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Latest Addition: 18 Sep 2006 Submit a question: Back to FAQ Index
| Question: |
| We have one old Bathy 500 echo sounder. And we want to connect it to Hypack navigation software, what needs to be done to make this happen? |
| Answer: |
| To make use of all the Hypack software features you should upgrade your Bathy 500 to a Bathy 500MF. The upgrade allows External Annotation input from Hypack and most Hydrographic Software packages. It also provide centimeter depth resolution in shallow water( your unit currently only provides decimeter resolution). The software upgrade also allows use of the product with 4 different software selectable frequencies. The upgrade price is $1295.00. The unit must be returned to ODEC for upgrade. An upgrade could be turned around in 7-10 days. (more) |
| Question: |
| I read the Oceanspace news about the
interface. I am sure our HYDROpro interfaces to your sounders - I know a number of our clients installations have ODEC gear. However to double check can you advise me the different data strings it outputs (and commands it accepts such as annotation). I am not aware of the PMC dt format. Regards, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gary Chisholm Product Manager Marine Systems Trimble New Zealand |
| Answer: |
| Attached is the
B500MF Manual pdf from our website. All of the output formats are
described. The annotation in always matches the ODOM format (i.e. <CTRLF<CTRLAascii characters<CTRLD). Please review and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks. Regards, Michael Curran |
| Endnote: Thank-you. What
an excellent manual - it is the best I have ever seen for an echosounder. Appreciated. Gary |
| Question: |
| Dear Sir, |
| Greetings from sunny Panama... Have a question about my new Bathy 500MF..All chart and depth functions appear to operate as adverized; however, it doesn't appear to be outputting any data through the RS232 interface...I've tried both the DB9 and the DB25 serial connectors but get no data out of either of them.... jumper LK1 is in the correct position and I've rechecked the seating of all connectors... startup LCD messages all indicate ok... any suggestions????? I'm currently at a work stoppage and need help getting this system on line...Regards, RB |
| Answer |
| Dear RB, |
| I have read your mail and I believe that you may be having a problem with wiring of the serial ports. You have to use the 25 pin connector (not the 9pin). Also, because the connector is configured for multiple operations, you will need to make up a custom adapter cable to use for your application. The pin-out for the 25 pin connector is in the manual and a mating connector has been provided to you. You can also view our support web site at |
| http://www.oceandata.com/support/b5mf/b5-rs232.htm for help in making a simple RS-232 cable. |
| Best regards, Frank Budz Product Support Manager p.s. Send us some sunshine up here! |
| Endnote: Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou... the diagram on your webb site was what I needed.... it's now working and going back to sea tomorrow.. I was using a standard db25 to de9 RS232 serial cable... guess I need to reread "Serial Wiring for Dummies"... Thanks again.. Best Regards, RB |
| Question: |
| The software Hypack has the capability of generating programmed Event Marks to be sent from the PC to the echo sounder. The Bathy-500 MF is not making the expected vertical annotation. How can we set the system to do so? Please reply urgently. Thanks R |
| Answer: |
| It is easiest to verify that there is output data first. If the output data is working then the baud rate must at least be correct.A terminal emulation program on a PC is useful here. Either PRoCommPlus or Hyperterminal are choices that allow you to monitor the data on the serial port. |
| Your problem could be a number of things but here are the first things to check: |
| 1. Using the COM key check the Baud rate to insure it is the same as Hypack |
| 2. Using the COM key check the Data Output Format and make sure it is in ODOM et |
| 3. Verify that the cable wiring is correct using either a breakout box or oscilloscope. Verify that the Transmit Data signal is toggling at the ping rate (3 to 10 times/second). Verify that the Receive data line is toggling at the annotation rate. |
| One other common error is selecting the wrong device driver with Hypack. The ODEC Bathy 500 driver must be selected for annotation to work. The driver is available for download here (bathy500.dll). |
| Hope this helps, MC |
| Question: |
| I am trying to connect the B500MF to my Logging Software and I am not getting any output or input recognized. My software uses and RS-422 serial interface. |
| Answer: |
| The B500MF comes factory set for RS-232 serial data. For RS-422 data the Jumper Block on the DATA I/O PCB must be moved from LK-1 to LK-2. look here for diagrams |
| Question: |
| What is the 9-pin connector on the rear panel of a Bathy-500MF for? |
| Answer: |
| It is not currently used. It is for future expansion to possibly control functions of the Bathy-500 by a remote PC. |
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