Helm electronics advice

[PNWPederson]

I've been running different scenarios for how to set up my two helms with chartplotters/navigation. Some background first, I have a 1970 GB 32. I installed a Raymarine Axiom+ 9RV at the lower helm. I had planned to install another Axiom+ 9RV at the upper helm, but due to some minor financial constraints recently, I will not be getting the second chartplotter.

Now, I do have a Garmin 943xsv from my previous boat. I also have a NMEA 2000 backbone that I have yet to install. This is where I am looking for advice.

Can I install the NMEA 2000 backbone up to the upper helm, install an additional power cable for the Raymarine, hook the transducer to the backbone and then move the chartplotter from lower to upper/upper to lower as needed? Is that practical if feasible?

Should I instead install the NMEA 2000 backbone up to the upper helm and install the Garmin on the upper helm with the thought that I would eventually replace the Garmin with a Raymarine? With the transducer currently running directly to the back of the Raymarine, will it send the depth data to the Garmin over the network? What about sonar?

My ultimate goal is to have two Raymarine Axiom's, the network and a Raymarine auto-pilot that can be controlled from both stations, unless the Garmin might be able to control the Raymarine auto-pilot and then I won't need to change the chartplotter up top. I will also be installing an analog to digital convertor for the engine instrumentation to that I can view this information on the chartplotters.

I would appreciate any advice, guidance or options that others may have on this.

 

[Ka_sea_ta]

the short answer is that the depth transducer most likely has to be has to be connected to the Axiom The axiom is connected to n2k and will pass data such as depth, water temp and speed depending on the transducer. It will not pass video that needs to happen over raynet connection.. and is most likely not compatible with the Garmin. The autopilot can be controlled by the Axiom via N2k I'm not sure about the Garmin controlling the auto pilot but I wouldn't count on it. The auto pilot also needs to connect to the N2k or 183 for position data....

 

[PNWPederson]

Thank you Ka_sea_ta. I'm leaning towards installing the Garmin for the short term just so I can get navigation on the flybridge. When I get to the spot where I will install the auto-pilot, I will replace the Garmin with a Raymarine.

I wasn't sure if the transducer could connect to the network or to the Axiom.

 

[DDW]

Another thought might be to look for an Axiom 9 on ebay. You do not need two RV versions, only one, and then only if you want the fancy sonar (expensive transducers). And you do not need the + version, the older 9 will work in the networked system especially as a second station. I would not go older than the Axiom series, as prior versions are no longer updated and not compatible with another Axiom or LH4 operating system.

 

[Frosty]

Agree with DDW. I have an NIB Axiom 9 (that I should have sold already), and, when looking on eBay to check prices they are not worth all that much (I'd offer you mine but I'm thousands of miles away from it).

Meaning, I think you should be able to find one for a reasonable price.

As DDW says, they come in "plain" Axiom or Axiom "RV." The RV has a built in depth sounder, so you can hook a transducer to it. BUT, as long as you have one already tied into your network (i.e. your Axiom 9+ has a depth sounder built in), then you can share that data between the two MFD's, in addition to charts and other settings.

So you *could* use another RV model no problem, if you find a deal on one. Or you could use a "plain" one.

I have two RV's but that's just because I wanted the redundancy. I do also run two different transducers, but I could have done that from a single RV with a Raymarine Y-cable (so put the Axiom that has the sounder capability at the lower helm, because your transducer cables have to run to it).

If you happen to find a "plain" Axiom 12, they were a little special. They already had the improved IPS screen of the newer + models, so better viewing angles, etc.

So to recap:

The Axiom always takes the transducer cable (unless you have a separate module, but I doubt we are talking about that).

The Axiom can take one Raynet cable (such as from a Quantum radar).

The Axiom can take a chart chip.

The Axiom has NMEA/power out (combined cable).

If you want to run Quantum radar to two Axioms, then you need either a homebrewed Ethernet collector, or the Raymarine HS5 "switch" (basically a fancy, water resistant Ethernet hub). Then you run the radar to that, and then a Raynet cable from that to each MFD.

One MFD will be assigned (by you) to be the "master." That one needs the NMEA connection. The second one can get it over the Raynet (Ethernet) cable, or you can run NMEA to it also for redundancy if you like.

*************

I went for the reduncancy, so my setup looks like this:

1) Main Axiom. Power/NMEA cable runs to supply. Raynet cable to HS5 "switch" (hub). RV-100 transducer to back of Axiom. Chart card in slot (if the back of your Axiom(s) are hard to reach you can get a card reader that plugs in so you can mount (or secure) it remotely for easier access.

2) Second Axiom. Power/NMEA cable runs to supply. Raynet cable to HS5 switch. P-66 transducer to back of this Axiom. Chart card (different charts) in slot.

3) Autpilot (EV-150). That doesn't directly (cable) interface with the MFD's. Just to power, NMEA, etc.

4) Quantum Radar. Power cable to power, plus Raynet cable to HS5 switch (or could go directly into back of Axiom if you only had one Axiom).

I do need to run both Axioms to get both transducers this way (but if I used a Y-cable on only one Axiom, then no).

I can't see myself disconnecting one and taking it to another helm. The plugs aren't that quick and easy to insert and remove. Or I'm just lazy. I'd rather buy a "cheap" Axiom 9 at this point, if it were me (obviously even cheap is not free though).

 

[PNWPederson]

Thank you, Frosty. That's a lot of good information to chew on. I did a quick eBay search and I couldn't find anything cheap. I will keep looking though.

 

[Barking Sands]

The two 943XSV's are still current models. Maybe sell them both to get the Axiom? How much you want for 1

 

[PNWPederson]

The two 943XSV's are still current models. Maybe sell them both to get the Axiom? How much you want for 1

I was thinking $900-1000, but I'm not sure. It's only been used a year.