timjet
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,920
I currently have a Garmin 740 and a Raymarine E90W MFD. I use the Garmin for navigation because it’s brighter screen and easier route viewing and data presentation make it better suited for this than the Ray unit. I use the Ray unit for radar, video ER monitoring, AIS, MARPA and autopilot coupling. This is a good setup as the Garmin always displays nav data, important on the FL west coast with the many narrow channels and shoal areas. I play with the Ray unit switching between video, radar and autopilot control.
I am thinking of installing a actisense engine monitoring unit (EMU). EMU-1: Engine Monitoring Unit .
This unit converts the analog data from the engine sensors on my Cummins 6BT 330 to NMEA 2000 that can be read and viewed on both the Garmin and Raymaine MFD’s. I would have to set up a NMEA 2000 backbone and currently the EMU would convert RPM, oil pressure and water temperature to NMEA 2000 that I would display on the MFD’s. Strangely the Ray unit has no alarms, but the Garmin unit does. I would set up the Garmin unit to alarm when oil pressure or water temp exceeds a value I would set before the analog alarms settings are reached. I estimate the cost to do this to be about $650.
I’m wondering if this is the best use of this money for engine monitoring? For this money I could install EGT gauges, and perhaps a low raw water flow sensor. I already have boost and a Borel raw water high temp alarm. I’m also considering installing a coolant temp alarm/gauge that senses coolant temp closer to the top of the engine than the factory installed coolant gauge. I’ve heard the location of this sensor will likely indicate an overheat problem before the factory installed one but not sure where the takeoff for this is. I take engine readings everyday and monitor oil pressure and water temp pretty closely.
[FONT="]What do you guys think?[/FONT]
I am thinking of installing a actisense engine monitoring unit (EMU). EMU-1: Engine Monitoring Unit .
This unit converts the analog data from the engine sensors on my Cummins 6BT 330 to NMEA 2000 that can be read and viewed on both the Garmin and Raymaine MFD’s. I would have to set up a NMEA 2000 backbone and currently the EMU would convert RPM, oil pressure and water temperature to NMEA 2000 that I would display on the MFD’s. Strangely the Ray unit has no alarms, but the Garmin unit does. I would set up the Garmin unit to alarm when oil pressure or water temp exceeds a value I would set before the analog alarms settings are reached. I estimate the cost to do this to be about $650.
I’m wondering if this is the best use of this money for engine monitoring? For this money I could install EGT gauges, and perhaps a low raw water flow sensor. I already have boost and a Borel raw water high temp alarm. I’m also considering installing a coolant temp alarm/gauge that senses coolant temp closer to the top of the engine than the factory installed coolant gauge. I’ve heard the location of this sensor will likely indicate an overheat problem before the factory installed one but not sure where the takeoff for this is. I take engine readings everyday and monitor oil pressure and water temp pretty closely.
[FONT="]What do you guys think?[/FONT]