I would like to add a pressure sensor to my fresh water system and have it feed the Maretron monitoring system. Maretron doesn't make a pressure sensor, and hasn't yet responded to my request for a generic 4-20 mA -> NMEA2000 converter, so I'm looking for other options.
Lowrance makes the EP-90R, which is a very inexpensive (~$75) pressure gauge with a 1/4" hose barb fitting and a NMEA2000 connector. The manual doesn't list the PGN outputs so I don't know whether the unit outputs N2K engine pressure (the only pressure data I could fine in the N2K standard) or something proprietary.
For $75 I'm willing to take the chance and see if I can make the EP-90R work but if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate them.
Thanks!
/afb
Interesting. I think this a pretty new sensor for Lowrance. It looks from the manual as if you can use a Lowrance gauge or MFD to assign it one of several standard PGNs:
"Highlight PRESSURE TYPE and press ENTER. The following configuration options will appear: Pitot Speed, Boost, Oil, Water, Fuel, Transmission Oil, Atmospheric and the default setting, Unknown."
But note that "water" above is engine water pressure, I believe. You can also name the device, but the name will only be seen by other Lowrance displays. This is an unusual sensor and you may have a hard time getting displays other than Lowrance's to show it properly. It would be neat if you experimented, though.
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/LowranceNET-Marine-Networking-System/Product-Guide/Electronic-Probes-EPs/EP-90R-Pressure-Sensor/
Ben:
Yes, I realized that I probably need a Lowrance gauge to configure the sender (I hate that must-buy-my-display-to-configure-my-sensor thing, by the way). I'll see if I can get N2KView to recognize the data from the EP-90R without configuring it; if not I'll come up with a different plan.
I've sent your question of to my CS contact.... reply will come soon! I have never used an EP 90
Thanks, Chris. I ordered the EP-90 and should see it in a couple of days ... will report back on my experience.
This sensor can be configured to show; pitot speed, boost pressure, oil pressure, water pressure, fuel pressure, transmission oil pressure, and atmospheric pressure.
The EP out of the box, unconfigured, can be used as a water pressure sensor. To configure the EP to show more than one water pressure source or to change its type, i.e. to pitot or boost�, the customer must use either a Lowrance LMF gauge or a Lowrance NMEA 2000 multifunction display. Once configured by a Lowrance NMEA 2000 device the EP can be read by other brands of NMEA 2000 displays. Naming the device. This can be done on Lowrance multifunction displays, but the name only shows up on that display, it is not transmitted over the NMEA 2000 bus.
Thanks, Chris. I hope the EP90 gets here soon -- I'm anxious to see what happens when I just plug and go.
Hi Adam, if you are looking for a list of affordable pressure gauges ans sensors, you might want to check this website http://www.thegreenbook.com/products/gauges-pressure/
Thank You,
Vins