Electronics help, gps to laptop help

[KismetP362]

I know there are several threads out there about this subject but I'm still not getting it. Here is how I'm hooked up. Garmin 182C to Garmin GSD20 sounder on comm 1. Comm 2 to laptop. very simple right? here's the visual.


any thoughts?

I used SeaClear to find the incoming sentences and I'm not getting any. The baud rate is set at 4800 out of the 182C.

I'm lost.

[PBzeer]

What type of program are you running the info to? Chart software? If so, do you have the port set right on the software? Most seem to use Com Port 6 that I've dealt with.

Currently at 35 01 29 N 76 41 43 W

[sailingdog]

Did you set the comm port to use NMEA 0183 protocol, instead of Garmin's proprietary protocol. SeaClear can't understand Garmin protocol.

Also, are you using a DB-9 serial connector or an older DB-25 serial connector. IIRC, The pin outs are for a DB-9 serial connector.

BTW, believe that the pin out for ground is wrong. Believe it should be pin 5 on the DB9, not pin 4. See diagram here.

[eherlihy]

It would help if I *knew* what the symptoms are. No PC integration, but the GPSmap 1x2 and depth sounder OK (I'm guessing that this is it). Nothing working. Or, something in the middle.

First thing to check (because I'm old and forget stuff) are the RS232 (Using DB9? -again a guess) pinouts:
Pin 1 Data Carrier Detect
Pin 2 Received Data - Garmin Brown (Com1) Green (Com2)
Pin 3 Transmit Data - Garmin Blue (Com1) White (Com2)
Pin 4 Data Terminal Ready
Pin 5 Signal Ground - Garmin Black - CHECK THIS
Pin 6 Data Set Ready
Pin 7 Request To Send
Pin 8 Clear To Send
Pin 9 Ring Indicator

So, you are using COM2 on the Garmin to connect to the PC. Is there a Setup setting to activate this on the Garmin? What about the COM settings on the PC. I believe that they should be: As an experiment, you may want to try switching from COM2, to COM1 (thus, disabling the GSD20).

Next thing that I would check are the com settings on the PC. NMEA 0183 standard bps settings are 4800 bps; 8 data bits; 1 stop bit; no parity. I have heard of instances where bumping the data rate to 9600 works. You may want to give this a try.

Lastly, you may want to check out a NMEA Multiplexor which should make this whole protocol stuff a lot easier. Here is an example ShipModul Marine Electronics

HTH!

Ed

[KismetP362]

Crap! your right... I'll swap over to pin 5 and try it. I'm using SeaClear to read the sentences because Vista booted out hyperterminal. I'll let you know if it works.
Thanks,

[eherlihy]

Don't keep us in suspense! What was the problem?

[SimonV]

vista could be your problem I just got a new laptop and all I seem to do is down load patches daily. Here in Oz the two big chandlers have added (not compatable with Vista) IT SHOULDNT TAKE TOO LONG TO GET A PATCH.
Photoshop caused a full down load of the latest program. Just my thoughts I could be wrong.

[KismetP362]

Pin did it. I had the ground in pin 4 not in 5 on my DB-9. Thanks for all the help. Next is software help: heres the link to that thread.

Help, Nav software that puts my GPS to sleep.