Suzuki new Multi Function Gauge and NMEA2000

[Moonlighter]

This thread is closed.

The upshot is that the new Suzuki gauge works fine, but that it doesnt share fuel used data to the network. The result is that some manufacturers combo displays such as Lowrance that currently dont have internal fuel data memory are unable to display that information. Others such as Garmin, can and do.

Please start a new thread if you have questions about the new colour Suzuki engine data display/gauge that is only available outside the USA.

Note: this is NOT the same as the Suzuki C-10 gauge that is used in the USA, it is completely different and works very differently to the C-10.

[Moonlighter]

Ok. Will keep an eye open for it.

[Flippa]

Hi Grant,

I've sent the manual to your email.

The fuel flow data (economy) definitely goes to the HDS as this is what I use to set my throttle and trim to.

I'll run the auto configure when I get home from work and report back.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Yes, too big. You can pm me/email grantbennett8@bigpond.com and I will see if I van get it up as an ***** user.

Check that boat setup, and see if fuel flow data will show up on the Lowrance. Litres/hr.

I would still do that auto-select/configure in the data sources. The warning sounds scary but it is nothing to be worried about. The reason I suggest this procedure is because the network gets corrupted when many changes are being made and unmade, devices added and taken off etc.

On more than one occasion, i have found missing data and been stumped as to how to fix it, then I remember to do this procedure and it all works again. Make sure eveything attached to the network is turned on when you do it.

Be brave - it wont break anything and you never know, it might just fix things!

[Flippa]

Hi grant,

Sorry, must have missed the last part of your message.

To the best of my knowledge, I have configured the vessel and tank. On the data sources page under engine I only have the one to choose from centre. On the Fuel page I can see only one tank and it is configured to the size of my tank. I'll take a look this arvo to confirm though.

I have tried to attach the Installation Manual PDF but the upload keeps failing. It's 5M, is this too big?

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

No, there is no fuel data manager module on the network with the LMf.

Any time one of those (previously called a EP85r) have been added to a Suzuki network in the past has been a total disaster, it creates irreconcilable network conflicts that could only be resolved by removing it.

While I havent heard of one being added to a new network where the Suzuki MFD replaces the interface cable, I would be very, very, very reluctant to do that because there would be IMo a high likelihood of the same problems.

So if you go that way, you will be a poineer and you will be on your own resolving any issues that arise.

You didnt answer the question about completing the config on your Lowrance unit? It needs to be done. System wont work unless it is. This could be the root cause of at least some of your issues.

I will pass on your gauge details and let you know if any advice comes back.

[Flippa]

Hi Grant,

Do you know if there's a Fuel Data Manager on the network with the LMF unit?

Also I wonder if the requirement for a FDM is only for the HDS???

My Suzuki gauge part number is 34200-96L10. I got this changed earlier on from the 34200-96L00 by my local Suzuki dealer.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Flip, i have just been messaging my Zuke mate at Cleveland. He says he has "fuel remaining" showing on Lowrance LMF displays that are connected to networks with the new Suzuki MFD. fuel used only on the Suzuki MFD.

So it seems he has it working.

He asked me to find out the part number of your gauge. And serial number if possible.

Also, it occurred to both of us that you may not have configured the Lowrance.

Have you gone into the network menu and done the boat setup - to configure it to 1 engine/1tank, and to set the tank capacity? Without doing that, none of this will work.

[Flippa]

Hi Grant,

What I understand from the Suzuki message is that there is no defined Fuel Used PGN in the N2k protocol. It's not that they have chosen not to transmit the data on the network it's just that there is no defined PGN to send it on.

As for the in-tank sender I have no intention of installing one. I just see it as another possible leak point in the tank and as you say their accuracy isn't worth the effort.

However since I don't have an in-tank sender I can't set up my tank properly on the gauge and as a result can't get fuel remaining, tank % full etc. on the gauge either. This is where I would like to see an update allowing the tank to be set up without requiring the sender.

The only fuel usage data my gauge can display is the total fuel used and like you say this will do, it would just be better if I could get all the other stuff functioning.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Ok Flip, if that is what they say, then you will just have to make do with displaying fuel used and fuel remaining on the Suzuki MFD, which shouldn't be a major issue. At least it is available there. More of a PITA than anything else that it isnt available on the wider network.

Very odd that Suzuki have decided not to output those fuel used Pgn's to the network. I will have a chat to my local guy when I get a chance. He is mainly a Garmin OEM installed so the fuel used data displayed on the Garmins would be from their own internal calculations - which might in fact be slightly different to the Suzuki MFD results.

BTW, If you had in in-tank fuel sender connected to the network, it would send data to ALL devices on the network, not just to the Suzuki MFD, so it would be able to be configured and would be available on the Lowrance. Personally, I would not bother with the expense of aadding one of them because the fuel used data on the Suzuki MFD will be extremely accurate. Plus, sometimes they can cause network conflicts.

[Flippa]

Hi Grant,

I tried to reconfigure the total fuel used data point on my HDS yesterday only to find that it doesn't appear in my data source list under any of the data source groups. It wasn't under engine or vessel which both had Fuel Rate and Fuel Econ GPS. I could do an auto configure on each of these individual data sources but not a data source group (didn't bother as I didn't think it would do anything). I could also to a complete auto configure on the entire network but the warning message scared me off.

I have a fuel tank configured in the Fuel section of the Setup menu, that is for volume, but none of the other data points have anything stored like fuel used for trip, season, etc.

I'm going to contact Lowrance support this morning to confirm that this is correct. I'll let you know what they have to say.

This is what Suzuki Australia said:

"Total fuel used is not a NMEA (PGN identified) data point that is output by the Suzuki MFG, at this stage there is no plan to output the Fuel Used figure on the NMEA as it is not a standard data set."

"The only Fuel Level data output by the Suzuki MFG is the gauge level as a % - this is output on PGN 127505. "

Since I don't have an in-tank sender I can't configure the Suzuki gauge to transmit the tank level % either. I would love to see a software update that allows the tank to be configured without a level sender...

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Thanks Flip. I thought so.

I edited my reply above while you were typing your reply with some more info on setting data sources, so check that again as it should help.

Grant.

[Flippa]

Hi Moonlighter,

I can confirm that the Suzuki gauge displays the total fuel used since it was last reset. It has the capability to show a tank level gauge but to configure you need a level sender in the tank (which I don't have). I'm not sure about trip and seasonal figures.

I'm not sure if there's an N2k PGN for total fuel used so that may be why the gauge doesn't send it???

The Lowrance method of using the FDM may use a proprietary PGN for the total fuel used?

As for the data source I'll give it go when I get home from work today.

Regards

Flip

[Moonlighter]

Can i check I understand this right, Flip....

Is what you are saying that:

The new Suzuki gauge can itself calculate and show fuel used, fuel remaining, for a trip or seasonal? On its own display?

But

It does not share those values over the network, with the result that they cannot be shown on other displays?

Can you confirm or clarify that?

It would be quite unusual for data like that not to be shared.

Have you tried going into the Lowrance network menu, select data sources, then select fuel used and set data source as the Suzuki MFD? That would normally be the way to get the Lowrance to show data sourced from another device on the network.

Re the Garmins, you are correct - they have internal calculation capability and also memory that calculates and stores fuel used/remaining info based on fuel flow data from the engine. Which they can then of course display on their screens.

Lowrance currently does not have the capability to store this info - they can calculate it, but every time the engine or display is turned off, they lose it and start over again. Hence the need for the memory module to be added when the engine interface doesnt include that capability. Prior to this new gauge being introduced that replaced the interface cable, the Suzuki interface cable had a memory module in it that retained the fuel used/remaining data.

But try the data source selection before you go out and buy the data storage device. I think it could solve the issue. I just checked with my local Zuke guy and he swears that the gauge outputs everything to the network.

If you cant quite figure out how to select individual data sources, try doing an auto-configure. To do this:

- with the engine key turned on, turn the Lowrance unit on.

- Go into the Lowrance's network menu, select the device list so you can see the list of devices that are active on the network. The Suzuki MFD should be lsited as well as the Lowrance display.

- You should see an option to do an auto-configure or auto-select of data sources.

- Select that option and do it. Say yes if it asks you if you really want to do it.

Then check and see what data is showing on fuel used on the Lowrance.

That procedure often sorts out issues relating to setting data sources.

Let me know the results.

Worst case if this doesnt work: call my mate Jon Eadie at Bayside Suzuki Marine, Cleveland, Qld. He knows just about everything there is to know about these new gauges. He loves them and says they are the easiest things to set up in the world!

[Flippa]

G'day all,

I have finally got the full story on the multi function display. After a number of emails backwards and forwards with Suzuki Australia it appears that the total fuel used is not a data point sent from the "gauge" to the network, only instantaneous fuel rate.

My local Suzuki dealer was confused when I said that I couldn't get total fuel used to display on my HDS as he could get it on his Garmin MFD. The reason for this difference is the way the Garmin units are configured. They do the fuel integration on-board so only need the instantaneous fuel rate data from the network. Whereas the Lowrance units will not do this and require an external Fuel Data Manager (FDM).

So it looks like I need to install a FDM on my network to get the fuel gauge on my HDS to work.

Seems a shame that the Suzuki gauge can't pass the total fuel used data to the network like the FDM, given it has done the calculations and stored the results. After I get the FDM installed, I wonder if when I fill the tank and reset the fuel used on the HDS if this will also reset the Suzuki gauge, or if I'll have to reset both?

Sorry for not getting the PDF of the manual to you. I'll try to get onto this over the next couple of weeks.

Regards

Flip