TZT3 NMEA connectivity to Tohatsu Outboards

[Gale Force]

My Tohatsu outboards each have a short NMEA backbone consisting of three Tees under my console. Will it be possible to include these into the NMEA backbone of my TZT3 unit? Just wondering if I can get engine info to show on my MFD.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Many times Engine buses will be proprietary and not considered certified NMEA 2000. Some run at voltages beyond what is allowed by 2000. Ultimately, you would need to talk to the manufacturer and see if they are NMEA 2000 compliant. In some cases you might need a gateway to bring the data over to the MFD normal 2000 network. So while the bus might be similar it might not be appropriate to directly connect. You would want to talk to the Engine company and the should be able to advise you properly.

 

[Gale Force]

Many times Engine buses will be proprietary and not considered certified NMEA 2000. Some run at voltages beyond what is allowed by 2000. Ultimately, you would need to talk to the manufacturer and see if they are NMEA 2000 compliant. In some cases you might need a gateway to bring the data over to the MFD normal 2000 network. So while the bus might be similar it might not be appropriate to directly connect. You would want to talk to the Engine company and the should be able to advise you properly.

Thank You. Getting the complete system installed is priority one. Then I can check on engine input compatibility. Appreciate the response.

 

[wkearney99]

I have a Tohatsu 30 and it'll send regular N2K data.

Bear in mind that using your chartplotter to display engine data is often a bad plan. It's generally a good idea to keep important engine data visible at all times. This means either losing databoxes alongside the charts, or switching back/forth. Switching means you don't have data in front of you.

If you want to consolidate things, a round Veratron display is also a good choice. That's what I went with for my Highfield CL360 dinghy. Consolidates a bunch of engine data, and leaves other displays free to display charts. Though on the dinghy I didn't go with a plotter, as there's no room for one with the wrap-around helm.