Northwest Fishing Reports

I'm confused. It's a Lowrance LMS 522C that was original on the console from the previous owner. I moved it to the bow. I only need it to show mapping, temp and depth.

The weird thing about the Lowrane is it's power cable. It has 3 bundles of wires for it. 1 is the display unit power cable. 2 is for NMEA 2000 power cable. 3 is data cable.

Here's picture from the manual on the parts I'm confused about. Maybe it's just the terminology that is confusing me.






In the diagram, it shows the outside bundle is the display power set. But IRL, it's the middle on the harness.
If i'm reading it correct, I'm suppose to power the NMEA wires, if I want the GPS to work. Or maybe I'm reading it wrong. I dont really understand the whole NMEA deal, but it seems they are trying to standardized a network with other vendors to mix and match stuff.

Anyways, I tested the unit today with just the display unit power cables and I get a lock on the GPS unit. From what I can tell, it seems to be working just fine. But I wasnt moving. Since it was able to lock onto my position, I assume it should track around no problem.... Granted, it is slow to lock into your position. I'm guessing roughly 1 min.

I didnt bother to install a power switch on the display cable. There is a warning though.
"The NMEA 2000 network bus is always on and constantly drawing power. You must connect NMEA power to a switched power source so you can turn off the network when not in use. Failure to connect to and use a power switch will drain your boat battery, which could stop your boat's operation."

But assuming I dont have to power the NMEA cable, I should be fine without a switch, correct?

i have no power switch on my head unit but i have a power switch on my gps unit otherwise it would have drained the battery. You need pick and follow a diagram for your perticular setup. run your nmea 2000 to a switch and connect your GPS to the same switch it is really easy to do. You can buy switches from west marine
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=11288
Oh and both power lines have inline fuses for a couple of bucks it is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.
I hope i have said this right as i installed my LCX 28 HD this way with the gps and my stereo both turning on when i press the accessory switch.
IMO diagram B is the best one and if you are hoooking up your gps straight to the nmea it will drain your battery.
Good Luck

sickbayer wrote:i have no power switch on my head unit but i have a power switch on my gps unit otherwise it would have drained the battery. You need pick and follow a diagram for your perticular setup. run your nmea 2000 to a switch and connect your GPS to the same switch it is really easy to do. You can buy switches from west marine
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=11288
Oh and both power lines have inline fuses for a couple of bucks it is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.
I hope i have said this right as i installed my LCX 28 HD this way with the gps and my stereo both turning on when i press the accessory switch.
IMO diagram B is the best one and if you are hoooking up your gps straight to the nmea it will drain your battery.
Good Luck

That's the thing. I currently have the NMEA wires and the Data wires both capped off. Oh yes, I do have the 3amp fuse on. Here's how I have it correctly set up.


I only have the display power wires connected. My unit has an internal GPS. From what I can tell, the GPS seems to work just fine with only the display power wires connected. Are you telling me this will drain my battery, even when I have the unit powered off? Or this only effects external GPS modules that are addons?


Did a quick read on your model. It has an external GPS module. Does your power harness cable on your unit look just like mine? Or is it different because you have to somehow connect the separate GPS unit.


So confusing. I have my HB SI unit on my console. It's very easy. Has a power cord and transducer cord. Done. No mentions of any switches or requiring anything.

If your unit has an internal GPS then you are hooked up correctly. You only need power to the main unit and the power off switch is not necessary. i've had my LMS 527 hooked up in this manner for 4 years and have had no issues.

Gman is right if you have the internal GPS you already have it hooked up correctly.

I have a 337C DF with an external GPS, so I did install a separate switch for powering the NMEA network, which includes the GPS receiver on the hard top and my EP-10 fuel sensor... BTW the fuel sensor is really cool. For much less than the cost of doing it separate, I was able to put one in the fuel line for my main motor and display it on the depthsounder... I set up guages for fuel remaining and fuel used and have a digital readout of the current fuel burn rate... My Arima has no other fuel guage, so this gives me much peace of mind. Like it a lot!