E-Tec NEMA 2000

[dg263]

I have twin E-tec 200 hp HOs, and have been working to set up a Lowrance NEMA 2000 bus on my boat. Only one of my twins (port) will output NEMA data. I posted this a while ago, and the advice was to have my dealer activate the NEMA output on the starboard engine. My dealer has tried to do this, but says that you need to have the I-Command tachometer installed before he can tell the engine if it is startboard or port, and activate the NEMA output. I have read about many people intalling Lowrance NEMA 2000 guages, and I have never heard about this. I called BRP customer service and they were not able to help me. They advised me to have the technician call them. I asked if they could recommend a dealer in the Tampa area who is more familiar with the NEMA output than my dealer, but they could not. The technician does not seem interested in calling BRP for help. It doesn't make sense to me that you need an I-Command tachometer to activate the NEMA 2000. Can someone offer me some help? Thanks.

[RUSTY63]

Humm, while I don't have an answer at this time I will see what I can find to help with this problem.

As you can imagine I talk to quite a few people everyday so help me help you, remind me with an IM, Email or post.

[mead]

your dealer is mistaken. He can assign the engine position as instance 1 for the starboard engine without an I-Command Tach. The Port engine is default, instance 0 which is why the port works.

[AquaMarineNJ]

dg263

"mead" knows his stuff so try your dealer again or another dealer.

[Twin200z]

I have lived & survived the NMEA 2000 ups & downs.

When I repowered with the ETEC's & ICOMMAND's my <U>dealer</U> designated the engines as "port" & "starboard". It is my understanding that they must do this during the setup, not necessarily from the ICOMMAND guages but from their laptop connection. I will ask the mechanic that set mine up as he is a personal friend. I do know that I can change each specific ICOMMAND guage to display either Port or Starboard readings, but that coincides with whichever motor I choose to display. It does not change the ID of the motor.

Another issue I ran into with the network set up was that I had a difficult time finding out the correct wiring for the NMEA CAN BUS plug that comes from the ETEC's to connect to the NMEA NETWORK. Now that I think of it I had to splice (Plug n Play) off of my ICOMMAND guages to get the NETWORK talking. I originally fabricated a cable (based on BRP info, other Boat owners, etc) and in my application IT DID NOT WORK. When I spliced off of the ICOMMAND to my Raymarine GPS/DEPTH combo machine, everything talks back & forth.

Oh, BRP nor any other big corporation (including Lowrance) is very helpful or knowledgeable with the whole NMEA 2000 network setup. Lowrance will tell you that you need all of their components, BRP kinda stays out of it. I researched online & trouble shot the whole thing based on some helpful individuals around the state of Florida. It wasn't easy, but the "Network" is VERY nice once it is up & running !

Let me know if you have any other questions. I will ask about the engine ID thing this week & reply.

[AquaMarineNJ]

There is a engine to lowrance cable adapter available from BRP, if you know the part number. No cutting & splicing required. Yes, there is help from BRP for dealers to set up the NEMA 2000 stuff. At least we got very good support from BRP with the ones we did. I do know that "mead" that posted above knows alot more about the topic so take his advice if he has time to give it.

[RUSTY63]

If your dealer has not informed the EMM'S of both motors where they are on the transom then your guages will not perform as needed.

[dg263]

I switched dealers, and like many people said it was no big deal. The technician from the other dealer designed the port engine as port, and the startboard engine as starboard. He also downloaded the latest software into my engines. He called after he completed the job, I checked them out and they are fine.

Thanks to everyone for all of the help.