8 replies to this topic

[jolly]

I'm having trouble figuring out how to display the 10 custom data files on the XL20's.

Some background:

I have an NXR system with 4 mast XL20,s, two Multis and a Race Box.

On the week-end I had my PC to link with the Nexus Server, and to calibrate etc from there, and I also had the Race Box connected and reading the SD card for polar data.

All good so far.......

What I couldn't figure out was how to show the 10 custom data fields on the XL instruments. Paging through them on the mast, there doesn't seem to be a custom page, so presumably I need to configure something?

The NXR manual mentions the 10 custom data fields that are available, but doesn't seem to explain how to include them in the range of pages available on each display.

What I am after is for the start sequence mast displays to show (setting 1) TTL, BIAS, STIMER and TWD (with the first three parts of the data from the Race Box server).

Then post start we switch to setting 2 for Boat speed/TBS; TWA/OPT_T; TWS ; TWD. So the top 2 displays I am hoping to toggle 50% each between "actual" and "target".

I guess if I can't get the toggling to work, I could show TBS on Multi 1 and OPT_T on Multi 2?

I've checked that the Race Box configuration file has the Race Box data paired with the 10 custom files, and it has.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[jarcher]

Jolly, I can help you. First, to get what is displayed to change pre and post start, you need to use the Race Box timer feature. Otherwise it can't know.

To tell the 10 custom data fields what do display you set this up in the config file on the Race Box SD card. If you like, post that part of your config file and I'll see if you set it up right.

How long have yopu had the Race Box?

Best,

Jim

[jolly]

Jolly, I can help you. First, to get what is displayed to change pre and post start, you need to use the Race Box timer feature. Otherwise it can't know.

To tell the 10 custom data fields what do display you set this up in the config file on the Race Box SD card. If you like, post that part of your config file and I'll see if you set it up right.

How long have yopu had the Race Box?

Best,

Jim

Hi Jim,

We haven't used Race Box yet, as the boat has only just splashed, but I'm happy the config file is OK, as I set it up last week-end.

Priority was to get out racing (which we did) and then look at the finer points the intsruments can provide the following day. It is a J111, so sailing is the priority ; )

So, I spent a few hours getting the PC and NX software talking to each other, and getting rid of error messages on the Race Box, and making sure the cockpit button worked (which it does), but in the hour or so I had left, I couldn't find the custom fields in the fields available to the XL20's.

The additional Race Box data (TTL, TTB, ML, BIAS, TBS, PBS, TWA_opt etc.) have all been given their custom data numbers in the config file (the 0 to 10 fields), but my only issue is that I don't know how to access these custom fields on the mast instruments, the XL20's.

see here...

CUSTOM0_IS=MTL
CUSTOM1_IS=TTB
CUSTOM2_IS=TTL
CUSTOM3_IS=STL
CUSTOM4_IS=OPT_T
CUSTOM5_IS=OPT_A
CUSTOM6_IS=BIAS
CUSTOM7_IS=BL
CUSTOM8_IS=FTL
CUSTOM9_IS=STIMER
;
CUSTOM0_OS=TBS
CUSTOM1_OS=PBS
CUSTOM2_OS=OPT_A
CUSTOM3_OS=OPT_T
CUSTOM4_OS=OFF
CUSTOM5_OS=OFF
CUSTOM6_OS=OFF
CUSTOM7_OS=OFF
CUSTOM8_OS=OFF
CUSTOM9_OS=OFF


I've since read every manual that came with the kit, and others I've found on the web.......but still no joy.

My two guesses at the moment are to configure the XL20's with the Multi display, and use the ACCESS button to see if I can find more fields, OR through NX software, have a look in the sub-functions folder (rather than main functions folder) to see if the custom data is in there.

This is my job for the coming week-end, along side another sail of course!!

Cheers

[jarcher]

Hi Jolly, first off that bit of the config file looks good.

When did you get the Race Box? Please have a look at the SD card. There should be a file the sole purpose of which is to tell you what the version number of the firmware is. The version number is coded into the file name, the file itself has nothing in it. The file name is something like ver_1.08d. Version 1.08d is the current version. If you lack the file, or have an earlier version, I'll help you upgrade.

I no longer have an NXR instrument, but I did have one for testing. You'll want to make sure that each NXR instrument is at the latest version of its firmware. Also, I recall, somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, that you have to tell each instrument that you want it to display a custom field and which one you want it to display. This is done with the free Nexus RACE software.

Just wondering, whre are you and the boat?

[jolly]

Hi Jolly, first off that bit of the config file looks good.

When did you get the Race Box? Please have a look at the SD card. There should be a file the sole purpose of which is to tell you what the version number of the firmware is. The version number is coded into the file name, the file itself has nothing in it. The file name is something like ver_1.08d. Version 1.08d is the current version. If you lack the file, or have an earlier version, I'll help you upgrade.

I no longer have an NXR instrument, but I did have one for testing. You'll want to make sure that each NXR instrument is at the latest version of its firmware. Also, I recall, somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, that you have to tell each instrument that you want it to display a custom field and which one you want it to display. This is done with the free Nexus RACE software.

Just wondering, whre are you and the boat?

Thanks for the info.

I'll have another go at this tomorrow, on the water.

We are hull #77, Mojito, launched last week-end in Hong Kong.

Cheers,

[jarcher]

Okay, good luck. Don't forget to check the version number...

[jolly]

Okay, good luck. Don't forget to check the version number...

Hi Jim,

Success today with custom fields, as these are accessible on NX software through "sub-functions" so I just need soem time to get what I want from the Race Box data on to the mast displays

our software version is "V_C_1.05A" so not the ver_1.08d, that is the latest. If you can help me upgrade that would be great.

also the data out CSV file after the session on the SD card is on universal time (no way of changing that I guess as Nexus runs on UT?), but the date is 1 Jan 2000, so I wonder if there is a way of updating the date on the system?

Cheers,

Simon

[jarcher]

Hi Simon, I'm glad to hear you made some progress.

On the clock, one thing I went back and forth on was whether or not to include a real time clock. It would have made time easy, but then there is a battery, and it needs a way to set it and so on. So there is no actual time clock. The Race Box gets the time form the GPS, including the offset to GMT so it does record time in GMT. Maybe in the next version I'll add a config option to set the local GMT offset, but I considered it a low priority. First, its easy to change the time in a spreadsheet after you load the CSV file. Next, offshore races sometimes cross time zones.

As for whether or not the date is recorded, it depends upon what the GPS is sending to the system and whether the GPS is connected to the FDX server or the Race Box.

Also, just FYI, most people have an ordinary GPS that outputs updates at 1HZ intervals via NMEA 0183. In this hookup, the FDX server hands the Race Box position updates every two seconds. So I recommend people connect the GPS to the Race Box directly. Alternatively, you could get an nGPS which is slightly higher speed, 2Hz position and 5Hz COG/SOG. I'm working on a 10Hz GPS. The prototype works very well with the Race Box, but more on that to come.

Its important that you upgrade the firmware, and I am happy to assist. In a nutshell, you'll need a USB cable (type B to type A) and some software. If you have a Windows computer available it will be easiest. If you're skilled with computers it will be easy, if not its probably best if I walk you through it. You can PM me your direct email if you like, I'll send the files you need directly to you.

Best,

Jim

[jolly]

Hi Simon, I'm glad to hear you made some progress.

On the clock, one thing I went back and forth on was whether or not to include a real time clock. It would have made time easy, but then there is a battery, and it needs a way to set it and so on. So there is no actual time clock. The Race Box gets the time form the GPS, including the offset to GMT so it does record time in GMT. Maybe in the next version I'll add a config option to set the local GMT offset, but I considered it a low priority. First, its easy to change the time in a spreadsheet after you load the CSV file. Next, offshore races sometimes cross time zones.

As for whether or not the date is recorded, it depends upon what the GPS is sending to the system and whether the GPS is connected to the FDX server or the Race Box.

Also, just FYI, most people have an ordinary GPS that outputs updates at 1HZ intervals via NMEA 0183. In this hookup, the FDX server hands the Race Box position updates every two seconds. So I recommend people connect the GPS to the Race Box directly. Alternatively, you could get an nGPS which is slightly higher speed, 2Hz position and 5Hz COG/SOG. I'm working on a 10Hz GPS. The prototype works very well with the Race Box, but more on that to come.

Its important that you upgrade the firmware, and I am happy to assist. In a nutshell, you'll need a USB cable (type B to type A) and some software. If you have a Windows computer available it will be easiest. If you're skilled with computers it will be easy, if not its probably best if I walk you through it. You can PM me your direct email if you like, I'll send the files you need directly to you.

Best,

Jim

Hi Jim,

I've PM'ed you with a message.

simon