Mercury NMEA Gateway connected to Lowrance

[ThreeLittleFish]

Prior to the 20.0 HDS update I was able to view Mercury Smart Craft engine data from twin engines on my Lowrance HDS Carbon unit via a Mercury Gateway NMEA connection.

Since the update I have only been able to view either the Port engine data or Starboard engine data....but not both simultaneously. I tried to resolve this with a Lowrance support operator on the phone, who didn't seem to be to sure what a Mercury NMEA Gateway was. After much explanation and holding the line etc I was eventually told the Lowrance software no longer supports Mercury Gateway and I must buy the new Vessel View Link. (even though I can still view single engine data).

Has anyone else come across this problem? If so are you aware of a work around or settings fix that I have over looked? or Am I committed to forking out $ for the Vessel View Multi Link if I wish to display twin engine Smart Craft data on my HDS?

[EuropeanAM]

Which part number NMEA-Gateway stick do you have?

[ThreeLittleFish]

Has Mercury Gateway Multi Engine stamped on it and 2 tags on the harness at the Canbus end. Larger of the tags has a number 8M0054076 with a build date 30th June 2014. Smaller tag has number 8M0062505.

Engines are 2008 Optis fitted in 2009 with Smart Craft Gauges.

Everything working fine until Lowrance HDS 20.0 software update around August last year. Individual engine data displays on HDS from both Engines....just can't get the Unit to display both engine data simultaneously.

[lfb6]

......Everything working fine until Lowrance HDS 20.0 software update around August last year. Individual engine data displays on HDS from both Engines....just can't get the Unit to display both engine data simultaneously.

If data from both engines is transfered to the NMEA bus and can be made visible, the Mercury NMEA gateway seems to work properly.

Maybe they changed the standard configuration/ template with the update? Did you check/ try to change the configuration for the corresponding dashboard?
hds.jpg (picture from manual)

And there's a 20.1 update, nothing written about your problem, but maybe worth a try
HDS Carbon Software Update (20.1) Release Date: 16 December 2020
https://downloads.lowrance.com/software/index.html?r=4212

Or try to open a thread in the Lowrance subforum:
http://www.bbcboards.net/forumdisplay.php?f=136

[ThreeLittleFish]

Thanks lfb6,

Yep have been into the dashboard configuration which is where I discovered in 'data source' you can tick the port engine box or starboard engine box....but are unable to put ticks in them both.

I have installed the latest software 20.1 but have not had a chance to put the boat in the water since. I did not read about any fixes for this problem in the Lowrance update notes so can only assume it has not been addressed. Have also posted about this issue in the Lowrance subforum....unfortunately the only reply I got there was to direct my question here.

[lfb6]

I see. And you can't select maybe single items like for example rpm from starboard and rpm from port engine for a screen either? (Did you reset the unit after updating?)

[ThreeLittleFish]

Yep, screen definitely rebooted after updating.

Do you mean split screen with a dashboard on both sides with corresponding Port and Starboard data sources? I haven't tried nor thought of that but I think with HDS 9 the gauges might be a bit small in this configuration. I am trying to utilise dashboard 3 to display rpm, water psi, fuel psi, alternator voltage, battery voltage, engine temperature, engine trim position, trim tab position, fuel economy etc so i'm thinking 1/2 screen might be a bit cluttered.

[ML1]

By no means a specialist. Maybe it is as simple as during the sw update engine configuration has been reset and the engine configuration is for one (1) engine only. Is there a settings page where you can setup how many engines to show ?

[EuropeanAM]

Hate seeing these types of things after "updates".

[ThreeLittleFish]

MLi, yes there is....2 engines selected.