300 APX - Half the Digital Gauges Not working

[Alman87]

The bluewave boat manufacture was so kind to look into the problem and found out that Suzuki have identified this as a software problem that needs a
'SMIS Engine Interface and 4-Inch Gauge Software Update" . Actually both the Bluewave Manufacture and the bluewave Rep have been just amazing in response and assistance in everything. From the info I got from them is the Suzuki link to download the needed patch see details below:

SUZUKI Marine Division
General Reference No. 44
March 17, 2016

SMIS Engine Interface Software Version 3.5.0 and 4-Inch Gauge Software Version 2.7.0 are now available for download at Suzuki - LOWRANCE | Marine Electronics for DF115A/140A, DF200A and DF250AP/300AP models with 310001 ~ 619999 engine numbers

[ChrigelKarrer]

I fear that the update can worsen the problem as you may get the ghost errors.

I am running:
Engine interface
Model 3.0.0
Software: 3.5.0 MR550R

SMIS 4'' Gauge
LMF-400
Ver. 2.7.1
Boot: 1-1.70
Build: MZ1561

The constellation above will lead to the ghost errors/alarms most probably also on your engine, but it seems that Lowrance/Suzuki updated the Engine Interface Software to 3.5.0 and this may fix the ghost error/alarm issue
I would wait installing the update you talk of until someone have verified that either the SMIS or Engine Interface software works flawless.
Unfortunately i have no access till end of November to my twin 2016 DF300AP, so someone other have to be the guinea pig.
But i contacted my dealership with your informations to see if they can verify this.

Chris

[Moonlighter]

And to add to what Chris said regarding the software updates, a dealer can install them via laptop. Or, you can install them yourself BUT to do so, you need a Simrad or Lowrance MFD on your network that has a SD card slot and is NMEA2000 capable.

Maybe the selling dealer can talk your local dealer through how to do it, but as Chris said, the software links they sent you are for the current versions that have caused real problems for Chris and others.

Another new update is expected/hoped for, soon, that should address these problems. Or, as he said, you could go with the C10 colour gauges. If they fog up and need to be replaced, it is very easy, just take them out, disconnect 1 cable, and plug the new one in.

[Alman87]

Steven from blueWave boats got me this solution from Suzuki that worked.

Initial response from Suzuki tech.

My guess is that the speedometer gauge is still set to the default “pitot speed” and needs to be reset to “ground speed” to function properly. The fluid level sensor needs to be configured to identify the fluid it is measuring is FUEL. Once that is done everything should work fine.

To set the speedo:
Press MENU
Choose CUSTOMISE and press ENTER
Scroll through to GROUND SPEED
Highlight and press enter… that should change indication over to the GPS.

To set up the fluid sender:
Press MENU two times
Scroll down to BUS DEVICES
Highlight and press ENTER
Scroll down to UNCFLS (don’t remember exact spelling but is an abbreviation for “unconfigured fluid sensor”)
Highlight and press ENTER
Choose FUEL and press ENTER
Enter fuel tank size and press ENTER
You should be able to hit the EXIT button several

[Alman87]

Now after doing the above steps it all worked fine till I set the fuel amount in the 2nd gauge, that's when the gauge got a "warning low fuel tank" alarm going off with a pop up warning. This shows in both gauges and it freezes the screen and disables all buttons.
Can someone tell me how to reset the SIMIS gauges

[Alman87]

Does anyone know how to do a hard reset on the SMIS Gauges? Kindly assist.

[Moonlighter]

Ok, dont ever try set the fuel amount in both gauges!

Remember, this is a networked system, and the "gauges" are just displays of what is on the network. You USE the gauges to set up the network, and most of those settings are held in the network, not in the gauges themselves. If you want to be strictly correct, all the fuel settings are held in the Suzuki engine interface cable's flash memory.

It does take a bit to get your head around this important difference - but let me explain it a little further like this:

If I have a SMIS display and a Lowrance HDS display both connected to my Suzuki network, and I go into the HDS menu and set the number of fuel tanks and the boat fuel tank capacity, then when I look at the SMIS display, it will already show the same data as was set in the Lowrance! Equally, when i use the boat and burn say 55 gallons of fuel, both the HDS and the SMIS will show fuel used as 55 gallons.

Even Further, when i go to the gas station after that and fill the tanks, and I go into the SMIS fuel menu and reset the tanks to full. Guess what? When I then look at the Lowrance HDS, the fuel tanks will show as full too, without me having to do anything!!

So, it follows that whatever settings you do in one SMIS will be picked up by the other one. In fact you could have 5 SMIS displays on your network and they would all see and display the same data!

So, where does that leave us now?

Its hard to be certain about whether what you have done has freaked the network out, or freaked the SMIS displays out. Probably, the network is the one that's freaked out and needs to be reset.

Try this. Turn everything off. Disconnect the battery and leave it 30 minutes then reconnect it again. Turn the engine key on, but dont start the motor. See what happens. If the SMIS gauges are then responding normally, go into one gauge's menu and check the fuel capacity is set correctly. Then leave ot alone.

If it is all still locked up, we have a real problem. Normally I would say to go into one of the SMIS menus, network, device list, select the Suzuki, select unconfigure then, reconfigure it from the start. If you still have problems try to do that. But if the SMIS are locked, maybe them we have to try resetting them to unlock them:

1. Turn the SMIS off (turn the network power off, or turn the engine key off if that is what powers the network and the gauges)

2. Press and hold the DOWN button

3. Turn the network on so the SMIS gauges come on.

4. Release the DOWN button after the TEST screen appears

5. Turn off unit.

You can then restart the network as usual.

[Alman87]

I tried the hard Reset but again the menu buttons freeze and I can't get past the locked screen that appears after I release the down button .. see image below.
All readings on my Furuno TZT2 are reading correct though including fuel levels.
Anything I can do to reset my SMIS gauges ... All buttons are just stuck and I cannot maneuver past any screen.

[Moonlighter]

Ok, it sounds like the network is OK but the gauges are not.

Did you disconnect the battery like I asked you to in my previous post?

If that doesnt work, then I am afraid you will need to talk to your Dealer about what to do. I suspect you may need to remove and send them back to the factory.

Those gauges are just Lowrance LMF 400 displays rebadged as Suzuki. Maybe a call to Lowrance support might get some advice on what to do.

[Alman87]

I did not disconnect the battery. I just switched off the battery switch is this not good enough?

What about updating the firmware using the Furuno TZT2?

I also have two more of the Lawrence Gauges from my previous boat (Evinrude - ICommand gauges). What if I connect them and do a firmware upgrade via the Furuno?
By the way, the Furuno identified the Fuel interface to be EP-65R Fluid Level

[Moonlighter]

Well, you know, if turning the battery switch off was enough, that is what I would have asked you to do.

No, you cant update any Suzuki, Lowrance (eg those i-command displays) or N2K network firmware using the Furuno. Impossible. Just accept that as a fact.

Look, really this has now gone beyond what can be solved by question and answer over a forum.

You need to go back to your dealer and ask them to help sort it out properly and comprehensively. This stuff has a reasonable degree of complexity and at times requires some expertise and hands-on attention, plus possibly using some of the network disgnostics. Its time to hand it over to the experts who can get in there and fix what can be fixed and replace anything else.

Good luck sorting it out. Do let us know how you go.

[Alman87]

Thank you and all