Upgrading electronics on 2006 48 DA

[Manspeaker]

I would like to upgrade the electronics on my 2006 48 Sundancer with something a little more current. Since I’m new at this, I don’t want to mess anything up and cause any damage. I’m on an inland lake and don’t really need most of this, it’s simple cool and fun to play with. Radar is important though.

The original electronics include Sea Ray Navigator, NorthStar auto pilot-radar-MFD (maybe more, I’m not 100%). I’ve replaced the SR Navigator with a Raymarine e125, sonar module and transducer. I plugged the transducer into the sonar then e125 and did not create a network.

I would like to replace the NS MFD with another e125 or e127 along with Raymarine radar and auto pilot. I’m ok with buying them used off eBay. To my knowledge the boat is NMEA0183. I would also like the Smartcraft to my MFDs.

Do I need to create a network with NMEA2000 and/or SeaTalk? I am not sure what antennas, etc that would need to be replaced or removed.

Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[j98052]

I just replaced all of my Raymarine equipment with new Garmin gear. I suggest you start by making a detailed list of everything you currently have, including antenna, transponders, etc., and what network it communicates over. I doubt the radar is compatible with anything but Northstar MFDs, but the auto-pilot might be.

On my boat, the SmartCraft takes in NMEA 0183, but does not transmit anything, so i only connected the input to the output of the Garmin.

I think the newer Raymarines use SeaTalk NG, which is basically NMEA 2000 with a proprietary connector.

 

[b_arrington]

Getting smartcraft data to MFDs can be a little tricky. It’s basically it’s own language, and unless the mfd Mfr has done some development with Mercury, you need a gateway. The gateway will take the Smartcraft propriety data and convert it to a a standard such a NMEA 2000. The MFD can then ingest the signals, but it’s a one way comms.

 

[hynespa]

@b_arrington , @j98052 - I did an upgrade on mine in October so I could get SmartCraft data on my MFD. I posted step by step with pictures here:

Raymarine - SeaTalk and NMEA0183 wiring

 

[b_arrington]

@b_arrington , @j98052 - I did an upgrade on mine in October so I could get SmartCraft data on my MFD. I posted step by step with pictures here:

Raymarine - SeaTalk and NMEA0183 wiring

Thanks for the documentation!

 

[Manspeaker]

Thank you all for this great information! Once I’m back on the boat, in a few weeks, I can make a list of what I have and put a plan together. Much appreciated!