea network. Any help with this?

[@tommckelvey3609]

The nmea network does not power the HDS Live. The HDS live has a separate power connection.

[@Nick-vx6pr]

Can I network a elite 7ti and elite 9ti or do they both need to be same unit?

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

you can network them with the nmea system to share waypoints.

[@Nick-vx6pr]

@@RussellMarineProductsLLC thanks buddy great videos.

[@lesruth2756]

What components would be needed to connect a Lowrance 525ci gps at the bow to a Lowrance elite ti 9 at the stern on a 18 1/2ft rig

[@TheJpc91997]

Would like to see a keel guard install looking to do one on my boat

[@redboat5029]

can i hook up a elite 7 to a elite 9 ti using a nmea system if so, what do i need.

[@ciroromer7380]

Wrong info. He needs to put the power cable on a T connector and use a terminator where he put the power cable

[@PMantle]

Can anyone tell me where to hook the power? I have never powered an accessory in my life and have no idea where to hook it.

[@louisevans2143]

CAN i ALSO CONNECT MY WEST MARINE 585 VHF RADIO TO THIS SYSTEM?

[@318android3]

Great job at explaining...thanks

[@hulkhuggett]

Do I need to hook up power if I'm just going from my trolling motor to my elite 7?

[@lnl111130]

Yes

[@bikepacker9850]

Configuration?????

[@redboat5029]

Thx this Video was so simple, also can i hook up a elite 7 unit to a elite 9 unit........

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

You can using the nmea network. it's the only way you can connect them together to share waypoints.

[@timknott750]

I have a HDI elite 5 I do not see a place to hook the cables to it.

[@ThomasSmith-qc5fm]

Great presentation

[@Redneckrino]

Thanks man your good teacher 👍🏼

[@jasonbumgarner8673]

This is confusing to say the least. One comment points out that the power would need to go through a T and have a terminator at the end, to which you agree. Further down the comments another person asks if you can plug the power into the same T the graph is connected to and you reply "Yes!" Those are 2 contradictory statements. If this video is incorrect, and it seems it is, you should take it down before someone follows this installation and is then trying to figure out why their network is not powered.

[@timgriffin8990]

Well done!

[@greggilbert9403]

Power on an end not a tee-Wrong

[@yardleykennedy9689]

Thanks!!!

[@rlafleur1966]

They should take this video down, it all wrong. You must use both resistors and power needs its own tee.

[@calvineuler1184]

H

[@PatrickScully-o6f]

You really should take down this video, it's NOT the right way to build a NMEA 2000 network. The power does NOT get inserted via the side of a tee, it requires it's own tee. Also there should be two terminating resistors, one on each end of the backbone.

[@ericelmer5289]

Can I use this for an Ultrex? Like if I was to get the Minnkota puck could it get plugged into the Nema 2000?

[@RussellMarineProductsLLC]

No. It communicates via Bluetooth