argus1
Member
- Apr 12, 2015
- 196
- Boat Info
- 2011 350 Sundancer
- Engines
- MerCruiser 377 MAG ECT w/Bravo III Drives, Axius
I asked this question before, but now I am really curious. What is the advantages of Can Bus system (EIM) over discrete switches? From my reading, I understand Can Bus saves money on installation because various electrical and electronic systems use the same wiring backbone, share information and can communicate with each other. For example, the NMEA 2000 system is a type of Can Bus system that the marine industry standardized. However, on the Sea Ray the actual wiring to the devices from the EIM Box is discrete (each device has a separate wire) from the 40 pin connector out to the boat, so that is not an advantage. And, there is no communication between the devices controlled by the EIM. The only advantage of the EIM Can Bus, that I can determine, is the ability to have a fancy custom switch keypad on the dash of the boat.
As for the disadvantages of the EIM Can Bus is that it is sensitive to electrical overload, current surges, under current, electrical spikes, stray current and near lightning strikes; malfunctions are difficult to diagnose and the system cannot be repaired. On a boat, the fact that you cannot repair critical safety equipment like navigation lights, that seems extremely stupid. It is not like a car, where you can pull over to side of the road if your driving lights fail. In a boat, at night, in a busy harbor or out on the high seas, if you have a failure with your lights and can not repair them, that could lead to a real disaster.
As for the disadvantages of the EIM Can Bus is that it is sensitive to electrical overload, current surges, under current, electrical spikes, stray current and near lightning strikes; malfunctions are difficult to diagnose and the system cannot be repaired. On a boat, the fact that you cannot repair critical safety equipment like navigation lights, that seems extremely stupid. It is not like a car, where you can pull over to side of the road if your driving lights fail. In a boat, at night, in a busy harbor or out on the high seas, if you have a failure with your lights and can not repair them, that could lead to a real disaster.