Actisense vs DMK for getting data on my plotter

[Antares Sky]

I’m looking into purchasing a devices to get the data from my engines analog
Gauges on to my Raymarine Axiom. So fare I’ve found Actisense EMU-1 and also the DMK AEM14.
I’m looking for input on what others are using, and if there are any other good
Choices other then these two?

The Actisence though more expensive looks like it may be better supported then the DMK.

Any thoughts?

Glen

[smac999]

the actisence also needs their USB gateway to program which adds to the cost. not sure if you have included that or not in your budget. I have put a few in and they worked fine. no idea on the other one you posted.

[Antares Sky]

Originally Posted by smac999

the actisence also needs their USB gateway to program which adds to the cost. not sure if you have included that or not in your budget. I have put a few in and they worked fine. no idea on the other one you posted.

Thanks for the Input!
Yes the purchase if I go with the actisense would include the USB gateway and two NMEA to seatalkgn cables to tie the two devices into the raymarine
Backbone. It’s a lot of money ( about $850 Canadian) compared to the DMK at around $550 CDN There isn’t a lot of info on the DMK brand on the net.
Might be better off spending the extra, knowing that it proven to work well with Raymarine networks. When I called Raymarine to see what they suggested the
Guy suggested the Actisense.

I’m at the Annapolis sailboat show this weekend, but The US seller Genco isn’t here this year ?

Glen

[Snore]

Curious what make and year engine? If it is a newer engine with an ECM, some manufacturers sell an interface. It will probably cost more- but it will likely work straight out of the box.

[Antares Sky]

Originally Posted by Snore

Curious what make and year engine? If it is a newer engine with an ECM, some manufacturers sell an interface. It will probably cost more- but it will likely work straight out of the box.

The engine is a 1998 Pathfinder. It’s. A Four cylinders industrial Volkswagen diesel so the engine is old school with no modern day tech, just Analog sending units on the block and old school gauges!

[Seighlor]

I tried Actisence a couple years ago when attempting to couple NMEA 0183 instruments to newer NMEA 2000 components. Fussed with it for two weeks before giving up and returning to West Marine. The West Marine folks really tried to help but following their instructions to the letter, I couldn't make it work.

[dw1979]

I have the Actisense coupled to old school FL120s. Tac input off of alternator took some fussing to get close. My oil and temp gauges were not compatible so replaced them with new. Originally windows 7 but that not supported currently. Need Windows 10.
All that being said I really like the display as it can be infinitely customized on Raymarine

[Cat36Mahalo]

I went with Noland Engineering RS11. Getting a bit dated but works great at much less money than other two options above

[Antares Sky]

Originally Posted by dw1979

I have the Actisense coupled to old school FL120s. Tac input off of alternator took some fussing to get close. My oil and temp gauges were not compatible so replaced them with new. Originally windows 7 but that not supported currently. Need Windows 10.
All that being said I really like the display as it can be infinitely customized on Raymarine

Cool! Thanks for including the photo!
I think this is the way to go, using the Actisense.

[Antares Sky]

Originally Posted by Cat36Mahalo

I went with Noland Engineering RS11. Getting a bit dated but works great at much less money than other two options above

Are you using it with a Raymarine network?

[Cat36Mahalo]

Yes. No ST1 but mostly SeaTalkNG - to attach a N2K device cable only requires a cable from RM.

[Cat36Mahalo]

Here a photo showing my M25 parameters on the middle i70

[Antares Sky]

Originally Posted by Cat36Mahalo

Yes. No ST1 but mostly SeaTalkNG - to attach a N2K device cable only requires a cable from RM.

I see that the NoLand only is compatible with voltage type gauges, and NOT
Resistive type.

I have the feeling my gauges and sending units on the block of the engine are
Resistive? They are Beede / Faria. My engine manual says for testing the gauges, to connect a 100 ohm. Resistor across the ground and signal. The gauge should read half way. This makes me believe they are the resistive type???

Thoughts?

Glen

[sailormed]

There is also a Maretron engine monitoring system. See SBOwners thread “Reparing Hunter 40 damage from Hurricane Mathew”. #406.

[Cat36Mahalo]

The sensors are variable resistors, but apply a constant current (which the gauge face, or RS11 provides) and you measure the voltage. All my engine gauges except RPM are resistors. The RS11 will provide the current as an option, and only necessary if you don’t have a gauge face.