Updating SMIS & Engine Interface Software

[pcheesesteak]

Moonlighter:

I have a 2007 DF300 and the 4" SMIS guages. These are all at the software version when they were installed in 2007/8, SMIS says 1.0.0, and I don't know for the engine interface.

Two questions about updating the software in both:

What would be the advantages?

What would be the disadvantages?

A third question, if you please; what would be your recommendation?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[Harper]

Hi pcheesesteak.....

Moonlighter will check in this evening or overnight. In the meantime, you might provide him just one more piece of information...is everything working properly now, with your current software versions? Lowrance recommends that you not update your software unless you are experiencing problems, so if all is working as it should, I would leave it alone. If you are having issues, then an update might help, and Moonlighter can certainly help you with advice on that.

[pcheesesteak]

Re: Updating SMIS & Engine Interface Software

Harper, thanks for the input.

Yes, everything does appear to be working properly with the exception of the fuel usage. In my reading of an extensive thread about Suzuki & SMIS, this issue was resolved with one of the software updates.

Also, one of the service bulletins noted that a software update added an engine temperature readout, something I'd like to have.

[Harper]

Okay. The update in 2009 included engine temp, so for that reason alone, you'd want to update the software. One bit of info; it will likely take several calibrations to get an accurate fuel flow/fuel usage reading, even with new software. If you don't have the manual for your multi-function gauge explaining the engine calibration processes, I can post the pdf version for you.

I'll let Moonlighter take it from here. He knows a lot more than I on the subject.

[Moonlighter]

Hi there

As Mike said, updating the SMIS gauges to get the engine temp data would be worthwhile. Version 2.5 is the latest one that I have a copy of.

Regarding fuel flow, how far out is it now? If its within say 10% or so, then calibrating like Mike said will likely be the best course of action.

If, however, it is reading absolutely rediculous fuel flow, like double or triple, then yes, its a software issue and loading a more suitable version is worthwhile.

Note: on some of the earlier interface software versions, the problem with fuel flow was that the network was not retaining the engine year and hp settings. This resulted in overly optimistic fuel flow readings because it usually reverted to a Df40! So check your Interface configuration to see what engine it is showing if thats the case and let us know.

Finally, to update the software you will need a Lowrance HDS or Simrad on the network (you can attach one temporarily to do the update) that has a SD card slot. This is the simplest way to do the update yourself. I can send you the files, copy to a SD card and go from there. Pretty simple to do.

The alternative is to take it to your dealer (and hope that they understand the NMEA 2000 stuff because many of them have no idea, unfortunately) and they can do the updates for you via their laptop.

You can also find the most recent software updates on the Lowrance website here:
Www.Lowrance.com/Suzuki

They now have the interface Version 2.8.0 available there. But they do not have the older Version 2.30 that works so well with older engines in simple single engine installations. Supposedly, 2.8.0 works with both the new and old engines, but since I have not yet had feedback from anyone who has tried it on pre-2010 engines, I cant be sure.

The actual update files are a little difficult to find on the above link, but if you are a bit computer savvy you can find them! The trick is to click on the link, run the executable and then go into Windows explorer, open the emulator files and keep looking until you find the folder that has the actual update files. They all end in the file extension ".luf" and have names that make it quite obvious which device they are for.

[pcheesesteak]

Re: Updating SMIS & Engine Interface Software

Harper, Moonlighter,

Thanks, both of you, for your help.

I don't have a Lowrance HDS or Simrad to use for the upgrade, so I'll have to figure something out. I do live near Browns Point Marine Service, so maybe I'll have them do the upgrade. (Cheaper to buy a used HDS vs. dealer?)

Thanks for pointing me to the upgrade files. I did D/L them and was able to locate them.

[Moonlighter]

No problem.

Version 2.8.0 would be worth a try on your interface. If you do go that way, please come back and let us know the result.

Browns-point should be able to take care of you. I think they charge about $40 to program a cable so you should be able to work something out with them for a reasonable cost. Say hello to George for me - at one stage I did talk to him on the phone about some issues we had with the earlier software.

[pcheesesteak]

OK, I purchased a Lowrance HDS5 Gen2 off Ebay, and plan to update the devices myself. Logic: I'll resell it when I'm done.

I understand from another thread that I should update each device individually (1 engine interface, 3 SMIS's), rather than trying to update all 3 SMIS's at once.

Can you confirm that I'm on the right track?

Thanks!

[Moonlighter]

Correct! Definitely only do one SMIS gauge at a time. Because they are powered by the network, you will have to disconnect them from the network, leaving only one connected, update it, then disconnect that one, connect another, and so on.

Same with interface cables - if you have more than one on the network, only turn one engine on at a time (not running, just the key to the on position), do the update, then turn it off and turn the other one on and do it.

[pcheesesteak]

I suppose I should have asked this question earlier before I bought a Lowrance HDS5 Gen2.

What model Lowrance do you need to upgrade the SMIS and Engine Interface?

In the above mentioned Lowrance, there is no "browse" option I can find in the menu system to browse the SD card. The manual does not mention a browse option either.

[Moonlighter]

Fear not, your gen 2 HDS can and will do the job!

Now let me think......

Press the pages button and use the arrows to scroll around to the page that gives you Utilities.

On this page you then select Files.

Now you will see file locations listed like you see in Explorer on your pc.

Select Memory card, and when you open that you will see the .luf file that you saved to the sd card. Highlight that, hit enter, and then follow the prompts to install the update to the required device.

More info - see page 21 of the HDS owners manual.

Cheers!

[pcheesesteak]

Moonlighter, of course you are correct, thanks. I was too focused on finding it the Settings menu.

So this weekend I plan to attempt the upgrade. I'll post how it went.

Thanks again for all your help.

[pcheesesteak]

Update

So, I finally got a chance to upgrade, and the upgrades went well.

I upgraded:

3 Suzuki LMF400 guages (now v2.5)
1 Suzuki Engine Interface (now v2.8)
1 Suzuki EP-15 Fluid Level Sensor (now v2.10)

I upgraded one at a time, with only the HDS5 Gen2 Headunit and one device connected together. Upgrading took about a minute per device, and it went perfectly.

Now I'll have see how the fuel consumption is working.

Moonlighter, Harper, thanks again for your help and guidance. You made this a success!

[RoddyScott]

Well how did it work?

[Moonlighter]

Just a guess of course, but no news usually = good news!