Livorsi GPS speedometer antenna fix for about $100

[Pesky Varmint]

I'm surprised that no one has gone back to an old school conventional speedometer. It will add at least 5 mph to your boat!

 

[Luv2gofast]

I'm surprised that no one has gone back to an old school conventional speedometer. It will add at least 5 mph to your boat!

Now that's funny!! No wonder my old boat was so fast...

Sorry no source for the 3 pin connector. It's the same pin spacing as RC servos. My test jig uses one of those connectors but be careful because they are not polarized so you have to pay attention to which way you plug it in.

 

[37 boat]

Most people are aware of the issue with a bunch of Livorsi GPS speedomters - The original design used an antenna that is battery powered, and eventually the battery will go dead. Some people have been able to change the battery inside the antenna and their speedo will keep working, but a lot of people have tried this and it doesn't work because the GPS receiver will lose it's programming eventually when the battery is dead.

Livorsi offers a battery-free replacement antenna for about $200, but on their website they state that the speedometers with the molex type 3 pin antenna connector aren't compatible with the new antenna and can't be repaired. My speedometer is one with the 3 pin molex connector, so for a few years I have just gone without a working speedometer because I didn't want to spend the money for a completely new monster GPS speedo.

I started doing some research into this, and found out that what Livorsi says is complete BS. The speedos use a standard GPS signal, called NMEA0183. This means that any GPS antenna that is compatible with NMEA0183 can be used. Also, the 3 pins on the molex connector on the gauge are for 12V, ground, and the GPS signal.

I found a 12V replacement GPS receiver on Amazon.com for $99, which looks to be the exact same unit that Livorsi is selling for $200.

Here is the GPS receiver that I bought:http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Intern...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Some people have used a Garmin GPS receiver which works fine also, but the Garmin units run off of 5V, so you need to also wire in an adapeter to convert 12V to 5V. I chose the Sierra receiver because it is a direct 12V connection for a clean install.

Yesterday, I pulled my boat out of the garage and wired in the new antenna. It worked great and was an easy fix. The new antenna has 4 wires on it, red, black, white, and green. The green wire isn't used for the speedometer, so just connect the red to 12V, black to ground, and white to the GPS signal connection on the speedometer. If you have the 3 pin molex connetor like I do, I think this actually makes for a better install. Just match the three wire colors (red, black, and white) from the new GPS receiver to the same color wires from the 3 pin molex connector. I soldered and heat shrink wrapped the connections from my new antenna to the molex harness for the gauge. See below for pictures.

View attachment 484878 View attachment 484879 View attachment 484880 View attachment 484881 View attachment 484882 View attachment 484883 View attachment 484884

Hey @steamin rice I just wanted to say thanks. I know it's an old thread but I just got around to performing this fix and it made my speedometer great again.

 

[steamin rice]

Hey @steamin rice I just wanted to say thanks. I know it's an old thread but I just got around to performing this fix and it made my speedometer great again.

Awesome! I'm glad it worked out for you!,

 

[done]

I have the post connections, I ordered the replacement from livorsi for $ 149.00

 

[Motoxxxloak]

So was the issue that the speedo wouldn’t work at all? Problem with mine is it will work for a bit then jump all over the place like crazy then work then sometimes go to zero.....not sure wtf it is


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[37 boat]

So was the issue that the speedo wouldn’t work at all? Problem with mine is it will work for a bit then jump all over the place like crazy then work then sometimes go to zero.....not sure wtf it is


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, mine quit working altogether, when I turned the key on it would sweep then settle on 10 mph and stay there.

 

[Motoxxxloak]

Yeah, mine quit working altogether, when I turned the key on it would sweep then settle on 10 mph and stay there.

Hmmm. Maybe I’ll give this a shot then. Thanks for reviving this thread


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Racey]

Most people are aware of the issue with a bunch of Livorsi GPS speedomters - The original design used an antenna that is battery powered, and eventually the battery will go dead. Some people have been able to change the battery inside the antenna and their speedo will keep working, but a lot of people have tried this and it doesn't work because the GPS receiver will lose it's programming eventually when the battery is dead.

Livorsi offers a battery-free replacement antenna for about $200, but on their website they state that the speedometers with the molex type 3 pin antenna connector aren't compatible with the new antenna and can't be repaired. My speedometer is one with the 3 pin molex connector, so for a few years I have just gone without a working speedometer because I didn't want to spend the money for a completely new monster GPS speedo.

I started doing some research into this, and found out that what Livorsi says is complete BS. The speedos use a standard GPS signal, called NMEA0183. This means that any GPS antenna that is compatible with NMEA0183 can be used. Also, the 3 pins on the molex connector on the gauge are for 12V, ground, and the GPS signal.

I found a 12V replacement GPS receiver on Amazon.com for $99, which looks to be the exact same unit that Livorsi is selling for $200.

Here is the GPS receiver that I bought:http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Intern...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Some people have used a Garmin GPS receiver which works fine also, but the Garmin units run off of 5V, so you need to also wire in an adapeter to convert 12V to 5V. I chose the Sierra receiver because it is a direct 12V connection for a clean install.

Yesterday, I pulled my boat out of the garage and wired in the new antenna. It worked great and was an easy fix. The new antenna has 4 wires on it, red, black, white, and green. The green wire isn't used for the speedometer, so just connect the red to 12V, black to ground, and white to the GPS signal connection on the speedometer. If you have the 3 pin molex connetor like I do, I think this actually makes for a better install. Just match the three wire colors (red, black, and white) from the new GPS receiver to the same color wires from the 3 pin molex connector. I soldered and heat shrink wrapped the connections from my new antenna to the molex harness for the gauge. See below for pictures.

View attachment 484878 View attachment 484879 View attachment 484880 View attachment 484881 View attachment 484882 View attachment 484883 View attachment 484884

You have it figured out, i will also add that some of the 12v antenna's chips actually require a hard 12v, not a 10-15v (like an automotive system uses), they may not have internal voltage regulators and running 14.5v into them can eventually burn them out.

If you notice on Livorsi's new GPS gauges they have a 12v supply from the gauge itself to the antenna, this wire cleans the voltage to a perfect 12.0v as the gauge itself has the voltage regulator inside.

 

[Husqy510]

Trying to fix the Gaffrig GPS speedo on our new boat. The boat was partially rigged in 2003 and never finished. It has Gaffrig gauges including a GPS speedo but did not have the antenna. I ordered the antenna from Gaffrig which has a red wire, grey wire, black wire and orange wire. The black and orange are wired together. Unfortunately I don't have the old molex connector so I don't know which post to connect the wires to on the back of the gauge. I read that a servo connector has the same spacing, I'm just trying to figure out which wires go to which post on the back of the gauge.

 

[Luv2gofast]

Pin closest to the edge of the speedo case is the + Red, middle pin is Rx Gray and pin toward the center of the gauge is the - Orange & black

 

[SFOcean]

As stated above

 

[Luv2gofast]

Better picture than mine

With the puck that has red, gray, black and orange, the orange is the data ground so gets connected with the black to ground (-) and the gray is the data +. I think they did that to confuse people...and it worked!

 

[Husqy510]

Awesome guys thanks for the replies. I'm going to use the service plug and wire it up.

 

[M.I. 388]

just joined RDP and did this mod, thanks SR....

 

[steamin rice]

Awesome! I'm glad to see that more people are fixing their speedos.

I am still disappointed over how Livorsi handled this. They make nice products, but have shown me that when it comes down to it, they will not do the right thing for their customers.

 

[Luv2gofast]

For sure this is a good way to go but just wanted to mention that I still fix the original pucks if somebody wants to keep using the round one. $75 includes FedEx return ship.

 

[340vyper]

I am also having a problem with my GPS speedometer in my 2002 powerquest. A few weeks ago I had my boat out and it worked fine at first and then didn't work the rest of the day. Had it out again last Friday and it didn't work at all. When I turn the key on, the needle just moves up to about 3 mph and then back to zero. I believe that before it would go to 100 (3 oclock position) and then back to zero. I went ahead and bought the new gps antenna mentioned in this thread and wired it up and it's still doing the same thing.... Any ideas? My antenna isn't the round puck rather more square (see picture)

 

[Luv2gofast]

When I turn the key on, the needle just moves up to about 3 mph and then back to zero. I believe that before it would go to 100 (3 oclock position) and then back to zero.

Yes it should do the full sweep of the needle (self test) every time power is applied. That doesn't sound like an antenna problem so make sure the +12 and ground are solid. I don't fix the speedos, just the old style round antennas. The speedo is hard to get apart because the bezel is rolled on. I did fix one but it was a big PITA. Not sure where you are at but I would be happy to connect it up to a known good antenna/power connector to test it for you.

 

[Luvnlife]

Yes it should do the full sweep of the needle (self test) every time power is applied. That doesn't sound like an antenna problem so make sure the +12 and ground are solid. I don't fix the speedos, just the old style round antennas. The speedo is hard to get apart because the bezel is rolled on. I did fix one but it was a big PITA. Not sure where you are at but I would be happy to connect it up to a known good antenna/power connector to test it for you.

If I remember right if you go to their website there is a trouble shooting page. See if whatever your needle is doing is listed and it will tell you what to look for.

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

For sure this is a good way to go but just wanted to mention that I still fix the original pucks if somebody wants to keep using the round one. $75 includes FedEx return ship.

What do I need to send you? Just the puck?

 

[milkmoney]

What do I need to send you? Just the puck?

I was thinking the same thing, I have the same problem

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[steamin rice]

Yes it should do the full sweep of the needle (self test) every time power is applied. That doesn't sound like an antenna problem so make sure the +12 and ground are solid. I don't fix the speedos, just the old style round antennas. The speedo is hard to get apart because the bezel is rolled on. I did fix one but it was a big PITA. Not sure where you are at but I would be happy to connect it up to a known good antenna/power connector to test it for you.

I don't really have much to add outside of these comments - Does the speedo behave any differently when you have the new antenna connected vs when you connect the old antenna or no antenna at all?

 

[steamin rice]

One more thought - When you are testing the new antenna, is the boat indoors or outdoors? The antenna should be outdoors orinted towards the sky, otherwise it won't have any GPS reception

 

[Luv2gofast]

What do I need to send you? Just the puck?

I was thinking the same thing, I have the same problem

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Sorry for the delay guys, I just saw the posts.
Yes all I need is the puck. I have a test speedo and harness that I put in my Jeep and drive around to test with.

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

Sorry for the delay guys, I just saw the posts.
Yes all I need is the puck. I have a test speedo and harness that I put in my Jeep and drive around to test with.

Ok.
Good thing I'm not using it in my jet bote because I doubt your Jeep does 100 mph.

 

[Luv2gofast]

Ok.
Good thing I'm not using it in my jet bote because I doubt your Jeep does 100 mph.

Actually it does with the 5.7L Hemi...but there isn't any calibration needed, I just use the test to confirm it tracks between 0 and 70MPH. One quick lap on the freeway.

 

[cig20]

does anyone have the 3 pin molex connector laying around that they would sell

 

[cig20]

anyone one have one of these molex connectors or now where I can buy one

 

[Bigslow]

As stated above
View attachment 750266

So I am currently doing this modification currently to my livorsi speedometer. Can anyone tell me which wires go to which wire on the gps antenna? I looked at the instructions and they offered nothing. The antenna has red, white, black, and green. From the speedometer, which colors do I connect the red, orange, black wires to on the 4 on the antenna? Thanks

 

[v6toy4x]

So I am currently doing this modification currently to my livorsi speedometer. Can anyone tell me which wires go to which wire on the gps antenna? I looked at the instructions and they offered nothing. The antenna has red, white, black, and green. From the speedometer, which colors do I connect the red, orange, black wires to on the 4 on the antenna? Thanks

post #1 looks pretty clear

"The new antenna has 4 wires on it, red, black, white, and green. The green wire isn't used for the speedometer, so just connect the red to 12V, black to ground, and white to the GPS signal connection on the speedometer."

 

[Bigslow]

post #1 looks pretty clear

"The new antenna has 4 wires on it, red, black, white, and green. The green wire isn't used for the speedometer, so just connect the red to 12V, black to ground, and white to the GPS signal connection on the speedometer."

Yeah after going back and rereading that this morning. It is pretty clear. I got confused after reading the entire thread. Electrical is not something I am a pro at. I have the dash apart and just wanted to make sure I only have to do this once. Thanks.