I am upgrading my legacy Raymarine MFD's to the Axiom series and decided that since the capability is available, I will also incorporate engine management parameters on the dashboard of the MFDs. The older Cats will require an EMU gateway. Unfortunately, from what I've read, I may need one for each engine unless someone knows otherwise. Anyway, I have looked at a couple including one from Actisense and another from Norland Engineering. I haven't yet looked at others like Maretron as of yet. For now, I would like a gateway to convert the analog sending unit signals to NMEA2000. Next year, maybe some fuel flow meters will be on the project list. Does anyone, with older engines, have any comments with respect to the type/manufacturer of these gateway EMUs? Any recommendations on which ones I should consider?
Gee, Pretty basic J1939. You are probably going to need a special gateway interface. I recall some Garmin kids on these threads going thru this. Think on Volvos but I recall a gatway for them also. Hopefully they can chime in here. I wonder if analog to digital N2K boxes, separate from the Cat litter, would offer a better package.
3116 is mechanically fueled so no J1939 protocol that I'm aware of. It is the EMU box I'm looking at. Actisense currently has ports for multiple, analog tach, gauges and alarms however, their literature indicates that a firmware update to support multiple engines is on the horizon. This tells me, I need one interface for each engine unless other manufacturers currently support multi engine inputs. Still reading.
Update. Noland Engineering in Melbourne, FL offers a unit (RS11) that will monitor twin engine set up with limited engine data input ports. They also offer a twin box set, at a slightly cheaper outlay (rather than buying two separately) that would be sufficient for most applications allowing you to connect up to 6 sources of engine/trans data each, plus tach inputs.
Which problem are you trying to solve? I owned a 1996 3116 powered boat for 17 years, and had no problems whatsoever with her VDO analogue gauges. A friend of mine now owns her, and the same still stands true now that the boat is 26 yo....
