Nasaco YACHT REPEATER Guide

INSTALLATION AND
USER INSTRUCTIONS
YA HT
REPEATER
C
NASA MARINE Ltd.
BOULTON ROAD
STEVENAGE
HERTS SG1 4QG
ENGLAND
[phone]
MARINE INSTRUMENTS
DESIGNED AND
MANUFACTURED
IN ENGLAND
RoHS
2002/95/EC

NASA YACHT REPEATER
Table of Contents
1
Page
2
2
3
4
5
6
INTRODUCTION
INSTALLING THE REPEATER
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
CONNECTING THE NMEA INPUTS
REMOTE CONTROL
TEST FACILITY

FIG 1b FIG 1cFIG 1a
NASA MARINE YACHT REPEATER
INTRODUCTION.
The NASA Marine Yacht Repeater displays essential navigation information from
a range of NMEA-0183 enabled devices. The large LCD display is easy to read at
a distance and over a wide viewing angle. For night viewing the characters glow
red on a black background producing a very sharp image without compromising
the crew's night vision.
Selection of data and back-light intensity are performed using a waterproof
wireless remote control unit. The weatherproof display is designed to mount on a
mast or other structure on a vessel and connects, via a three way screened cable,
to the data control box which is sited below deck. The data control box connects
to the vessel's 12 volt supply and has inputs for up to six NMEA instruments.
INSTALLATION.
After selecting a position where the display can be easily seen, the unit is
attached to the mast by means of two stainless steel mounting brackets. The
brackets can be shaped as required before being screwed to the rear of the
instrument with the six M4 stainless screws.
For a wide mast the brackets should be fitted as shown in Fig 1a and for a
narrower mast fitted as in Fig 1b. To fit to a bulkhead the brackets can be shaped
as Fig 1c.
Do not attempt to bend the brackets using the instrument as a lever but fully
shape the bracket before attaching the display. When attaching the brackets to
the mast be sure to use appropriate screws or rivets that do not foul other mast
hardware. It is recommended that a sealant is used between the brackets and
mast to prevent corrosion.
Run the cable down the mast and through a waterproof gland to the data control
box. The data control box is not waterproof and must be mounted in a position
that is dry at all times.
2

Connect the display cable and the power cable to the data control box as shown
in Fig-2.
CONNECTING THE NMEA INPUTS
.
The data control box has six NMEA-0183 inputs. Four are single wire inputs which
are referenced to ground (supply negative). Two are two wire inputs and have
separate reference inputs which can be connected to ground if desired.
For NMEA enabled instruments with a single output (i.e. With no reference output)
then connect a single wire from the NMEA OUTPUT to any of the four NMEA
inputs of the data box. If the instrument has an NMEA OUTPUT + and an NMEA
OUTPUT-(ref) then use two wires to connect the outputs to the corresponding two
wire input of the data control box. A typical setup is shown in Fig-3. (note, one of
the two wire inputs is shown with its reference connected to ground, converting it
into a single wire input.)
FIG 2
3

FIG 3
When power is turned on the unit will first display information from input 1.
Subsequent presses of the CH+ key will step through all the available data on
that input channel then move to the next input channel.
THE REMOTE CONTROL
The remote control is powered by three AAA batteries. These can be zinc carbon,
alkaline, nickel metal hydride or nicad, though different batteries should not be
mixed.
To install the batteries, first carefully unscrew the four screws and remove the
back cover. Fit the batteries with the polarity as indicated on the battery holder
and replace the back cover. When replacing the back cover ensure that the "O"
ring seal is in place (With its overlap at the bottom.) and the four screws are fitted
with sealing rings and properly tightened. To prevent battery deterioration or
leakage it is recommended that the batteries are replaced at intervals no greater
than two years.
4

The remote is an infra red device and must be directed at the display when in
use. Use the Z+ or Zkeys to increase or decrease the backlight intensity and
use the CH + or CH keys to cycle up or down through the data fields. The red
LED on the remote will flash to confirm each key press.
Pressing Zand CH simultaneously will switch to the test mode where the
display unit will show the NMEA sentence headers it is receiving.
USING THE TEST FACILITY.
To determine which NMEA messages are available on the input channels, first
put the unit into test mode by simultaneously pressing Zand CH . The unit will
now display the current channel number and the first NMEA message type. (Note
The large digits are made up of seven elements and cannot display some
characters. Refer to table 1 for substitution characters.) Pressing CH and CH+
allows you to scroll through all message types on all input channels.
Simultaneously pressing Zand CH again returns to normal operation.
SKIPPING UNWANTED DATA SCREENS.
Any data screen that is not required can be deleted. First select the unwanted
screen then press SKIP on the data control box. That screen will not be displayed
in future presses of the channel selection keys. To reset all deleted screens press
CLEAR on the data control box.
SOFTWARE UPDATES.
Additional NMEA sentences will be made available by popular demand. The
latest list (issue number ???.) is available on the NASA Marine website. To
determine the software issue number simultaneously press both keys on the data
control box.
TABLE 1
5

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
QThe display is blank and there is no red light on the data control box.
ACheck you have a 12 vote supply with correct polarity. (Positive to the
centre pin of the power plug.) Check the fuse (One amp.)
QThe red light glows on the data control box but the display is totally blank.
ACheck the connections between the display and the data control box.
QThe red light glows and the display shows only a letter phi (A circle with a
line through it.) at the top right of the screen.
A The data control box is waiting for NMEA at the selected input channel.
Q I cannot get data from one or more of the input channels.
APut the unit into test mode and read the sentences received on that
channel. If no sentence is shown the the unit is not receiving NMEA data
on that input. Check the wiring and check the sender is set up to send the
NMEA sentence you desire.
QI can read NMEA sentences on an input channel but cannot get that
channel to display NMEA data.
ACheck that at least one of the available sentences is capable of being
displayed by the Yacht Repeater. If the available sentences are not
compatible then e-mail NASA Marine with ALL the following information;-
(1) The manufacturers name and type number of the sending instrument.
(2) A list of all the NMEA message types shown on the problem channel.
(3) The software issue number of the Yacht Repeater.
Q The LED on the remote control does not flash when a key is pressed.
A Check the state of the batteries and check they are correctly installed.
(Note the centre battery is the opposite way round to the outer pair.)
QWhy is there a delay in receiving some data displays.
ANMEA data is generally updated every second so any delay should not be
more than two seconds. Some senders have a power saving mode which
send our data less often. If this is troublesome then set the sender to
normal operation.
For the latest list of enabled NMEA sentences refer to the NASA Marine website
or scan this QR code:

NOTES:
7