OpenMarine
Depth Sounder + OpenPlotter on Rapsberry 4: How does it work? What parts do I need? - Printable Version

+- OpenMarine (https://forum.openmarine.net)
+-- Forum: OpenPlotter (https://forum.openmarine.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: How do I...? (https://forum.openmarine.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Depth Sounder + OpenPlotter on Rapsberry 4: How does it work? What parts do I need? (/showthread.php?tid=3793)



Depth Sounder + OpenPlotter on Rapsberry 4: How does it work? What parts do I need? - aliento-rvs - 2021-12-06

Hello,

I have OpenPlotter installed on a Raspberry 4 and also already connected a few sensors (GPS,temperature, air pressure). Now I would like to integrate a depth sounder. To this topic I ask myself these questions:

1. how does it work with the echosounder with OpenPlotter in principle? Do I import the data for the depth indication in OpenPlotter directly from a transducer? Or do I need a terminal device in addition to the transducer, which interprets the depth data and from which OpenPlotter then fetches the data via NMEA?  
 
2) Which specific echosounders with in-hull transducers can be integrated into OpenPlotter reasonably easily? (By "easy" I mean that you can do it even as an interested layman who is not a programmer).

Who can help me, an OpenPlotter beginner, with these questions and explain to me how this works and possibly also give me tips on which devices I need?

Many thanks in advance,
Rüdiger


RE: Depth Sounder + OpenPlotter on Rapsberry 4: How does it work? What parts do I need? - beercansailor - 2021-12-07

Hi Rüdiger,

Most commonly, transducers either
(1) convert their data onto a standard bus such as NMEA2000, for example https://www.p2marine.com/airmar-nmea2000-depth-transducers
(2) like (1), but connects to NMEA0183: https://www.p2marine.com/airmar-nmea-0183-depth-transducers
(3) connect to a conversion unit that then has s standard bus interface, example: ITC-5 as component in this package: https://seatech.systems/product/raymarine-i70s-sail-systempack

Thus the important question is: which interface standard does your transducers connects to.

Any NMEA0183 device connects to the Raspberry PI running Open Plotter as a serial interface, usually through a serial-to-USB converter.

Something as simple as this oftenn works just fine: https://www.amazon.com/Sipytoph-CP2102-Converter-Adapter-Downloader/dp/B091CYTZGY/ref=sr_1_4?hvadid=3481635539&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=rs232+usb&qid=1638852193&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sr=8-4

Or if you have challenges with grounding throughout your boat you may have to resort to using a differential signal based serial to USB converter. This differential signal standard is called RS422. So an RS422-to-USB adaptor like
https://www.newegg.com/p/1XZ-00RR-00001?nm_mc=KNC-MSNSearch&cm_mmc=KNC-MSNSearch-_-Cables+-+Serial+Cables-_-weastlinks-_-9SIAYT8FK86950&source=region&msclkid=c384a01cfcc115d755a7c1b2156f289f&Item=9SIAYT8FK86950

If your transducers connects to an NMEA2000 network, you need to have an NMEA2000-to-USB adaptor, examples:
https://actisense.com/products/ngt-1-nmea-2000-to-pc-interface/
or you get a NMEA2000 hat to put on your Raspberry PI:
https://openplotter.readthedocs.io/en/latest/can/can_app.html

Enjoy the ride. Lots of things to learn!


RE: Depth Sounder + OpenPlotter on Rapsberry 4: How does it work? What parts do I need? - aliento-rvs - 2021-12-07

Hallo beercansailor!

Big thanks for the quick, informative and understandable answer! It's info like this that helps me, as a beginner and IT layman, get familiar with OpenPlotter and the many great applications you can master with it.

Two things are clear to me now:
1. it depends on the "right" transducer.
2. an additional echo sounder terminal is not necessary. For that I have my Raspberry and OpenPlotter.

So, now I'll first have a look at the links you recommended.
Thanks again!
Rüdiger


RE: Depth Sounder + OpenPlotter on Rapsberry 4: How does it work? What parts do I need? - Sagitta - 2022-01-02

(2021-12-07, 11:37 AM)aliento-rvs Wrote: Hallo beercansailor!

Big thanks for the quick, informative and understandable answer! It's info like this that helps me, as a beginner and IT layman, get familiar with OpenPlotter and the many great applications you can master with it.

Two things are clear to me now:
1. it depends on the "right" transducer.
2. an additional echo sounder terminal is not necessary. For that I have my Raspberry and OpenPlotter.

So, now I'll first have a look at the links you recommended.
Thanks again!
Rüdiger

Hi Rüdiger, if you want to buy in Germany, please have a look at SVB-Bremen
https://www.svb.de/de/kategorie/elektronik-gps-geber-sensoren.html

Immer eine Handbreit Wasser unter dem Kiel

Ralf