Lowrance HDS unit to Mercury

[Welaka]

Is there a interface cable available yet to hook merc motors to lowrance HDS units.

[BamaBasser]

Unfortunately not, have to have the MercMonitor and then network it to the HDS.

[EuropeanAM]

A Level One (exports data only) or a Level Two (allowing both Import AND Export of data) MercMonitor Kit is the way to accomplish this.

Unfortunately, several large "un-named" resellers of HDS units have been improperly trained, and we're receiving MANY reports of consumers being told "you can just plug this in to your engine" (which is NOT accurate).

The "Gateway" that translates Smartcraft (CAN) Data to NMEA-2000 is part of the MercMonitor.

We'll be happy to assist you with selection of (and customization of) a system that will suit your specific needs. Feel free to give me a call!

[Hydrasports196]

I have a Mercmonitor installed by Don and assure you you will love it!
There are many variations of what you can display on a Lowrance unit.
This is what I used for testing prop selections on my boat last year.
It is so easy to just look at the data in one place instead of trying to look at three gages.

[Lpolk]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Hydrasports196 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I have a Mercmonitor installed by Don and assure you you will love it!
There are many variations of what you can display on a Lowrance unit.
This is what I used for testing prop selections on my boat last year.
It is so easy to just look at the data in one place instead of trying to look at three gages.

</td></tr></table> I wasn't aware of that, pretty neat

[Baja 252]

I just put this photo up in the Lowrance Forum but it fits here also. Don hooked me up with the Merc Monitor so the info screen of my HDS 8 would display Smartcraft information. Everything you need in one spot.

[EuropeanAM]

Very nice, Bill!

One of the nice things about the newer NMEA-2000 GPS units is that you have OPTIONS on how you display data.... and can "pick and choose" the data you do (or do not) want displayed.

You also have options on how large that data might be (which is real handy for those of us whose vision is... well let's just say "challenged").

[1ManShow]

Compaired to the Smartcraft gauges, do you get any additional information that the smartcraft gauges don't show?

[mbrien]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Hydrasports196 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I have a Mercmonitor installed by Don and assure you you will love it!
There are many variations of what you can display on a Lowrance unit.
This is what I used for testing prop selections on my boat last year.
It is so easy to just look at the data in one place instead of trying to look at three gages.

</td></tr></table>Can you display this information on a lowrance using a "Level One" mercmonitor? Thanks

[EuropeanAM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by mbrien &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Can you display this information on a lowrance using a "Level One" mercmonitor? Thanks</td></tr></table>

Yes. A Data Level ONE or higher MercMonitor (Version 5.0) will have the capability to EXPORT engine data over a NMEA-2000 Network.

Although there are a few additional data items in the Level 2 MercMonitor... the biggest difference in the Level 2 is that it allows for IMPORTING GPS data back to the MercMonitor also (COG, GPS Speed, LON, LAT). VERY simple setup if you want to see GPS speed on the MercMonitor.

As for the question on whether this shows any additional information: The MercMonitor displays ALL Smartcraft Information. Level One and above units allow you to "export" the information that's already on the MercMonitor, for display on a NMEA-2000 device.

This is ESPECIALLY nice in rough conditions.... crowded waterways, or anytime you're unfamiliar with the area you're in. You can actually "overlay" pertinent data on your GPS Maps (such as GPS speed, RPM, Water Temp and Water Pressure), allowing you to only need to monitor the GPS Screen (so that you can keep your eyes primarily on the water, objects, and other boats around you).

[SNUFFY]

Ok Don ... Ive just about techno overloaded my pea brain trying to figure all this out over the last few days.....Hopefully you can get me headed the right way.
In May of `09 I bought a new Pr0XS 225 and decide to outfit it with the then fairly new Merc Monitor v4.0. When my dealer/mechanic couldn`t get a MercMonitor I consulted with you and purchased the set-up I needed from you at a great price and completed the install. I remember talking with you about hooking my Monitor to the Lowrance 332c I had at the console and best I remember it was a little iffy if it would work....but I believe we put a "t" in the sytem for future use. The dealer installed it all with the new engine so I can`t say for sure about the "T" but it`s the kind of thing I would do...even if we were not sure if would be used.
Jump to 2011....I bought a Lowrance HDS-7 and SideScan and am moving the 332c to the bow and retiring the 15+year old x-70. I would like to be able to see the Monitor data on the HDS-7 for the reason you just stated.....can be a little hard to look at the Monitor when running at speed. I`m not sure about the level 1& 2 you are talking about so I`m a little lost. I had just about decided against the NMEA because I don`t think I`ll need to network the 332c and the HDS 7 since I can rotate the 7 and see it from the bow. No real advantage that I can see to connect the 2 units. But from what I have been reading I`ll have to network anyway if I want to get the Monitor data to the HDS7.???
There you have it....I hope!! What do I need to get to make all this work together...hopefully?
One more question....I had a problem with the 332c turning itself off at times while running at speed and never could figure out if it was wiring problem (powered from the Bullet switch panell accessory switch) or a voltage problem with the electro sucking ProXS....I`m thinking I will pull a separate dedicated line from the Battery to power the HDS7,LSS-1,and possibly the NMEA if needed. Would I be better to pull from the Trolling Batts or stay with the Starting Batt
Sorry for the long post....had all this swirling in my head for a couple of weeks now and trying to get everything I need together before I start to install all this stuff. Thanks in advance for any help !

[EuropeanAM]

Pat:

I think it would be easier to address your questions via phone. Your unit is NOT an NMEA-2000 compatible unit.......

[SNUFFY]

Thanks Don ....I was afraid of that when I saw the reference to MercMonitor v5...that`s my luck !! If I switched to a "v5" MM would it be just a plug the existing cables into the new one or would a rewire the new one have to happen ??
Is there a particular time frame that would be better to call you???

[EuropeanAM]

We'd be replacing the MercMonitor, and it's harness (but not the data harness run front to back in the boat).

Pretty straightforward. I'm in all day today and tomorrow....

[mbrien]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by EuropeanAM &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Yes. A Data Level ONE or higher MercMonitor (Version 5.0) will have the capability to EXPORT engine data over a NMEA-2000 Network.

Although there are a few additional data items in the Level 2 MercMonitor... the biggest difference in the Level 2 is that it allows for IMPORTING GPS data back to the MercMonitor also (COG, GPS Speed, LON, LAT). VERY simple setup if you want to see GPS speed on the MercMonitor.

As for the question on whether this shows any additional information: The MercMonitor displays ALL Smartcraft Information. Level One and above units allow you to "export" the information that's already on the MercMonitor, for display on a NMEA-2000 device.

This is ESPECIALLY nice in rough conditions.... crowded waterways, or anytime you're unfamiliar with the area you're in. You can actually "overlay" pertinent data on your GPS Maps (such as GPS speed, RPM, Water Temp and Water Pressure), allowing you to only need to monitor the GPS Screen (so that you can keep your eyes primarily on the water, objects, and other boats around you).

</td></tr></table>Don I have the Level ONE MercMonitor and a lowrance 522c iGPS. Can you tell me what is needed to connect the MercMonitor to the Lowrance so that I can display engine data on the lowrance? Thanks, FYI-Back in March of 2010 when I purchased the mercmonitor from you, I came across the write up by Bassinhound that pointed out how to have the MercMonitor interface with the Lowrance to display GPS on the mercmonitor. I was successful with the install and can display GPS on the mercmonitor.


Modified by mbrien at 9:06 PM 1/5/2011

[EuropeanAM]

Mark:

Specific instructions for the NMEA-2000 link will vary, based on the type of NMEA-2000 network you have in your boat.

The Level ONE (and higher) MercMonitor kits COME WITH a "tee" and a terminating resistor. These are provided to allow you to directly connect/link the MercMonitor's NMEA-2000 cable to a "Single GPS" system (example: GPS unit, attached directly to a GPS puck, or a GPS unit that has a NMEA-2000 port on the back, with an internal GPS antenna).

You're simply "teeing" into the line between the unit and the puck (or the plug at the back of the unit).

You then need to set up the MercMonitor's Gateway settings to "Transmit".

Finally, you will need to configure the GPS to look for other NMEA-2000 devices. Once configured, it will see the MercMonitor as a "Mercury Switch".

You can then select the data items you wish to view, and set up your GPS to display them (as you deem fit) via the directions in your GPS Owner's Manual.

Note: Some single-trunk (multi-unit) systems may require that the NMEA-2000 network be powered (if no power node is present). Consult your system's installer to determine whether or not a power node is present (on multi-unit systems). Additional/different "tees" or terminating resistors may be required in such installations.

I hope this has been helpful.... if you need further assistance, please contact me directly.

[mbrien]

As always Thank You Don! I will look into this when I get home from work today. I'll let you know if I'm successful.

Thanks,
Mark

[BamaBasser]

Hey Don, how are you? Do you have the inside track with Mercury to get the word to them that we have a need for a MercMonitor Gateway without the MercMonitor gauge. For me (and quite a few others from what I'm hearing), I/we want the MercMonitor's information abilities and will be viewing them on the large screen of our HDS's, but I don't want or need the MercMonitor gauge. I have no desire to tear apart my dash just to install a gauge that I will never use due to it's small size of the data when I can get it all on the large screen of the HDS. I would just be hooking it into the network and then hiding the gauge in the with the batteries. It seems like a easy thing for Mercury to build, same guts as the Level 2 MercMonitor, without the gauge, just a little brain box is all that would be needed, that could be mounted anywhere and should be at quite a cost savings as well. Anyway, just my point of view. It seems funny you can directly hook most all of the other brands of outboard to the your network, but not the Merc's.

[EuropeanAM]

This has been discussed many times. Due to the proprietary nature of Smartcraft Technology, the decision was made that the gateway would be available ONLY in the MercMonitor (which is the least expensive of Mercury's higher-line instruments, and also the most compact).

One of the problems with the "simple brain box" gateway is that you would not have a user interface to CONFIGURE the data you used and/or exported. For instance... turning certain sensors on or off, configuring the TYPE of sensor, calibrating trim, calibrating fuel tanks, etc. etc. would all be nearly impossible.

I don't expect we'll see a major change in this area in the near future....

[BamaBasser]

Thanks Don, I guess I do have a need for it then, even if it is only for calibrating everything. Still don't know where I'll end up throwing it once I'm done with all of the calibrating. I looked at where you thought I would be able to mount it with out removing current gauges and having to rebuild the dash, but I don't have that flat area you mentioned in front of the gear shift. I'll get it figured out once I'm back in the boat in a few months. Thanks for all of your help. Drew