Lowrance EP-50 User Manual

Pub. 988-0154-521

EP-50 Storage Device

Electronic Probe

Installation Instructions

This instruction sheet tells how to connect your EP-50 storage device to
a NMEA 2000
You must refer to your digital gauge, sonar or GPS unit's manual for
sensor operation instructions.

CAUTION:

Installing LowranceNET NMEA 2000 devices is significantly
different from installing earlier Lowrance components without

NMEA 2000 features. You should read all of the installation
instructions before proceeding. You should decide where to
install all components before drilling any holes in your vessel.

Some sonar or GPS units may require: 1. a software upgrade to display
NMEA 2000 data correctly; and 2. a manual addendum describing how
to operate the sensor. You can download these free and get additional
information on the NMEA 2000

our web site, www.lowrance.com.

All Lowrance NMEA 2000 capable devices are either NMEA 2000
certified or certification is pending. See our web site for the latest
product status information.



network using LowranceNET network components.



compatible LowranceNET system at

Smart module

Blue female NMEA
2000 connector

The EP-50 storage device.

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The EP-50 consists of a blue female locking cable connector and a smart
module. It stores NMEA 2000 fuel information about your vessel, which
includes Fuel Used, Trip Fuel Used and Seasonal fuel usage.

Refer to your display unit’s operation manual or manual addendum for
instructions on how to clear out information stored in EP-50 storage
device memory.

The EP-50, like other Lowrance Electronic Probe (EP) sensors, is
designed only for use with a NMEA 2000 Network. It MUST be
connected to a NMEA 2000 network or it WILL NOT function.

Tools and Supplies

Your EP sensor packs with a T connector needed to attach it to a
LowranceNET NMEA 2000 network. If you are connecting to an
existing LowranceNET network, those are all the electronic
components you need. If this is the first sensor you are connecting, you
will also need a one-time purchase of a LowranceNET Node Kit.

LowranceNET Node Kit for a NMEA 2000 network. Includes a 2-foot

extension cable, T connector, 120-ohm male terminator and 120-ohm

female terminator.

For complete instructions on setting up a new NMEA 2000 network or
expanding an existing one, see the other document packed with your
EP-50 Storage Device, "Setup and Installation of NMEA 2000
Networks, General Information," part number 988-0154-172. If that
document is missing, it can be downloaded free at www.lowrance.com.

Installation

To install the EP-50 Storage device, route the sensor's cable connector
to the T on the network backbone where you intend to attach it and
plug it in.

Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network

A network bus is an installed and operational network cable (backbone)
running the length of your boat, already connected to a power supply

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and properly terminated. Such a bus provides network connection
nodes at various locations around your boat.

This is similar to the telephone wiring in a house. If you pick up a
phone in your living room, you can hear someone talking into the phone
in the bedroom.

Network Nodes

A network bus is built of network nodes spread along a backbone.
Network nodes are made by fitting T-shaped connectors into the
backbone (using the sockets on the sides), and attaching a display unit or
sensor at the bottom of the "T."

Using our telephone example, the T connectors are similar to telephone
jacks. The backbone is like the phone wiring running through a house.
Phones in a house must be connected to each other to communicate, and
in the same way only sensors and display units plugged into the NMEA
network can share information.

Connections found in the middle of the bus will have one or more of these
T-shaped connectors with the backbone cables plugged into both sides.
Connections at the end of a network will have the backbone plugged into
one side and a terminator plugged into the other, as shown in the
following figure.

Cable from
sensor or
display unit

LEI or Lowrance
device needs an
open T.

T connector

Backbone cable
(to rest of bus)

Terminator at
the very end
of the bus

NMEA 2000 network node located at the end of a NMEA 2000 bus.

Adding a Network Node

You can add a node anywhere along the network backbone where a
connection already exists. This connection could be at the end of the
network (between a T connector and a terminator), between two T
connectors, between a T connector and a backbone extension cable, or
between two extension cables. Wherever you want to add the new node,
simply separate the sockets of the old connection and attach your new T
connector between them.

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