Checking True Engine Hours?
03-27-2005, 01:46 AM
#11
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
That info is stored in non-volatile ram and can be accessed via some pretty simple serial communication strings. If you can build your own serial communication device(ttl to cmos and vica versa) and have the ability, I can post what cmds need to be sent, otherwise hooking up a merc scanner will tell you. If you have the ability to get deeper, you can also find out how many times(if any) the ecu has been reprogrammed as this is OTP and cannot be changed. From what I can tell, this reprogram number is not always dead accurate as OTP bits can only increase, but not always as a byte increase, but instead a bit increase, and if you understand bitwise changes, you also understand they do not correlate to single byte increments. 
Last edited by RichardCranium572; 03-27-2005 at 01:50 AM.
03-27-2005, 02:41 AM
#12
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
How difficult would it be to get data that MEFI outputs and used for a Fuel Consumption gauge?
At onte point Teleflex said they were going to market an aftermarket Smartcraft system fro older engines but it never got off the lab bench.
I know the data stream includes GPH and that Smartcraft will display data but only on MEFI-4 controllers. No one can sem to say for sure if Smartcraft would read MEFI 1 data so I'd like to just get this one piece of data nad display it on a digital or analog guage.
Flowscan on my engine becomes too complicated because my EFI system returns unused fuel to tank.
Possibilities?
At onte point Teleflex said they were going to market an aftermarket Smartcraft system fro older engines but it never got off the lab bench.
I know the data stream includes GPH and that Smartcraft will display data but only on MEFI-4 controllers. No one can sem to say for sure if Smartcraft would read MEFI 1 data so I'd like to just get this one piece of data nad display it on a digital or analog guage.
Flowscan on my engine becomes too complicated because my EFI system returns unused fuel to tank.
Possibilities?
03-27-2005, 05:56 AM
#13
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
Daaaaamn Dick, I'm glad we gottcha on board,, for the computer stuff,,I think you're gonna be handy! 
The great thing about these forums is the vast array of knowledge from all the contributers,,,
Just wondering when I might know an answer.
The great thing about these forums is the vast array of knowledge from all the contributers,,,
Just wondering when I might know an answer.
03-27-2005, 10:51 AM
#14
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Charter Member
Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
I agree, if someone here doesn't know the answer, the question was never asked.
Last edited by US1 Fountain; 03-27-2005 at 06:26 PM.
03-27-2005, 01:45 PM
#15
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
Originally Posted by Poorsche
How difficult would it be to get data that MEFI outputs and used for a Fuel Consumption gauge?
Difficulty is a matter of perspective
At one point Teleflex said they were going to market an aftermarket Smartcraft system fro older engines but it never got off the lab bench.
I know the data stream includes GPH and that Smartcraft will display data but only on MEFI-4 controllers. No one can sem to say for sure if Smartcraft would read MEFI 1 data so I'd like to just get this one piece of data nad display it on a digital or analog guage.
Mefi4b can use the canbus which is what the smartcraft data is transferred on. Not sure if the earlier mefi4's have canbus too, never looked.
Flowscan on my engine becomes too complicated because my EFI system returns unused fuel to tank.
Possibilities?
Of course, anything is possible and this would not be extremely difficult as it would just be a matter of monitoring and identifying the GPH byte in the datastream using a small micro that could in turn change it to a digital or analog signal that would be used by the Digital or Analog guage. There would have to be quite a bit of interest for me to move this up on my priority list which is quite extensive at this point in time. However, I would suggest a digital display that would also show knock retard as well
Difficulty is a matter of perspective
At one point Teleflex said they were going to market an aftermarket Smartcraft system fro older engines but it never got off the lab bench.
I know the data stream includes GPH and that Smartcraft will display data but only on MEFI-4 controllers. No one can sem to say for sure if Smartcraft would read MEFI 1 data so I'd like to just get this one piece of data nad display it on a digital or analog guage.
Mefi4b can use the canbus which is what the smartcraft data is transferred on. Not sure if the earlier mefi4's have canbus too, never looked.
Flowscan on my engine becomes too complicated because my EFI system returns unused fuel to tank.
Possibilities?
Of course, anything is possible and this would not be extremely difficult as it would just be a matter of monitoring and identifying the GPH byte in the datastream using a small micro that could in turn change it to a digital or analog signal that would be used by the Digital or Analog guage. There would have to be quite a bit of interest for me to move this up on my priority list which is quite extensive at this point in time. However, I would suggest a digital display that would also show knock retard as well
03-27-2005, 02:02 PM
#16
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
B&G Instruments makes a display that will show data, including GPH, from the serial data stream of a MEFI ECM. They call it the "Network Engine Instrument". I think it runs about $400.00.
Dave
Dave
03-27-2005, 02:25 PM
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
Looks like B&G has obsoleted that product based on web site--but I'm gonna call them tomorrow--maybe they still ahve some laying around.
Sounds like it's really yhe Canbus interface rather than the data that makes Smartcraft not compabitble with older vintage MEFI's ???
Thanks
Sounds like it's really yhe Canbus interface rather than the data that makes Smartcraft not compabitble with older vintage MEFI's ???
Thanks
03-27-2005, 03:17 PM
#18
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
What's the website of B&G instruments?
A few weeks /months ago I remember seeing a advertsing of software for reading/ analysing the mercruiser ECU. It wasn't that expensive and (as long as you can believe publicity) very easy to use on a portable!
Can anyone remember that adress? thx reply
A few weeks /months ago I remember seeing a advertsing of software for reading/ analysing the mercruiser ECU. It wasn't that expensive and (as long as you can believe publicity) very easy to use on a portable!
Can anyone remember that adress? thx reply
03-27-2005, 04:01 PM
#19
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Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
I don't know the current production status, but I have seen the B&G Engine for sale on a few websites. Google "B&G ESYS".
Evaluex,
Was it the "Diacom" marine EFI software from Rinda Technologies that you saw? I am not aware of any other software products for monitoring / diagnosing MEFI systems.
Dave
Evaluex,
Was it the "Diacom" marine EFI software from Rinda Technologies that you saw? I am not aware of any other software products for monitoring / diagnosing MEFI systems.
Dave
Last edited by Dave_N; 03-27-2005 at 04:07 PM.
03-27-2005, 04:38 PM
#20
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Charter Member
Re: Checking True Engine Hours?
Can ECM's be repaired? I might have just fried mine the other day.
New ECM's are running $750. BAM says no longer availble, but Boatfix still shows them.
For a '99 502MPI.
New ECM's are running $750. BAM says no longer availble, but Boatfix still shows them.
For a '99 502MPI.
