Onan generator on NMEA?

[j98052]

Anyone put their Onan generator on NMEA2000 network? I have an Onan 17MDKBP.

 

[dtfeld]

Looks like it has a network communication capability onboard, but can't tell if its a proprietary communication for the remote or a NEMA2K network capability. Worst case, you can get sensor interface units to monitor everything, but not cheap or easy.

 

[ttmott]

The generator may have come with the options to monitor on Smartcraft or may have not. If your boat has the simple two switch generator start/stop sequence switches the option probably is not added to the gen-set. So, first you need to evaluate if the Network Interface Module (NIM) is installed in the unit; this will allow either a J1939 or Smartcraft interface to be added. The NIM connects to connector J10 inside the control housing then either a Smartcraft or J1939 adapter harness is required from the NIM to the interface. Then to convert either a Smartcraft to NMEA 2000 converter or J1939 to NMEA 2000 converter is required. I would suggest to convert from the J1939 to NMEA 2000 format are much less expensive devices; even though it's still around a $1000 mod
The service manual, parts manual, and marine accessories manual have all of the details for the modification.

 

[j98052]

I have SmartCraft and the generator is hooked up to it.

 

[ttmott]

I have SmartCraft and the generator is hooked up to it.

There should be a NMEA 2000 interface behind your Vesselview display which is connected to the Smartcraft network which will have any data that has a NMEA PGN. Or, you can install a Mercury Smartcraft to NMEA2000 gateway. In either case the Smartcraft must contain the data for the generator parameters and the NMEA device must be able to read the Smartcraft parameters and translate them into the NMEA 2000 PGN formats.

 

[j98052]

I’m fairly certain my Vessel View runs on NMEA 0183, but I will check the interface.

I already have the Mercury Smartcraft to NMEA gateway, but I don’t believe the generator is hooked up.