Installing the Simrad NSE-8 Multifunction Display

Simrad recently launched its newest Multifunction Display, the NSE-8 and NSE-12 (8" and 12" screens respectively). The NSE is a feature packed unit capable of operating as a chart plotter, radar, fish finder (sonar), video monitor and now with its newest software update as an autopilot controller. This posting will cover the installation process while future posts will cover the NSE's features and operation as well as our feedback from everyday use of the NSE-8.

Included with the purchase of an NSE multifunction display are the following; the display unit, bezel, dust cover, gasket used for flush mounting, surface mounting bracket, bracket knobs with washers, cut-out template, power cable, video-in and NMEA cable, USB connector cap, installation manual, operations manual, quick start guide, cleaning cloth and screws for surface and flush mounting. A SimNet starter kit is also included which includes 16.5' of SimNet cable, 7-way joiner, termination plug and a 6' SimNet power cable with terminator. You'll need to review the SimNet manual to determine if there are any other SimNet accessories that you'll need for your particular installation.

The two major components that were installed are the NSE-8 multifunction display and the GS15 GPS antenna. The BSM-1 broadband sonar module is still on back order so it will be installed once we receive it. Our 2kw radar antenna and radar processor box from our previously installed Northstar system are compatible with the new Simrad NSE-8 so these units were left in place but utilized for the new system.

I started with the GS15 GPS antenna. The old Northstar antenna was removed from the stainless steel loop over the radar antenna so installation was quite simple. After screwing the GPS antenna onto the mounting bracket above the radar antenna the attached SimNet cable was routed through the tubing of the arch and connected to the SimNet backbone via a 7-way joiner. It took a while to get the GPS cable through the tube of the arch but it was done successfully without having to cut and splice. The GS15 has one of the fastest update rates of any GPS antenna we've used. It updates once every 5 seconds whereas most antennas update once every 10 seconds.

We only needed to do two things to connect the radar processing box to the new system. An Ethernet cable was run through the pedestal guard, one end connected to the radar processor and the other was made available to connect to the NSE-8 in the Navpod instrument housing. The AT10HD module was not installed at this time as it's also on back order, it will be installed once received to provide high speed heading data to the radar's processing box so that we can utilize the MARPA features.
Finally the NSE-8 needed to be wired in and mounted. The power cable was plugged into the back of the NSE and connected to the previously used power supply cable for the Northstar unit. Of the three Ethernet ports on the back of the NSE the radar is connected to one and the BSM sonar module will be connected to the second. The third port can be used for connecting other accessories such as a satellite weather receiver or for networking a second display. A six foot SimNet cable was attached to the back of the NSE and routed into the lazarette where it was connected to the SimNet system via a 7-way joiner. And finally the video cable was attached to the back of the NSE and routed into the lazarette where it was connected to one video cable that continues to the navigation station where we can plug in a digital camera or portable DVD player and view it on the NSE. The video cable is bundled with two composite video input RCA connectors and wires for NMEA0183 in and out. Because everything on the new system is running on the SimNet system we did not have a need to connect the NMEA0183 wires.

There is a DVI video output connector on the back of the NSE which can be used to connect to an external video monitor via an optional DVI cable. Additionally there is a USB port on the back of the NSE however there is also one on the front. With easier access to the front we connected nothing to the rear USB port though I supposed a small USB memory card could be left in permanently and used for regular backups of waypoints, routes and tracks.

In all we only needed to utilize five of the eight connection points on the rear of the NSE. Bundled in with the power cable are two wires one can be used for an external alarm but because the internal alarm on the NSE and the IS20 instruments are loud enough we didn't feel a need to use an external alarm. The other can be used for power control for units such as the BSM-1 sonar.

After the NSE was placed into the Navpod instrument housing it was secured with the included screws and the bezel was snapped into place and covered with the dust cover. Finally all the wires were secured and connections double checked. Before calling it a day the NSE was powered up to check for proper operation. It powered up, acquired a position fix and identified all the data available on the SimNet system. Just a few more tweaks such as properly tuning the radar will be done before our sea trial in a few days.