Lowrance electronic SONAR M68I User Manual

Pub. 988-0152-061  
Addendum I  
Additional Instructions for  
Lowrance M68i S/Map  
Your sonar/GPS unit, the M68i, functions exactly like the M68 de-  
scribed in the manual provided (part 988-0152-031). In addition, the  
M68i contains a communications port for NMEA 0183 output. The in-  
structions for connecting data cables and setting up the communica-  
tions port appear in this addendum. The back page also includes a cor-  
rection note for an error in the M68 manual.  
NMEA 0183 Cable Connections  
NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic  
equipment. The M68i can send information to any device that receives  
NMEA 0183 data. This allows the unit to work with VHF marine radios  
equipped with the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) distress call feature.  
To send NMEA 0183 data, the M68i has one NMEA 0183 version 2.0  
communication port. The com port can be used to send NMEA format-  
ted data such as your current position.  
The provided M68i data cable plugs into the accessory socket on the  
right side of the back of your unit's case. This socket can connect either  
an accessory such as a speed or temperature sensor or a NMEA 0183  
data cable. The data cable ends in two wires that connect to your VHF  
radio or other NMEA device. The M68i uses the yellow wire to transmit  
and the black shield wire for signal ground.  
NOTE:  
Some VHF radios, such as the popular Unidenbrand, have input lev-  
els which require use of an additional diode and resistor built into the  
M68i data cable. This is Wiring Diagram A, which is described on  
page 2. The majority of the DSC radios will work with the resistor and  
diode as provided by Lowrance Electronics.  
A few other radio brands (and other electronic devices) that meet the  
NMEA 0183 standard won't need these adapters and you will have to  
remove the resistor and diode to make those work. This is Wiring Dia-  
gram B, which is described on page 3.  
Consult your other device's owner’s manual, then read through all of  
the following instructions before you begin. Use the installation dia-  
1
 
Twist the appropriate wires together, making sure that the exposed  
ends make good contact. Secure the wire ends with wire nuts, then  
wrap each wire nut securely with electrical tape to protect against  
moisture, as shown in the figure on the right.  
After taping the wire ends individually, wrap the entire connection  
with electrical tape as shown. This will help protect from moisture and  
prevent the wires from breaking contact.  
Wiring Diagram "B"  
If your VHF radio or other device requires true RS-232, you will need to  
remove the diode and resistor built into the end of the M68i data cable.  
You will notice near the end of the cable a segment protected with black  
heat-shrink. To connect the M68i to a true RS-232 radio, first remove the  
Uniden adapter segment of the cable as shown in the following figures.  
3
 
For Wiring Diagram B installations, remove the Uniden adapter seg-  
ment at the end of your data cable as shown at left. Snip off the end of  
the cable protected by the black heat-shrink. At right, we have used  
clear heat-shrink for clarity, so you can see the diode and resistor pro-  
tected within. Remove this portion of the cable.  
After you've removed the adapter segment, use wire pliers to expose the  
ends of the five remaining wires in the cable. Cut off the black, blue and  
white wires, then seal their ends with electrical tape.  
Black  
Cut black, blue  
and white.  
Blue  
White  
Yellow  
(transmit)  
Bare wire  
(shield)  
After removing the adapter segment, prepare to connect by removing  
and taping off unneeded wires. Strip the end of the yellow wire.  
Strip about 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) of insulation from the yellow wire, then  
follow the preceding wire nut and taping instructions to connect the  
wires from the radio or other device.  
If you're using a true RS-232 radio or other device, connect its (+) Re-  
ceive wire to the M68i data cable's yellow wire and its ground or (–) Re-  
ceive wire to the M68i data cable's bare shield wire.  
Yellow (Transmit)  
Shield (Ground)  
(+) Receive or Receive  
(–) Receive or ground  
Com port  
to M68i  
To another  
NMEA device  
Com port wiring to transmit NMEA information  
to another standard NMEA-compatible device.  
4
 
When the data cable is connected to your VHF radio, all you have to do  
is plug it into the sonar/GPS unit. Attach the data cable's plug to the  
accessory socket on the right side of the back of your unit's case.  
Communications Port Activation  
Now that you have your devices connected, here's how to make them  
communicate. This unit can connect to either an accessory such as a  
speed or temperature sensor or a NMEA 0183 data cable. In order to use  
the Communications Port for NMEA data, you first need to activate  
NMEA 0183 Output.  
Press MENU|MENU|to ENABLE NMEA 183 OUTPUT|ENT| to YES|ENT.  
Enable NMEA command on the unit's Main Menu  
Communications Port Configuration  
Once NMEA 0183 Output has been enabled from the Main Menu, the  
Com Port command appears in the System Setup Menu. This command  
opens a menu that allows you to configure the communications port.  
Menus for changing Com Port settings.  
5
 
If you need additional assistance in configuring the unit to communicate  
with another device, consult the factory; customer service phone num-  
bers are in the back of the unit's manual. To set Com Port Configuration:  
1. Press MENU|MENU|to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT.  
2. Press to COMMUNICATIONS PORT|ENT.  
A menu appears with a drop-down Baud Rate selection box highlighted.  
The menu also contains an on/off checkbox to activate NMEA Output,  
and a button that activates the Configure NMEA command (described  
in the following section).  
To set Baud Rate:  
With the Baud Rate box selected (the title bar should be highlighted in  
blue, see the middle figure above), press ENT. A drop-down list appears,  
showing available baud rates. Select the one that matches the baud  
rate on your VHF radio, and then press ENT.  
To activate NMEA Output:  
From the Communication Ports menu, press to highlight NMEA Out-  
put. Press ENT to check (turn on) or uncheck (turn off) the NMEA Out-  
put checkbox.  
To exit the Communication Ports menu, press EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.  
Configure NMEA  
Once in the Communication Ports menu, you can configure the unit to  
use specific NMEA sentences. (The default setting has all NMEA sen-  
tences turned on.) Press to CONFIGURE NMEA|ENT.  
NMEA Sentences selection menu.  
6
 
A menu appears showing the prefixes of the available NMEA sentences.  
A check mark next to a prefix means the prefix is in use. Use ↑ ↓ → ←  
to select a prefix, then press ENT to turn off the prefix. (Press ENT again  
to check the box and turn a prefix on.)  
NOTE:  
The names of the NMEA sentences are abbreviated in this menu.  
These are the functions of the various selectable prefixes:  
GLL transmits latitude and longitude of present position, time of  
position fix, and status.  
GGA transmits time, position and fix related data.  
APB transmits autopilot information.  
RMC and RMB transmits navigation information messages.  
GSA and GSV transmits fix mode, DOP values and satellites in  
view information.  
DBT transmits the depth below the transducer.  
DPT transmits the depth  
MTW transmits the water temperature.  
4. When the desired prefixes are checked or unchecked, press  
EXIT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT to return to the previous page.  
Compatibility With Various VHF Radios  
The Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature in marine radios is rela-  
tively new technology. The U.S. Coast Guard, for example, imple-  
mented its first DSC-capable systems in Atlantic City, N.J. and Chinco-  
teague, VA in September, 2003. However, the entire U.S. DSC rescue  
system won't be operational until Sept. 30, 2006.  
As more marine electronics manufacturers enter this growing market, other  
connectivity issues with your unit may appear. You can check for known  
compatibility issues by visiting our web site, www.lowrance.com. Look in  
the Manuals section for updated documents for your sonar/GPS unit.  
7
 
Correction  
On page 69 of the M68 manual (part 988-0152-031), step 1 for entering  
Ice Machine mode is incorrect. It should read as follows:  
To enter the IceMachine mode:  
1. From the Full Sonar Chart page, press PAGES|to FLASHER|EXIT to  
switch to the normal Flasher page.  
This addendum supplements the manual M68, part number 988-0152-031.  
Pub. 988-0152-061  
© Copyright 2004  
All Rights Reserved  
Lowrance Electronics, Inc.  
Printed in USA 022704  
8
 

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