Garmin 741 with NMEA ?

[gradywhite248]

Quick question. Still looking at installing my new Garmin 741 and since its to cold I ordered a few more items to install in the NMEA network?
First I ordered The GFS 10 tracks fuel flow and fuel on board to your chartplotter via the Garmin NMEA 2000®. This is going to give me the ability to hopefully enjoy the day on the water with the family. I have a hell of an engine in the Yamaha XO-66 250 two stroke but boy she like to drink fuel.

I have also ordered an External GPS antenna with the NMEA plugs on both ends of the cable. One question has any one run any type plugs thru the hardtop tubes? I would hate to splice the cable?

 

[1st grady]

There is a field installed NMEA 2000 plug, i did not use one and I did cut the cable about 6 inches from the plug and fished the wire down from the ebox. After exiting the tube at the helm, i soldered, heat shrink and taped the splice. All has worked well for 6 years. I guess you could use the heat shrink crimp but connectors but with the 6? wires would be bulky.

 

[Parthery]

You should be able to get the NMEA plug through the pipe...worst case scenario is you may have to disconnect something else and pull it out...then run it back through.

Garmin 741 is a nice unit for the $$$.

 

[1st grady]

Yes wou will be able to fish the wire/ connector through but I did not want to make that large of a hole in the tubing. (5/16 instead of 3/4 inches)

 

[Another Distraction]

Doesn't the 741 have an internal antenna? Why cut, drill and run another antenna?

 

[gradywhite248]

Doesn't the 741 have an internal antenna? Why cut, drill and run another antenna?

You are correct it does have an internal antenna. I have been told if you flush mount the unit you might need and antenna? not sure if that's true? I guess like a car GPS. Sometimes it does not work, if I don't put it on the dash... but since I already have a preexisting GPS antenna I was thinking of replacing with the new Garmin one. Not sure but the one installed might work if needed.
:uhm

 

[greenhabah]

I have mine flush mounted in the electronics box below the hardtop and have never had an issue with the GPS connecting.
I did install the marine GPS weather antenna. I cut a 3/4" hole and put a large clam shell over it and caulked the crap out of it.
No issues in 3 or 4 years.

 

[gradywhite248]

OK have all the NMEA 2000 parts to install. I have the starter kit (Garmin) the GF10 for fuel info and the 741XS with the chirp transducer. Where are you guys installing the backbone for the NMEA 2000. I have a 1999 248 Voyager with a single Yamaha 250 so Im thinking in the back bilge area by the batteries? I guess this would be best then it would be close to the GF-10 for the fuel information and the chirp transducer? then run the long cable up to the electronic box? But if I do that could I put one of the splinters in the electronics box for other units added later? Also would like to wire the power for the system off one of the assesoriy switches so I can control the power to the system? Just don't want powered all the time with the batteries on,since I dont have shore power. May be Im over thinking this????? :hmm

 

[1st grady]

I put mine behind the instrument cluster. Ran a 20 extension from the GFS to the T connector. Behind the instrument cluster. I don't think the Xducer connects to the NMEA system, mine has an 8 pin ducer cable that connects directly to the back of the 741. I do have a GPS X17 antenna on the hardtop from the 4208 GPS chartplotter. That is connected in the network down through the hardtop tubing. I powered the NMEA system from the fuse panel under the helm.

 

[gradywhite248]

I put mine behind the instrument cluster. Ran a 20 extension from the GFS to the T connector. Behind the instrument cluster. I don't think the Xducer connects to the NMEA system, mine has an 8 pin ducer cable that connects directly to the back of the 741. I do have a GPS X17 antenna on the hardtop from the 4208 GPS chartplotter. That is connected in the network down through the hardtop tubing. I powered the NMEA system from the fuse panel under the helm.

Thanks you, you are correct on the transducer. The way you mounted and where sound like what i would like to do? The one question I still have is will the GSF / 741 still hold fuel Qty indication if i power off? a few on the web seems to be a little confusion? I would think the Garmin 741 would have an internal battery that would hold or save the info?

 

[1st grady]

I do not know for sure about the 741 keeping fuel data but the 4208 does. If it can store waypoints and tracks I would feel confident about it keeping fuel data.