Bought a 520C and am installing it.?????

[Luke Musto2]

I am preparing to install a new 520c on my Nitro.. I am reading that there must be power kill switch on the sonar power and on the nmea 2000 network power..



My question is.. If I wire both these power cables these to my accessory power which is run off the master power on the console , then I guess I am satisfying the requirement that the power to the unit and the network is turned off when the boat is not in use..Lowrance says that this should be done to prevent electrolysis corrosion the cables and connections



Any thoughts?



Additionally... has anyone ever installed a network and linked the the two sonars together...from what they sent me with the two units.. It seems I dont have all the needed materials..



THanks in advance



Luke

 

[TritonGlenn]

If you have a master power switch that these go to, and you always remember to turn it off after you finish for the day... you should be fine. I installed a secondary power switch to both my front and rear NMEA network power cables, but to tell the truth - I never turn the switches off - I just cut off my master power switch, and I'm done with it. Just make sure that when you turn off your master power switch, there is no power going to the NMEA network cable.



On the sonar power cable - please re-read the directions. It is recommended, but not mandatory per the Lowrance instructions. The NMEA network power notes that it is mandatory, but the head unit power is not mandatory - just recommended.



If you purchased two units, and want to network them together, you will more than likely not have all the necessary hardware you need, particularly if you are mounting external sensors as well - i.e. - temp sensors. If you have the GPS antennas/ temp sensors, for both, I'd recommend just mounting the antennas to each unit, and be done with it.



If you are dead-set on putting them both on the same network, or do not have all the sensors mentioned above for each of them, then check out the Lowrance website, under the heading of building your NMEA network. There is an interactive building tool that will allow you to build your network to find out exactly what you need. Most important thing is making sure you have the flow directions correctly done with the T's, and ensuring you have the proper size (Ohm) Termination on the end(s), depending on what you are doing with the network.



Here is the interactive builder: http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/LowranceNet/Designer/default.html



All the best,

Glenn



BTW... great choice on electronics.

 

[Eric Aasen]

I just got done installing mine (LCX-28HD and LMS-520) and the above advice is correct. If you wire into the main power and shut that off at the end of each day you are good to go. The problem with the NMEA 2000 bus power is that it will continue to draw power for the bus even if the unit is shut off and you will wear down your battery. If you turn off main power you are fine.



I also thought they didn't give me what I needed to connect my units but after really looking into it, they actually did give me everything I need. For the most basic install and link of 2 units you need 1 double T, 1 single T, 2 120 ohm terminators, 1 short extension wire, and 1 long extension wire. Hook the GPS puck and unit (with short extension wire) into the double T, cap one end. Extend from the other end to the bow, hook into one arm of the other T, cap the other end and hook the bow unit into the top. That's it. What parts do you have? There are a number of ways to connect the units.



NoCAL

 

[Bruce Freeman]

It can be a little confuseing but in my mind well worth the effort. Linking my 520 and 480 required an extra T and a 60 ohm terminator. Granted all I did was link the two together to share the GPS, they have seperate sonar pucks and none of the add ons. My boat was not pre-wired for the NEMA system. It's a great system for what I want it to do.



BF

 

[fatrap]

I just wired in a 522c off the main circuit board with a 3amp fuse. This isn't a good thing? Ofcouse the unit is on my workbench as the boat and trailer is going back to Tracker but when/if it comes back is this setup ok?



fatrap

 

[TritonGlenn]

As long as you have a master cut off switch (and use it) that cuts the power to that main circuit board, then you are fine. If it stays live - than no, rewire the NEMA network power to something that you can switch off.

All the best,

Glenn