Author Topic: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop  (Read 31790 times)

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Offline Jolly Roger

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DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« on: February 08, 2010, 11:38:17 AM »
Hi all,

recently I was trying to figure out how I can get NMEA data send out to my laptop.  The idea behind it is that I want to use my laptop and navigation software (Quo Vadis) for navigation on board of my boat. The laptop’s bigger screen and  the software's better maps of Lake Constance brought me to this.

I have HUMMINBIRD’s AS-PC2 PC connection cable and the pigtail of HUMMINBIRD’s AS GR50 GPS receiver, but I was reluctant to cut the NMEA COM connector off of my PC connection cable like suggested on HB’s website. As we all know, "things" happen and the cable might be needed in the future for lets say an update or maybe a new funny Start Up Screen for the unit. So cutting off the NMEA COM connector wasn't an option because once cut and connected on the boat, it would have to stay on the boat and I would have to buy another PC connection cable for home.

Tinkering around with an old RS232 cable looked good at first, but getting the masses of wires in the cable sorted out made me think twice about it: ---> Screw it!!

As it turned out, there was a female NMEA COM connector on the Y- cable that came with the GPS receiver which fits to the male NMEA COM connector of  the AS-PC2 cable. So I thought I can get a connection that would send NMEA data to my laptop, without destroying my precious AS-PC 2 cable and without messing around with a lot of wires of an old RS 232 cable.

After debating with the guys here (thanks Bob, Chuck, Gert, Greg and Hendrik (appearance in alphabetic order)) I decided to pimp the pigtail of my GPS receiver and went to my workshop to give it a try.
Now here's what I did,
BUT BEFORE YOU START, FIRST READ THIS VERY  CAREFULLY:
The following procedure makes you attempt to connect electrical wires with each other. This requires at least some advanced craftsmanship and special sophisticated tools!

What you need:
1.   GPS receiver's pigtail
2.   Y-cable http://store.humminbird.com/products/322946/AS_YC
3.   Fine tipped Soldering iron with solder and solder fat
4.   Electrical insulation tape or electrical shrink tube / hot air gun
5.   Cutting pliers / Knife
6.   Ohm meter

Do not use these tools  ;D:


Use decent soldering equipment! But if you sport some colour blindness (med. "achromatopsia"), I suggest to leave the job to someone who recognizes colours and knows what he's doing. Same is true if you're not a soldering specialist: Unqualified messing around with hot tools may result in burning down your house / flat. I heard rumours that this might upset or annoy your mom / dad / landlord / neighbour or other people.

Another thing: Insulation!
Do not connect the cables to your unit / PC / laptop while working on them. Shorting the circuits and burning them through is something electronics don't like. And this isn't a rumour!
Use an Ohm meter to check for continuity, resistance and shorting.  Write down the measures for later reference and DOUBLECHECK!. Having your 1000 $ + equipment smoked is neither a good joke nor is it covered by HB'S warranty.

Talking about insulation:
Make sure you're using ELECTRICAL insulation tape or insulating shrink tubes in the right diameter. Some regular tapes do not insulate and this will lead to shortcuts. If you're taping, use some industrial alcohol or break disk cleaner  to clean the soldered parts before starting to tape. Some solder contains solder fat. This fat makes it tricky to attach the tape.
Try to keep the tape under tension while wrapping it around the wires/cable to get a good hold and some water protection. While keeping the tape under tension, keep in mind what Mickey Rourke told Don Johnson in the movie “Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man” about pulling the trigger when Don Johnson shot his motorcycle: "Don't rip on it….!” These wires are tiny.

OK, enough of jokes and the pessimistic waffle now. Tool time!

Here's the first one of the candidates:


Get the cap off of the pigtail and carefully cut off the insulation. Be really careful and make sure you don't cut through the wire's insulation! Cutting through the wire's insulation might lead to a shorting. After removing the cable's insulation you'll see three wires: Red, Black and White.


We need the black and the white wire (Black is ground (-) and white is NMEA out from the GPS receiver). Here's where you can find pictures with the pin details for reference:
http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=15
Carefully cut off the insulation of the white and the black wire. Again: Be REALLY careful. These iron leads are no steel cables and they're easily cut through.


Next candidate: The Y-cable’s FEMALE connectors. Positively identify who is who here!


Cut off the FEMALE NMEA COM connector (that's the one with NMEA COM written on it and ONE cable going out / in). Carefully remove the insulation like above. Now here we have FOUR wires. We need the white wire and the BARE (silver) wire.


Now let's get ready for the hot part of our pimp show and heat up your soldering gear.
First solder the white wires together.


Next: Insulate the white wire BEFORE you solder the black / bare wires! It's easier to do this now, 'cause you can wrap the tape without having the black / bare wire in your way.


Next solder the black and the bare wire together and insulate them.


After this it's time to get the whole thing sealed. If you have shrink tubes and know how to handle them, use these. One thing I don't like about them shrink tubes is that sometimes they need a lot of heat to shrink and if one is not careful, the insulation of the wires might melt.
If you're using tape, wrap it twice around the cable before wrapping it around the wire.


This gives a better hold. Keep the red wire away from the others.



While keeping the tape under tension wrap it towards the other wires keeping the green wire in line with the cable.


Finish the whole procedure by holding the red wire opposite to the green wire. The more distance between the wires, the less chance to have a shortcut if things get tight.


Now we should have a pretty tight but still a bit flexible connection established and be ready to check if everything works as planned.

DO NOT CHECK BY CONNECTING THE CABLE TO YOUR UNIT TO SEE IF IT WORKS!

Use an Ohm meter for this and cross- and doublecheck!!

If everything 's fine: Now you're ready to go and you can use your AS-PC2 cable to output GPS signal or depth data to your PC or laptop!


I have put this project on the HB wish list. In my opinion it makes the GPS receiver's pigtail more versatile and user friendly. The pimped receivers pigtail will be a plug and play thing and it shouldn't be a big deal to get it done in the future.

As for now, I wish you good luck and success with your unit. If you have suggestions ---> shoot!

Regards / Harry
« Last Edit: February 08, 2010, 05:41:18 PM by RGecy »
YES,......
WE SCAN!


Offline keizerh

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2010, 01:09:21 PM »
NEVER USE

   ........ solder fat......................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on electrical connections. It wil cause corrosion.

Hendrik

Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2010, 01:14:09 PM »
I know Hendrick,
but it cleans the metal parts and helps the solder to penetrate better. If you read further, I recommend to clean the parts after soldering  ;)

Regards / Harry
YES,......
WE SCAN!

Offline benamen

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2010, 05:01:00 PM »
Ever try the liquid flux? Sure makes soldering a lot easier than using the old paste flux.

 LIQUID ROSIN SOLDER FLUX-2oz-16oz

Need a little? From GC Electronics
Completely non-corrosive liquid solder flux consisting of a solution of special rosin in alcohol. Contains no traces of acids or chlorides and is completely safe to use on even the most delicate electronic equipment. For electronics applications
Check Other GC Chemicals  - [MSDS] [SPEC SHEET]


Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2010, 05:07:51 PM »
Thanks for advice BENAMEN!
I hope I don't have to do any more soldering in the next weeks. Getting them tiny leads together was enough of fun for the moment. One needs at least two more hands to get them set and hold in place  ;D.

Regards / Harry
« Last Edit: February 09, 2010, 04:31:57 PM by Jolly Roger »
YES,......
WE SCAN!

legend

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2010, 04:19:49 AM »
Hi jolly Roger
I can't see the pictures of connections.What's up??

Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2010, 07:20:43 AM »
Scandal and sabotage!
Looks like I screwed up with the picture settings. I' hope it's fixed now.
Thanks for your hint Legend!
Regards / Harry
YES,......
WE SCAN!

Offline Humminbird_Greg

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2010, 09:40:08 AM »
Nice post Harry!

Actually guys depending on the formulation of the “solder fat” (or “flux” as we call here in the U.S.A.) will depend on whether you even need to clean it.  If it is of the “no-clean” variety than no cleaning is needed as this is a very mild type flux and is not supposed to attack the solder connection.  The wires you are soldering to should be pretty clean and so you would not need an aggressive type flux such as an RA flux (which will attack the solder connection).  But at the same time it certainly would not hurt to clean the wires afterwards as you would also get some cleaner on the wire insulation which could clean off oils from your skin (fingers) which would help the tape stick.  I would recommend some isopropyl alcohol (higher alcohol percentage the better) as it will not react with the wire insulation.  You might also consider using some of the sealing type wire heat shrink as this would give a waterproof connection.

Sorry guys but I’ve been performing soldering training for the last two weeks here and so had to show off my J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 training!
[These are international soldering standards.]

Greg Walters at Humminbird
gwalters@johnsonoutdoors.com

Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2010, 12:09:56 PM »
Thanks for your input and explanation Greg!
Sometimes I don't find the right technical terms in English and this will help to understand some of the weirdo stuff I wrote above.

If I understand this right, you are a soldering trainer?
Hm, I think I know where I'll send my cables for soldering in the future  ;D.

Thanks again Greg!
Harry
YES,......
WE SCAN!

Offline benamen

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2010, 01:00:33 PM »
Hey Greg,
Did you get your qualifications through Humminbird or possibly the military?
I have a couple of brothers with the same qualifications that they obtained through the CDN Armed Forces (F18 techs).

Ben

Offline Humminbird_Greg

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2010, 06:10:49 PM »
I was certified through Humminbird at a place called STI.  Just so happens the guy that founded STI is none other than Jim Raby who some refer to as “the Father of MIL-Spec soldering”.

Greg Walters at Humminbird
gwalters@johnsonoutdoors.com

Offline Angry

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2011, 06:54:12 PM »
Jolly Roger,\
Im looking to attach my laptop to my 898 so i can record passes over interesting spots but also use it as a part time lerger screen.

Does this mod throw decent qualiy pics up onto a Laptiop ???

Someone told me there is a humminbird cable for 898 to laptop is it better ???

Offline Bob B

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2011, 07:20:04 PM »
Great post....Good information and entertaining at the same time.
**Looking for the one that makes it all worthwhile**

Offline Roddy

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2011, 08:37:38 PM »
Harry; Nice hack. Good to have you back !! Roddy
Scan,Scan and Rescan Roddy

Offline D S

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2012, 04:02:57 PM »
GREG, or other mods
most laptops now  have usb input rather than  a serial  input.
can u make a similar connection from the  pigtail  on the HB unit using USB Cable?

i am unable to get a serial to usb convertor here where i live...

  say......black and white wire to  a DIY  cut off usb cable?
 therefore eliminating the need for a serial to usb convertor?

also i would assume if possible you would connect

HB unit:              USB cable
black--------------black(ground)
white--------------green(data+)

any thoughts
thanks
« Last Edit: May 12, 2012, 04:10:17 PM by dave steeg »
stgr

Offline xSilmarilSx

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #15 on: May 13, 2012, 12:15:20 AM »
DO NOT.. splice a USB cable..it will not work. The signal/speed is not the same and it would not work..

You can find USB/serial adapter everywhere on the web, from ebay or any computer shop in your province.

Here, I found one just for you, and in Canada!

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=39322&vpn=ICUSB232&manufacture=Startech%2Ecom

Not the cheapest, since you can have one from china for 5$, but the shipping will be fast.


Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #16 on: May 13, 2012, 03:21:22 AM »
xSilmarilSx is right,
you have to have a serial/usb converter, because the usb connection is much faster than the serial connection. It is like two languages, therefore the two units (HB and PC) are not able to communicate unless you have a translator which is the converter in this case.

Regards / Harry



YES,......
WE SCAN!

Offline Rüdiger

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #17 on: May 13, 2012, 03:31:41 AM »
Hi

There are ready Smart-Cable NMEA USB.
In this Swedish traders you can buy it
http://shop.textalk.se/se/article.php?id=9260&art=4213983

mvh
Rüdiger
« Last Edit: May 13, 2012, 04:25:45 AM by Rüdiger »

Offline Kokanee

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #18 on: March 23, 2013, 04:19:47 AM »
DO NOT.. splice a USB cable..it will not work. The signal/speed is not the same and it would not work..

You can find USB/serial adapter everywhere on the web, from ebay or any computer shop in your province.

Here, I found one just for you, and in Canada!

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=39322&vpn=ICUSB232&manufacture=Startech%2Ecom

Not the cheapest, since you can have one from china for 5$, but the shipping will be fast.




In order to download upgraded software to my older HB 561 (no SD card slot), I took my HB AS-PC2 cable and added a USB/serial adapter coupled with a mini gender changer (my laptop doesn't have a serial port). Therefore I can download from HB PC into my old HB 561.

Question: this connection appears to be what you are using to live feed a laptop? Should I be able to live feed my HB 598ci HD SI with this cable setup? If so, once I am on the water, what is the procedure?
Oncorhynchus nerka

Offline Gimp

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #19 on: May 23, 2018, 08:01:26 PM »
So where would one find an AS-PC2 PC connection cable?

Offline rnvinc

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #20 on: May 24, 2018, 12:32:41 AM »
So where would one find an AS-PC2 PC connection cable?

A Google search of Humminbird AS PC2 results several hits  ...

Now whether they actually have the part may be another question  ...

Rickie

Offline Gimp

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Re: DIY NMEA Cable for Live GPS/Depth Data to PC or Laptop
« Reply #21 on: May 24, 2018, 10:13:38 PM »
A Google search of Humminbird AS PC2 results several hits  ...

Now whether they actually have the part may be another question  ...

Rickie
That's the problem I'm running into, and the Ebay offerings seem a bit sketch.


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