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NSS7, NSS8 and NSS12 Technical Manual ENGLISH www.simrad-yachting.com...
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• Navionics is a registered trademark of Navionics SpA • Simrad is a trademark of Kongsberg Maritime AS Company registered in the US and other countries and is being used under license • B&G, StructureScan, Navico, SonicHub, SimNet, Skimmer, InsightHD, Broadband Radar...
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that of the receiver • Consult the dealer or an experienced technician for help About this manual This manual is a reference guide for installing Simrad NSS systems. The manual assumes that the user has basic knowledge of navigation, nautical terminology and practices.
Contents NSS overview Front - Controls Rear - Connectors NSS7/NSS8 potential system example NSS12 potential system example Planning the installation Preparing for installation Check the contents Mounting location Mounting the NSS display Panel mount Bracket mount Wiring the NSS Wiring guidelines...
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Autopilot setup CZone connection to NMEA 2000 CZone setup Backing up user data NSS software updates NMEA 2000 and Ethernet device updates Touch Screen Calibration Dimensional Drawings NSS7 NSS8 NSS12 Connector Pinouts Power Video / Data NMEA 2000 Network (Ethernet)
All three models include an internal GPS antenna. The NSS12 features an internal ethernet switch with 3 ethernet connectors for extra network connectivity, whereas the NSS7 and NSS8 have built-in echosounders and a single ethernet connector. Built-in Insight or Navionics coastal cartography (depending on region) with optional Platinum + Support via micro SD.
Front - Controls SIMRAD STBY AUTO MARK GOTO MENU PAGES NSS 7 Touchscreen Card reader door Micro-SD Card reader Used for optional Navionics or InsightHD chart data, software updates, transfer of user data and system backup. STBY / AUTO key Used for Autopilot operation.
NMEA 2000 Connects NSS display to a NMEA 2000 or SimNet network / SimNet Three Ethernet network ports on the NSS12 or one on the NSS7 and NETWORK NSS8 for connecting to other NSS displays and Network modules The card reader door is opened by pulling outwards the right hand edge of the door.
NSS7/NSS8 potential system example NSS7 or NSS8 VIDEO /DATA POWER Black Video 2 (Green) Red (FUSE) Yellow Blue Video 1 (Red) 12 or 24 V DC RX + Green Ext. Alarm Orange RX - NMEA 0183 Serial port Power Control...
NSS12 potential system example NSS12 NSS12 VIDEO IN ECHOSOUNDER ETHERNET BSM-1 or BSM-2 SWITCH NEP-2 NMEA2000 POWER: 12 V DC HD Radar NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK 2, 4, 6, 10 or 25 kW External GPS: ZG50 AIS: NAIS-400 TRANSDUCER Auto Pilot: Triton / AC12 Various inhull, through hull, and BROADBAND RADAR...
Be sure to leave a direct path for all of the cables. Simrad displays are high-contrast and anti-reflective, and are viewable in direct sunlight, but for best results install the display out of direct sunlight.
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If bracket mounting the display choose an area where the display will not be subjected to excessive vibration. The mounting location will affect the internal GPS receiver. Ensure you test the unit in its intended location to ensure satisfactory reception. An external GPS source may be added to overcome poor reception areas.
Secure the display to the surface. To finish off the installation, firmly clip the upper and lower bezels in place. Note: For flush installations the sup- plied rear bezel (NSS7/8) is not used. | 13 Mounting the NSS display | NSS Installation Manual...
Bracket mount Using the bracket as a template, mark places to drill the central cable hole and four pilot holes for the bracket fasteners. Drill cable and fastener pilot holes. screw bracket down with fasteners. Fit rear bezel to NSS using supplied machine screws.
Wiring the NSS Wiring guidelines Don’t do this Do this Don’t make sharp bends in the cables Do make drip and service loops Don’t run cables in a way that allows water to Do tie-wrap all cables to keep them secure flow down into the connectors Don’t route the data cables in areas adjacent If cables are shortened, lengthened, or re-...
Connect Red to (+) DC using a 5 amp fuse for No Connect 12 - 24 V DC NSS12, and a 3 amp fuse for NSS7 and NSS8. Connect Black to (-) DC. The display can be powered on and off using the power button.
To configure a display as a Power Control Slave or Master select Power control from the ‘Settings’ menu. The following Simrad products require (+) DC Volts on the yellow wire in order to function: NEP-2, BSM-1, BSM,-2, WM-2, Broadband radar, RI10, SonicHub.
External alarm Blue wire on power cable: An external alarm can be connected to one or more displays on the network. The external alarm can be a small peizo buzzer connected directly, or a horn siren connected via a relay. Alarms are configured globally in the system i.e they can be configured on one display and seen, heard and acknowledged from all displays.
External GPS Mounting location Depending on vessel design and materials, certain mounting locations chosen for the NSS may not offer adequate GPS satellite signal reception using the internal receiver. An external GPS source such as the GS15 can be used to overcome this, by allowing remote installa- tion in a location that has an unobscured view of the sky.
External echosounder An optional Navico external sounder module (eg. BSM-1, BSM-2, StuctureScan HD) can be added to the NSS7, NSS8 and NSS12 via the ethernet port on any of these devices. NSS display BSM-1 Broadband Echosounder module Ethernet cable yellow 5 pin.
Not all transducers are compatible with NSS or BSM-1. Refer to the transducer type selection list in the Echo Installation page to see if your transducer is mentioned for the selected echo source. If not contact your Simrad dealer or Simrad Technical Support for assistance with transducer compatibility. Simrad always recommends using Simrad transducers.
Choose the Echosounder source in the Echo Settings . MENU > MENU > ECHO. This can be selected to be the echosounder built in to the display (NSS7 and NSS8 only), or an external sounder module such as the BSM-1.
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ment, divide the SOG by the paddlewheel speed, and multiply the product by 100. Calibration range: 50-100%. Default is 100%. Water speed averaging (echosounder transducer) Averages water speed by measuring your speed at a selected interval of time. Water speed intervals range from one to thirty seconds, e.g.
RADAR Broadband radar (3G / 4G) FUSE FUSE Magnetic heading source required for Chart overlay / MARPA POWER NETWORK FUSE Network Alternative: NMEA0183 heading Micro-C Micro-C to SimNet White RX+ Brown RX- Ethernet cable Ethernet cables if AT10HD Cut off 12 Pin NMEA083 to SimNet using NEP-2 plug to expose bare wires...
HD radar Optional second NSS FUSE FUSE FUSE POWER NETWORK FUSE Magnetic heading source required for Chart Overlay / MARPA Micro-C cable Ethernet cable extra ethernet cables Description NSS Display HD radar scanner HD radar processor module Ethernet adaptor cable Ethernet cable (Navico 5 pin type) NEP-2 Expansion Port module (optional - used where extra ports are required) RC42N rate compass...
Radar setup Setup and configuration of the Broadband radar has been simplified compared to traditional pulse radars. There is no zero range (time delay), no warm up time, and no burn-in required.. Radar status Scanner type Identifies the model of scanner connected to the network. Software version Check to make sure you have the latest software.
Sidelobe suppression ¼ Note: This control should only be adjusted by experienced radar users. Target loss in harbour environments may occur if this control is not adjusted correctly. Occasionally false target returns can occur adjacent to strong target returns such as large ships or container ports.
Video In Connect up to two composite video cameras to each display unit using the optional Video / Data cable. This connects to the VIDEO IN port on the rear of the display. ¼ Note: The video images will not be shared with other displays via the network. It is only pos- sible to view video on the unit connected to the video source.
NMEA 0183 To exchange NME0183 data, the NSS display has a NMEA 0183 serial port, providing both an input and an output. The port uses the NMEA 0183 (serial balanced) and RS232 (single ended) standards, and can be configured in the software for different baud rates up to 38,400 baud. NMEA 0183 sen- tences output by the NSS can be individually turned on or off.
Serial port setup NMEA 0183 setup is done from the Network Settings page. Receive waypoint Select this option to allow device capable of creating and exporting waypoints via NMEA 0183 to transfer directly to the NSS. Serial communication This should be set according to correspond with devices connected to the NMEA 0183 input and output.
NMEA 2000 devices • NMEA 2000 cables used for Simrad products are of the ‘micro-c’ style, which is a cable/ connector specification approved for use in NMEA 2000 certified networks. Some Simrad products use SimNet proprietary connectors, but are compatible via adaptor cables.
Power the network A NMEA 2000 network requires its own 12 V DC power supply protected by a 5 amp fuse or breaker. For 24 V systems, use a DC-DC converter to supply 12 V Connect power at any location in the backbone for smaller systems. For larger systems introduce power at central point in the backbone to “balance”...
Data bridging NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 All supported NMEA 0183 sentences entering the system are internally bridged (converted) to NMEA 2000, and output via the NMEA 2000 port for any other devices to use. The only excep- tion is AIS data. NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 The NMEA 0183 sentences shown in the ‘Transmit’...
Group source selection Simrad products such as NSS, NSE, and IS40, have the ability to; • use data sources (eg position, wind direction, etc) that all other products on the network use, or alternatively use a data source independently from other units.
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corrected using the Advanced Source Selection. An example of this is where twin installations with NMEA 2000 compliant engines are not programmed with unique instance numbers. This means that the auto select feature can’t determine which engine is fitted on the port and which is fitted on the starboard side.
The NSS system uses an Ethernet network to interconnect high bandwidth devices such as radar, echosounder and to another NSS, NSE or NSO displays. The NSS7 and NSS8 displays have one network port each, whereas the NSS12 has three Ethernet ports. Navico Ethernet network cables have orange connectors that are retained by a bayonet type locking collar.
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A second NSS connected to one of the NSS12’s three built in ports will have full visibilty and control over any devices connected to another port on the NSS12, in the same way it would if all devices were connected via an NEP-2 expansion port. NSS12 NSS7 Broadband Radar Transducer | 37...
The upper table gives an account of the various automatically synchronised databases that ensure Simrad display units (NSS, NSE, NSO, plus B&G Zeus, and Zeus Touch) are all using the same user settings and data. Each unit stores the database locally, so that all information is available if the device is run in standalone.
Simrad Autopilot Computer (AC12, AC42, and SG05), you will have complete control, setup and integration with your autopilot. The NSS display can be used in conjunc- tion with Simrad OP10, AP24, or AP28 Control units or the NSS can be used alone to conserve dash space.
EVC system and a seperate rudder angle indicator is not required. 5 Amp Fuse 12 V DC NSS Display Simrad SGO5 SimNet - Volvo Gateway Volvo Gateway (p/n: 000-1-258-001) 12V DC Supply SimNet 7 way connector RC42 Rate Compass...
Autopilot setup Verifying the autopilot connection When an AC12N, AC42N, or SG05 is connected to the NSS system, the NSS will automatically detect the autopilot and an Autopilot menu item will be included in the ‘Settings’ menu. If no ‘Autopilot’ item is available in the menu, establish the connection by running the auto select process.
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accurate rudder angle indicator on the autopilot display. Unless impractical or impossible, a rudder feedback unit should be installed. Set the drive voltage • Refer to the drive unit table in the AC12N/AC42N Installation manual or to your drive unit documentation for information.
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¼ Note: You can switch the autopilot to standby mode and take manual control of the boat at any time during the seatrial by pressing the ‘STBY/AUTO’ key. The following seatrial calibration should be done: • Compass calibration; used to automatically compensate for on-board magnetic interference •...
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LUBBER LINE Magnitude of local field in % of earth’s magnetic field. Direction of local field with respect to lubber line. It can also be on the reciprocal. Find the bearing from the boat position to a visible object. Use a chart or a chart plotter Steer the boat so that the center line of the boat is aligned with the bearing line pointing towards the object Change the offset parameter so that the bearing to the object and the compass readout becomes...
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HI-A High response parameters set automatically LO-A Low response parameters set automatically HI-M High response parameters set manually LO-M Low response parameter set manually Autotuning The autotune feature will run the boat through several tests and then automatically set the most important steering parameters.
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Layline steering Layline steering is useful when navigating. Cross Track Error (XTE) from the navigator will keep the boat on the track line. If the XTE from the navigator exceeds 0.15 nm, the autopilot will calculate the layline and track towards the waypoint. Manually adjusting steering parameters The autotune function in the autopilot is so refined that the majority of boats will need no further adjustments of the steering parameters.
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By increasing the Minimum rudder parameter you may improve the course keeping performance on some boats. This will however increase the rudder activity. Minimum wind angle to port and starboard These parameters should be set identical to the minimum apparent wind angle that will keep the sails from stalling and maintain boat speed.
The functionality of the CZone system is determined by the CZone Config File (.zcf ), which is stored on all CZone modules and supported Simrad displays, such as the NSS. The file is created using the CZone Configuration Tool, a specialised PC application available from BEP Marine Ltd, and associated CZone distributors.
Software Updates and Screen Calibration From time to time Simrad releases software updates to it’s existing products. Updates are created for a variety of reasons; to add or improve features, to add support for new external devices, or to fix software bugs.
to commence update. Do not remove the Micro SD card or repower the NSS until the process is completed (this will typically take no more than a couple of minutes). NMEA 2000 and Ethernet device updates To update SimNet and ethernet devices select the Upgrade option presented when the file is highlighted, followed by confirmation of the device you wish to upgrade.
Connector Pinouts Power Power Connector Wire Power Cable: 000-00129-001 (included) Color Function Black Battery 2 m (6.5 ft) Blue External Alarm Yellow Power Control Battery (+) 12 - 24V DC Video / Data Video / Data Connector Wire Video Cable: 000-00129-001 (included) Colour Function Video 1 Ground...
Supported data NMEA 2000 PGN List NMEA 2000 PGN (receive) 59392 ISO Acknowledgement 59904 ISO Request 60928 ISO Address Claim 61184 Parameter Request/Command 65285 Temperature with Instance 65289 Trim Tab Insect Configuration 65291 Backlight Control 65292 Clear Fluid Level Warnings 65293 LGC-2000 Configuration 65323...
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129540 GNSS Sats in View 129794 AIS Class A Static and Voyage Related Data 129801 AIS Addressed Safety Related Message 129802 AIS Safety Related Broadcast Message 129808 DSC Call Information 129809 AIS Class B “CS” Static Data Report, Part A 129810 AIS Class B “CS”...
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NMEA 2000 PGN (transmit) 61184 Parameter Request/Command 65287 Configure Temperature INSOcts 65289 Trim Tab Insect Calibration 65290 Paddle Wheel Speed Configuration 65291 Backlight Control 65292 Clear Fluid Level Warnings 65293 LGC-2000 Configuration 126208 ISO Command Group Function 126992 System Time 126996 Product Info 127237...
Software upgrades The latest software for the NSS will be available for download from our web site; www.simrad-yaching.com. Detailed instructions for how to install the software will follow the upgrade files. For more details about software upgrades, refer to Software updates in Chapter 15.
Backing up your system data Waypoints, routes, tracks that you create are filed on your system. It is recommended to regu- larly copy these files and your system settings files as part of your back-up routine. The files are copied to a Micro-SD card inserted in the card slot on the front of your unit. Different output formats are available: User Data File version 4 This is best used when transferring data from one...