Analog to NMEA 2000

[PNWPederson]

I have a 1970 GB 32 with a Lehman 135 motor. I would like to bring the engine information such as temperature, pressure to my chart plotter, which is currently a Garmin. Has anyone used one of the analog to NMEA 2000 convertors to get the signals to the chart plotter?

 

[Bob Cofer]

Take a look at this thread, I did that conversion on Ebbtide and it's in it.

Transformation Continues

And the work goes on. Roof is re-skinned, bad spots are repaired, stripping the rails is progressing quite nicely. Installed a new N2k network and cleaned up the last of the wiring mess. This weekend is fill all the scene holes and seal everything, sand and prepare for epoxy and fiberglass...

www.trawlerforum.com

 

[PNWPederson]

Take a look at this thread, I did that conversion on Ebbtide and it's in it.

Transformation Continues

And the work goes on. Roof is re-skinned, bad spots are repaired, stripping the rails is progressing quite nicely. Installed a new N2k network and cleaned up the last of the wiring mess. This weekend is fill all the scene holes and seal everything, sand and prepare for epoxy and fiberglass...

www.trawlerforum.com

Thanks for the information, Bob. I will need to have you come by and take a gander at my boat one day when it's a little warmer!

 

[AnsleyS]

I did this with the:

NoLand Engineering, Inc.
MODEL RS11 c4
NMEA2000 Engine Data Converter

 

[CaptTom]

I run the NoLand RS11 too. Probably a much older version than what's available today. I installed it in 2016 and haven't really thought about it since. Shows engine information just fine on my Garmin chartplotter.

 

[Satch]

What devices (transducers) do the actual sensing to provide signals to this unit prior to packaging up the data to send out over the NMEA bus? What are its inputs? Voltage? Is it merely a multichannel A/D converter?

The hard part is the front end sensors on the engine itself, not the signal processing. How is that done on a 45 year old diesel engine with nothing digital on it? Put simply, what exactly do you attach to the input terminals? Is it as easy as taking the analog signal wires off of the original, existing oil pressure, coolant temperature, and engine RPM sensors and attaching them to this unit? And if so, is the precision and accuracy of these sensors adequate compared to any modern retrofit options that might exist?

 

[CaptTom]

Put simply, what exactly do you attach to the input terminals? Is it as easy as taking the analog signal wires off of the original, existing oil pressure, coolant temperature, and engine RPM sensors and attaching them to this unit? And if so, is the precision and accuracy of these sensors adequate compared to any modern retrofit options that might exist?

Yes, you just connect to the sensors on the engine. I left some of my analog gauges connected, too. You calibrate them during setup, and they'll be at least as accurate as the gauge (or whatever you calibrated to.)

I'm speaking about old, analog engines here. Obviously newer engines with digital gauges might be a different story.

Download the installation manual for whatever brand you're looking at, it should explain all this.

 

[AnsleyS]

I attached leads to the sensor wires at the gauges on the helm. Then calibrated the unit to each gauge to show the proper digital read out. This way I didn't have to ruin any wires from engine to helm.

 

[drewc]

Have you looked at Antisense EMU? https://www.hodgesmarine.com/actemu-1-actisense-engine-management-unit-analog-nmea20.html

 

[BDofMSP]

I attached leads to the sensor wires at the gauges on the helm. Then calibrated the unit to each gauge to show the proper digital read out. This way I didn't have to ruin any wires from engine to helm.

The NoLand site says:
"The RS11can be used with existing analog gauges or as a replacement for them. Current sources within the RS11 will power resistive sending units where gauges have been removed or new senders (without gauges) have been added"

I looked at this in the past and wrote it off becasue I didn't want to lose the physical gauges and couldn't easily add extra sensors for everything. Are you saying you can run this off the inputs to your analog gauges and have both?

 

[Bob Cofer]

The NoLand site says:
"The RS11can be used with existing analog gauges or as a replacement for them. Current sources within the RS11 will power resistive sending units where gauges have been removed or new senders (without gauges) have been added"

I looked at this in the past and wrote it off becasue I didn't want to lose the physical gauges and couldn't easily add extra sensors for everything. Are you saying you can run this off the inputs to your analog gauges and have both?

That is how I installed it on Ebbtide. Put the old gauges in the ER as a backup and read everything via plotter on the helm.

 

[AnsleyS]

The NoLand site says:
"The RS11can be used with existing analog gauges or as a replacement for them. Current sources within the RS11 will power resistive sending units where gauges have been removed or new senders (without gauges) have been added"

I looked at this in the past and wrote it off becasue I didn't want to lose the physical gauges and couldn't easily add extra sensors for everything. Are you saying you can run this off the inputs to your analog gauges and have both?

Yes. I left my analog gauges at the helm and tapped in their data feeds at the back of each gauge. I still have the gauges for a quick look and now have the digital data to integrate into MFD screens.

 

[BDofMSP]

Yes. I left my analog gauges at the helm and tapped in their data feeds at the back of each gauge. I still have the gauges for a quick look and now have the digital data to integrate into MFD screens.

That's great news. I'll look into this again. Thanks!
BD

 

[HeartWarrior]

I have a 1970 GB 32 with a Lehman 135 motor. I would like to bring the engine information such as temperature, pressure to my chart plotter, which is currently a Garmin. Has anyone used one of the analog to NMEA 2000 convertors to get the signals to the chart plotter?

So I have been chasing this project since I purchased my boat 5 years ago. (Island Gypsy 40 with twin Lehman 225 turbos). It has always been a want, no so much a need. I have good competency in electronics and computers so I am not confused as to what is required with the project. After playing and trying with almost all the units on the market to make these conversions from analog to digital (nema 2000) compatability, the most important thing is configuarable cabability of the converter to match the sensors. I spent a lot of time trying to work the other direction and find the sensors that are suppose to match the no programable converters, but found it mostly futile. right now I have my oli pressure and colannt temp conveted using a cheap converter. Early on I was able to use the single specific conveters that Garmin sells for this purpose. (Fuel tanks, rudder angle, trim tabs). These were all plug and play. I was able to convert my fresh and black water sensors using Yacht ID. I have my tachs the last item and I am leaning towards getting the Acusense EMU. Overall it seems like the best unit with the most flexibility and programing capibility. I will move my oil and coolent sensors over to it so I can dial in the calibration. It also turns out my engines and transmission have a few extra places to install some other sensors which I will also explore. Its been a fun project. I love my Lehams and have no desire for an engine with any type of electronics. 1 wire to start it and 1 wire to shut it down. Doesn't get any easier than that.

 

[more]

NMEA 2000 Multifunction Converter
this work and easy

New Nmea 2000 Multifunction Converter /n2k Converter Single/dual Up To 13-18 Sensors Signal For Boat Yacht Marine Converter - Cables, Adapters & Sockets - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

more complex is KUS NKC42 Network Converter

 

[BeeJay]

I also used Noland on an old Ford using existing sensors with no issues. Only chose Noland as I noted that they were in Melbourne which I thought would be the best option for both freight and support if needed. I now know that there is a Melbourne in USA and Australia. So now I have instruments on my MFD and Ipad (including rudder position which is handy) and my geography is slightly improved.

 

[mcarthur]

Tried the Chetco Seaguage which worked for a while but seems now kaput (no email response from seller/maker . Trying a Halmet out now and it seems to work well for a LOT less, but note you need to be ready to program a little.

 

[Mambo42]

I installed Actisense on my 2 x 120 FL. I connected the actisense in the back bone of my Raymarine, so now I have engine instruments on the fly bridge via the Axiom and in the pilot house I have kept the analog instruments, but can still show the instruments on the Axiom.
Next task is to connect the tablet and phone to the network so that I can also read out instruments on them.

 

[hytedin]

Tried the Chetco Seaguage which worked for a while but seems now kaput (no email response from seller/maker . Trying a Halmet out now and it seems to work well for a LOT less, but note you need to be ready to program a little.

That’s disappointing. Was this recently?

 

[PNWPederson]

So, I went to the Seattle International Boat Show a week ago and came back with some good information that will help me plan my electronics build.

First of all, as I already have a Garmin 943 and a Garmin fuel flow sender, I went and spoke with the Garmin reps about what I can and cannot do. I was taken aback as to how rude and dismissive they were. I asked if I can run the 943 on the flybridge with an iPad down below and I was told that it would be laggy and unusable. Ok. I then asked about connecting an analog to MDEA 2000 converter to the Lehman engine and then into the MDEA backbone to view on the Garmin and I was told they don't condone that. Nothing else about if it would work. Really? I then asked about using my old house WIFI cameras (Wyze) on the Garmin WIFI network to see into the engine room and he said no, but we have super expensive cameras you can buy that will work. This is how you treat your customers? I felt like because I was just a single buyer that I wasn't important at all.

I ended up going to the Raymarine booth which was very helpful. He said that I can mirror an Axiom with an iPad, no issues at all except the Axiom has to be turned on. No problem. I asked about the analog converter and he instantly said yes, people do it all the time and it works. Told be to look into Noland or Actisense. He also mentioned that the current Raymarine electronics can work with the older Raymarine and Raytheon products on my boat with minor upgrades. Asked about using the Wyze cameras on the Axiom network and he said yes. He asked about the cameras, like the idea and is now interested in them because they are so inexpensive. It was awesome and very informative. I will now by taking my business to Raymarine and will probably save at lease a few thousand doing it.

 

[JackConnick]

Are the Wyze cameras wired with Ethernet or just wireless? My understanding is that Wi-Fi cameras will not work on Raymarine, just wired, and it kind of depends…

 

[PNWPederson]

Are the Wyze cameras wired with Ethernet or just wireless? My understanding is that Wi-Fi cameras will not work on Raymarine, just wired, and it kind of depends…

They are WIFI only. I mentioned that to the rep and he said that it would work. Hopefully he isn't mistaken. That being said, this is a side benefit, the first two issues were more important to me.

 

[NoRain]

What was the rep’s name? (Eric maybe?)

 

[mcarthur]

That’s disappointing. Was this recently?

Yes, within last 2 months. I've replaced internal fuse, etc.
I've just got an ESP32 that I'm programming to listen/send CAN messages so I can see what - if anything - is coming out of the N2K port of the Chetco. It did use to work. The ESP32 is actually to control the 3000W 48V-12V converter via CAN, but I can reuse for the N2K.

 

[more]

So, I went to the Seattle International Boat Show a week ago and came back with some good information that will help me plan my electronics build.

First of all, as I already have a Garmin 943 and a Garmin fuel flow sender, I went and spoke with the Garmin reps about what I can and cannot do. I was taken aback as to how rude and dismissive they were. I asked if I can run the 943 on the flybridge with an iPad down below and I was told that it would be laggy and unusable. Ok. I then asked about connecting an analog to MDEA 2000 converter to the Lehman engine and then into the MDEA backbone to view on the Garmin and I was told they don't condone that. Nothing else about if it would work. Really? I then asked about using my old house WIFI cameras (Wyze) on the Garmin WIFI network to see into the engine room and he said no, but we have super expensive cameras you can buy that will work. This is how you treat your customers? I felt like because I was just a single buyer that I wasn't important at all.

I ended up going to the Raymarine booth which was very helpful. He said that I can mirror an Axiom with an iPad, no issues at all except the Axiom has to be turned on. No problem. I asked about the analog converter and he instantly said yes, people do it all the time and it works. Told be to look into Noland or Actisense. He also mentioned that the current Raymarine electronics can work with the older Raymarine and Raytheon products on my boat with minor upgrades. Asked about using the Wyze cameras on the Axiom network and he said yes. He asked about the cameras, like the idea and is now interested in them because they are so inexpensive. It was awesome and very informative. I will now by taking my business to Raymarine and will probably save at lease a few thousand doing it.

GPSMAP 8612XSV​

accepts control input from external touch screen​

 

[hytedin]

Yes, within last 2 months. I've replaced internal fuse, etc.
I've just got an ESP32 that I'm programming to listen/send CAN messages so I can see what - if anything - is coming out of the N2K port of the Chetco. It did use to work. The ESP32 is actually to control the 3000W 48V-12V converter via CAN, but I can reuse for the N2K.

The lack of Response from Joe is disheartening.

 

[hytedin]

The lack of Response from Joe is disheartening.

I was looking at their most recent version that came out last fall.

 

[mcarthur]

I'll let you know if I find out what's happened to mine

 

[hytedin]

Thank you!