Garmin Marine Chartplotter not Communicating with a Simrad NMEA 2000 Autopilot

The Simrad Autopilot uses the NMEA 2000 protocol. It will communicate easily with any NMEA 2000 compatible Garmin Marine Chartplotter. If the devices are not communicating with each other, consider the following.

First, check the NMEA 2000 wiring. Ensure the NMEA 2000 network is installed correctly. For more information on creating an NMEA 2000 network, refer to this Technical Reference for Garmin NMEA 2000 products.

Second, check to make sure the Simrad Autopilot is recognized by the chartplotter. To check this, follow these steps:

1. Power ON the chartplotter

2. Select I Agree when the Warning Screen appears.

3. Select Settings / Configure

4. Select Communications

5. Select NMEA 2000 Setup

6. Select Device List

From this screen, the Simrad Autopilot and other NMEA 2000 devices will appear. If the Simrad Autopilot does not appear, check the NMEA 2000 wiring as described above.

If the Simrad Autopilot does appear in the NMEA 2000 Device List, the NMEA 2000 Output Bridging setting on the Chartplotter may need to be changed. To change this setting, follow these instructions:

NOTE: Output bridging is always on by default on newer chartplotters; if the option for output bridging is not available, it is because it is already enabled.

1. Power ON the chartplotter

2. Select I Agree when the Warning screen appears.

3. Select Configure / Settings

4. Select Communications

5. Select NMEA 2000 Setup

6. Select Output Bridging

7. Select On

After changing the Output Bridging to On, the autopilot and the chartplotter should communicate with one another.