DIGITAL YACHT iKonvert NMEA 2000 Gateway with ISO Interface User Guide
- June 13, 2024
- DIGITAL YACHT
Table of Contents
DIGITAL YACHT iKonvert NMEA 2000 Gateway with ISO Interface
Product Information
The iKONVERT Gateway (ISO) is a device designed to allow NMEA0183 devices to send or receive data from an NMEA2000 network. It facilitates the bi- directional conversion of data between the two NMEA formats, making it suitable for boats with a mixture of NMEA0183 and NMEA2000 equipment onboard. The unit is water-resistant and should be installed below deck in a dry location.
Features:
-
Allows NMEA0183 devices to communicate with an NMEA2000
network -
Safe and accurate bi-directional conversion of data
-
Water-resistant design
Specifications:
-
Model: iKONVERT Gateway (ISO)
-
Firmware Version: V2.05
-
Interface: NMEA0183
-
Baud Rates: 4800 (GPS/Navigation/Instruments), 38400
(GPS/Navigation/Instruments/AIS) -
Sentences Supported: RMC, HDG, VHW, MWV, DPT, MTW, MDA, APB,
RMB, VLW, XTE, ROT, RSA, VDO, VDM, GSA, GSV, ZDA
Product Usage Instructions
Before you start:
To install and test the iKONVERT (ISO) converter, you will need the following:
- NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 equipment user manuals
- A suitable location below deck for installation
Installation:
- Select a suitable dry location below deck for the iKONVERT Gateway (ISO)
- Refer to the dimension drawing for mounting instructions
- Connect the iKONVERT Gateway (ISO) to the NMEA2000 network using compatible cables such as SeaTalkNG or Simnet
- Follow the ISO Connection diagrams to wire the iKONVERT Gateway (ISO) to NMEA0183 devices
Operation:
The iKONVERT Gateway (ISO) offers multiple operating modes. Use the MODE switches to select the desired mode:
- Gateway Mode: Interface: NMEA0183, Baud: 4800, Sentences: RMC, HDG, VHW, MWV, DPT, MTW, MDA, APB, RMB, VLW, XTE, ROT, RSA
- Gateway HS Mode: Interface: NMEA0183, Baud: 38400, Sentences: RMC, HDG, VHW, MWV, DPT, MTW, MDA, APB, RMB, VLW, XTE, ROT, RSA, VDO and VDM
- GPS Mode (1Hz): Interface: NMEA0183, Baud: 4800, Sentences: RMC, GSA, GSV, ZDA
- GPS HS Mode (10Hz): Interface: NMEA0183, Baud: 38400, Sentences: RMC, GSA, GSV, ZDA
Refer to the user manual of your NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 equipment for further configuration and operation details.
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your iKonvert (ISO) Gateway. This product
is designed to allow NMEA0183 devices to either send data to or receive data
from an NMEA2000 network. With more and more equipment moving to the newer
NMEA2000 interfacing standard, it is very common for boats to have a mixture
of NMEA0183 and NMEA2000 equipment onboard. iKonvert allows the safe and
accurate bi-directional conversion of data between the two NMEA formats.
There is no standard wiring colours or connector for NMEA0183 systems, so the
NMEA0183 ISO cable of the iKonvert just has bare ended wires for connecting to
other NMEA0183 equipment. Making these wiring connections requires a level of
practical ability and electrical knowledge and if you are not comfortable with
electrics/electronics, we recommend you have the converter installed by a
professional installer/dealer.
Before operating the unit you should also familiarise yourself again with the
user manual of the NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 equipment that you will be using
iKonvert with. Pay particular attention to the NMEA2000 or NMEA0183
Interfacing Menu options and any other settings that need to be configured for
correct operation.
Before you start
You can extend the ISO cable of the iKonvert converter using any reasonable quality multi-core cable. Security Alarm cabling is usually a good choice and we would recommend using screened cable, particularly at the higher 38400 baud rate. The cable screen should only be grounded at the NMEA0183 device – not at both ends of the cable.
To install and test the iKonvert (ISO) converter you will need:
- Suitable tools and connectors to connect the iKonvert to the NMEA2000 network
- Suitable tools and connectors to connect the iKonvert to the NMEA0183 device
- M3 or M4 screws or other fixings appropriate to the mounting location
- Installation manual for the NMEA0183 device that shows wire colours and how it should wired to other devices
Installation
Before starting installation select a suitable location for the iKonvert. The unit is water resistant; however it should be installed below deck in a dry location. When locating the unit you should consider:
- Routing of NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 cables to the unit
- Provision of sufficient space around the unit for comfortable cable routing.
- Maintaining the compass safe distance of 0.5m
Connecting to NMEA2000 Network
- The iKonvert, has an integral NMEA2000 cable terminated with a male connector that is designed to connect straight in to a standard NMEA2000 network via a spare “T-Piece”. If you are creating a new NMEA2000 network, then you may wish to consider Digital Yacht’s NMEA2000 Starter Kit, that provides all of the cables, connectors and terminators required for a basic NMEA2000 network.
- iKonvert takes its power and data from the NMEA2000 network.
- If you are connecting iKonvert to a non-standard NMEA2000 network, then a suitable adaptor cable will need to be sourced from the relevant manufacturer;
- SeaTalkNG (Raymarine P/No A06045)
- Simnet (Simrad P/No 24006199)
Mounting
- The iKonvert Gateway has two slotted 4mm Diameter fixing holes. Use suitable fixings (not supplied) to fix the converter to a flat surface – using the dimensions and details shown in the drawing below. Note that the unit may be installed in any orientation.
Dimension drawing
ISO Connection
The iKonvert Gateway (ISO) has an integral 1m ISO cable that can be wired to
NMEA0183 devices as shown in the diagrams below. The first diagram shows the
more common Differential (Two Wire) connections where the device has an Input+
and Input- or an Output+ and Output- (sometimes referred to as A and B)…
The second diagram shows the older Common Ground type connection where, to reduce the number of wires, the manufacturer just has a single Input or Output connection and it relies upon the two pieces of connected equipment having a common DC ground (Negative Battery Supply)…
Operation
Operating Modes
The iKonvert Gateway will support a number of different operating modes, which
can be configured by changing the positions of four DIP switches inside the
unit.
To open the iKonvert Gateway, just unscrew the two cross head screws in the
base of the unit.
By default iKonvert is set to Mode 0, where all of the four DIP switches are
OFF. In this mode it will convert all of the common GPS/Nav/Instrument data at
4800 baud.
On the following page is a table showing all of the currently supported modes.
In many cases, the default mode will be fine, but if you want iKonvert to do a
specific conversion i.e. Wind or Heading, or you want to convert more data at
a higher baud rate, then select the required mode via the DIP switches.
Once you have set the DIP switches, power cycle iKonvert (OFF…wait 2
seconds…ON) and when it powers up, it will be in the selected mode.
The operating modes have been defined to satisfy the installation scenarios
most commonly found on pleasure boats. If you have an installation
requirement, that is not covered by one of these modes, please let us know.
Table of iKonvert Conversion Modes (V3.16 Firmware or higher)…
Some examples of how these Operating Modes can be used are;
- You have an older DSC VHF that needs GPS data in NMEA0183 format, you can set iKonvert to GPS (1Hz) Mode and the VHF radio will receive this data from the NMEA2000 network.
- You have an AIS unit with an NMEA0183 Output and you want to use it with a new Chart Plotter that only has an NMEA2000 interface, you can set iKonvert to AIS Mode and the AIS data will be converted to NMEA2000.
- You have a navigation software package running on a PC/Mac and want to convert all of your NMEA2000 data in to NMEA0183, which is the only format the software supports, set iKonvert to Gateway HS (High Speed) mode and all of the data NMEA2000 supported by NMEA0183 sentences will be converted.
Note that conversions are in both directions, so for example in Depth Mode, if
NMEA0183 Depth data is received it will be converted to NMEA2000 or if
NMEA2000 Depth is on the network, then this will be converted to NMEA0183.
For software applications or devices that know how to read NMEA2000 PGNs, we
have developed a special “RAW Data” Mode that takes the NMEA2000 binary PGN
data and encapsulates it in a Digital Yacht proprietary NME0183 sentence. The
same application can also transmit data on to the NMEA2000 network, by sending
another proprietary sentence with the binary PGN data back to iKonvert.
To set iKonvert in to this special “RAW Data” mode, simply set all of the DIP
switches to “ON” and all of the NMEA2000 data will be available in the
proprietary sentences at 230400 baud.
As more modes are added, Digital Yacht will release firmware updates and
revisions to this manual.
LED Behaviour
iKonvert has four LEDs, which behave as follows;
| LED | State | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Power | ON | iKonvert is powered up |
| N2K | FLASH |
NMEA 2000 data being received
N0183| FLASH|
NMEA 0183 data being received
Error| ON| Serious Error condition contact Digital Yacht
Further Information
iKonvert is available in two versions;
- USB version for use with PCs, Macs, Raspbery Pi and LINUX computers
- ISO version with an opto-isolated NMEA0183 interface for use with dedicated hardware
Both versions will run the same firmware and they will support a number of different NMEA0183 conversion modes, plus the “RAW Data” mode that requires software developers to integrate/support it on their applications.
We know of a number of developers who are working on this “RAW Data” Mode
integration and it is already compatible with CANBoat and the Node Signal K
server.
We have created a dedicated GitHub site for iKonvert that will always have the
latest Developer’s Guide, Firmware and technical information on iKonvert.
https://github.com/digitalyacht/iKonvert
For iKonvert technical support please email support@digitalyacht.co.uk
Quick Start Guide for iKonvert (ISO) V2.05
TEL + 44 1179 554474 www.digitalyacht.co.uk
sales@digitalyacht.co.uk