1997 370 DA Electronics Upgrade

[midexp]

I don’t have the gateways…yet. But @RollerCoastr does and it is sweet. Hopefully he’ll swing by again and share some photos of his setup.



Like so many great threads on CSR…this one is getting pretty spendy all the sudden

How come you have 2 Garmans?

 

[Stee6043]

How come you have 2 Garmans?

Usability. And there's room for two

Most of the time I run two views of the course I'm taking. One zoomed in so I can see the particulars around me, one zoomed out so I can see the entire route. I also have a Fusion head unit so I can also switch to controlling the music with one if needed. I also run one of the plotters in statute miles, the other in nautical miles.

I look forward to adding a third soon!

 

[RollerCoastr]

How come you have 2 Garmins?

Usability. And there's room for two

I look forward to adding a third soon!

I was just about to answer for you: "because I haven't added the third one yet".

I am in the process of installing the Fox Marine computers in my 400 and plug into my Garmin741. I see you have 2. Can I see engine data for both engines at the same time with just 1 Garmin?

Yep - no problem. The limitation you'll run into won't be with twin engines, but the 741 software. It does offer engine data display configurations, but only a fraction of what the newer generations can do. The 741 will look something like this:

In contrast, the generation after that (742 etc) offer a nearly endless combination of layouts and views. There are many different layout choices and each data source can live in nearly any spot you want.

IMO the newer software makes the best use of engine data, but my 741 has a long-term home on my dash because of the "Media" button and compass views that the newer versions lack.

In ideal and familiar cruising conditions, the 12" will be plotting, the 741 is set to media unless I'm on AP at which point it's showing the compass and the 742 is showing fuel/engine data. In compromised conditions, Media and fuel/engine take a back seat the the units share duties of plotting, radar, overlay and compass. I could honestly make use of a 4th display if I had room.

 

[370Dancer]

A little late to this conversation. I've had many configurations over the last 18+ years on Beach House II.
I was the beta tester for Fox Marine gateways with MEFI-1, then MEFI-3 and MEFI-4B ECMs. I now have the set with the optional oil pressure senders. Don't leave that out.
I had to fabricate a crossover cable from NMEA 2K to SeaTalkNG. Same data, just different hardware.

I had a cracked dash panel from years of moving stuff around, so a few years ago, I used the old ones as templates, and made new for the gauges and instruments, and vinyl wrapped them. It's getting time to re-visit that.
Here's my current setup. Pardon the mess. I have other things I'm working on at the moment.
I have a raymarine 240 VHF that I haven't installed yet. Still thinking about where I want the handset and plug in. where the old one was (lower left) I have a full set of Westerbeke gauges that will go to the generator, with a remote start/stop control.

Yes I have a gimble mount A95. I still like the RL80CRC, and the PO had a forward looking sonar mounted there.

Quite a while back, I replaced the individual analog gauges with quads, and matching tachs. I never found a silver face synch gauge, so the original remains. To get rid of the unreliable +fluxgate heading sender for the autopilot, I replaced the compass with a KVH digital. The whole autopilot system immediately came to, and started obeying without drifting or losing heading signal.

Both units can show navigation data. A95 is STng, so it can also do all the NMEA 2K stuff. The RL80 also runs my DSM 300 sounder, and analog radar. I rarely use radar for where I am going. Occasional fog.

The lower cluster is comprised of a ST8001 Autopilot with steering knob, 2 ST-70 MFDs mainly for the Fox Gateway engine data, and an old Master View MFD, which can repeat all kinds of stuff, but I use it as my sounder when the RL is doing something else.

A couple of unique things: First, a dual gang 12v station for hand held spot (which I never use), and a dual USB plug with volt meter. That shows me house battery voltage without having to leave the helm. The panel display below it is tied to the Generator 120v side. Shows me voltage and frequency of my A/C power at a glance.

I still have an old school analog stereo, with wired remotes at the helm, and the aft coaming locker (along with a set of speakers facing rear). I use multiple input switching to route anything from Bluetooth to the Sunday NFL game from the TV throughout the boat across 5 zones (independent switchable amps for each zone)

And, lastly, a homemade digital fuel pressure gauge, constantly monitoring rail pressure on both engines, and a temp gauge that is currently tied to the genset. That will turn into something else when I get the Westerbeke gauges installed. Also, I replaced the ACR spotlight controller with the newer one that automatically exercises the up/down left/right stepping motors once a month. I've never caught it in action though.
Yes, it's a little ragged, but I have a new best friend with a CNC shop. I am looking at replacing all of the switch covers with MARKED, back lit covers to eliminate the need for the lettering on the panels. already did it on one of the smaller boats, and I like it a lot.

 

[Ramblin' Guy]

A little late to this conversation. I've had many configurations over the last 18+ years on Beach House II.
I was the beta tester for Fox Marine gateways with MEFI-1, then MEFI-3 and MEFI-4B ECMs. I now have the set with the optional oil pressure senders. Don't leave that out.
I had to fabricate a crossover cable from NMEA 2K to SeaTalkNG. Same data, just different hardware.

View attachment 118754
I had a cracked dash panel from years of moving stuff around, so a few years ago, I used the old ones as templates, and made new for the gauges and instruments, and vinyl wrapped them. It's getting time to re-visit that.
Here's my current setup. Pardon the mess. I have other things I'm working on at the moment.
I have a raymarine 240 VHF that I haven't installed yet. Still thinking about where I want the handset and plug in. where the old one was (lower left) I have a full set of Westerbeke gauges that will go to the generator, with a remote start/stop control.
View attachment 118744

Yes I have a gimble mount A95. I still like the RL80CRC, and the PO had a forward looking sonar mounted there.

View attachment 118745

Quite a while back, I replaced the individual analog gauges with quads, and matching tachs. I never found a silver face synch gauge, so the original remains. To get rid of the unreliable +fluxgate heading sender for the autopilot, I replaced the compass with a KVH digital. The whole autopilot system immediately came to, and started obeying without drifting or losing heading signal.


View attachment 118746

Both units can show navigation data. A95 is STng, so it can also do all the NMEA 2K stuff. The RL80 also runs my DSM 300 sounder, and analog radar. I rarely use radar for where I am going. Occasional fog.

View attachment 118747

The lower cluster is comprised of a ST8001 Autopilot with steering knob, 2 ST-70 MFDs mainly for the Fox Gateway engine data, and an old Master View MFD, which can repeat all kinds of stuff, but I use it as my sounder when the RL is doing something else.

View attachment 118749

A couple of unique things: First, a dual gang 12v station for hand held spot (which I never use), and a dual USB plug with volt meter. That shows me house battery voltage without having to leave the helm. The panel display below it is tied to the Generator 120v side. Shows me voltage and frequency of my A/C power at a glance.

View attachment 118750

I still have an old school analog stereo, with wired remotes at the helm, and the aft coaming locker (along with a set of speakers facing rear). I use multiple input switching to route anything from Bluetooth to the Sunday NFL game from the TV throughout the boat across 5 zones (independent switchable amps for each zone)

View attachment 118751

And, lastly, a homemade digital fuel pressure gauge, constantly monitoring rail pressure on both engines, and a temp gauge that is currently tied to the genset. That will turn into something else when I get the Westerbeke gauges installed. Also, I replaced the ACR spotlight controller with the newer one that automatically exercises the up/down left/right stepping motors once a month. I've never caught it in action though.
Yes, it's a little ragged, but I have a new best friend with a CNC shop. I am looking at replacing all of the switch covers with MARKED, back lit covers to eliminate the need for the lettering on the panels. already did it on one of the smaller boats, and I like it a lot.

Did you find a vinyl pattern that worked well and matched the existing dash? I'm thinking I'm going to have an interim dash panel for this year, and don't really want to lay out a lot of cash for a hydro dipped panel if I'm going to trash it. I've been trying to find raw panel stock that would look good in that area.

 

[techmitch]

Did you find a vinyl pattern that worked well and matched the existing dash? I'm thinking I'm going to have an interim dash panel for this year, and don't really want to lay out a lot of cash for a hydro dipped panel if I'm going to trash it. I've been trying to find raw panel stock that would look good in that area.

Slice away https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Blank-D...cphy=9007459&hvtargid=pla-1383920437670&psc=1

 

[370Dancer]

Did you find a vinyl pattern that worked well and matched the existing dash? I'm thinking I'm going to have an interim dash panel for this year, and don't really want to lay out a lot of cash for a hydro dipped panel if I'm going to trash it. I've been trying to find raw panel stock that would look good in that area.

hard to match the rest of the panels when they are as faded as they are.
If it's a one year program, you might consider black or white. If you are going to wrap instead of machining a new piece, R-Vinyl has been pretty good to me. Re-did an entire SLK320 dash and console with it.

 

[Ramblin' Guy]

A little late to this conversation. I've had many configurations over the last 18+ years on Beach House II.
I was the beta tester for Fox Marine gateways with MEFI-1, then MEFI-3 and MEFI-4B ECMs. I now have the set with the optional oil pressure senders. Don't leave that out.
I had to fabricate a crossover cable from NMEA 2K to SeaTalkNG. Same data, just different hardware.

View attachment 118754
I had a cracked dash panel from years of moving stuff around, so a few years ago, I used the old ones as templates, and made new for the gauges and instruments, and vinyl wrapped them. It's getting time to re-visit that.
Here's my current setup. Pardon the mess. I have other things I'm working on at the moment.
I have a raymarine 240 VHF that I haven't installed yet. Still thinking about where I want the handset and plug in. where the old one was (lower left) I have a full set of Westerbeke gauges that will go to the generator, with a remote start/stop control.
View attachment 118744

Yes I have a gimble mount A95. I still like the RL80CRC, and the PO had a forward looking sonar mounted there.

View attachment 118745

Quite a while back, I replaced the individual analog gauges with quads, and matching tachs. I never found a silver face synch gauge, so the original remains. To get rid of the unreliable +fluxgate heading sender for the autopilot, I replaced the compass with a KVH digital. The whole autopilot system immediately came to, and started obeying without drifting or losing heading signal.


View attachment 118746

Both units can show navigation data. A95 is STng, so it can also do all the NMEA 2K stuff. The RL80 also runs my DSM 300 sounder, and analog radar. I rarely use radar for where I am going. Occasional fog.

View attachment 118747

The lower cluster is comprised of a ST8001 Autopilot with steering knob, 2 ST-70 MFDs mainly for the Fox Gateway engine data, and an old Master View MFD, which can repeat all kinds of stuff, but I use it as my sounder when the RL is doing something else.

View attachment 118749

A couple of unique things: First, a dual gang 12v station for hand held spot (which I never use), and a dual USB plug with volt meter. That shows me house battery voltage without having to leave the helm. The panel display below it is tied to the Generator 120v side. Shows me voltage and frequency of my A/C power at a glance.

View attachment 118750

I still have an old school analog stereo, with wired remotes at the helm, and the aft coaming locker (along with a set of speakers facing rear). I use multiple input switching to route anything from Bluetooth to the Sunday NFL game from the TV throughout the boat across 5 zones (independent switchable amps for each zone)

View attachment 118751

And, lastly, a homemade digital fuel pressure gauge, constantly monitoring rail pressure on both engines, and a temp gauge that is currently tied to the genset. That will turn into something else when I get the Westerbeke gauges installed. Also, I replaced the ACR spotlight controller with the newer one that automatically exercises the up/down left/right stepping motors once a month. I've never caught it in action though.
Yes, it's a little ragged, but I have a new best friend with a CNC shop. I am looking at replacing all of the switch covers with MARKED, back lit covers to eliminate the need for the lettering on the panels. already did it on one of the smaller boats, and I like it a lot.

So, I'm thinking that I'll axe everything on that panel but the new Raymarine Axiom 7. I could leave the old chart plotter interface, but that seems like I wouldn't use it - I could just use Navionics on an iPad to go along with the Axiom. With this, I'm also axing the ST60 Tridata display, so I'll have no dedicated depth gauge. I was hoping to not mess with the transducer in the bilge, but if I get rid of the head unit I can't input that into the Axiom. With that said, I guess I get a new transducer with the Downvision to boot and use the Axiom for depth as well. I'm probably going to need more displays in the future, but this is what's making sense to me for now.

 

[370Dancer]

If you are going to lose the 6xxx radar, you won't need the chartplotter interface, and you would hate it by today's standards anyways. I'd keep the Tridata, even if you throw it behind the helm and display on your other devices. the Axiom won't read Sea Talk directly, I don't believe. You'll need the little magic hub with a yellow port and the correct cable.

 

[midexp]

I was just about to answer for you: "because I haven't added the third one yet".



Yep - no problem. The limitation you'll run into won't be with twin engines, but the 741 software. It does offer engine data display configurations, but only a fraction of what the newer generations can do. The 741 will look something like this:

In contrast, the generation after that (742 etc) offer a nearly endless combination of layouts and views. There are many different layout choices and each data source can live in nearly any spot you want.

IMO the newer software makes the best use of engine data, but my 741 has a long-term home on my dash because of the "Media" button and compass views that the newer versions lack.

In ideal and familiar cruising conditions, the 12" will be plotting, the 741 is set to media unless I'm on AP at which point it's showing the compass and the 742 is showing fuel/engine data. In compromised conditions, Media and fuel/engine take a back seat the the units share duties of plotting, radar, overlay and compass. I could honestly make use of a 4th display if I had room.

Roller, the image you show of the 741 only displays one engine. But my question was - can the 741 display both engines on the same screen?

 

[RollerCoastr]

It’s two - each column is an engine. Port is #1 and stbd is #2.

 

[Ramblin' Guy]

When and where does everybody get the best prices on electronics? I'm looking for 'sale season' to start, but it may not this year b/c the market is so good. I'm Dutch - I need a discount!

 

[jmauld]

Boemarine gave me a price that beat other online prices and shipped it for free. Plus the owner also owns clubsearay.


Also, you can get a smart transducer that broadcasts the depth on the nmea2000 network. Doesn’t work for fishing, but if all you need is depth it’s a great solution.

Also also, I went with the axiom+, which I really like. But if you’re upgrading an old system the axiom pro gives you a built in nmea0183 connection, two seatalkHS ports and a connection to use a cheaper GPS antenna instead of a GPS receiver. The built-in GPS receiver on a MFD will likely have difficulty under a hard top. Its a solid upgrade over the axiom non pro units. This isn’t to say the axioms are bad, but in some situations you could save a little in the long run with an axiom pro.