MX420 SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Tools, cables and software needed:

1. Power/Download cable P/N 3508 102 70530, or
• Use Figure 1 diagram when connecting directly to Cable A
• Use Figure 2 when connecting to the MX420/8 Junction box
• Use Figure 3 when connecting to the MX420/2 Junction box
2. DC power supply 12-24V.
3. PC with DOS or virtual DOS under Windows xx
4. Executable download programs dlmx400.exe and Dos4gw.exe
5. (filename).hex file – the program itself (i.e. 4281_833.hex)

Procedure:
1. Install the download program dlmx400.exe, dos4gw and the .hex file in the same directory (i.e.
MX420).
2. Using a Power/Download cable, connect the power leads to the DC power supply. Black wire to
ground and blue wire to +12-24V. If this is not available you can use the "Cable A" wire and follow
the diagram in Figure 1 or you can connect the serial cable as shown in Figure 2/Figure 3.
3. Connect the DB9 connector to COMM1 (RS232) serial port on the PC.
4. Connect the 18-pin connector (or Cable A) to the MX420.
5. Turn the MX420 on to verify if power connection is correct. Turn it off again.
6. The download program runs much faster under DOS than under Windows. However, if a DOS-PC is
not available, you can also use the DOS prompt under Windows 95, 98, NT, etc.
7. At the command prompt type dlmx400 (filename).hex. [where (filename).hex is the program file name]
8. The program will ask you to turn the navigator on. When unit is on, the programming process starts
indicated by a turning short line in the computer screen.
9. The traffic lights will turn from red to yellow and then to green.
10. When the download is finished the computer will return to the DOS prompt. Turn the main power
supply switch OFF and ON and verify the program version in the AUX 7 display. While in the AUX7
screen, press the left-most softkey 3 times to show the complete program build number (i.e. V1.5(833)).

Must Do:
After reprogramming, the MX420 navigator must be cold-started (memory cleared).
Please note that all configuration settings including waypoints and routes will be lost. Refer to memory clear
procedure shown below.

MX420/2 and MX420/8 software upgrade 1

Memory Clear Procedure:
1. Turn the power OFF to the MX420 by turning off the 12-VDC circuit breaker (this may also be
accomplished by removing the "Cable A" from the back of the unit).
2. Press and hold down the right-most softkey.
3. Apply power to the unit and wait for about 5 seconds. The MX420 will come on and display the MX-
Marine logo.
4. Release the softkey.
5. The memory is now cleared.

Figure 1. MX420-PC Interface Diagram to Cable A

PC CONN. Mx420
DB9S CABLE (A)
(Female) Terminal Strip

GRN/WHT
13 - NMEA2 IN (B)
SHIELD (BLK)
1 - GND
GREEN
12 - NMEA2 IN (A)
GRAY
17 - NMEA2 TXD
RED (RS-232)
2 - PWR IN (+)
BLACK
3 - PWR RET (-)

+12 VDC NEG.

MX420/2 and MX420/8 software upgrade 2

 MX420/8

MX420/8 JUNCTION BOX

MOVE JUMPER TO ENABLE RS-232 PORT
3
Upper Lower
POWER

2
RS-232 Enable
Mx421
F1

CABLE A
REMOVE LINE “A” OF
U1

PORT 2
BOTH “IN” AND “OUT”
PORT 1
DUAL CONTROL CONNECTION DURING
PROGRAMMING
PORT 6
PORT 5
CABLE B
U2

ALARM
GND GND
Tx RS-232 Rx

PORT 8
CABLE C
U3

RL1

PORT 7

PORT 10
RL2

PORT 9

POWER
FAIL

NOTE
1) Connect the RS-232 Tx, Rx and GND lines of the
1
junction box to pins 2, 3 & 5 of 9-dB connector 9 dB (FEMALE)
CONNECTOR
as shown in the diagram.
COMMON GND
2) Disconnect line “A” connection of both 5
Port 2 IN & OUT (when used). Label them 9
4 PC Serial Port
RX DATA 8
clearly. 3 (COM)1
3) Move J1 jumper to the arrow direction to TX DATA 7
2
enable the RS-232 connection (see above) 1
6
4) After reprogramming is completed, move the
J1 jumper back to original position and
normalize connection of Port 2.

Figure 2 - MX420/8 to PC Hook-up Through

The MX420/8 Junction Box

MX420/2 and MX420/8 software upgrade 3

 MX420/2

MX420/2 JUNCTION BOX 1

9 dB (FEMALE)
UPPER LOWER CONNECTOR

J1
COMMON GND
GND

PORT
Rs232
RS232 enable
5
Rx Tx 4 9
RX DATA 8 PC Serial Port
3 (COM 1)

PORT2
TX DATA 7
2
6
1

Mx421
CABLE A
RL1
RL2

EXT. ALARM
POWER FAIL

IN + IN -
2
REMOVE LINE “A” OF
POWER INPUT BOTH “IN” AND “OUT”
CONNECTION DURING
PROGRAMMING

MOVE JUMPER TO ENABLE RS-232 PORT

NOTE 3
1) Connect the RS-232 Tx, Rx and GND lines of the
junction box to pins 2, 3 & 5 of 9-dB connector
as shown in the diagram.
2) Disconnect line “A” connection of both
Port 2 IN & OUT (when used). Label them
clearly.
3) Move J1 jumper to the arrow direction to
enable the RS-232 connection (see above)
4) After reprogramming is completed, move the
J1 jumper back to original position and
normalize connection of Port 2.

Figure 3 - MX420/2 to PC Hook-up Through

the MX420/2 Junction Box

MX420/2 and MX420/8 software upgrade 4