Connecting Outboard motors to GPS

Moonwalker · December 03, 2012, 22:07:35 CET

I am building a new boat (well I'm not building it myself

) with twin outboards (mariner 150HP 4stroke).
I have a garmin GPSMAP4010 and would like to get the motors data on the GPS screen.

The motors connect to a junction box to the smartcraft dials. One of the dials have an NMEA2k connection with white and blue cables.
Then the GPS has its own NMEA2k network with antenna and supply connectors.

So do I just connect the white and blu cables from motors to the garmin NMEA network or I need some isolator to separate the 2 networks?

Has anyone done this for Mariner/Mercury outboards? Does the GPS show all information available on the smartcraft gauges?

skip · December 04, 2012, 06:22:03 CET

Julian you need a NMEA gateway to interface with smartcraft. They are two competing systems!! Your smartcraft system Tacho will hook into a GPS NMEA output to.display GPS speed info on the gauge but that's about it.

consider Vessel view from Mercury if you want a large screen but its over $1000 or look into this gateway which for multi engines is around $370 or replace one smartcraft gauge with a MercMonitor which is around $899 for full level 3 data on twin engines.

edit: found this

http://www.veradoclubparts.com/product_p/84-8m0065208.htm

useful reading
http://www.veradoclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=2403.0

Moonwalker · December 04, 2012, 09:43:41 CET

So from the second link it looks doable. Will check the exact gauges I have and post back.

Moonwalker · December 05, 2012, 20:32:00 CET

Looks like I need the MercMonitor v6 to do it....

skip · December 09, 2012, 09:10:35 CET

Why? Just use the gateway with your Garmin

Moonwalker · December 09, 2012, 18:43:56 CET

Oh you are right. I missed the gateway link before since the second link only focuses on the MercMonitor.
Thanks m8 the gateway is much more affordable so I think I will go for it.

Moonwalker · April 07, 2013, 10:50:54 CET

I installed the Gateway and it seems to work fine although I still have to test in the water. It is showing data from both engines except the fuel gauges. It is only showing 1 fuel gauge and if I try to select manually, although I can show 2 gauges, they are both showing Tank1.

My setup has 2 Smartcraft Rev counters (one for each motor) and a speedo showing data from both engines. From the junction box I connected the gateway feeding the NMEA2k network.
The speedo shows fuel level from the 2 engines so I cant understand why the GPS is only showing Tank1.

Any ideas?

skip · April 08, 2013, 21:03:46 CET

Did you set up the Fuel Management page on the Garmin and indicate the correct tank configuration. Do you have two fuel tanks and two fuel tank senders?

Moonwalker · April 09, 2013, 09:03:25 CET

Yes I have 2 Tanks and 2 senders. I tried to set the fuel gauges on Garmin but it seems it is not receiving data for Tank2. If I set to Auto, it only shows Tank1 (with 1 fuel gauge ofcourse) and if I try to set it manually, I can select 2 gauges, but when selecting the Tank for each gauge only Tank1 is visible (so both show same level).

The data is coming correctly to the junction box since the speedo shows fuel level of Port and Starboard engines properly. Tried all settings on the Garmin but did not find a way to fix this.

skip · April 09, 2013, 10:01:05 CET

Could be a gateway feature issue, but I think you ordered the Multiengine gateway, right?. Did you buy it from Verado Club Parts?

Moonwalker · April 09, 2013, 11:39:11 CET

I bought it from Mariner agent and I asked for the Multiengine gateway. And since it does show both engines, I think that it is the right one. Will check part number again this evening to be sure.

I contacted Medcomms and they are waiting an answer from Garmin...

skip · April 10, 2013, 14:45:47 CET

Did you try some of the guides on a similar set up like here http://www.veradoclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=2568.0

Meccanic · April 13, 2013, 07:59:19 CET

MULTI ENGINE N2K GATEWAY 84-8M0065208 Euro 138.20
VESSEL VIEW: 879338K51 Euro 878.98 - Single Engine BEST DEAL Euro 659
VESSEL VIEW: 879339K51 Euro 1416.98 - Twin Engine: BEST DEAL Euro 1062
Prices include VAT & Delivered in MALTA | 2 Years Guarantee

ncihol@mecca.com.mt | 79732783

Moonwalker · April 14, 2013, 11:37:17 CET

Hi Meccanic. Thanks for the prices but I have already bought the N2k Gateway.

Can you help me with my problem? Have you installed a similar setup like mine with twin Mercury EFI 150HP connected to the N2k network?

Meccanic · April 14, 2013, 22:31:55 CET

I will be more than happy to help you. Please email me nichol@mecca.com.mt with your request and I will come back to you.
Understand that we are in peak season too and to be on this site it is tough for me. I am leaving to MERCURY tomorrow night and will return in a week.