Evinrude Diagnostic 6 Software and Hardware
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 7:33 pm
As might be anticipated, a new version of diagnostic software will be needed for use with the new E-TEC 74-degree V6 engines (G2). The new engines contain new systems which need to be configured or set-up using the diagnostic software, such as the power steering system.
The new E-TEC G2 engines also make a significant change in the method of communication with EMM for the diagnostic software. Previously the EMM had a dedicated serial data communication port for connection of a terminal executing the diagnostic software. In the new E-TEC G2 engines, the engine EMM and diagnostic software terminal communicate via the NMEA-2000 interface. Accordingly, specialized hardware is needed to interface the terminal or host computer executing the diagnostic software to the NMEA-2000 network.
The new interface hardware will require installation of specialized driver software onto the host computer. The new interface hardware is a Virtual CAN Interface, and specific driver software from the manufacturer of the device (IXXT Automation GmbH) must be installed.
The IXXT CAN interface must be connected to the boat's NMEA-2000 network. A special cable is needed to accommodate the interconnection from the interface device's connector to the standard network connectors used for NMEA-2000.
Thus three new elements are needed to utilize diagnostic software with the Evinrude 74-degree V6 engines:
--new software application package, Evinrude Diagnostics 6,
--new hardware interface for USB to CAN Bus, and
--new specialized cable to interconnect the CAN bus interface and boat network.
In addition, some provision must be made on the boat NMEA-2000 network for connection of the CAN Bus interface. I presume an extra network T-connector will have to be added to the network to provide an attachment point for the diagnostic interface.
The Evinrude Diagnostic 6 software has a slightly different appearance and organization of the various functions than earlier versions. The first very significant difference is the ability of the software, via the CAN bus interface, to be connected to any one of several engines that may be on the boat network.
The diagnostic software interface will detect many NMEA-2000 device, but it can only connect to the Evinrude engines EMMs.
The Diagnostic 6 software is organized with a number of major screens. These are shown below.
[Article continues in next post]
The new E-TEC G2 engines also make a significant change in the method of communication with EMM for the diagnostic software. Previously the EMM had a dedicated serial data communication port for connection of a terminal executing the diagnostic software. In the new E-TEC G2 engines, the engine EMM and diagnostic software terminal communicate via the NMEA-2000 interface. Accordingly, specialized hardware is needed to interface the terminal or host computer executing the diagnostic software to the NMEA-2000 network.
The new interface hardware will require installation of specialized driver software onto the host computer. The new interface hardware is a Virtual CAN Interface, and specific driver software from the manufacturer of the device (IXXT Automation GmbH) must be installed.
The IXXT CAN interface must be connected to the boat's NMEA-2000 network. A special cable is needed to accommodate the interconnection from the interface device's connector to the standard network connectors used for NMEA-2000.
Thus three new elements are needed to utilize diagnostic software with the Evinrude 74-degree V6 engines:
--new software application package, Evinrude Diagnostics 6,
--new hardware interface for USB to CAN Bus, and
--new specialized cable to interconnect the CAN bus interface and boat network.
In addition, some provision must be made on the boat NMEA-2000 network for connection of the CAN Bus interface. I presume an extra network T-connector will have to be added to the network to provide an attachment point for the diagnostic interface.
The Evinrude Diagnostic 6 software has a slightly different appearance and organization of the various functions than earlier versions. The first very significant difference is the ability of the software, via the CAN bus interface, to be connected to any one of several engines that may be on the boat network.
The diagnostic software interface will detect many NMEA-2000 device, but it can only connect to the Evinrude engines EMMs.
The Diagnostic 6 software is organized with a number of major screens. These are shown below.
[Article continues in next post]