Evinrude I-Command Instruments for E-TEC - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Evinrude I-Command Instruments for E-TEC

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Evinrude I-Command Instruments for E-TEC

jimh posted 03-24-2005 02:53 AM ET (US)
Apparently without too much fanfare (as no one had mentioned this yet), at the Miami International Boat Show on February 17, 2005, Evinrude announced a new line of digital engine gauges, the I-Command Instruments for use with their E-TEC outboard motors.
The I-Command instrumentation uses a National Marine Electronics Association NMEA-2000™ standard for its underlying data communication protocols. The I-Command instrumentation can display engine data on combination gauges or on dedicated individual gauges. By using a Speedometer and Tachometer display, you can see:
--RPM
--MPH
--Volts
--Fuel Level
--Engine Trim
--Oil Level
--Water Pressure
--Engine Temperature
--Engine Hours
--Engine Diagnostics
--Fuel Flow
You can also use individual gauges as desired to display this data.
The I-Command instrumentation is described as a "plug and play" system. In other words, instrumentation added to the bus is self configuring. It is believed to be based on the CAN-bus standard, widely used in automotive vehicle engine instrumentation.
The NMEA-2000™ standard is also adaptable to other vessel instrumentation and data display, such as GPS position finding instruments or SONAR depth sounders. This will likely allow very easy integration of other vessel information into various displays.
At first glance, the I-Command instrumentation appears to offer all of the features of the Mercury SmartGauge system, while avoiding the use of closed and proprietary protocols and standards. The adoption of industry-wide standards like NMEA-2000™ and Can-bus should mean other manufacturers and vendors will be offering solutions that are compatible.
It is refreshing to see a North American manufacturer again leading the pace of innovation in outboard technology. As far as I know, Evinrude appears to be the first outboard engine manufacturer to announce NMEA-2000&trade compliant digital engines and accompanying instrumentation. Having invested in their own proprietary SmartCraft system, it seem unlikely that Brunswick (Mercury) will be switching to the NMEA-2000™ standards. I anticipate that the Japanese outboard motor manufacturers will likely adopt the NMEA protocols when they catch up to this new technology in a few years.
For more information see:
Bombardier Press Release:
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Media.Center/Press.Releases/1/17.02.2005B.htm
NMEA-2000™ standard:
http://www.nmea.org/Standards/Publications/NMEA2000ADigitalInterface.pdf
http://www.nmea.org/Standards/Publications/NMEA2000Applied.pdf
The Scream and Fly website has a nice picture of the Evinrude Gauges as shown in Miami:
Hyperlink
A POWER & MOTORYACHT magazine article on NMEA-2000:
Hyperlink
jimh posted 03-24-2005 03:23 AM ET (US)
Teleflex has been a strong proponent of the NMEA-2000™ protocol. They already have several products on the market which adhere to the standard, including electronic engine throttle and shift controls as well as instrumentation. They even have GPS Chartplotters that are compliant! It sounds like "fly-by-wire" technology will soon be coming to more outboard motors.
With the announcement from Bombardier, it looks like the NMEA-2000™ standard is beginning to gain some momentum.
Another advantage of the NMEA-2000™ standard is the use of standardized connectors to wire the system. All devices on the bus use a standard 4-conductor connector to interconnect.
Teleflex i2000 Gauges:
http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i2000.pdf
Teleflex i5500 Multi-function Display:
http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i5500.pdf
Teleflex i6000 Engine Controls:
http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i6000.pdf
Teleflex i5000 Navigation Instrumentation:
http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i5000.pdf
seahorse posted 03-24-2005 03:51 AM ET (US)

From what I understand, the new electronic gauges do not use a fuel flow sensor that has to be hooked up and spliced into the gas lines. The E-TEC computers already are CanBus internally and they "count" each injector pulse, knowning how much fuel is in each pulse, then computes the total fuel consumption and flow and sends the information to the gauge.
Chuck Tribolet posted 03-24-2005 06:24 AM ET (US)
I wouldn't count on it taking a few years for the other
manufacturers to catch up.

Chuck
jimh posted 03-24-2005 08:56 AM ET (US)
It will be interesting to see who steps up to the NMEA-2000 level next. Most of the players so far have been electronics companies, like Raytheon, JRC, Simrad, Navionic, and Kvaser.
Teleflex have made interface units for specific inboard diesel and gasoline engines, like for Crusader marine conversion engines.
In my estimation, Honda will be next. Because they are an automobile manufacturer, they will already be familiar with the technology. It is in wide use in vehicle systems.
I will be completely surprised if Yamaha shows up in this technology for a while. After all, Yamaha has been investigated and found to be just using North America as a dumping ground for their excess production capacity. In their domestic market, there is probably little interest in this sort of thing. Remember, the economy of Japan has been in an 11-year recession, so I doubt that $15,000 outboard motors are flying off the recreational boat dealer's floor over there.
jeffs22outrage posted 03-24-2005 09:40 AM ET (US)
I can see the advantage to going electronic. But I also have seen the advent of digital gauges come and go quickly in cars after a HUGE investment by auto manufactures (GM made the biggest investment). Are Boats next?
I much prefer analog gauges to a digital read out. I can tell my rpms by where the needle is even thought I am not staring at the gauge. Where digital gauges you have to actually look directly at to read. Also I know GM had many complaints from people about the ability to see the read outs in bright sunlight. Is this still the case with digital?
I was just wondering what people who have used the gauges think? I am going to stick with analog.
Cheers-
jeffs22outrage posted 03-24-2005 09:47 AM ET (US)
To clarify my digital gauge I mean a read out of numbers not a round face with a needle. That teleflex system seems to be a bit of a blend...no to bad. Again though, a black read out a grey does not have the contrast of an orange needle on a black background.
jimh posted 03-24-2005 09:49 AM ET (US)
The data to the gauge is sent digitally, via a shared network cable. This is in contrast on two points to the traditional approach:
--the data to the gauge used to be sent via analogue methods, typically a voltage or current variation on a continuous analogue basis. The new method sends the data in a digital form using digital data techniques of zeroes and ones.
--the data to each indicator was sent over its own wires, requiring much more cabling and wiring to be installed and maintained. The new method sends the data on a shared cable bus. Up to 250 devices can be connected to the same bus cable. Instead of running dozens of wires between helm console and transom, there will be just one 4-conductor cable.
The shape and design of the gauge display can be anything desired. The actual indicator can resemble a traditional meter with a scale and pointer (analogue meter), or just a numerical display of value (digital meter).
ratherwhalering posted 03-24-2005 11:33 AM ET (US)
I just got off the phone with BRP cusomer service. The I-Command instruments are compatable with the E-TEC 90 specifically, and all other E-TECs. Apparently, the existing 8-pin tachometer cable may be used to transfer data once it is pluged into the central I-comand dash unit.
Mike Brantley posted 03-24-2005 01:25 PM ET (US)
I'm going to be getting those, then, for my E-Tec 50. With all the digital information that's flying around under those cowlings, I figured it would only be a matter of time before we could more easily access it. Any word of pricing yet?
Had to register to view the image on Scream and Fly, but that's no big deal. Looks like a good site.
seahorse posted 03-24-2005 05:25 PM ET (US)

Both Yamaha and Bombardier have stated they will have "fly by wire" digital controls for the '06 models, using CanBus in addition to the gauges.
The 250 Yamaha 4-stroke for '05 has an internal "fly by wire" setup for their throttle control and throttle cable actuator.
jimh posted 03-24-2005 07:54 PM ET (US)
Sorry for the required registration to view the images at Scream and Fly. I forgot that was necessary. It is an interesting site, and the publisher has many great photographs of the Miami show, although he tends to concentrate on go-fast boats. (And I mean really fast go-fast boats, too.)
Based on a conversation I had with a local Bombardier dealer today, it may be a few months before the I-Command instruments are actually available at the dealership. He did not have any announced pricing, either.
John from IL posted 04-01-2005 01:48 PM ET (US)
ratherwhalering,
You said - I just got off the phone with BRP cusomer service. The I-Command instruments are compatable with the E-TEC 90 specifically, and all other E-TECs. Apparently, the existing 8-pin tachometer cable may be used to transfer data once it is pluged into the central I-comand dash unit.
I attended the E-TEC service seminar in Ann Arbor, MI a while back. It was presented by the Area Service Rep, the area Sales Rep and a Technical Service Rep from the Evinrude Dealer Support Dept. who, if I remember right was the guy that put the service seminar together. That exact question was asked and our group was told the functionality for I-Command package would only be on V4 & larger E-TEC models. Had something to do with the physical size of the EMM. He also told us that as electronic stuff continues to advance that anything could change in the future...
Additionally I can add, having used the new diagnostic program, that when you hook up to any 40 to 90 E-TEC, you do not see the parts of the program that are used to configure the CANbus system, where it easily accessed on the 200 and larger E-TEC's.
If jimh would like to post some pictures, I can send some screen captures of the diagnostic screens that support each family of engines - Just let me know.
Regards,
John
ratherwhalering posted 04-04-2005 03:14 PM ET (US)
Hmmm, that is strange. I spoke with "Al" in customer service (847) 689-7090, immediately after reading Jim's post. That would be a bummer if I got the wrong information.
Mike Brantley posted 04-04-2005 05:27 PM ET (US)
Potentially a bummer. I was hoping to get the new digital gauges to use with my 2005 E-Tec 50. I'll be watching this thread and other sources of infomation, but I probably won't ask the customer service folks until the new instrumentation is actually for sale. It may be then before they are trained to answer such questions correctly.
Just speculating, but maybe an EMM upgrade might be possible if such a thing is needed, but then that might cost more than going digital on the instruments is worth.

Mike Brantley posted 04-04-2005 05:39 PM ET (US)
Correction: I have a 2004 Evinrude E-Tec 50, not 2005.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Evinrude I-Command Instruments for E-TEC
jimh	posted 03-24-2005 02:53 AM ET (US) Apparently without too much fanfare (as no one had mentioned this yet), at the Miami International Boat Show on February 17, 2005, Evinrude announced a new line of digital engine gauges, the I-Command Instruments for use with their E-TEC outboard motors. The I-Command instrumentation uses a National Marine Electronics Association NMEA-2000™ standard for its underlying data communication protocols. The I-Command instrumentation can display engine data on combination gauges or on dedicated individual gauges. By using a Speedometer and Tachometer display, you can see: --RPM --MPH --Volts --Fuel Level --Engine Trim --Oil Level --Water Pressure --Engine Temperature --Engine Hours --Engine Diagnostics --Fuel Flow You can also use individual gauges as desired to display this data. The I-Command instrumentation is described as a "plug and play" system. In other words, instrumentation added to the bus is self configuring. It is believed to be based on the CAN-bus standard, widely used in automotive vehicle engine instrumentation. The NMEA-2000™ standard is also adaptable to other vessel instrumentation and data display, such as GPS position finding instruments or SONAR depth sounders. This will likely allow very easy integration of other vessel information into various displays. At first glance, the I-Command instrumentation appears to offer all of the features of the Mercury SmartGauge system, while avoiding the use of closed and proprietary protocols and standards. The adoption of industry-wide standards like NMEA-2000™ and Can-bus should mean other manufacturers and vendors will be offering solutions that are compatible. It is refreshing to see a North American manufacturer again leading the pace of innovation in outboard technology. As far as I know, Evinrude appears to be the first outboard engine manufacturer to announce NMEA-2000&trade compliant digital engines and accompanying instrumentation. Having invested in their own proprietary SmartCraft system, it seem unlikely that Brunswick (Mercury) will be switching to the NMEA-2000™ standards. I anticipate that the Japanese outboard motor manufacturers will likely adopt the NMEA protocols when they catch up to this new technology in a few years. For more information see: Bombardier Press Release: http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Media.Center/Press.Releases/1/17.02.2005B.htm NMEA-2000™ standard: http://www.nmea.org/Standards/Publications/NMEA2000ADigitalInterface.pdf http://www.nmea.org/Standards/Publications/NMEA2000Applied.pdf The Scream and Fly website has a nice picture of the Evinrude Gauges as shown in Miami: Hyperlink A *POWER & MOTORYACHT* magazine article on NMEA-2000: Hyperlink
jimh	posted 03-24-2005 03:23 AM ET (US) Teleflex has been a strong proponent of the NMEA-2000™ protocol. They already have several products on the market which adhere to the standard, including electronic engine throttle and shift controls as well as instrumentation. They even have GPS Chartplotters that are compliant! It sounds like "fly-by-wire" technology will soon be coming to more outboard motors. With the announcement from Bombardier, it looks like the NMEA-2000™ standard is beginning to gain some momentum. Another advantage of the NMEA-2000™ standard is the use of standardized connectors to wire the system. All devices on the bus use a standard 4-conductor connector to interconnect. Teleflex i2000 Gauges: http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i2000.pdf Teleflex i5500 Multi-function Display: http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i5500.pdf Teleflex i6000 Engine Controls: http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i6000.pdf Teleflex i5000 Navigation Instrumentation: http://www.teleflexmorse.com/scripts/PDF/TeleflexElectronics/i5000.pdf
seahorse	posted 03-24-2005 03:51 AM ET (US) From what I understand, the new electronic gauges do not use a fuel flow sensor that has to be hooked up and spliced into the gas lines. The E-TEC computers already are CanBus internally and they "count" each injector pulse, knowning how much fuel is in each pulse, then computes the total fuel consumption and flow and sends the information to the gauge.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 03-24-2005 06:24 AM ET (US) I wouldn't count on it taking a few years for the other manufacturers to catch up. Chuck
jimh	posted 03-24-2005 08:56 AM ET (US) It will be interesting to see who steps up to the NMEA-2000 level next. Most of the players so far have been electronics companies, like Raytheon, JRC, Simrad, Navionic, and Kvaser. Teleflex have made interface units for specific inboard diesel and gasoline engines, like for Crusader marine conversion engines. In my estimation, Honda will be next. Because they are an automobile manufacturer, they will already be familiar with the technology. It is in wide use in vehicle systems. I will be completely surprised if Yamaha shows up in this technology for a while. After all, Yamaha has been investigated and found to be just using North America as a dumping ground for their excess production capacity. In their domestic market, there is probably little interest in this sort of thing. Remember, the economy of Japan has been in an 11-year recession, so I doubt that $15,000 outboard motors are flying off the recreational boat dealer's floor over there.
jeffs22outrage	posted 03-24-2005 09:40 AM ET (US) I can see the advantage to going electronic. But I also have seen the advent of digital gauges come and go quickly in cars after a HUGE investment by auto manufactures (GM made the biggest investment). Are Boats next? I much prefer analog gauges to a digital read out. I can tell my rpms by where the needle is even thought I am not staring at the gauge. Where digital gauges you have to actually look directly at to read. Also I know GM had many complaints from people about the ability to see the read outs in bright sunlight. Is this still the case with digital? I was just wondering what people who have used the gauges think? I am going to stick with analog. Cheers-
jeffs22outrage	posted 03-24-2005 09:47 AM ET (US) To clarify my digital gauge I mean a read out of numbers not a round face with a needle. That teleflex system seems to be a bit of a blend...no to bad. Again though, a black read out a grey does not have the contrast of an orange needle on a black background.
jimh	posted 03-24-2005 09:49 AM ET (US) The data to the gauge is sent digitally, via a shared network cable. This is in contrast on two points to the traditional approach: --the data to the gauge used to be sent via analogue methods, typically a voltage or current variation on a continuous analogue basis. The new method sends the data in a digital form using digital data techniques of zeroes and ones. --the data to each indicator was sent over its own wires, requiring much more cabling and wiring to be installed and maintained. The new method sends the data on a shared cable bus. Up to 250 devices can be connected to the same bus cable. Instead of running dozens of wires between helm console and transom, there will be just one 4-conductor cable. The shape and design of the gauge display can be anything desired. The actual indicator can resemble a traditional meter with a scale and pointer (analogue meter), or just a numerical display of value (digital meter).
ratherwhalering	posted 03-24-2005 11:33 AM ET (US) I just got off the phone with BRP cusomer service. The I-Command instruments are compatable with the E-TEC 90 specifically, and all other E-TECs. Apparently, the existing 8-pin tachometer cable may be used to transfer data once it is pluged into the central I-comand dash unit.
Mike Brantley	posted 03-24-2005 01:25 PM ET (US) I'm going to be getting those, then, for my E-Tec 50. With all the digital information that's flying around under those cowlings, I figured it would only be a matter of time before we could more easily access it. Any word of pricing yet? Had to register to view the image on Scream and Fly, but that's no big deal. Looks like a good site.
seahorse	posted 03-24-2005 05:25 PM ET (US) Both Yamaha and Bombardier have stated they will have "fly by wire" digital controls for the '06 models, using CanBus in addition to the gauges. The 250 Yamaha 4-stroke for '05 has an internal "fly by wire" setup for their throttle control and throttle cable actuator.
jimh	posted 03-24-2005 07:54 PM ET (US) Sorry for the required registration to view the images at Scream and Fly. I forgot that was necessary. It is an interesting site, and the publisher has many great photographs of the Miami show, although he tends to concentrate on go-fast boats. (And I mean really fast go-fast boats, too.) Based on a conversation I had with a local Bombardier dealer today, it may be a few months before the I-Command instruments are actually available at the dealership. He did not have any announced pricing, either.
John from IL	posted 04-01-2005 01:48 PM ET (US) ratherwhalering, You said - I just got off the phone with BRP cusomer service. The I-Command instruments are compatable with the E-TEC 90 specifically, and all other E-TECs. Apparently, the existing 8-pin tachometer cable may be used to transfer data once it is pluged into the central I-comand dash unit. I attended the E-TEC service seminar in Ann Arbor, MI a while back. It was presented by the Area Service Rep, the area Sales Rep and a Technical Service Rep from the Evinrude Dealer Support Dept. who, if I remember right was the guy that put the service seminar together. That exact question was asked and our group was told the functionality for I-Command package would only be on V4 & larger E-TEC models. Had something to do with the physical size of the EMM. He also told us that as electronic stuff continues to advance that anything could change in the future... Additionally I can add, having used the new diagnostic program, that when you hook up to any 40 to 90 E-TEC, you do not see the parts of the program that are used to configure the CANbus system, where it easily accessed on the 200 and larger E-TEC's. If jimh would like to post some pictures, I can send some screen captures of the diagnostic screens that support each family of engines - Just let me know. Regards, John
ratherwhalering	posted 04-04-2005 03:14 PM ET (US) Hmmm, that is strange. I spoke with "Al" in customer service (847) 689-7090, immediately after reading Jim's post. That would be a bummer if I got the wrong information.
Mike Brantley	posted 04-04-2005 05:27 PM ET (US) Potentially a bummer. I was hoping to get the new digital gauges to use with my 2005 E-Tec 50. I'll be watching this thread and other sources of infomation, but I probably won't ask the customer service folks until the new instrumentation is actually for sale. It may be then before they are trained to answer such questions correctly. Just speculating, but maybe an EMM upgrade might be possible if such a thing is needed, but then that might cost more than going digital on the instruments is worth.
Mike Brantley	posted 04-04-2005 05:39 PM ET (US) Correction: I have a 2004 Evinrude E-Tec 50, not 2005.