Upgrading from Furuno FA50 to FA70 AIS with NavNet TZTouch2

[Boom23]

Hello,
I am trying to get everything needed in order to replace my installed FA50 AIS with the FA70 AIS. I just purchased the FA70, but unfortunately my sailboat (with the FA50 installed) is in another part of this world.

My sailboat has Furuno TZTouch2, Furuno autopilot, B&G displays, and ICOM VHF radio with AIS. They are networked using NMEA2000. The currently installed FA50 has its own VHF antenna & GPS antenna, and a Transmit ON/OFF switch. I am not sure how the FA50 is connected to the TZTouch2 (NavNet or NMEA 0183).

Can someone let me know what else I need to buy in order to replace the FA50 with the FA70?
It is MUCH more difficult to buy parts where the boat is located.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Johnny Electron]

You can re-use the FA50 GPS and Whip antenna if they both are still good. The FA50 is likely connected by Furuno Ethernet. The FA70 would connect to the 2000 bus. You can take the existing silent mode switch and wire it up the the FA70 (PPL & GRY) wires on the provided power/data cable so that you can continue using that function. The FA70 comes with a 2 meter NMEA 2000 cable that you can drop to an open tee on your NMEA 2000 bus. If you need longer (6m max) you might need to pick one up. You might also need a tee for your backbone if you have no open ports. You of course would need to put in your boat name and MMSI but otherwise the upgrade should go pretty smoothly.