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My kevlacat has twin 140 suzukies and my GPS is a lowrance LCX110c can somebody give me some sugestions on the most suitable fuel monitoring system, is ther an interface cable I could buy and from where.
Lowrance do a inline fuel sensor that is easy to install and very accurate EP60 is the unit I forget what I paid for mine but is was under a 100 bucks a few years ago. Any one that carries lowrance will have them
Frst need to know what year the Suzukis are. If they are 2006 or later, than they will be nmea2000 compatible and then, yes, you can hook them up to the Lowrance by using a Suzuki engine interface cable for each engine.
I had a look on the Lowrance website and the LCX model that you have is NMEA 2000 capable, although I couldn't find any reference in the manual to an "engine data" screen that would show gauges etc like is available on the later HDS series units.
So, a phone call to Lowrance customer support might be in order before you move ahead with this project to find out how engine data will be able to be displayed on this unit. Also ask them about displaying data from dual engines and if it will cope with that. Also, check if it's nmea2000 port is the old "blue" connector or the new red one. Could have a look on the back of the unit yourself to check that too, I guess! It is the plug that the gos antenna plugs into, I think.
Even if the lcx doesn't have dedicated engine data pages, it will at least be able to display engine data items as overlay items on the screens of your choice.
If the answers to both issues comes back OK, then you would need to create a NMEA 2000 network on your boat and then connect the 2 Suzukis and the Lowrance to the network.
You would need:
1 x NMEA 2000 starter kit - this includes cables, power node and 2 T pieces, hopefully the longest cable it includes is long enough to go from the transom where you will connect the interface cables up to the helm. If not, you might need a extra long cable, maybe another 6m one. Cost of this kit about $70
1 x blue device to red network adapter cable, if the LCX has the old style Lowrance blue network plug, and the new NMEA networks are red (same as black) so will need the adapter to connect the Lowrance to the network. Won't need this cable if it has a red connector on the back. Costs about $30
2 x Suzuki engine interface cables (one for each engine). These should come with their own T pieces to connect to the network. Costs about $95 ea, Brownspoint Suzuki in USA is best place to buy on net, but check local prices first!
2 x sds adapter cables, either can buy these or make up your own, it's not very difficult to do. These allow you to connect the interface cables to the Suzuki Diagnostic System port on your engine (this is the plug the mechanic plugs the laptop into to check your motor when doing a service) $50 each if you buy from Brownspoint, $10 each if you make them up yourself!
One thing to be very careful of is that the LCX series includes power connections for the gps antenna, and these power the NMEA 2000 network as well. So, you have to either disconnect the ntenna power wires (recommended) and use the separate power node in the starter kit to power the network, or not use the network power node.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
ML
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
Have the NMEA interface from the Suzuki to a Garmin. Reported fuel usage is within 1% at the bowser, same servo, same pump, same tow vehcile, but a litre in the fill hose is bugger all.
Fuel consumption displayed while travelling is great, makes you keep an eye on trim, allows you to estimate the current when trolling, tends to make you mindful as usage increases exponentially with speed.
Option on our unit to specify tank size means no requirement for fuel guage. Fill it up, tell the unit the tank is full, it tells you what is left in tank based on usage.
One question I havent been able to get an answer too is how, when you have two fuel tanks & one engine, do you tell the HDS8 sounder, whih tank you are drawing from. Can anybody help
You can't, as far as i inow. I have seen this same issue raised on THT and Bassboatscentral and if it can be done, no-one has figured out how!
The best workaround I have heard is to set your tank capacity as the total of both tanks, and set the "low fuel" alarm at just less than the volume of the #1 tank.
That way, you will get an alarm when #1 is about to run out. You then just have to watch the "fuel remaining" figure to know when you are nearly empty.
Cheers
Ml
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
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