ComNav G3 User manual

Installation &
G3 GPS Compass
Installation &
Operation Manual
G3 GPS Compass
Display
PN
29010092
COMPLIES WITH
CE REGULATIONS

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation Welcome
Document PN 29010092 V2.3 - 1 -
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of ComNav Marine’s G3 GPS Compass Display! At
ComNav, we are proud of our prominence as a leader in the design and manufacture of
marine autopilot systems. Our dedication to performance and reliability will ensure your
satisfaction with the G3 GPS Compass.
ComNav Marine Ltd.
Warranty Notice
Prior to the installation and/or operation of the equipment, ensure that you read, understand,
and accept the conditions of the warranties as detailed in the Warranty Information section
of this manual.
General Notice
This document, ComNav part number 29010092 Version 2 Revision 3, is the approved
Installation and Operation Manual for use with G3 GPS Compass Display. Where versions of
this manual exist in other languages, the English version shall be considered authoritative.
Special Notice
This version applies ONLY to G3 Display running software version 0.34.1

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation Welcome
Document PN 29010092 V2.3 - 2 -
Document History
Revision Date By Description
0R1
8-7-2012
J
Initial release
1R0
8-24-2012
J
Add screen layout and menu descriptions
Reformatted
1R1
11-30-2012
J
Add descriptions for IMO installation
2R0
03-24-2014
N
Add GNSS IMO Installation
2R1
10-04-2014
J
Correct screen samples
2R2
01-09-2017
J
Add description to NMEA 2000 alert monitoring
2R3
01-13-2017
J
Revise the alert view screenshot. Add ComNav alarm ID
table

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation Table of Contents
Document PN 29010092 V2.3 - 3 -
Table of Contents
Installation & Operation Manual.................................................................................................................1
Welcome .......................................................................................................................................................1
Document History........................................................................................................................................2
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................3
List of Figures ..............................................................................................................................................5
List of Tables................................................................................................................................................5
1 Installation.................................................................................................................................................7
1.1 G3 Compass Display Package Contents ______________________________________________________ 7
1.2 Planning_______________________________________________________________________________ 7
Maximum drop cable length_________________________________________________________________ 7
Current load and maximum nodes ____________________________________________________________ 7
Terminator resistor and position______________________________________________________________ 7
1.3 Mounting ______________________________________________________________________________ 7
1.6 Connecting to NMEA 2000 network __________________________________________________________ 8
Connecting to GPS with NMEA 2000 interface __________________________________________________ 9
Connecting to Vector GPS with NMEA 0183 interface____________________________________________ 10
1.7 Getting Start___________________________________________________________________________ 11
Turning on/off___________________________________________________________________________ 11
Capture data sources in a small network ______________________________________________________ 11
2 Operation.................................................................................................................................................13
2.1 Keypad operation_______________________________________________________________________ 13
Keypad Home function____________________________________________________________________ 13
Soft Keypad function _____________________________________________________________________ 13
2.2 Display _______________________________________________________________________________ 14
Display screens _________________________________________________________________________ 14
Name as the Indicator of Data Source ________________________________________________________ 15
Monitor Alert Conditions from a heading sensor ________________________________________________ 15
2.3 Screen Layouts ________________________________________________________________________ 16
Large Compass Layout ___________________________________________________________________ 16
Small Compass Layout ___________________________________________________________________ 16
GPS Satellite Strength ____________________________________________________________________ 16
Satellites in View Graphic _________________________________________________________________ 16
Date and Time __________________________________________________________________________ 17
Rate of Turn____________________________________________________________________________ 17
Position _______________________________________________________________________________ 17
Digital Display __________________________________________________________________________ 18
Scrolling through display pages in two directions________________________________________________ 18
2.4 Menu operation ________________________________________________________________________ 18
General Menu frame _____________________________________________________________________ 18
Magnetic Heading or True Heading __________________________________________________________ 19
Entering a number or texts_________________________________________________________________ 20
Control your display ______________________________________________________________________ 20
Change data sources_____________________________________________________________________ 21

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation Table of Contents
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Reset to factory default ___________________________________________________________________ 22
Acknowledge an alarm____________________________________________________________________ 22
2.5 Advance Operations_____________________________________________________________________ 23
Change PGN output rates _________________________________________________________________ 23
3 Care and Maintenance ...........................................................................................................................26
4 Technical Specifications........................................................................................................................28
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................29
Appendix 1 – Tables of NMEA 2000 Parameter Group Numbers _____________________________________ 29
Appendix 2 – Abbreviations used in the screens __________________________________________________ 30
Appendix 3 – G3 GPS IMO Installation _________________________________________________________ 32
G3 Compass Display with G2/G2B __________________________________________________________ 32
Warranty Information ................................................................................................................................38
User Notes..................................................................................................................................................43

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation Tables & Figures
Document PN 29010092 V2.3 - 5 -
List of Figures
Figure 1 – Mounting template ........................................................................................................................................8
Figure 2 – Illustration of mounting process ....................................................................................................................8
Figure 3 – G3 connection to NMEA 2000 GPS compass...............................................................................................9
Figure 4 – G3 connection to NMEA 0183 GPS compass.............................................................................................10
Figure 5 – G3 splash screen........................................................................................................................................11
Figure 6 – G3 keypad layout........................................................................................................................................13
Figure 7 – Example of keypad status bar.....................................................................................................................14
Figure 8 – Visual components of a data field on a screen page...................................................................................14
Figure 9 - Alarm View Explanation...............................................................................................................................15
Figure 10 – Large Compass screen.............................................................................................................................16
Figure 11 – Small compass screen..............................................................................................................................16
Figure 12 – GPS satellite strength bar screen .............................................................................................................16
Figure 13 - Satellites in View screen............................................................................................................................17
Figure 14 – Date and Time screen...............................................................................................................................17
Figure 15 – Rate of Turn screen ..................................................................................................................................17
Figure 16 – Position screen .........................................................................................................................................18
Figure 17 – Digital layout with 3 fields..........................................................................................................................18
Figure 18 – G3 Menu tree............................................................................................................................................19
Figure 19 - Virtual Keypad ...........................................................................................................................................20
Figure 20 – Example of G3 night vision mode .............................................................................................................21
Figure 21 – Detect data sources through menu...........................................................................................................21
Figure 22 – Assign a device for a PGN........................................................................................................................22
Figure 23 – Main menu when there is an alarm ...........................................................................................................22
Figure 24 - Acknowledge an alert condition from Alarm menu.....................................................................................22
Figure 25 - Change PGN rates of an NMEA 2000 transducer .....................................................................................23
Figure 26 - Screens during setting PGN rates .............................................................................................................24
Figure 27 - IMO installation block diagram...................................................................................................................33
Figure 28 – G2 IMO wiring diagram .............................................................................................................................34
Figure 29 - G3 connection to NMEA 0183 Vector GPS compass ................................................................................35
Figure 30- Vector G2 IMO Wiring.................................................................................................................................36
List of Tables
Table 1 – Parts in the G3 Display Package....................................................................................................................7
Table 2 - Alert Conditions Reference ...........................................................................................................................15
Table 3 – List of protocol and response-at-request PGNs ...........................................................................................29
Table 4 – List of received PGNs ..................................................................................................................................29
Table 5 – List of abbreviations for field name...............................................................................................................30
Table 6 – List of abbreviations for units .......................................................................................................................31
Table 7 – IMO Installation Accessories........................................................................................................................32
Table 8 – User Notes ..................................................................................................................................................43

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
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Installation

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
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1 Installation
1.1 G3 Compass Display Package Contents
Your G3 display (Part Number 20130011) comes with a display Head and its mounting kit.
You should have these items in your box:
Item
Description
Quantity
Part number
1 G3 4.3” Multi-instrument Display with
cover and mounting hardware, black
1 30130013
2 NX3/G3 1m. Instrument to NMEA 2000
network cable
1 31810014
3 Manual, G3 Instrument User's Manual 1 29010092
4 NMEA 2000 joint connector 1 31810008
Table 1 – Parts in the G3 Display Package
1.2 Planning
G3 is designed to work in an NMEA 2000 network. It can receive data from GPS or rate
compasses with standard NMEA 2000 interface. Because it interacts with other devices in the
network, you need to plan your installation along with your other equipments.
More information about NMEA 2000 installation can be found in NMEA’s website. This section
only gives basic concepts you need to know for installing G3.
Note: G3 also works in non-NMEA 2000 system. Specifically, G3 can work with ComNav Vector
G2/G2B GPS compass with NMEA 0183 configured installation. See Appendix 3 – G3 GPS IMO
Installation.
Maximum drop cable length
In NMEA 2000 network, devices are connected through drop cables to one backbone in a linear
topology. A drop cable is limited to the maximum length of 6 meters. It is important you make
sure all devices are within the 6-meter distance from the NMEA 2000 backbone.
Current load and maximum nodes
NMEA 2000 standard has a maximum node number of 50. However, for each network the total
devices are limited by the current load of all devices, the geographic size of the network, and the
cable types used.
Terminator resistor and position
NMEA 2000 bus must be terminated at the 2 far ends of the backbone. In a very small network, it
is possible the bus being terminated on a single end. Male resistor Terminator Connector Part
Number 31810016 or Female resistor Terminator Connector Part Number 31810015 available
from ComNav.
1.3 Mounting
G3 is designed for surface mount. It can drop in to a place where ComNav G3 Display was
mounted.
When you chose a place for G3, make sure you have at least 45 mm clearance at the back for
the cable connector and its cover. Mounting template is shown on Figure 1.

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
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Figure 1 – Mounting template
Follow the following instructions to mount the G3 Display.
•Choose a location for your display unit, ensure the clearance requirement
•Draw with a pencil the outline of mounting position according to the measurements in
Figure 1. Drill the 2 holes using a 3 mm drill for the 2 set screws
•Cut the main cut-out in the panel using a jig-saw or similar tool. De- urr the cut-out’s edge
•Screw the 2 olts to the display unit
•Put the display in place
•Screw the 2 nuts from the ack
Figure 2 – Illustration of mounting process
1.6 Connecting to NMEA 2000 network
If you already have a NMEA 2000 network on your boat, connecting your G3 Display to the
network is easy. Finding a drop point tap that is within the distance of its length, the G3 Display

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
Document PN 29010092 V2.3 - 9 -
cable can plug into a standard NMEA 2000 micro Tee-shape connector. Be sure to secure the
connection by screwing in the cable connector completely.
If you are starting your NMEA 2000 experience from G3 Display and ComNav GPS, you need to
plan and build your network before connecting your G3 Display into it.
First make sure you have all network necessaries:
Termination resistors – at each end of the linear network backbone, a 120ohm termination
resistor is required. You can order termination units from ComNav that can directly plug into a
standard NMEA 2000 backbone cable.
Backbone cables – your G3 Display and G2 GPS Compass must connect to a backbone to
communicate with each other. When planning for your backbone wiring, please keep in mind that
you may expand the network sometime in future. To ease the future installation, it is good idea
that you place some Tee-shapes as the drop point taps along your backbone bus.
Power supply and cable – NMEA 2000 network requires a dedicated power supply. The source
is connected to the network bus at any drop point, just like the G3 Display and G2 GPS. You can
purchase an NMEA 2000 power cable from ComNav.
Connecting to GPS with NMEA 2000 interface
If your GPS has the NMEA 2000 interface, the connecting between the GPS and G3 is automatic
done through the network connection. Figure 3 shows a minimum NMEA 2000 network with G3
Display and G2 GPS.
Figure 3 – G3 connection to NMEA 2000 GPS compass

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
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Connecting to Vector GPS with NMEA 0183 interface
If your GPS is an older model that uses NMEA 0183 interface, and you want to use it in a NMEA
2000 network, you need a NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 converter to connect the GPS and G3.
Figure 27 shows where the converter is added.
Note: If you are installing your G2 GPS with G3 in an IMO class boat, you need to follow
the installation in Appendix 3 – G3 GPS IMO Installation.
Figure 4 – G3 connection to NMEA 0183 GPS compass

ComNav G3 GPS Compass
Installation & Operation
Document PN 29010092 V2.3
1.7 Getting Start
Turning on/off
After connecting to a powered network, you can turn on your G3 by press and hold the
until the splash screen is on.
Figure 5 –
G3 splash screen
Once the unit is
turned on, you can turn off G3 by pressing and hold
screen is off.
Keep in mind
that when you turn off your G3, you only switch off the display not the transducers
the display associated with. For example, if you use the G3 as a GPS display, when your G3 is
off, your GPS may keep wor
It is also important to know that G3 will draw power from the network even
but at a much reduced level (10%). To complete
disconnect the network power line from
Capture data sources in a small network
Make sure your transducer has been connected correctly and powered on before you turn o
your G
3. The reading from your transducers will be properly displayed on the
whenever the transducer is on.
In a network where there is more than one sensor of the same type, for example 2 heading
sensors
, turn on the sensor you want G3 to monitor before turning on G3, and
sensors after turnin
g on G3.
Installation & Operation
- 11 -
After connecting to a powered network, you can turn on your G3 by press and hold the
until the splash screen is on.
G3 splash screen
turned on, you can turn off G3 by pressing and hold
ing
the
that when you turn off your G3, you only switch off the display not the transducers
the display associated with. For example, if you use the G3 as a GPS display, when your G3 is
off, your GPS may keep wor
king until it is powered off.
It is also important to know that G3 will draw power from the network even
when
but at a much reduced level (10%). To complete
ly
unload G3 from your battery, you must
disconnect the network power line from
your battery, or disconnect G3 from the network.
Capture data sources in a small network
Make sure your transducer has been connected correctly and powered on before you turn o
3. The reading from your transducers will be properly displayed on the
whenever the transducer is on.
In a network where there is more than one sensor of the same type, for example 2 heading
, turn on the sensor you want G3 to monitor before turning on G3, and
g on G3.
After connecting to a powered network, you can turn on your G3 by press and hold the
button
the
button until the
that when you turn off your G3, you only switch off the display not the transducers
the display associated with. For example, if you use the G3 as a GPS display, when your G3 is
when
the display is off,
unload G3 from your battery, you must
your battery, or disconnect G3 from the network.
Make sure your transducer has been connected correctly and powered on before you turn o
n
3. The reading from your transducers will be properly displayed on the
appropriate screen
In a network where there is more than one sensor of the same type, for example 2 heading
, turn on the sensor you want G3 to monitor before turning on G3, and
then turn on other

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
Document PN 29010092 V2.3 - 12 -
Operation

ComNav G3 GPS Compass In
stallation & Operation
Document PN 29010092 V2.3
2 Operation
2.1 Keypad operation
Keypad Home function
G3 Display has 5 buttons. Each button is labeled by its home function. The home function is
immediately available
what the button is used for immediate after the unit is powered on, or after
other soft functions has expired (see Soft button functions).
Figure 6 –
G3 keypad layout
–
This button is used to turn on or turn off your display. A short press will turn on the unit
if it is off; press and hold for 3 seconds will turn off the unit.
The power on/off function only applies to
are not affected by this operation.
PAGE –
data presented by your G
screen in different layouts. Each layout is called a Page. This button
through all layouts you have selected or built (see Display concept). Click PAGE button the
screen will change to the next layout in your Page List.
You can also change to the previous layout in your Page List by press the “
the PAGE button.
Fn –
this is a multifunction button. This button will initiate the main menu and place the keypad
in Soft Keypad function (see Soft Keypad function) state.
“+” –
In menu operation (initiated by Fn), this button is used
menu.
“-“ –
A press of this button will change the next PAGE button press to circle to the previous page
instead of the next page. In menu operation (initiated by Fn), this button is used to scroll up items
in current menu.
Soft Keypad function
All buttons have content sensitive multiplex functions. When any button has a function other than
its home function (see above), the keypad is deemed as in Soft Keypad function.
Soft Keypad function is typically indicated by the ke
Figure 7
shows an instance of Soft Keypad function. In this ex
as “Select” key, the “+” and “
button is the key for E
xit
stallation & Operation
- 13 -
G3 Display has 5 buttons. Each button is labeled by its home function. The home function is
what the button is used for immediate after the unit is powered on, or after
other soft functions has expired (see Soft button functions).
G3 keypad layout
This button is used to turn on or turn off your display. A short press will turn on the unit
if it is off; press and hold for 3 seconds will turn off the unit.
The power on/off function only applies to
the display unit itself; the other devices in the network
are not affected by this operation.
data presented by your G
3 are organized in groups so that they can be shown on the
screen in different layouts. Each layout is called a Page. This button
allows you to navigate
through all layouts you have selected or built (see Display concept). Click PAGE button the
screen will change to the next layout in your Page List.
You can also change to the previous layout in your Page List by press the “
this is a multifunction button. This button will initiate the main menu and place the keypad
in Soft Keypad function (see Soft Keypad function) state.
In menu operation (initiated by Fn), this button is used
to scroll down items in current
A press of this button will change the next PAGE button press to circle to the previous page
instead of the next page. In menu operation (initiated by Fn), this button is used to scroll up items
All buttons have content sensitive multiplex functions. When any button has a function other than
its home function (see above), the keypad is deemed as in Soft Keypad function.
Soft Keypad function is typically indicated by the ke
ypad status bar at the bottom of the screen.
shows an instance of Soft Keypad function. In this ex
ample, the PAGE button behaves
as “Select” key, the “+” and “
-
“ buttons are keys for scrolling down and up the menu, while Fn
xit
.
G3 Display has 5 buttons. Each button is labeled by its home function. The home function is
what the button is used for immediate after the unit is powered on, or after
This button is used to turn on or turn off your display. A short press will turn on the unit
the display unit itself; the other devices in the network
3 are organized in groups so that they can be shown on the
allows you to navigate
through all layouts you have selected or built (see Display concept). Click PAGE button the
You can also change to the previous layout in your Page List by press the “
-“ button before press
this is a multifunction button. This button will initiate the main menu and place the keypad
to scroll down items in current
A press of this button will change the next PAGE button press to circle to the previous page
instead of the next page. In menu operation (initiated by Fn), this button is used to scroll up items
All buttons have content sensitive multiplex functions. When any button has a function other than
its home function (see above), the keypad is deemed as in Soft Keypad function.
ypad status bar at the bottom of the screen.
ample, the PAGE button behaves
“ buttons are keys for scrolling down and up the menu, while Fn

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
Document PN 29010092 V2.3 - 14 -
The following Soft keys are used in G3.
Select – Select key is used to select the current menu item. When a menu item is selected, if the
item is a subsequent menu, this submenu will be brought up; otherwise the selected data will be
used in current operation.
<- - <- key is used to bring the menu to a level up.
↓ Down – Down arrow key is used to scroll down the items in current menu
↑ Up – Up arrow key is used to scroll up the items in current menu
Exit – Exit key is used to exit the menu operation and go back to display mode
Figure 7 – Example of keypad status bar
2.2 Display
Display screens
G3 is specifically designed to work with GPS compass. It has 15 predefined screens to show
many kinds of GPS data. Press PAGE button you can scroll over these screens.
A screen page is made up by several data fields. Typically, a data field has 3 visual components:
the Name as the description of the data field, the Unit of the data, and the Value of the data.
Figure 8 gives an example of a typical screen page.
Figure 8 – Visual components of a data field on a screen page

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Name as the Indicator of Data Source
The Name in Figure 8 not only tells the meaning of the data of the field; it is also the indicator of
the data source for this field. G3 uses the same data source for a data type across screens
(Pages). This way you can be sure that your heading always comes from the same heading
sensor, and your satellites information always comes from the same GPS.
Monitor Alert Conditions from a heading sensor
The G3 display will monitor the alert PGN 126983 from a HDG data source (refer to description
above). If alert conditions are seen, an alarm view will pop up to the left bottom corner of the
screen.
The alarm view has 3 columns, each is defined as show in Figure 9.
Figure 9 - Alarm View Explanation
The alert text will be Red when the alert type is an Alarm, and yellow orange when it is a warning.
The text will flash if the alert condition is active or silenced. It will be steady when the alert is
acknowledged.
For how to acknowledge or silence an alert, see Acknowledge an alarm in 2.4 Menu operation.
ComNav alert conditions
Table 2 is a list to ComNav alert conditions and their ID. These alerts are available in G Series
Compasses (G2 & G2B).
Alert Condition Alert Id
No position for more than 60 seconds 10001
No heading for more than 60 seconds 10002
Table 2 - Alert Conditions Reference

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2.3 Screen Layouts
Large Compass Layout
This layout is designed to show heading on a compass rose. The top of the rose points to the
direction of heading from PGN 127250, with digital readout in the center of the rose. A second
point (in yellow) points to the course-over-ground if that data is available.
Figure 10 – Large Compass screen
Small Compass Layout
This layout has a similar rose as in Large Compass layout on the left. On the right of the screen
up to four types of data can be displayed in digital format.
Figure 11 – Small compass screen
GPS Satellite Strength
This layout displays satellites in view and shows their strength in vertical bars.
Figure 12 – GPS satellite strength bar screen
Satellites in View Graphic
This layout plots the satellites in view on the screen with their identification numbers. The strength
of each satellite is shown on the right in horizontal bars.

ComNav G3 GPS Compass Installation & Operation
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Figure 13 - Satellites in View screen
Date and Time
This layout shows the universal time.
Figure 14 – Date and Time screen
Rate of Turn
This layout presents the rate of turn in a scaled bar to give an easy visual display for the rate of
turn of the vessel the GPS mounted on. It will also show a left or right arrow to indicate the
direction of turn.
On the up side of the screen, you can pick two different data to be shown in digits. The example
here has the heading and course-over-ground displayed at the up screen.
Figure 15 – Rate of Turn screen
Position
This layout presents the latitude and longitude of the GPS in the large digital form. Two
additional fields at the bottom of the screen is optional.

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Figure 16 – Position screen
Digital Display
Digital screen layout can be in one field, two fields, three fields, four fields. In this layout data
fields are presented in digits along with their label and unit.
Figure 17 – Digital layout with 3 fields
Scrolling through display pages in two directions
A click of PAGE button will switch the screen to the next Page. If you click the “-“ before click the
PAGE button, the screen will switch to the previous one.
2.4 Menu operation
General Menu frame
The menu is used to change settings that will alter the way your data are displayed. For example,
you may want to change the unit a data is shown, or you may want to switch the display to Night
Vision at night.
The menu is triggered by a quick press of Fn button in Normal operation. Figure 18 shows the
menu tree.
Many menu items are self-explained, such as the units for different data types or time format.
There are some items that may not immediately intuitive.