NMEA 2000 Engine Gateway YDEG-04 with M-35b

[Admiral_Swellson]

Hello everyone.  Has anyone here tried the Yacht Devices YDEG-04

https://yachtdevicesus.com/products/engine-gateway-ydeg-04

It's relatively inexpensive and comes with either SeaTalkNG or Devicenet connectors.

I believe my C34MKII's Universal M35B uses the standard J1939 connection?

[waughoo]

I would be moderately surprised if the universal had any of that data digitized.  Please keep us posted if you elect to go this route.  I have been interested to get as much of the boats data on a network so it can be available to wireless devices and also to potentially allow for remote monitoring.

[Admiral_Swellson]

Dang, you're right. This isn't at all what I need. It would need to be an analog to digital converter because there's no ECU on these engines.

This device should work: https://nolandeng.com/product/rs11-canbus-engine-data-converter/

More money tho. 

[Admiral_Swellson]

Here's a discussion where a guy on the C36 forum used the Noland RS11:

https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/nmea-2000-universal-m25

[MarcZ]

All engines used on C34 do not have any electronic management components so  YDEG-04 module in your post is not going to work

You would need something like :
  - AlbaCombi Engine Monitoring
or 
  - ActiSense  EMU-1 NMEA 2000® Engine Monitoring Unit   

to convert analog signals (temp rpm oil press )  to NEMA format

I agree that having even basic engine data on the network is cool but it is expensive and not really useful.

[Stu Jackson]

Here's a discussion where a guy on the C36 forum used the Noland RS11:

https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/nmea-2000-universal-m25

That "guy" is Les Troyer.  He has written a lot of technical articles for the C36 tech notes section in Mainsheet magazine.  Last year he was voted the C36 Commodore.  He's a really nice guy, and I'm proud to call him a friend.  He's done some nifty stuff to his M25.

[waughoo]

Here is the link to the RS11.  That sounds like a pretty cool way to do it.  The ability to set alarms and get the data up in front of the helmsman rather than down at his/her shins is pretty valuable.  The other cool thing is it can work of the existing gauges or power senders where you dont also want/have a gauge.  Slick!

https://nolandeng.com/product/rs11-canbus-engine-data-converter/

[Admiral_Swellson]

With the data in the stream you're only limited by software. I want to log the data and program engine hour alarms/reminders and chart temperatures, fuel consumption, etc... Not because of need, just geeky fun. I think the RS-11 seems like the most flexible and economical route for our engines.

[Kyle Ewing]

I wonder if you can use the RS11 as a tank monitor.  It seems the extra analog inputs (three remaining after you use fuel, oil pressure, voltage) could be connected to analog fluid level meters.  It would then be up to software to designate the right information (i.e  water 1, water 2, waste, etc).

Open CPN has an engine instrument/tank plug-in that the RS-11 could feed. I imagine chartplotters have similar options.

Practical use would be another set of eyes, especially if someone less experienced is at the wheel while you're down below.  You can set the software water temp alarm for lower value than the buzzer and catch a problem before it forces engine shut-off.

[waughoo]

Not because of need, just geeky fun.

I have to agree!  I just like messing around with this kind of stuff.  It's a bit like a giant arduino project.

I talked to a friend of mine who is also doing this sort of thing with legacy engines and he said the one he settled on was the Actisense over the RS11 however, he could no longer remember why.

https://actisense.com/products/emu-1-nmea-2000-engine-data/

[MarcZ]

Alba Combi is way easier to calibrate and can monitor more signals then Actisense EMU-1

http://www.albacombi.com/

Unfortunately I cant find any unwanted reasonably prices examples of that device

[Admiral_Swellson]

High level comparison that may or may not be useful as there are many more complex differences that may matter to you. My take at this point, unless someone can change my mind is that the EMU-1 is a non-starter based on price because of cable needed, so it's between AlbaCombi and NL-RS11.

For our engines, I'm not sure you could make use of all that the AlbaCombi can do, so for me it's still the RS11 as the best value, great reputation, does everything (I think?) I need. Can I use more than 6 analog inputs on top of RPM?

[wingman]

Robert, I've also gotten interested in digital engine data. Any update on this project?

[Admiral_Swellson]

Sorry, it's on the back burner for now. Currently doing solar, lithium, inverter, etc. I'll post some project photos when I'm finished.