NMEA2k on HDS, Wow, Engine Data Display, What does it offer the bass boater?

[Flyswatter]

I started down this path back in 2008 with my first to me performance bass boat.  Having roots with leanings toward a geeky computer past I learned quick about NMEA2k because I had a 150HO Etec. Side Note:  That was an awesome motor!!!   At that time I thought what a step forward separating and extending past dated analog gauge technology.  Yea, Geeky I was and still am today.     So I jumped all in.  My challenge then was trying to incorporate HB Graphs with NMEA 0183 bus protocols with NMEA2k.   It just wasn't gonna happen and still hasn't today with Humminbirds. However,  they are real close to their release. I was tired of waiting  so I switched back to Lowrance.  The techy side got the best of me.     Back then I did my research learned of Actisense NGW1 bridge which was in development to hand shake both NMEA protocols.  Enough, of the boring stuff.  I got it to all work with a bandaid approach adding a second NMEA2k Antenna that allowed my Etec to display engine data on the LowranceNet LCD gauges. No Mas to handshaking with the differing NMEA protocols back then. I am sure HB is real close with their release.  History to me now because I was tired of waiting.   

NMEA2000 has been a standard for Evinrude,  Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda Motors since 2006.  Mercury went a separate path but today I learned from GRR884 that NMEA2k now extends to Mercury motors via   their bridge or gateway with their Merc Monitor gauge. I think it was released last year.   So now NMEA2k can be run on all the major motor platforms.  Woo hoo everyone can jump in now....  So let the Engine Data Party Begin.   With the growing acceptance of HDS Gauge display we are no longer locked into less then stellar analog gauge displays.  Now I know that comes off strong but there are so many positives awaiting most users with their Lowrance's HDS units.  It's a matter of "T" boning a network with engine specific engine harnesses and viola digital gauge displays are available on your HDS grapshs.   Lowrance has been way ahead of the curve with NMEA2k on Graphs prior to HDS.  So it's no longer a major expense to get important engine data.  Like me back in 2008 and to this day you are looking at over $700 retail to get LCD gauges for engine data that Lowrance can offer now with $80 Engine Harness and $80 network starter kit.   That is way cool.

So what are some of the bene's?   Critical to engine life is understanding engine temps.  You got it now with NMEA2k.  Also,  there is other important data like fuel flow for MPG,  digital accuracy with the trim gauge, WPSI, Oil Pressure, Engine Hours, RPM's and Alternator info.  All available to be diplayed on HDS graphs.  Soon Hummbirds will have it too. 

Looking into the rabbit hole I can see in the near future within five years boat OEMs could be offering redisnged consoles because of what Lowrance, SimRad and Humminbird will be offering..   The future looks bright with LCD and we will all benefit with the engine displays right before our eyes. 

Can some of you share your LowranceHDS experiences with your setups?  What were your biggest challenges setting up the network?  I may have history but I have been away for four years and most is a distant memory.

In about two weeks I"ll be revisiting this journey and I look forward to learning and sharing with my UB family.

Tight Lines....   

[Mike Cork]

I have never pursued this because a couple years ago it confused me and I'm a fisherman, absolutely no geek to me, that's Laurie.... So I gave up and never thought about it again until you brought this up. The way I see it your a computer wizz or a mechanic or both. Well I'm not a computer wizz but I am a mechanic (old chevy motors, aircraft, anything I can put a wrench on) That said I could really enhance my long runs up and down the river if I can get this data on my display

So I reckon I need to do some research and get going on this  sounds like fun now.

[Flyswatter]

Geeky side and not mechanic.  However,  it's pretty straight forward from what I have read with NMEA2k motors and motor specific NMEA2k Engine harness on HDS.  One neat consideration for you would be the seasonal total of gas burned.  If you are on that water that much that could be useful information.  I really like the MPG feature.  Can really help out how to tune in your boat for optimum mileage performance.

Now if you are a Merc guy I think you would need Merc Monitor to bridge your engine data over to your HDS units.  It should work or act like the NMEA2k Engine harness in theory for NMEA2k motors (Yamaha, Evinrude, Suzuki & Honda).  If so you should need to spend some time in the HDS manual to get your self up and running.   Here is a Youtube video displaying some of the engine data.  Pretty cool stuff.

[GRR884]

Mr. Fly and I have talked a little on this. My basscat has the nexsyslink gauges so I'm already seeing engine data via the Merc Monitor. However I thought it would be cool to see it on the HDS as well since I already have all the stuff in place to make it work.

I played around with it for about 10 minutes last night before I was dispatched back to the house. LOL

I did manage to get the voltage gage working on the HDS. I need more time but I think I can get this figured out. The HDS manual isn't that great though 

[Flyswatter]

GRR884,

Cool beans you doing this on the Merc side.  We all benefit.  I know the manual is not the greatest.  Maybe we can get some Lowrance staff to peak in.  All said this will be a good learning experience. 

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Flyswatter]

Here is a NMEA2k Network Diagram of HDS...  This is for Yamaha but should work in theory for all other motors.

[Flyswatter]

I suspect you Merc guys theres a NMEA2k cable from your merc monitor that runs directly into your HDS.

[GRR884]

I suspect you Merc guys theres a NMEA2k cable from your merc monitor that runs directly into your HDS.

To be honest I'm not sure how Sherm ran mine. Both HDS units, the nexssylink gauges, some sensors and the Merc Monitor are all tied in together somehow.  One thing for sure that HDS info screen is pretty cool and can be customized.

[Flyswatter]

Gary,

You need to call Sherm to see if Merc Monitor can interpret all the engine data from Merc's Propritary protocols to be read by NMEA2k side of Lowrance HDS.  That's the 64 thousand dollar question.  To me a bit similar to what Humminbird is experiencing now.  There NMEA protocols is 0183 and can't hand shake with NMEA2k protocols.  So i suspect they have licensed Actisens NGW-1 hardware which is a bridge that can handshake NMEA2k and NMEA0183 data. 

Keep pushing menu buttons.    hope you get it to work completely.

Now your NexSysLink LCD Gauges are very unique.  They are both SmartCraft and NMEA2k compatible.  I had them on my BassCat Eyra/250SHO and worked pretty good.  I had the first set of trials and tribulations but got most of the lemmings out with the Bede Gauge company.   With all that you have on your console where in the heck is the Merc Montor gauge.  It mush look like an airplane cockpit.   

[GRR884]

I've seen guys on the Lowrance forum on the BBC board gettign all the engine data on their HDS's. Shouldn't be a problem at all. You can even insatll a EP sensor on the livewell and monitor your livewell water temp as well.

[GRR884]

Display features of the Merc Monitor

■ECO-Screen
■Troll Control™
■SmartTow™2
■Engine Synchronizer
■Trim Pop-Up
■Engine Trim
■Trim Synchronizer
■Steering Angle
■RPM
■Boat Speed
■NMEA 2000/J1939
■Digital Speed
■GPS Speed
■GPS Course & Speed
■Speed Sensor Fault
■Auto Speed Sensor Transition
■Oil Level
■Oil Temp
■Oil Pressure
■Low-Oil Warning
■Oil System Fault
■Reserve Oil1
■Fuel Level
■Fuel Used
■Fuel Flow
■Fuel Range
■Fuel to Waypoint
■Low-Fuel Warning
■Water in Fuel Fault3
■Low-Depth Warning
■Depth
■Sea Temp
■Time of Day
■Horn Fault
■Ignition Fault
■Injector Fault
■Engine Alarms
■Battery Voltage
■Water Pressure
■Coolant Temperature
■Coolant Pressure
■Engine Horn
■Dot Matrix LCD Display
■System Link Range Connection

[Flyswatter]

Is that all?      Wow!  What a long list of engine displays and very impressive.  Alright Mike the table is served for ya with GRR884's post.  I've got a pair of thick rim black glasses waiting for you to jump all in.       Gary,  Can't wait for you to get it figured to share with other Merc guys who have similar setups to yours.

Flyswatter

Display features of the Merc Monitor

■ECO-Screen
■Troll Control™
■SmartTow™2
■Engine Synchronizer
■Trim Pop-Up
■Engine Trim
■Trim Synchronizer
■Steering Angle
■RPM
■Boat Speed
■NMEA 2000/J1939
■Digital Speed
■GPS Speed
■GPS Course & Speed
■Speed Sensor Fault
■Auto Speed Sensor Transition
■Oil Level
■Oil Temp
■Oil Pressure
■Low-Oil Warning
■Oil System Fault
■Reserve Oil1
■Fuel Level
■Fuel Used
■Fuel Flow
■Fuel Range
■Fuel to Waypoint
■Low-Fuel Warning
■Water in Fuel Fault3
■Low-Depth Warning
■Depth
■Sea Temp
■Time of Day
■Horn Fault
■Ignition Fault
■Injector Fault
■Engine Alarms
■Battery Voltage
■Water Pressure
■Coolant Temperature
■Coolant Pressure
■Engine Horn
■Dot Matrix LCD Display
■System Link Range Connection

[GRR884]

Gary,  Can't wait for you to get it figured to share with other Merc guys who have similar setups to yours.

Guess the pressure is on me now 

I'll play with it again here shortly. 

[Flyswatter]

Gary,

This might help.  Scroll down to detail pics to help you out.

http://www.veradoclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=2403.30

Hope this helps!

Tom

[Flyswatter]

More Merc to NMEA2k setups

[Flyswatter]