I just installed a Garmin GWS 10 and GMI 10 display. I'm looking to add a depth/speed/temp sensor and tank sensor for fuel and sewage.
So far I've found the Maretron dst100 and the Airmar dst800. Any problems or preferences with either?
Maretron has some ultrasonic tank sensors, but I haven't found them for sale yet. Anyone have experience with them?
Are there any web retailers that have a good selection of N2K products?
Defender seems to be rather hit or miss as far as carrying what I'm interested in.
Thanks for any pointers,
Chris
I have two Maretron TLM100's in-hand, but haven't gotten around to installing them yet. I bought them through my local marine electronics supplier (Lunde Marine Electronics). They had to order them.
I've bought Maretron gear from Lunde, defender and ManVenture Outpost.
Just check the prices and order. Google Shopping works too, but make sure they site you click thru to actually has the item in stock.
-p
Be careful about calibration, Chris. The GMI will let you calibrate Garmin's own analog-to-N2K tank level sources but not Maretron's. However, if there's a gateway in your system you can do it with Maretron software and the GMI will display it fine. The Aimar DST is not a problem as Garmin supports setting its keel offset, but note that Garmin has it's own N2K transducers.
Both transducers are made by AIRMAR I think they may actually be identical. We have had some issues with the ultrasonic tank sensors in Black Water tanks. Maretron has a new pressure sensing module and pressure senders that can be set up for tank levels. A pressure sensor at the bottom of the tank is usually the most accurate way to get fluid levels.
I have a couple of TLM100s and they work well, but as Ben says to calibrate them you need a Maretron USB100 interface or one of their displays.
Garmin's N2K DST Smart Sensor is the same as the Airmar DST800. We have a DST800 and though it shows up in the configuration as a DST200 (see previous thread), the offset can be set with the GMI10.
Chris:
Also, the TLM's have a 2" dead band and can't read fluid levels closer than 2" to the sensor. I originally tried the TLM's on our water tanks which are under the settees, and when trying to calibrate them, they'd go up to "full" and then the readings were erratic. I worked with Maretron tech support and they suggested mounting a 2" standoff on top of the existing tank, which did not work in my situation. So I went with conventional analog WEMA senders and connected those to Maretron's TLA's.
Fellow PANBOT, Russ told me he had mixed results with his TLM's also in regards to the ultrasonic sensor reading thru the foam in his fuel tanks.
YMMV