Electronic integration Q’s

[fred1diver]

Hello all
We have a Raymarine element 9s chartplotter, from what I read we can integrate engine control and more to it, we have an older engine (atomic4) but I saw that with an ECU controller we can monitor many things.
So I found a nice (seems good) one at a decent price, my question is this:
What sensors do I need to be able to maximize its performance?
Basically we want a fuel level gauge(sensor) non intrusive, monel gas tank on board
Fresh water and waste levels as well.
RPM’s
Engine temp
…
I need help please

 

[colemj]

You found an ECU for an Atomic 4? I'm not even sure how that would work.

What you will need is an analog-to-NMEA2000 converter. Something like this: Shop - AlbaCombi Analog to NMEA2000 Converter

Is this what you meant instead of ECU?

Amazon and Alibaba are filled with cheap versions of these, but almost universally people find they don't work well.

Next, you will need to be sure there are sufficient and accessible outputs on your engine for temp, pressure, rpm, etc. I assume if you have gauges for these things, that you have outputs for them.

You will need transducers for fluid level monitoring.

Then you will need to have your plotter turned on and dedicated to a gauge page every time you want to see this information. Motoring into a harbor? Change from the chart view to the instrument view to adjust your rpm, then back to the chart view to make sure you stay on track. Want to know how much water is in the tank? Go turn on the chartplotter and wait for it to boot to see.

This latter issue is why I prefer separate physical gauges for all of these.

Mark

 

[fred1diver]

Yes, that is what I meant, the one I am looking for has 13 input/output, I do have gauges but no tachometer.
What type of transducers are you referring to?
the main issue I have is the boat was originally tiller driven but has a wheel conversion done before I acquired her.
The gauges are hard if not impossible to read from the helm, so I figure it would be easier to read from the plotter

 

[colemj]

Fluid level transducers. One similar to this: SSS/SSL - Flanged Fuel/Water Tank Sensor

Make sure its output is compatible with the converter inputs.

Mark