Getting FA-50 AIS data to show on a FI-70 instrument display

[MeltemiCaz]

Hello All,

I am finishing the install of two new NavNet TZTouch 16XL chart plotters and FI-70 displays. I see that the FI-70 is has a page for displaying AIS data, but the target data needs to come in via PGN messages on the NMEA 2000 network. The FA-50 connects to the chart plotter via ethernet and is displaying targets on the chart plotters as expected.

Is it possible to configure the TZTouch chart plotter to output AIS traffic via PGN messages onto the NMEA 2000 network?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Johnny Electron]

You would need to remove it from the Network and use an IF-NMEA2k2 to convert the 0183 output offered by the FA50 to 2000, so you can place it on the 2000 bus. The Navnet is a consumer of AIS not a source or repeater of AIS.

 

[MeltemiCaz]

Ahh! Ok, then. I've passed this information along to my installer. I've also read (did a search for 0183) in the FA-50 docs and don't see any reference to NMEA 0183. I am new to all of this, so perhaps am not understanding how NMEA 0183 should show up in the docs.

Does this mean that I should use the 1, 2, 3, and 4 wires on the COM/PWR cord for connecting the NMEA 0183 data connection?

 

[MeltemiCaz]

I am still new to this, but wonder if I could get a third-party Ethernet to NMEA 2000 bridge/gateway to put the data from the FA-50 that comes from the network port? I believe that there are several companies that make the bridge/gateway devices.

 

[Johnny Electron]

There are no third party Ethernet devices rated for being on the NavNet network. The FI70 uses NMEA 2000 so a 0183 to 2000 converter is needed to put that data on the 2000 bus.

 

[MeltemiCaz]

are there any particular brands that the Furuno community has had success with?

 

[Johnny Electron]

0183 to 2000 converters? (I am guessing that is what you are referring)
Yes the Furuno IF-NMEA2k2 or the Actisense converters depending on the use. For AIS, I would recommend the Furuno converter set for AIS mode as it offers the best compatibility.

 

[MeltemiCaz]

well, I am thinking that I can take the signal from the RJ45 out of the FA-50 and send it to a LanNet to NMEA2000 converter such as the one from https://digitalyachtamerica.com/product/lanlink/