B&G Network Tack User Manual

CONTENTS

CONTENTS..............................................................................1

GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO B&G NETWORK ...............3

INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK TACK ................................4

EXAMPLE SYSTEMS USING NETWORK TACK..................5

SPECIFICATION 12

ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS 13

THE WIND TRIANGLE 14

USING THE ANALOGUE DIAL AND POINTER....................7

USING THE AWA KEY ...........................................................7

USING THE TWS KEY ............................................................ 7

USING THE TWA KEY............................................................8

USING THE VMG KEY............................................................8

USING THE LIGHTS KEY.......................................................9

INSTALLATION 10,11

SITING THE UNIT 10
MOUNTING THE UNIT 10

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GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO B&G NETWORK

The B&G Network range of instruments is designed to be
used as individual units or connected together to form an
integrated navigational system. A single network cable is
used to carry data and power between units. The latest
technology and screened cables throughout the Network
System ensure the ultimate protection from interference
between units and other systems. All Network instruments
can be linked to Network PILOT, Network CHART, Network
GPS or Network LORAN receivers or via NMEA 0183 (v1.5)
to other navigational equipment.

INSTRUMENTS NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

Network SPEED Network GPS
Network DEPTH Network LORAN
Network QUAD Network NAV
Network WIND Network CHART
Network TACK
Network DATA

AUTOPILOTS COMMUNICATIONS

Network PILOT Network VHF

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INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK TACK

The Network TACK unit is a analogue Magnified Wind Angle
repeater used for sailing on the wind or running, with a back­lit Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that can show other wind
information selected by pressing one of the five keys. It has
no sensor interfaces as all data is passed to the unit via the
system network cables. Network TACK must be connected
to a system that contains a Network WIND unit for wind data
and a Network SPEED unit (for true wind and VMG
functions) via the two network cable tails at the rear of the
unit.

The unit is capable of transmitting NMEA 0183 v1.5 data via
the network cables.

The five keys give the following selections:

NETWORK TACK DISPLAY UNIT

• AWA Apparent Wind Angle

• TWS True Wind Speed

• TWA True Wind Angle

• VMG Velocity Made Good

• LIGHTS Three levels of illumination and off.

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EXAMPLES SYSTEMS USING NETWORK TACK

Network QUAD, Network WIND and Network TACK units.
Speed data being supplied from the Network QUAD unit for
true wind and VMG functions.

Up to a maximum of four Network TACK units maybe used
in an integrated Network Instrument System, where the total
number of units does not exceed twenty.

Network SPEED, Network DEPTH, Network WIND and
Network TACK. Speed data being supplied from Network
SPEED unit for true wind and VMG functions.

The Network units can be connected together in any order
as data is shared via the system network cable link.

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USING THE ANALOGUE DIAL AND POINTER

The analogue pointer indicates magnified apparent wind
angles up to 50
running.

EXAMPLE SAILING UPWIND

Network WIND shows

0

port or starboard when close hauled or

Network TACK shows an

EXAMPLE SAILING DOWNWIND

Network WIND shows an

Network TACK shows an
an AWA of about 30° to Port,
relative to the bow.

The LCD is showing an AWS
of 10 knots.

AWA of 35° to Port, relative
to bow.

The LCD is showing a TWA
of 66°.

AWA of about 150° to
Starboard, relative to the
bow.

The LCD is showing an AWS
of 10 knots.

AWA of 35° to Starboard

relative to the stern.

The LCD is showing a TWA

of 160°.

.

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USING THE AWA KEY

Press the AWA key to display Apparent Wind Angle on the
LCD. The LCD APP legend will be displayed.

USING THE TWS KEY

Press the TWS key to display True Wind Speed on the LCD.
The LCD TRUE legend will be displayed.

If boat speed data is not available the LCD digits will be
blank and the TRUE legend will be displayed.

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USING THE TWA KEY

Press the TWA key to display True Wind Angle on the LCD.
The LCD TRUE legend will be displayed.

If boat speed data is not available the LCD digits will be
blank and the TRUE legend will be displayed.

USING THE VMG KEY

Press the VMG key to display Velocity Made Good on the
LCD. The LCD V legend will be displayed.

If boat speed data is not available the LCD digits will be
blank and the V legend will be displayed.

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USING VMG FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE

VMG is an indication of how efficiently the yacht is sailing
upwind or downwind. Maximising your VMG ensures you are
following the fastest route upwind or downwind.

As a basic rule when heading directly for a mark the boat
speed should be maximised, when tacking or gybing to the
mark the VMG should be maximised.

USING THE LIGHTS KEY

The Network TACK Display unit has 3 levels of illumination
and off, controlled by the LIGHTS key. The level selected is
for the whole Network system.

• L0 OFF

• L3 High

• L2 Medium

• L1 Low

The LIGHTS key also changes the illumination level of the
key legends, it always remains illuminated so even in
complete darkness the key can be located.

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INSTALLATION

The display heads are supplied with a clip-in mounting
bracket which allows for easy installation, access from
behind is not necessary to secure the unit in place. However
to prevent theft and permanently fix the unit in position,
locking studs and thumb nuts are supplied.

SITING

All Network Instruments are designed for mounting on or
below deck. A mounting position should be selected where
they are:

• Easy to read by the helmsman

• On a smooth and flat surface

• At least 100mm (4") from a compass

• Accessible from behind for fitting locking studs if

required.

MOUNTING

Use the cutting template supplied to mark the centres of the
holes for the self-tapping screw, the fixing stud holes and the
mounting bracket.

• The template allows 4mm (5/32") between adjacent units
for the suncover, increase this distance if required to
maximum of 60mm (2 3/8") between units or 180mm (3 1/8")
between centres. For greater distances between units
extension cables are available.

• Use a 70mm (2 3/4") diameter hole-cutter for the mounting
bracket hole.

• Use a 2.9mm for the self-tapping screw holes.

• Use a 5mm (3/32") drill for the locking stud holes.

• Secure the mounting bracket to the bulkhead with the

self-tapping screws supplied

• Fit the rubber sealing gasket around the mounting bracket.

• Screw the locking studs into the back of the display head (if

required).

• Carefully pass the cable tails through the mounting bracket
hole, connect the cables to the main units.

• Clip the display head into the mounting bracket.

• Secure the instrument with the thumb nuts supplied.

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INSTALLATION

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SPECIFICATION

PHYSICAL PARAMETERS

Construction High impact ABS plastic
Window Acrylic
Display Analogue dial and pointer

Back-lit Liquid Crystal Display:
Digits: 12mm 0.47"
Dimensions 110 x 110 x 25.4mm 4 x 4 x 1"
Requires 65mm 2.6" depth behind
bulkhead for display barrel

Weight 0.3 kg 0.66lbs

ENVIRONMENTAL

Operating Temp -10 to +55

+14 to +131
Storage Temp -25 to +70

-13 to +158

Humidity Up to 95%RH

Sealing Fully sealed front, suitable for

bulkhead cockpit mounting. Vented
barrel to prevent condensation.

0

C @ 93%RH

0

F @ 93%RH

0

C @ 95%RH

0

F @ 93%RH

ELECTRICAL

Power Supply 12V DC nominal (10 to 16V)
Operating Current 40mA typical, 100mA illuminated
Protection Connect via external 5A fuse or circuit

breaker.

CABLES AND CONNECTIONS

Connection to adjacent units is via cable tails fitted with
either a plug or a socket. Extension cables are available
from your dealer. The cable tails carry power and NMEA
data between units.

ALARM

There is no internal audible alarm

NMEA OUTPUT SENTENCES

$IIHDM Heading
$IIVHW Speed and Heading
$IIDBT Depth
$IIVWR Apparent wind angle and speed
$IIMTW Sea temperature

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ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

AWA Apparent Wind Angle - The angle between the

boat's bow and the wind blowing across the
deck (at mast height).

AWS Apparent Wind Speed - The wind speed across

the deck (at mast height).

TWA True Wind Angle - The wind angle between the

boat's heading and the true wind (at mast
height). This is calculated from AWA, AWS and
boat speed. This is the wind relative to the
water, not the land.

TWS True Wind Speed - The wind speed over the

water, independent of the boat's motion through
it. Calculated from AWA, AWS and boat speed.

VMG Velocity Made Good - A measure of performance

upwind or downwind calculated from TWA and
boat speed.

THE WIND TRIANGLE

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