Networking together two Lowrance Units.

[Rockfish]

I have a Lowrance LCX110c (10inch GPS/Fish finder) and a Lowrance LMS332c (5 inch GPS/Fish finder). So far I have kept the 5 inch as a backup in case the 10 inch should ever quit as the 5 inch uses the same cables and sensors. The plan was that should it ever be necessary I could duct tape the 5 inch into the oversize 10 inch mounting bracket, plug in the cables and have sonar and GPS back up and running within a few minutes.

Now I am thinking that it would be useful to have the five inch working all the time using the network connection but don’t know much about this. I assume the 5 inch unit will need its own power supply but that networked it can share the sensors with the 10 inch unit; or can it get power through the network cable? As you can tell I know little about this.

Can this be done?

How hard is this to do so that I can run both units using the same sensors (transducer/speed sensor/GPS antenna)?

Is it just a question of plugging in the network cable or are there configuration and setting issues to deal with?

Do I have to have a navigation chart chip installed in both units or can I leave it in the primary 10 inch unit and still access it for navigation on the five inch unit? I have a 2nd chart chip as backup so I could put one in both units if necessary.

I guess I should start looking for my manuals but I thought someone who knows a lot more about this may have an answer or two.

 

[PW_Homer]

I have the LMS525C and the LCSX37C both networked. Works great. I also use the EP60 fuel flow sensor on network along with the LBS1 broadband sounder.

Both units use the NEMA 2000 network to share data. Here is a network map from Lowrance http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Ma...ing-System/Sample-LowranceNET-Marine-Network/

Lowrance setup/install NEMA 2000 PDF http://www.lowrance.com/upload/Lowr...EA2000NetworksGeneralInfo_0154-173_112006.pdf

You will need a map chip for each unit as Navonic chip maps cannot be shared on the network.

Sonar also cannot be shared unless you purchase the Network expansion box http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Ma...-and-Ethernetworking/Navico-Expansion-Port-1/

All other data can be shared like, GPS + all GPS data, way points, sonar depth, speed, temp etc, whatever is connected to the NEMA 2000 can be shared except sonar unless you get the expansion box and Navonic maps that can never be shared.

To share a transducer you will need the Lowrance SB10BL transducer switch http://www.lei-extras.com/store/search.asp?SearchType=Unit&Unit=LCX-110C Note that if sharing the transducer you will have to set one sonar set at 50Khz and the other at 200Khz

/fishon

HOMER

 

[the fog ducker]

X2 - Homer's gotter figured...

fd

 

[Rockfish]

Thanks Homer, that was useful. I was surprised that the transducer switch is so expensive.