Suzuki Multi function gauge SMG4

[blacklab]

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[NAGG]

Anyone running the above gauge ??.
Seems as though it's got everything needed without the clutter, seems simple enough to get thru the screens.
Dunno if the SMG4 is a new iteration, think they first came out 2015 ish.
Interested from anyone running one, ease of use, accuracy, problems..

Col

They did introduce an upgrade last year - I'm running the Gen 1 & its fine ...... linked with my Lowrance sounders

Accuracy is pretty good - fuel flow / usage is typically within 1 lt ( & that could relate to how level the trailer is when refueling )

Cant complain

Chris

[Ah Me Ting]

Anyone running the above gauge ??.
Seems as though it's got everything needed without the clutter, seems simple enough to get thru the screens.
Dunno if the SMG4 is a new iteration, think they first came out 2015 ish.
Interested from anyone running one, ease of use, accuracy, problems..

Col

Can you get one ATM? Stock shortage / supply issues have been impacting Suzuki gauges supply ...

Also, think you'll need the special cable and adopters too, which are again in limited supply.

Some great info in posts and comments on the Suzuki Marine Australia Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/353475632196077/

Bloke on there, Grant Bennet, has written up a full guide on what's needed for different year model motors. He also comments on most posts to do with the data etc. Really helpful bloke.

[blacklab]

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[blacklab]

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[NAGG]

Thanks Chris, Didn't know if there was any up graded versions. Watched the user video ( haven't had a chance for an on water test yet ) seems to have everything one would need, looked fairly simple enough to use. I didn't install any other fuel gauges, didn't even put a sender unit in the new tank, so it will be my only fuel monitoring method.
I must have one of the new upgrade versions, I know the marine shop commented mine was the last one available with there new batch of motors, availability is now harder than getting new engines..
I will be happy if the fuel accuracy is as good as you say.. cheers

Col

Accuracy is very good - I always cross reference the usage on the SMG4 with the bowser & it's no more than 1 Lt which isn't bad considering that the fuel usage increments are 1 lt .
I certainly have complete faith in the fuel flow & usage . ....... better than any gauge in a car I've owned & as good as the digital Yamaha gauge I had in the previous boat (also 1lt typically).

A couple of years back I did a run up the Hawkesbury - Windsor to Brooklyn ... Return which is a 230km round trip . On the return the gauge indicated that I used 130lts & I actually squeezed in 131 lts ....... That certainly gave me the confidence that I could rely on the gauge .

Chris

[blacklab]

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[NAGG]

Perfect info Ta Chris. I'm liking too how there are many options on how you want fuel info, usage per hour, knots Km option, I'm happy with there being total usage update and Km per litre, too old to think and comprehend Knots... The accuracy side of it would give a lot of confidence, especially with me going wide and decent distances, so that's the sort of feedback I needed..
I have a bladder somewhere which I will be using as reserve, but having a decent accurate gauge is brilliant, I stopped going by the old gauges with fuel senders in the tank, many years back, never accurate and when you need them to be, they will stick the boot in.... last effort was coming in from Eden, twofold bay, I kinda new it could be close, we extended out day out wide, but with the old analog gauge showing a third left, sure enough we started spluttering at the entrance... bad judgement and taught me a lesson, and a 2 stroke then that fuel economy wasn't it's strong point..
thanks for the feedback..

Col

I'm hearing you - I hate that situation where you are anxious over fuel .... still do it in the car though not in the boat - I once ran out of fuel 500m after crossing the South West Rocks Bar ..... that was my wake up call .
A bladder etc is still good to have if you think you might be pushing the boundaries . How big is your tank ?

Chris

[disorderly]

I have a Garmin gauge and I dont like that you have to add the litres of fuel manually each time you fill up.....

I ran out of fuel once when it said that i still had 65l left ..so I figure either I forgot to add it properly once or put in the wrong amount...either way it sucked...

I would prefer a gauge that worked on a sensor and what was actually in the tank...even if they arent totally accurate at least you know where you stand...

How does the Suzuki fuel gauge work..?

[blacklab]

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[NAGG]

My gauge doesn't tell me how much fuel is left - just what I have used & the rate it is being used. (I can do this with my Lowrance sounder though )

One of the nice things about the barcrusher is that it is a floor filler - straight into the tank ( no airlocks) & I can see what is in there . I've emptied out my tank & know it holds 142 lts when full (boat level)

So at the end of the day - I refuel & reset . I try not to partially fill the boat (even when topping up from jerry cans ) ...... the exception is to throw the remaining fuel I may have for the return trip.

The other thing is I am the only one that fuels the boat .

By being this anal - I'm never in doubt of my fuel status

Chris

[Dignity]

My gauge doesn't tell me how much fuel is left - just what I have used & the rate it is being used. (I can do this with my Lowrance sounder though )

One of the nice things about the barcrusher is that it is a floor filler - straight into the tank ( no airlocks) & I can see what is in there . I've emptied out my tank & know it holds 142 lts when full (boat level)

So at the end of the day - I refuel & reset . I try not to partially fill the boat (even when topping up from jerry cans ) ...... the exception is to throw the remaining fuel I may have for the return trip.

The other thing is I am the only one that fuels the boat .

By being this anal - I'm never in doubt of my fuel status

Chris

My Yammy fuel gauge is similar, I fill the tank to full and res set it, then it tells me how much I've used and what's left, it can be changed by small % increments based on usage but generally well within tolerance except for my last trip, it also allows a 10% back up margin so that when empty it should theoretically have 20 litres remaining. Thought I got the hint of fuel every now and then but my crew couldn't smell it. On the way home I said we'd fuel up at Goomborian as it was 30 cents a litre cheaper than at home. Only needed 137 litres but when it went past 140 litres, then 150, 160 finally stopping at 176 litres I thought I'd better investigate. Got home and opened the underfloor inspection hatch and it was full of fuel. The tank had a split in one of the welds which is why the tank took more to fill up.

Oops, hijacked the thread again, sorry Col.

[blacklab]

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[NAGG]

Ouch, that's not good to find Sam, lucky in many ways... Not hijacking the thread at all, it's good to see how others monitor fuel use..

Chris, there's a digital fuel indicator gauge on mine I can set it to, which I presume is only dictated by the litres you enter in and the level reflects the fuel used by the engine.
I think from the user video, it sums up how much total fuel usage for the day that has been used, so then it's a case of simply deducting.
I like the idea of keeping tanks full, much easier, I most of the time did do that,, will probably go back to doing that since I'm so close to the water, shouldn't, hopefully, be to many stretches without using the boat...

Col

Yeh Col - mine has that too - I just never use it ...... so it's not set up on my gauges ( I have two gauges)

Chris

[gazza2006au]

Hey Col it should come ready to run, they connect to the diagnostic port on the engine the kit should include the sdis or a sds interface cable

Im doing the same for my suzuki df60 i looked at getting the MFD kit but couldnt for out 1k atm

I purchased a used raymarine touch screen chartplotter to use only for the engine data

For my set up i need the chartplotter, suzuki interface cable and a nmea kit for raymarine

I only came back for a squiz and seen your post so thought i would log in

I have a df60 2013, the change over of the suzuki interface was pre 2012 (old model) to 2013 onwards (new model)

You can upgrade the old interface firmware to 3.5v but i have read it doesnt work