Suzuki new Multi Function Gauge and NMEA2000

[Flippa]

G'day all,

My local Suzuki dealer replaced the gauge today (thanks heaps Browny at Curtis Coast Marine) and it now appears to be operating correctly. The network device list now lists "Suzuki MFG" and it lists all of the data it sends to the network. Unfortunately, Fuel used is not one of the data points sent. Hopefully this will be remedied by a software update in the near future.

Flip

[Flippa]

Hi Grant,

Sorry, but I think I was a little lazy in my last message, the gauge is networkable but not fully. According to the local dealer it hasn't the "power" (don't know what that means???) to send all data to your network.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Thanks Flip.

Hope the new one sorts things out for you. Keep us up to date please? And do let me know if a scanned copy of the manual falls off the back of a truck anywhere in your vicinity!

I must say I am surprised that they bother to produce a non-networkable version of this gauge! Without a network, no GPS input can occur, therefore no real time fuel economy...... That, plus 90% of people will want to network to other devices, if not initially, then sometime down the track, for all sorts of reasons.

Sounds like a silly plan to me to do a version that isnt networkable....

Anyway, we all live and learn, possibly including Suzuki outside the USA!

[Flippa]

G'day all,

Just a quick update on my situation.

I took my boat into my local Suzuki dealer last week and he took a quick look at the multifunction gauge. He said that the wrong model gauge was installed as its part number is 34200-96L00 (found on the back of the gauge). This model is for installs not requiring networking.

The part number for the networkable gauge is 34200-96L10.

He has organised a replacement to be sent out by Suzuki and he'll fit and program it for me later this week.

Fingers crossed this will solve the issue.

My discussions with him suggest that the new gauge is a replacement for the old interface cable and it should behave the same only with a multifunction display.

Regards

Flip

[Black Pig]

I had very similar problems with this gauge Suzuki multi function gauge 3420087L12000; art: 00000216 . Buy Suzuki multi function gauge, price online The connection diagram was very similar to the one posted by the OP. Both the engine interface cable & gauge needed to plug into the SDS port, otherwise the gauge wouldn't "wake up" when the key was turned. Suzuki UK were useless & no help whatsoever. I eventually made up a "Y" cable to plug both the interface cable & gauge into the SDS port. It works perfectly.

[Moonlighter]

Ok, keep us posted!

Had a chat to my local Suzuki guy in Cleveland Qld and he has now installed a few dozen of those gauges (displays) on 2015 and 2016 MY engines and says they are dead simple to set up and are recoding 100% accurate fuel used data.

They store the fuel data internally (no need for EP85 or the "old" engine interface cable).

He agrees if it isnt working properly then take it back. Unfortunately i cant get hold of the owners manual as they only come with the gauge and Suzuki are not handing them out to anyone else...... (Maybe someone might scan their manual and share it round.... )

By the way, if you included your location in your avatar I would have known you are in Australia and would have known which gauge you wwere talking about!

Keep us updated on how it works out.

[Flippa]

G'day all,

Just a quick update, I have contacted Suzuki Australia telling them of my issues and they have replied that they think the gauge has failed and to take the boat to my nearest dealer to have the issue rectified. I have asked them to tell me what the gauge should do and will let you all know when I have any further information.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Hello Per,

I happen to be Danish as well (but live in the UK), with similar problems/questions as yours. I also have Lowrance HDS instrumentation. Drop me a note on lars at ronning dot net. Perhaps we can get this working together.

Lars

Thanks for chiming in Lars!

If you and Per get this working, it would be great if you could come back here and let us all know what was involved.

[Moonlighter]

Hi Flip

Yes, that is the same gauge as they now sell in Australia. But I gather that at the moment here, they are still connecting it to the engine via the interface cable. You may be right that this is because the N2K output is not yet sorted properly.

I will endeavour to get some more info feom my mate who is our local Suzuki dealer, it would be good to understand this new approach they are taking outside the USA so we can make it work properly.

[Flippa]

Sorry, with the type of connection you have, i simply dont know how it works so i cant help.

If the cable isnt the normal Suzuki interface cable, then it possibly does need the memory device. Can only suggest that you ask whoever set it up this way what is required. It would help if you post back what you find out.

I am hearning some similar stories here in Australia that with 2017 models, the interface cable will not be used and the engine will be connected to the display directly - apparently similarly to what yours is. I will be trying to get some documentation.

One final question - there are, i believe, 2 types of Suzuki branded colour NMEA 2000 "gauge" displays available - one is the Suzuki version of the Simrad IS 35 display - this is sold/used in the USA. It only has a NMEA2000 connection and a USB port on the back.

The other, I have been lead to believe, is a "true" Suzuki display and is the one that is used here in Australia and Europe. I suspect that you have this version, it has corners cut off whereas the Simrad version is a complete square shape.

Which one do you have??

Hi Grant,

To confirm, my gauge is the same as this link:

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rc...6rS5kWx64iMd8w

After more thought, I think what Suzuki are doing with this gauge is replacing the engine interface cable, as it connects to the same place and will pass engine data to your network. It may also incorporate the same functionality as the EP-85R as it will also total the fuel used.

My thoughts are that they haven't implemented the N2k integration very well yet. The gauge/engine isn't recognised properly on the network when connected and powered up but data is passed to the network. The EP-85R functionality doesn't appear to be available to the network either as none of the integrated data is available.

I do recall reading another version of the brochure attached where the N2k connectivity had a * beside it with a note explaining that it was a future feature.

My main hope is that Suzuki will do a software update to bring the N2k connectivity up to speed. At this stage I suspect that this will require taking the gauge/engine to a dealer so they can connect to it with a laptop via the data plug as I don't think you could upload software to it from an HDS at this stage since the network doesn't recognise it properly.

Regards

Flip

[KillerWhale2]

Message to Kreuz1971 / Per

Hello Per,

I happen to be Danish as well (but live in the UK), with similar problems/questions as yours. I also have Lowrance HDS instrumentation. Drop me a note on lars at ronning dot net. Perhaps we can get this working together.

Lars

[Flippa]

Hi Grant,

I'm here in Australia too and I'm certain that I have "real Suzuki" gauge.

I'll keep you posted.

With the other gauge connected the way you normally do it, will it power up if the engine interface isn't connected to the network.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Sorry, with the type of connection you have, i simply dont know how it works so i cant help.

If the cable isnt the normal Suzuki interface cable, then it possibly does need the memory device. Can only suggest that you ask whoever set it up this way what is required. It would help if you post back what you find out.

I am hearning some similar stories here in Australia that with 2017 models, the interface cable will not be used and the engine will be connected to the display directly - apparently similarly to what yours is. I will be trying to get some documentation.

One final question - there are, i believe, 2 types of Suzuki branded colour NMEA 2000 "gauge" displays available - one is the Suzuki version of the Simrad IS 35 display - this is sold/used in the USA. It only has a NMEA2000 connection and a USB port on the back.

The other, I have been lead to believe, is a "true" Suzuki display and is the one that is used here in Australia and Europe. I suspect that you have this version, it has corners cut off whereas the Simrad version is a complete square shape.

Which one do you have??

[Flippa]

Hi Grant,

Thanks for such a quick reply.

To update the situation, I just got home from work and tested my configuration with the following results:

With both the engine data cable and N2k connected to the gauge, it only powers up when I turn the ignition key on.
With the engine data cable removed and the N2k cable connected the gauge does not power up.
With both cables connected the network device list shows all my devices as well as some thing else that only shows three dashes for the name and no data behind it. This I suspect is the gauge/motor.

I don,t think the engine data cable is the same as the interface cable you use as it doesn't have an N2k termination.

I can't run the motor but data I know was available includes: load, voltage, tachometer, efficiency, trim, engine temp.

Thanks for your help so far.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Hi Grant,

I'm having a similar but different issue to Per.

I too bought a 2015 model DF140ATX complete with the colour multi function gauge when I had a boat built last year. I have done all of the electrical fit out myself besides that required to get the motor and gauge operational. On closer inspection it looks like the dealer has installed the gauge like on Per's wiring diagram.

The gauge appears to work properly except for the fuel gauge and for one reason or another I can't properly configure the fuel tank. On discussing this both with the dealer I bought the motor from and my local dealer their opinion is that I can't get this to work without a tank level sender. I was none to impressed... The gauge however is able to show the fuel used and I can zero this when I fill up but not top up, so it's usable but not ideal.

I have since got my N2K network up and running and interfaced the gauge and an HDS gen 3 MFD to it. I did this by connecting the gauge to the network while still connected to the square plug, so the gauge is effectively passing engine data to the network. Most of the engine data is available to the network except for fuel usage. The instantaneous fuel data is available like L/hr but not integrated data like L/trip or fuel remaining. Given what I have read previously I'm surprised I got this much to work.

I suspect this is because the interface cable between the gauge and motor doesn't have the Lowrance EP-85R fuel data manager module in it. If I were to install an EP-85R on the network do you think this would resolve my issue?

Regards

Flip?

Flip

Flip, the Suzuki engine interface cable incorporates the "memory module" (in effect the EP85r device). So no, dont add another one, nasty conflicts happen!

The tank "level" sensor is completely separate and distinct from the fuel quantity setup in the interface.

The way they have set Per's up is beyond me - i spoke to several of my experienced Suzuki (dealer) contacts on THT and they are perplexed too. The simplest thing is to just set it up the same as we always have - a NMEA2000 network with a drop cable to the colour display and the engine interface also on the network.

It is proven that way, and it works. If it aint broke ......

Questions: (might help us figure this all out)
1. what engine data can you get on the Lowrance virtual dashboard page?
2. In the network menu on the Lowrance, what devices appear on the device list when everthing connected to the network is turned on?