Anyone have a Shadow-caster controller?

mnm99

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Oct 2, 2015
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I'm starting this so I don't mess up another members thread. I'm trying to figure out the connections. I see it has RGB and RGBW connectors. I'm trying to find out if one of those ports can be used as a + - on off only. I'll call back Shadow-caster Tuesday. You can see in the RGB wiring there is a red and black connector. Just wondering if this could be used as a on/off power. Thanks

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https://www.shadow-caster.com/produ...rols/mfd-lighting-control-kit-scm-mfd-lc-kit/
 
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Based off of the link you supplied, that interface can be used on a supported MFD and just about all manufacturers are supported, I would think only their latest line would need to be used. The wiring should not be bypassed as that could damage their controller, if that is what you are asking.

They only mention IP based control in most of their brochure, but at the very bottom state NMEA 2000 compliant lighting control. If that is the case then there are a number options to use external switches. Controllers from Maretron and Yacht Devices to name a few.
 
There latest line is NMEA2000 connected. As of right now they are not sure if Garmin has the protocol for that. They do have IP based protocol right now. That is the older unit they sell. Garmin does support that. I don't mind going that way, but will call Garmin to ask when they will be going NEMA. I did call Shadow-caster back again and got someone that explained it to me. I can hook up a 2 wire light if I use the black+ terminal and one of the color ones as a ground. I'm just going to put the lights on a separate relay for the main power so it's not drawing from the unit.
 
There latest line is NMEA2000 connected. As of right now they are not sure if Garmin has the protocol for that. They do have IP based protocol right now. That is the older unit they sell. Garmin does support that. I don't mind going that way, but will call Garmin to ask when they will be going NEMA. I did call Shadow-caster back again and got someone that explained it to me. I can hook up a 2 wire light if I use the black+ terminal and one of the color ones as a ground. I'm just going to put the lights on a separate relay for the main power so it's not drawing from the unit.

Yes that is Garmin's 7600 line they show in that brochure. But that is also part of Garmin's one helm application support. I believe that the Garmin will support that but through their HTML5 interface only for that look and feel. Not sure about the NMEA2000 protocol. If Shadow Caster supports NMEA2000 digital switching correctly then Garmin will support them. But it will only display switches and possibly the names, it would not be graphical like the One Helm page is. If SC did something that is non-NMEA2000 specific in their implementation of the lighting schema then Garmin will not support the N2K side.
 
I was under the impression that Garmin didn't have the program for this yet. I got this email back from them yesterday. I'm going to call Shadow-caster again today to double check. This publication was made in 2018 when it was a network connection model. Huh.

Hello Marc,

You can connect through NMEA 2000 to the unit. Here is a link for more information directly to the Shadow-caster website:

https://www.shadow-caster.com/integration-with-garmin-onehelm-platform/
 
I was under the impression that Garmin didn't have the program for this yet. I got this email back from them yesterday. I'm going to call Shadow-caster again today to double check. This publication was made in 2018 when it was a network connection model. Huh.

Hello Marc,

You can connect through NMEA 2000 to the unit. Here is a link for more information directly to the Shadow-caster website:

https://www.shadow-caster.com/integration-with-garmin-onehelm-platform/

So that means the app for the shadow caster is supported by the one helm interface (HTML5) and controlled via nmea2000. The picture of their app on the brochure is the start of what became one helm in the 76xx series.

There is still a difference between one helm and digital switching support, possibly. It is unclear if the shadow caster support's digital switching from the emails. If you want to know if it supports digital switching, ask shadow caster if they support PGN(s) 127501/2. Digital switching is an industry wide standard that allows control of devices through NMEA 2000 and would allow other device's to control the same lighting as well. Garmin opened the door for manufacturers to have proprietary app support through one helm as well as supporting NMEA 2000 standard PGN's. Sorry but this does get confusing as different manufacturers approach this differently.
 
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I've been following this thread and have launched a couple of calls to ShadowCaster tech support(and left messages) to no avail.
Has anyone gotten through to them?
 
I've been following this thread and have launched a couple of calls to ShadowCaster tech support(and left messages) to no avail.
Has anyone gotten through to them?

I have not, but was going to try and find out if they support digital switching properly or not. If you find something out, please post back.
 
I will. My needs are a bit different but I will ask if i get through.

I have LEDs around my speakers, and have tried several LED controllers and all have given off a high frequency whine on certain colors. The last one i tried was the fusion controller.

I am hoping Shadow Caster would be better but it is significantly more $$$ and wanted to speak with someone before plunking down the cash.
 
I decided to reach out and see what is what. Got right through to them, got lucky I guess. They are in the midst of rolling out new product support and actually will be supporting the new RGB NMEA Standard as soon as the MFD manufacturers support it. They are working with Simrad currently. The Garmin pictured in their brochure is only the HTML interface. They said that they are going to integrate with both the old standard and the new RGB one. So that means that the lighting will be able to be controlled by other device(s) from Maretron and CZone as well. But all of this is being worked on and not readily available as yet. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

Edit: The hardware is available now and works through the HTML (One Helm) interface. The NMEA support is what is coming in the very near future and Simrad will have a FW release to support this.
 
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Had a great conversation with Tyler at Shadow Caster. VERY helpful.

For me, they have a new product coming out in ~8 weeks. I can wait...
 
Yes guys I also talked to Tyler and Brian. Brian said as of now I can use the new controller but also have to use the MFD bridge to work with Garmin. He said those two units are about the same price as the scm-mfd-LC-kit that they have now. I did reach out to Garmin. What they sent me was a little confusing. They mentioned NMEA compatible, but from what I have been reading there not yet. Kkybolt what did they say about supporting PNG?
 
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Brian is the owner Tyler sales/ support
Both solid
All above is correct new controller is NMEA only working with Navico brands
Garmin will be soon
Helm one is 86 series and up I believe
 
Brian is the owner Tyler sales/ support
Both solid
All above is correct new controller is NMEA only working with Navico brands
Garmin will be soon
Helm one is 86 series and up I believe

I believe you are correct. I just sent Garmin another email about that. It's amazing how they respond. First they said it will work with MNEA then yes OneHelm. I told them I have a 7610. This is what I found too.
https://reviewmarine.com/comparison/garmin-8600-vs-7600/
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Yup, none of my MDF's will work per Garmin. Pretty stupid. The 7600 is legacy and said they don't support any. I just bought a 942Xs and won't support it either unless it's the PLUS model. Oh well..Frigin Garmin!
 
Yup, none of my MDF's will work per Garmin. Pretty stupid. The 7600 is legacy and said they don't support any. I just bought a 942Xs and won't support it either unless it's the PLUS model. Oh well..Frigin Garmin!

Yeah, you need the xx43 series and up for one helm. The 76xx and xx42 series are pretty much the same and don't have one helm and are now EOL'd.


Yes guys I also talked to Tyler and Brian. Brian said as of now I can use the new controller but also have to use the MFD bridge to work with Garmin. He said those two units are about the same price as the scm-mfd-LC-kit that they have now. I did reach out to Garmin. What they sent me was a little confusing. They mentioned NMEA compatible, but from what I have been reading there not yet. Kkybolt what did they say about supporting PNG?


The first MFD to be supported is Simrad through NMEA 2000 and HTML5 app, that is per Tyler and Simrad is about to release FW to support this. Garmin already supports it through one helm (html5 interface) which is not the same as NMEA2000, but will in hte near future. That may not be a big deal for most, but it would be nice to other devices to turn on/off the lights as well. Always using the MFD is a bit of a PITA IMO.

EDIT: PGN's 127501/2 are for on/off only and should be supported soon. There is also a new RGB standard that is being worked on that will support color changing as well as on/off/group(s). This is what is being worked on by Simrad and Shadow-Caster and will be released soon. This is according to Tyler and my conversation with him last Friday. He mentioned other companies like Maretron and CZone are also going to support this.
 
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Yeah, you need the xx43 series and up for one helm. The 76xx and xx42 series are pretty much the same and don't have one helm and are now EOL'd.





The first MFD to be supported is Simrad through NMEA 2000 and HTML5 app, that is per Tyler and Simrad is about to release FW to support this. Garmin already supports it through one helm (html5 interface) which is not the same as NMEA2000, but will in hte near future. That may not be a big deal for most, but it would be nice to other devices to turn on/off the lights as well. Always using the MFD is a bit of a PITA IMO.

EDIT: PGN's 127501/2 are for on/off only and should be supported soon. There is also a new RGB standard that is being worked on that will support color changing as well as on/off/group(s). This is what is being worked on by Simrad and Shadow-Caster and will be released soon. This is according to Tyler and my conversation with him last Friday. He mentioned other companies like Maretron and CZone are also going to support this.

I got off the phone with Tyler this afternoon. I was just letting him know what Garmin said and to thank him for his help. Are you saying Garmin may come out with a NMEA standard that will work with my current MDF? Garmin told me no matter what it needs ONE HELM. I don't feel confident with them though.
 
I got off the phone with Tyler this afternoon. I was just letting him know what Garmin said and to thank him for his help. Are you saying Garmin may come out with a NMEA standard that will work with my current MDF? Garmin told me no matter what it needs ONE HELM. I don't feel confident with them though.

Not exactly, there is an RGB NMEA2000 standard being worked out this past year. Just so we understand, NMEA2000 does not mean One Helm. While One Helm does use NMEA2000 it is primarily HTML5 for the interface. Then depending on the manufacturer they either use ethernet (proprietary) or NMEA2000 to control things.

Garmin does not usually create any NMEA2000 protocols or come up with proprietary PGN's, that's just not what they do. Maretron use proprietary PGN's frequently but are the exception to the rule. It a very big conversation as too how new PGN's are created and takes large companies like CZone and Maretron to do so. Garmin certainly could, but doesn't. The new RGB protocol is outlined and documented by through the www.NMEA.org, ITC Marine has a VersiControl and is the first to be certified with that protocol. Companies like Garmin/Simrad/Raymarine only support the protocol after it has been proven.

But yes, I was told by Tyler that Garmin will support this protocol in the future. Now that's not to say that your MFD's will have that update when they do. Too early to know what's involved with the whole support structure of the RGB PGN(s). I have been trying to get Garmin to correctly support electrical AC PGN's, worked with their engineering team and was told they will fix it and that's been over a year now.
 

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