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Troubleshooting a gWind Wireless 2 Transducer
gWind Wireless 2 Overview
The gWind Wireless 2 transducer uses ANT technology to communicate to the GNX Wind Marine Instrument or a compatible chartplotter and connects up to fifty feet away. There must be a clear line of sight between the gWind Wireless 2 wind transducer and compatible display.
The gWind Wireless 2 transducer has a replaceable battery that charges by a solar panel on the transducer. The gWind Wireless 2 transducer will pair directly to a compatible chartplotter, but it requires an NMEA 2000 network if pairing to a GNX Wind Marine Instrument. The gWind Wireless 2 transducer pairs to a single display, whether the GNX Marine instrument or a compatible chartplotter; if wirelessly paired to multiple devices simultaneously, the information may be erratic or lost.
Understanding the gWind Wireless 2 wireless transmission and connectivity
Because ANT technology transmits data to the chartplotter or GNX Wind Marine instrument, line of sight and distance play an essential part in data transmission. Users and Installers should test the transducer wireless signal and connectivity before final installation.
Sources that diminish wireless signals
Where is the display mounted? Inside a cabinet, under a hard top? These and other materials can affect signals
The wireless signal is susceptible to other sources of interference
VHF or RF signals
Cell phone or tower signals
Wi-Fi, Electro Magnetic Interference, electrical storms
Are masts, booms, rigging, Kevlar sails, and instrument pods blocking the line of sight?
Basic Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a gWind Wireless 2 wind transducer, look for physical damage. Are there obstructions? Look for corrosion in the battery compartment and associated wiring. Has anything changed on the ship? New equipment installed? Have there been any weather events or other maintenance on the boat? Check the settings on the device to ensure the settings are correct and enabled.
Steps for troubleshooting:
Check the NMEA 2000 network, cables, and T-connectors. Power cycle the NMEA 2000 network. Check the NMEA 2000 device list
Inspect and verify that the gWind Wireless 2 transducer is freely moving in the wind
Inspect all cable connections related to the wind sensor and instrument display for visible damage or corrosion
Look for electrical interference
Measure distance from Wireless to display, accounting for angles
Ensure the System Software is up to date.
If a system has been recently installed and is not working, check that the gWind Wireless 2 transducer position and the Angle Offset settings are correct on the GNX Wind or chartplotter. Also, check that wind information is set up correctly on the GNX Wind or chartplotter.
Wind data is not present on the chartplotter
Ensure that the chartplotter wireless is enabled to ON and attempt to pair the gWind Wireless 2 transducer to the chartplotter.
From the chartplotter, select Options > Settings > Communications > Wireless Devices > gWind Wireless > Enable "ON" > follow prompts.
Chartplotter Settings ensure that overlay data settings show wind data (AWA/AWS).
Checking the Wireless Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) on a GNX Wind Marine Instrument when paired with a gWind Wireless 2 transducer.
Checking for wireless signal strength
The RSSI measures the signal strength from the gWind Wireless 2 transducer to the GNX display and only displays on a GNX Wind Marine Instrument by viewing the 4.3 RSSI page. It does not indicate battery strength. The RSSI signal strength is not viewable when paired with a compatible chartplotter.
The RSSI signal strength ranges between (1-100). The higher the number, the better the signal strength.
The optimal number is 70.
The average number is 40.
Anything lower than 25 is considered insufficient signal strength.
To find out how to find and see the RSSI on a GNX Wind Marne Instrument, see the section titled: Troubleshooting a gWind Wireless 2 Transducer subsection "How to check the wireless Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) between the GNX Wind Marine Instrument and the gWind Wireless 2 transducer."
- Ensure the wireless connection function is ON and found under 4.1 SENS Configuration Settings. See Owner's Manual for directions
- Proceed to Menu item 4.3 RSSI
Push the Down Arrow until the 4.3 RSSI appears
Use the Menu button to access the RSSI information.
Wind data is not present or inaccurate on a Chartplotter or the GNX Marine Instrument has a low RSSI rating and wind data is missing
Check the list below for troubleshooting steps. After each of these, power cycle the device and pair the device to the display, additionally on a GNX Wind Marine instrument, recheck the RSSI rating.
Look for and remove objects that can disrupt the wireless signal between the gWind Wireless 2 and the Garmin Marine chartplotter or GNX Wind Marine instrument
Remove the power cable from the NMEA 2000 backbone, allow it to rest for a full five minutes, then reconnect. Check the NMEA 2000 device all devices should display if not, troubleshoot the NMEA 2000 network.
Inspect the gWind Wireless 2 transducer, the Garmin Marine Chartplotter, or GNX Wind Marine Instrument for damage and corrosion. Check the battery compartment on the gWind 2 transducer for corrosion clean if present. If excessive corrosion is present, replace the battery
Check for damage or obscurations on the gWind Wireless 2 transducer solar panel. If the solar panel is damaged, replace the gWind Wireless 2 transducer. If the solar panel is dirty, clean the panels and allow the transducer solar panels to charge for at least five hours
If corrosion is present, clean the corrosion off with dielectric grease
If the above steps fail to resolve the issue, remove the gWind Wireless 2 transducer from the mount and bring it within 10ft of the chartplotter or the GNX Wind instrument. Pair the wireless connection between the gWind Wireless 2 and the display (GNX or chartplotter). After repositioning, ifthe gWind Wireless transducer displays accurate information (on the GNX Marine instrument, does the RSSI number lists a higher rating) then the system is properly functioning. Consider sources of interference or obstruction and distance of original mounting placement.
Return the gWind Wireless transducer to the original mounting location. If the RSSI rating goes down on the GNX Marine instrument or on the chartplotter, it loses data, or displays incorrect wind information, the gWind battery may be low, or there is interference. On a GNX Marine instrument, bring the g2 Wireless Wind transducer back to within ten feet and slowly move the wind transducer away from the GNX Marine instrument while monitoring wind information and RSSI signal strength (do not exceed 50 feet of separation and maintain a clear line of sight between the devices). On a chartplotter, bring the g2 Wireless Wind transducer back within ten feet and slowly move the wind transducer away from the chartplotter to determine when it loses signal, looking for objects that may cause interference or obstruction.
If these troubleshooting steps fail:
Try replacing the batteries
Try replacing the gWind Wireless 2 transducer