Building a NMEA 2k for a Humminbird Helix and Yamaha SHO help

NMEA is pretty simple just have to remember everything needs to stay in line.



It’s not just for lowrance but good example how it needs to be in line and any drops or connects need to come to the top of the T while keeping data flow in line. Cannot be any open connections. Everything needs a connection or butt connector

It will depend on the age and model of your helix, some need a break out box to incorporate NMEA 2k and some have it built in. It is very simple to do.

You need this cable to run from your motor to your NEMA network.

LINK

and a NMEA network, I like this one

LINK

Now, I would need to know which model Helix you have, you will either need the "black box" from Humminbird or the NMEA 2k cable for Helix units depending on the unit.

Instillation is simple, you literally plug the motor into the network adapter, plug the Helix to the network adapter and hook it up to 12v power. Your unit will see the motor over the network then you can play with all the data, display it etc. I have my Solix set up to display speed, rpm, etc all the time in the corner of my maps or I can go full on dashboard mode if I want.

I will look it up or call humminbird. Does it matter that the cable running from the motor to nmea is lowrance?

Edit: I have a gen 3

All the lowrance cable does is adapt the Yamaha command link connector on your engine to a nmea2k connector, and puts engine data on the Nmea2k network. NMEA2k is universal, not limited to any particular manufacturer. Lowerance just happens to be the one that makes that particular Yamaha cable.

Something like what I sketched below should work. That’s how I’ve done it for Garmin MFD. Don’t know anything about hummingbirds but I would assume they come with a NMEA2K connector on the back to tie in