Pacemaker Fishing Forum

I have had a NMEA 2000 network on my Mako since I got it. I found some old GPS and Fishfinders at flea markets and some fishing sites. Older already out date units in 2007 but they served me well. I also had an old Eagle (40.00) cheapo fish finder that has now stopped working. Screen was only showing half the picture and moisture took it toll this winter and it died. So I removed the three units and invested in a Elite 12 Ti with the thought of engine info as a bonus. Well the Mercury connection was not cheap, but I figured it would ride on the network and report cool stuff like head temps and a bunch of other neat info to display on my new 12 inch unit. Yesterday I got the last cable needed and tested it. The Lowrance unit saw the engine interface and no data from it. So today I worked on the issue with my Google skills working hard. Not a lot of info out there and before I call Lowrance who most likely will make me call Mercury and maybe back to Lowrance I found the exact issue on a forum.

It seems I need a Smartcraft unit to translate the data. This is another 400 bucks I do not want to spend. Then I found out that 24 foot cable is needed to make the Mercury interface that I already purchased work. Less than 100.00 and the Smartcraft is not needed. It has some special resisters in the cable that allow the unit to talk on the network properly. They do not make shorter cable BTW. The Smartcraft or Vessel View is another 400.00 so I am hoping to avoid that expense.

The Lowrance Elite 12 Ti finds all the sensors on my network and even my LF-400 multi gauge. They all work fine. I am shocked how little info there is about this simple engine hook up. The Mercury interface came with directions and no mention of the cable..




Cable will be in next week and hoping for engine data when hooked up.

The quest goes on.

Capt Mike

Last edited by captmikestarrett (Mar-04-18 12:41PM)