Suzuki/Lowrance NMEA 2000 Interface

[Moonlighter]

Hi

I'm a new member here and very pleased to find heaps of useful info.

Thought I'd try to add to the knowledge base with some info about the Lowrance/Suzuki NMEA engine interface cable and fuel flow data problems.

I established an NMEA 2000 network on my boat and connected the 2009 DF115 4 stroke to the network, along with 2 x Lowrance HDS5 units. The problem I experienced, along with many other people, was fuel flow data that was extremely inaccurate - as much as 4 times fuel being reported as used compared to actual. No amount of recalibrating of the fuel flow would improve the situation.

To cut a long story short, the culprit turned out to be glitches in the software on the engine interface cable. We eventually got an update file from Lowrance in the USA, uploaded it onto the interface cable via the HDS, and the problem has been solved.

So anyone out there having similar problems, I suggest that you check which version software is on your interface cable.

You can check which version you have by opening the bus devices menu on your network gauge/sounder, selecting the Suzuki device and going to the calibrate screen - the software version details are found there. NOTE: this is NOT the software on your GPS or gauge, it is actually on the interface cable itself.

If you do not have version 2.30 or later, then well worth while doing the update. Lowrance has it, or PM me and I can provide it to you, unless of course the *****istrators would like to post it here on this site for everyone to access!

Cheers

ML

[Moonlighter]

An update on this old post:

The software on the interface cable turned out to be only a part of the problem. It solved the issue of the interface not retaining the engine hp/year settings, so that was a step in the right direction.

However, the problem then became getting the Lowrance HDS5's to properly calibrate the fuel used data.

The HDS was reading about 10-15% less fuel used than the actual, an no amount of recalibrating fixed it - in fact, recalibrating made it worse!

To cut a long story short, the problem is not with the interface, the Suzuki or the network - it is a faulty fuel recalibration equation in the software in the Lowrance HDS units. I proved this by temporarily adding a LMF400 gauge to my network and doing the fuel recalibrate proces with that - worked perfectly first time, whereas numerous attempts to do the same thing on the HDS failed miserably.

So, anyone with HDS units on your NMEA2000 network - I suggest that you do not attempt to recalibrate your fuel flow using the HDS - if you have Suzuki SMIS or other displays on your network use them, not the HDS. Even earler Lowrance LMS series units work fine, its just the HDS software as far as I can tell that has the software glitch.

Lowrance has been advised of full details and is "looking into it". I hope they see the fault and sort it out in time for the next HDS software update.

Cheers

ML

[Burrei]

Suzuki interface software

Hi,

I would be most grateful if you are able to provide me with the software update for the Suzuki interface cable.

Many thanks

[Moonlighter]

Suzuki engine interface update

Hi there

Sed me a message to my private email address (below) and I will forward it to you.

grantbennett8@bigpond.com

Cheers

Grant

[Moonlighter]

By the way, the latest software update for Lowrance HDS Gen1 units looks like it has fixed this problem. Still testing, but looks good.

Cheers

Grant

[Harper]

Thanks, Grant.....

[billfish33]

How is the update done ?

Lowrance sent me updates for Both the interface cable,and the lmf-400 gauges. I have 2 separate cards for the updates.

How did you guys perform the update ? .I have a 2009 DF-300, with a pair of lmf-400 gauges,as well as a lowrance hds-7 connected to the network.

on the lowrance HDS-7 I got to the device listing ,and can see eveything there,I then scrolled down to highlight the engine interface,hit enter and it shows the software at 2.0,and that my 2009 motor is listed as a 2007 ? When I tried to change it, it Reverted back to the 2007.

There was an option to unconfigure ?? not sure what that was for, but I couldn't find where to upload the file that was on the card ??

it's much easier updating the HDS-7 software as it runs at startup, and that is now at 4.1

Sure hope you guys can help me out

Thanks,
Bill
------------------------------------------------
EDIT :

Was sent the procedure via email !

[deacon]

Moonlighter
I have 2021 dual150 suzuki's and a garmin 1243xsv, I installed nmea 2000 system with sds dual engine adapter harness # suz-990c0-88132 and a interface cable # 990c0-88149-357 a power cable and a 4 port backbone connector with two terminator's one male and one female and a backbone cable to the gps, I had to change the plug on the adapter harness to accept the interface cable plug I installed the wire's how I thought they should be but the gps does not recognize the engine's, could I have put the wire's in the wrong place's

[Moonlighter]

Slow down a bit!

Some punctuation would make this a WHOLE lot easier to read and follow…. Just sayin’ !!

Question: what gauges do you have now, if any? Analogue or ???

Some general important points about setting up Suzuki emgine networks:

1. You need 1 Interface cable FOR EACH ENGINE.

2. with the correct adapter cable there would definitely be no need to change any plugs. SimI have no idea what plug you changed, where it was or why you changed it.

For the fly by wire engines, this is the correct adapter cable. Connects to the gauge harness in place of analogue gauges.
https://www.brownspoint.com/store/pc/Dual-Engine-Adaptor-38p63577.htm. The interfaces will plug directly into the white plugs on this cable.

If your engines ARE NOT FLY BY WIRE MODELS then that is NOT THE RIGHT ADAPTER CABLE !

3. at the engine end, the harness that goes to the dash has to be connected to the SDS plug. I havent played much with the AP (fly by wire) models but I think that the harness connection at the engine still needs to be changed from the standard analogue plug, across to the SDS plug so that digital data goes to the dash. This means that analogue gauges, if previously connected, will no longer work.

4. once the network is installed and the interface cables are connected to the dual engine adapter harness, you MUST CONFIGURE THE NETWORK using a Suzuki C-10 gauge or a Lowrance or Simrad display eg a NSS or HDS model. The configuration cannot be done on your Garmin. UNTIL ITS CONFIGURED IT WONT WORK.

Please read the attachment to the sticky thread at the top of the forum on Suzuki networks, it explains all of this stuff in more detail. If you still have questions after that, come back and ask.

I will make it easy - here is a link to the sticky thread
https://www.suzukioutboardforum.com/...a2000-networks

[Dragsmoker]

Was wondering Moonlighter if you knew the correct software versions/part numbers for the Connect gateway and interface cables to be used with 2022 year model DF200AP fly by wire engines. Just found out today that the motors I ordered a while ago will most likely be 2022 year models. Will find out for sure in a few days when I go get them. Looking to connect the twin engines to new Go9 simrads to display data and from what I have read I think I need a Connect gateway cable and an additional interface cable To hook them to the harness (I already have the N2K network). The latest versions I see are 990C0-88171 for the gateway, and 990C0-88149-357 for the 3.5 version interface. Btw I can find neither of these available anywhere for sale. Backordered at all locations I found!! Hoping if indeed new ones are needed they might be available somewhere?? Thanks and sorry if this post is not in the appropriate place, or if i needed to start a new topic, I am a newbie.

[Moonlighter]

Was wondering Moonlighter if you knew the correct software versions/part numbers for the Connect gateway and interface cables to be used with 2022 year model DF200AP fly by wire engines. Just found out today that the motors I ordered a while ago will most likely be 2022 year models. Will find out for sure in a few days when I go get them. Looking to connect the twin engines to new Go9 simrads to display data and from what I have read I think I need a Connect gateway cable and an additional interface cable To hook them to the harness (I already have the N2K network). The latest versions I see are 990C0-88171 for the gateway, and 990C0-88149-357 for the 3.5 version interface. Btw I can find neither of these available anywhere for sale. Backordered at all locations I found!! Hoping if indeed new ones are needed they might be available somewhere?? Thanks and sorry if this post is not in the appropriate place, or if i needed to start a new topic, I am a newbie.

Starting a new topic is easy.

on the main page where all the threads are listed, near the top there is a pale blue box for starting a new topic. Click it and go from there.

anyway yes those are the current versions as far as I know. Its common to have to order in the Connect cable, dealers dont usually hold them in stock. The others are usually available, but heck, in these pandemic days, anything goes…

Try Brownspoint Marine or Precision Suzuki Marine.

You will need the twin engine adapter cable that I mentioned in my earlier reply to Deaxon.