An introduction to LowranceNET
Lowrance now brings multi-device data communications networking within easy reach of even smallest boats and budgets with the new complete LowranceNET™ system.
Based on the new NMEA 2000® standard, the nonproprietary LowranceNET™ solution offers unique advantages in a networking package for multi-station sensing and display of boat systems and engine functions. Those key benefits include simplicity, easy installation, versatility and ease of sensor/display/system expansion, excellent performance and amazing affordability.
About NMEA 2000®
It's the new world standard in marine electronics data protocol, established by the National Marine Electronics Association, for networking multiple instruments on a boat. Simply put, any NMEA 2000® compatible device (sensor, sonar, GPS, multi-function gauge, etc.), regardless of brand, will share and/or display user-selectable data with any or all other display instruments installed in a NMEA 2000® network.
What LowranceNET™ Offers
With the new low-cost, high-performance LowranceNET™, NMEA 2000® compatible networking system, owners of small to large boats can purchase a series of affordable and easy-to-install intelligent sensors (Electronic Probes - EPs) to monitor an array of vital Engine and boating functions. For example, the use of an EP-10 Fuel Flow Sensor, in conjunction with a NMEA 2000® compatible LGC-2000 GPS or EP-25 Speed Sensor, can provide comprehensive fuel management capability onboard. You'll know precisely how far and how much operational time you have left, fuel-wise, based on your current speed. That's an incredible benefit to any boater!
The Basics
To operate an NMEA 2000 network, in order to share information from one or multiple sensors between one or multiple units, we first need a key building block to get us started. The diagram below shows the "NMEA Buss" in its most basic form.
A very basic NMEA 2000 Buss
System Requirements:
For the "Buss" to operate, there are some key system requirements:
- A 12vDC power supply to the Buss
You can either buy a dedicated NMEA 2000 power lead, or, most Lowrance units are powered by the "PC-26BL" power cable, which has an NMEA power lead as part of the cable. - 120 Ohm Terminators
at either end of the Buss. - T-connectors
for every additional unit or sensor you wish to add to the Buss - Network backbone cables
to bridge the distance across the length of the boat. Lowrance supply these in 2ft, 12ft, 15ft and 25ft lengths
Expanding the Network
If you're anything like me, why read when a picture paints a thousand words. This is an example of a LowranceNET showing a main unit, an "LMF" multi-function guage, a GPS antenna and a fuel flow sensor making up the network.
Remember, the main characteristics are in place: Power to the Buss, 120 Ohm terminators either end, and T-connectors for all additional devices.
If we were to break this Buss, add another T-connector with another main unit (a GlobalMap 3500c for example), and then reconnect the Buss, the GM3500C will be able to read GPS position and Fuel-Flow data immediately, because it has simply tapped into a working Buss. Simple!
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