Troubleshooting a Garmin® gWind Wireless 2 Transducer

Garmin® gWind Wireless 2 Wind Transducer Overview

The gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer uses ANT technology to communicate with the Garmin® Wind marine instrument or a compatible Garmin® 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 wind transducer has a replaceable battery that charges by a solar panel on the wind transducer and will pair directly to a compatible chartplotter; but, it requires a NMEA 2000 network if pairing to a GNX™ Wind marine instrument. The gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer pairs to a single display, whether the GNX™ Wind marine instrument or a compatible Garmin® 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 wind transducer wireless signal and connectivity before final installation.

Sources that diminish wireless signals

• Mounting of the display near obstructions that would block the wireless transmission

• Wireless signals:

  • VHF or RF signals

  • Cell phone or tower signals

  • Wi-Fi, electromagnetic interference, electrical storms

• 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 vessel; such as, new equipment installations? Have there been any weather events or other maintenance on the vessel? 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 wind 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 wind transducer position and the angle offset settings are correct on the GNX™ Wind marine instrument or Garmin®  chartplotter. Also, check that wind information is set up correctly on the GNX™ Wind marine instrument or Garmin®  chartplotter. 

Wind Data is Not Present on The Garmin® Chartplotter

Ensure that the Garmin® chartplotter's wireless port is enabled to ON and attempt to pair the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer to the chartplotter.

From the Garmin®  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 Wind Transducer

The RSSI measures the signal strength from the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer to the GNX™ Wind marine instrument 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.

• Ensure the wireless connection function is ON and found under 4.1 SENS Configuration Settings. See GNX™ Wind marine instrument Owner's Manual for directions
• Proceed to Menu item 4.3 RSSI

Press the Down Arrow until the 4.3 RSSI appears

Use the Menu button to access the RSSI information.

Wind Data is Not Present or Accurate on a Garmin® Chartplotter or GNX™ Wind 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 wind transducer 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 list, all devices should display; if not, troubleshoot the NMEA 2000 network.

• Inspect the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer, the Garmin® Marine Chartplotter, and GNX™ Wind marine instrument ports for damage and corrosion. Check the battery compartment on the gWind™ 2 wind transducer for corrosion and clean if it is present. If excessive corrosion is present, replace the battery.

• Check for damage or obscurations on the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer solar panel. If the solar panel is damaged, replace the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer. If the solar panel is dirty, clean the panels and allow the wind 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:

1. Remove the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer from the mount and bring it within 10ft of the Garmin® chartplotter or GNX™ Wind marine instrument.
2. Pair the wireless connection between the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer and the display (GNX™ Wind marine instrument or a compatible Garmin® chartplotter).

After repositioning, if the gWind™ Wireless wind transducer displays accurate information, then the system is properly functioning. Consider sources of interference or obstruction and distance of original mounting placement. 

Return the gWind™ Wireless wind transducer to the original mounting location. If the RSSI rating goes down on the GNX™ Wind marine instrument or on the Garmin® chartplotter, it loses data, or displays incorrect wind information then the gWind™ battery may be low or there is interference. On a GNX™ Wind marine instrument, bring the gWind™ Wireless 2 wind transducer back to within ten feet and slowly move the wind transducer away from the GNX™ Wind 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 Garmin® chartplotter, bring the gWind™ Wireless 2 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 wind transducer