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| First off, I am a Humminbird guy and know nothing about Lowrance, but need to know how to network 2-LMS-520c Lowrance units. I have a picture of the cables I have. My goal is to get 1 transducer (I already have the GPS antenna), and network these 2 units together to be able to use GPS and Sonar on both.
What do I need to get this to work?
Thanks for all suggestions.
Edited by dae06 5/11/2015 6:35 PM
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Looks to me like you need to get a transducer with a blue end and a ethernet(sp) cable yellow ends |
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Posts: 181
Location: St.John, Indiana | Yes, an Ethernet cable is needed..
Does the software on the LMS units support sharing of all that info? |
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| So the ethernet cable will share sonar data to both units, but how does the GPS data get to the second unit. I was thinking I needed so sort of connection for that also. |
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Location: 31 | Esocidae - 5/11/2015 8:28 PM
Yes, an Ethernet cable is needed..
Does the software on the LMS units support sharing of all that info?
Great point on the software compatibility... those are some pretty old units so probably the best way to find out if the software/ethernet is going to work is to hook them up. |
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Posts: 181
Location: St.John, Indiana | On the LMS units ,does the Nmea backbone get its power from the main power connector? As I don't see a power supply for the Nmea .
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| I believe the power for NMEA comes from the second cable (of the 3) on the power cord. Not 100% sure though
Lowrance said that both units need to have the same version for these to network together. Both are on the newest version 2.5.
I believe I will be good with the sonar if I get an Ethernet cable and connect them together, but I am unsure as to whether the GPS will work as I have it now.
Edited by dae06 5/14/2015 5:50 PM
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Posts: 897
| Looks like you need a network cable to run from the other 520 to the backbone, another T connector to connect that additional network cable to (this will share GPS info), another 120A cap for the other end of the backbone, and an Ethernet cable to share sonar which goes from unit to unit. I've got a 520C and 27C networked in my boat. Pretty sure I also powered the puck through a separate switch as well, just can't remember how I did that...maybe powering the NMEA off a separate switch? I'll look when I get a chance. If you don't put power to the puck on a separate switch it'll constantly drain the battery is my understanding. |
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Posts: 1202
Location: Money, PA | You need the yellow ethernet cable. and 1 transducer....The GPS is internal and both units should have their own...all gps needs is power. |
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Posts: 897
| He has 520's, not 522's. 520's used an external puck. 522's used internal GPS. |
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| whynot - 5/12/2015 2:54 PM
He has 520's, not 522's. 520's used an external puck. 522's used internal GPS.
This is correct.
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Posts: 437
| Looks like you need a network cable to run from the other 520 to the backbone, another T connector to connect that additional network cable to (this will share GPS info), another 120A cap for the other end of the backbone, and an Ethernet cable to share sonar which goes from unit to unit. I've got a 520C and 27C networked in my boat. Pretty sure I also powered the puck through a separate switch as well, just can't remember how I did that...maybe powering the NMEA off a separate switch? I'll look when I get a chance. If you don't put power to the puck on a separate switch it'll constantly drain the battery is my understanding.
+1.
Edited by Captain 5/13/2015 8:58 AM
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Location: 31 | Captain - 5/13/2015 8:56 AM
Looks like you need a network cable to run from the other 520 to the backbone, another T connector to connect that additional network cable to (this will share GPS info), another 120A cap for the other end of the backbone, and an Ethernet cable to share sonar which goes from unit to unit. I've got a 520C and 27C networked in my boat. Pretty sure I also powered the puck through a separate switch as well, just can't remember how I did that...maybe powering the NMEA off a separate switch? I'll look when I get a chance. If you don't put power to the puck on a separate switch it'll constantly drain the battery is my understanding.
+1.
+2... and would add an expandable separate fuse panel with an on-off switch for the boats electronics while everything is apart. |
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Posts: 379
Location: Thief River Falls MN | http://lowranceprostaff.dk/download/lowrance_hds/HDSSystemOverview....
this is for HDS units, not sure if it totally applies to 522
Edited by toddb 5/14/2015 2:52 PM
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I like this!
Captain- your suggestions help me a bunch.
I got the GPS to share, thanks for all the help. A couple more questions have come up:
1. What is the reason for needing a 120A cap for the back bone? (I'm a Humminbird guy). 
2. It sounds like people are saying I need to put a switch in the NMEA power line. Why? Does this continue to draw power even when the units are off? My thought was to connect everything (fused) right to the battery.
3. I noticed that when sharing the GPS, It also adjusts the brightness of both units by adjusting either one. Are there any other this that control both units?
Thanks again everyone!!!
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Posts: 437
| dae06 - 5/14/2015 5:49 PM
Captain- your suggestions help me a bunch.
I was merely piling on with the others.
Edited by Captain 5/15/2015 10:26 AM
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Posts: 437
| dae06 - 5/14/2015 5:49 PM
1. What is the reason for needing a 120A cap for the back bone? (I'm a Humminbird guy ).
2. It sounds like people are saying I need to put a switch in the NMEA power line. Why? Does this continue to draw power even when the units are off? My thought was to connect everything (fused ) right to the battery.
3. I noticed that when sharing the GPS, It also adjusts the brightness of both units by adjusting either one. Are there any other this that control both units?
Thanks again everyone!!!
1. 120A cap is the network terminator. The T connectors have basically an "in" and two "outs". The in is where the NMEA cable is connecting to. At the end of the run you need to have the terminator. Not sure what kind of issues will arise if you don't, but I know it needs to be there.
At first its a bit daunting all the connectors, cables, etc, but once you have done it its simple.
2. You want to be able to turn off the power to the NMEA network. It can still draw power when nothing is in use, example the GPS puck. Those things do not actually turn off with the GPS and if the NMEA network still has power, it will be drawing juice. I just ran my NMEA power supply straight to my master power switch at the dash. If you do not have one, you can add another switch dedicated for this.
3. There is a setting that matches the display brightness. I forget under which menu it is, but that is why you are seeing that.
Also, if you do get an Ethernet cable you can share waypoints between units. This will also allow you to share sonar which may or may not be something you are interested in. Just be advised that when you connect the Ethernet cable, by default "Network Sonar" is turned on and you will be viewing ONE of the units sonars. You have to turn this feature off if you don't want to share sonar, but you will still be able to share waypoints. |
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