Add ICOMMAND

[SteveHall]

I wanted 2 of each gauge so it filled the holes already in the console.

Water speed
Tachometer

Trim
Fuel


Now at the moment I have no gauges at all, and a rats nest of cables.

So to get me started, with useable gauges that would enable me to be on the water I would need...

3.5 inch I Command gauge
15ft EMM data cable
Terminator kit
Power supply kit

Network Cable 25ft -?

Later I could then add the trim cable and the water pressure sensor

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

So to get me started, with useable gauges that would enable me to be on the water I would need...

3.5 inch I Command gauge
15ft EMM data cable
Terminator kit
Power supply kit

Network Cable 25ft -?

Should be able to cobble something together out of that lot.

[SteveHall]

whats the Network Cable 25ft for?

I thought it was all T-connectcotrs to create a back bone - so whats this for?


Think I have worked it out?

Is this for the water pressure sensor?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

whats the Network Cable 25ft for?

I thought it was all T-connectcotrs to create a back bone - so whats this for?


Think I have worked it out?

Is this for the water pressure sensor?

It all depends on how you set up the network. The EMM cable connects the engine to the network, so you either have to get the EMM cable to the network (in console) or, extend the network into the engine cowl (via network cable). If you take the emm cable to the console, if you add a water pressure sensor in the future, you have to take that cable to the console as well. I think that there is only 1 length of emm cable, which is not long enough to reach into most consoles from the engine. I ran a network cable from each engine into the console.

This is the place to start click on the network design tool & choose "start from scratch"

you are looking at something like this

[SteveHall]

But a 15ft EMM cable seems really long to leave in the engine cowl. I think I can reach the console with 15ft.

Do you have to reprogram the EMM to work with the network?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

But a 15ft EMM cable seems really long to leave in the engine cowl. I think I can reach the console with 15ft. I agree, but it's a thin cable & coils up small & tucks into the cowl. Plus if you add water pressure later, you don't have to pull the water pressure cable into the console, iirc the water pressure cables are only 6' long so won't reach the console, so you finish up having to put a network cable in anyway. Nobody said it was easy

Do you have to reprogram the EMM to work with the network? Nope, plug & pray

See above

[SteveHall]

Cheers! After I've sorted my new Lowrance HDS units to replace the dead ones I currently have I will start to pick these up in the new year, gradually...

[SteveHall]

Whats the difference between red / blue / black plugs?

Found something - http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/nmea-20...lue-40608.html

[9D280]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

But a 15ft EMM cable seems really long to leave in the engine cowl. I think I can reach the console with 15 feet

I had to find a space for 2 10 foot ones. I ended up with about 8 foot s worth of coil wedged in between two spark plug leads with no ill effect.

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Whats the difference between red / blue / black plugs?

Found something - http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/nmea-20...lue-40608.html

You should be able to use your existing LGC2000 however you will need to convert the plug from blue to red since all the new kit will come with red connectors. The "easiest" way to do this would be to cut off the blue connector and fit a Maretron field-installable connector which then plugs straight into the t's. I have an unused terminator kit and a power cable, you're welcome to both for £20 inc postage

I would say the water pressure sensor is unnecessary for your engine, however the trim on the network we find to be quite useful.

Have you considered what sort of plotter to put alongside?

The Garmin GMI10 is a lot better that the iCommands and you can pick them up for about £150 if you shop around, perhaps one of those would be better than the 2" iCommand?

[SteveHall]

Can you PM me details on the kit you have available.

I have just ordered a new HDS 5x gen 2 and HDS 5x gen 2

[SteveHall]

Finally got round to starting this project, ordered most of the kit for the NMEA 2000 network, just on the look out for 'cheap' gauges.

[SteveHall]

Well I've thrown the cables down the deck to see if it's working!



And all seems to be well, as I can now get hours on the HDS, and other information - but without starting the motor it's all just zeros



I don't get trim though, any idea's

Then it will be removing the old wires I don't (think) I need!

[Pikey Dave]

you might need to modify the existing wiring harness to get trim info over N2k. Have a read through this lot for starters

[kwil]

If you keep the old analogue trim gauge no need to modify harness. But you may have to calibrate the trim using the diagnostic program as it will not read correctly via NMEA 2000 until you have.

Keith

[SteveHall]

Dave. That link is just taking me to a search page, what key words did you use? Thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Dave. That link is just taking me to a search page, what key words did you use? Thanks

Ooops! try icommand trim

[SteveHall]

I went down to my electrical component store today and got a 7watt 47 ohms resister, connected it all up then calibrated the trim level - and now all working - miles better than spending £181 on a new harness.

Thanks guys! I've just got to tidy up the old unused looms now!

[SteveHall]

Anyone answer another of my i command related questions. Thanks!

I have got my setup almost how I want it! and I'm really excited to go out on the water again, but I have no gauges at the moment, the old analogue ones were faulty and the lowrance LMF gauges may have to wait a few months due to funds.

Is it OK to run with no gauges? What happens with engine alarms? I had it all connected up today and using the ev diag I clicked an alarm lamp test expecting my HDS units to go mental but nothing happened! I checked the HDS settings and engine alarms were all enabled, but nothing - is it because this is purely a lamp test? How can I test an alarm condition?

The old buzzer is still connected to the loom - and this didn't buzz - can't remember if it did previously.

[Pikey Dave]

IIRC triggering an alarm with the diagnostic software will only light up the corresponding LED on the EMM. A genuine fault should bring up a message on the HDS, it does on my old Raymarine kit.