Systems Interface?

[Turtlesboat]

Chelepop, now that iphone is coming out with their 3.0 software next month(ish) with much stronger interface support through the dock connector, what are the chances of Sea Ray/Mercruiser comming out with a systems app that will plugin in and give you a nice detailed readout of the systems and performace of the engines?

I for one would LOVE to be able to be able to see how everything is performing on my boat with maybe a history so I can spot a trend or alert me to something that might need to be looked at.

It looks like it could be a relatively easy thing to impliment and would take so much of the guesswork out of boating and maint. Owners could email captures to their service managers and keep on top of service and problems without lugging your boat over and have someone hookup a laptop.

I also think it could minimize very costly breakdowns that really turn boaters off to boating.

It could analyze engine hours and RPM's and alert the owner as to how much life is left in the oil. It can spot problems with say the IAC valve and alert the owner to a performace drop so they can have it looked at before it dies when you are in the middle of docking. It can keep track of fuel consumption vs RPMS and spot performance problems. Temp fluctuations, water pressure. All sorts of things.

You can incorporate NMEA wifi broadcast to see a 100 other things as well.

It's all there just waiting to be looked at, all we would need is an app to read it, and a connector to interface into that connector laying on top of my engines.

Mercruiser already has the software, they just need to port it over and display some graphs.

 

[Pseudomind]

I agree with your post TurtleTone, I know the mechanic here has a computer he hooks to my engines, similar to what today's cars have under the dash and it tells him much information

I would like to know what the program is and if it can be purchased. I believe all it uses is a serial connection

I have the Mercruiser 8.1 s engines 370 HP

Thanks
:thumbsup:

 

[Turtlesboat]

There's a company that already wrote an iphone/itouch app that will plug into your OBD connector under your dash and give you a complete readout. I'm sure it's a similar system on our boats.

 

[fc3]

Mercury's system is entirely proprietary. Good luck getting them to open it up to anyone or for anything. If you want a scan tool, you can get one from Rinda. I have one and it's good.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Turtlesboat]

won't work on MPI engines.

I know it's proprietary, but I'm begging Sea Ray to think beyond the box. Open it up and put sea ray in the lead. These are tough times in the boating market and making a boat more user friendly and accessible will not only help the boater, but also the manufacturer.

 

[Newbie]

I for one would love it but it will never happen. Could you imagine all the calls service dept's would deal with? My iphone says this, my Iphone say that, why do I need that? My Iphone doesn't say I do...........

 

[Pseudomind]

Mercury's system is entirely proprietary. Good luck getting them to open it up to anyone or for anything. If you want a scan tool, you can get one from Rinda. I have one and it's good.

Best regards,
Frank

Ok I am dense, but if I am reading you correctly this Rinda application will work on the Mercruiser 8.1 engines?

Diacom's site does not state that it will specifically work with Mercruiser :huh:

So if I have a notebook and a bit over $600.00 just lying around, I could use this?


Don't even go there :smt043:smt043

 

[Newbie]

The Rinda supposedly works with MPI engines with the correct unit. Another option is to scan eBay for an OTC 4000 enhanced, usually around 100-150 then buy the cable and chip for it from Merc at 160 and 180 each. You will then have 4 line display of the ongoings of your engines vs the one of the Rinda. AFAIK, merc's DDT scanner is just a rebadged OTC monitor, looks identical. SB

 

[chelepop]

Sounds like a good idea Turtle, but this is not my area of expertise. What SR and MC implement is what they decide behind closed doors. Plus if you could self diagnose where would MC make a buck? Just my logic.

 

[fc3]

Mike,

SeaRay just installs the engines Brunswick tells them that they have to use. Mercury designs the electronics and they don't care if the customer wants an open standard, like NMEA 2000.

Yes, the Rinda scanner will work with the 8.1 engines with Merc's MCU. I called Rinda about upgrading mine. I was told that it was easy. Just a chip swap and some new cables. Oh yeah. One other thing too, they wanted $150 for the upgrade, so I didn't do it as I don't have those engines.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Turtlesboat]

when do we get a mercruiser rep on the forum?

 

[fc3]

Go beat up on them at the boat show.