Digital Yacht EngineLink NMEA 2000 Engine Monitor

1. Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of your EngineLink Wireless NMEA 2000 Engine Monitor. In addition to this quick start guide, Digital Yacht recommends watching their EngineLink video. A QR code is provided in the original document to access this YouTube video.

ℹ️ This product is designed for use by Dealers and End Users with knowledge/experience of NMEA 2000. Digital Yacht cannot provide technical support or training on NMEA 2000 networking.

2. Before You Start

To use your EngineLink, you will need:

• A wireless device with a web browser (e.g., Smart Phone, Tablet, or Laptop).
• A spare "T-Piece" connection on a working/powered NMEA 2000 network.

3. Installation

The EngineLink is IP54 rated (water resistant). Care should be taken when installing it to ensure it is never submerged in water.

3.1 Connecting to the NMEA 2000 Network

• Connect the EngineLink cable to a spare connector on the NMEA2000 network.
• EngineLink takes its power (LEN=2) from the NMEA2000 network, so no additional connections are necessary.
• If connecting EngineLink to a non-standard NMEA2000 network, a suitable adaptor cable will need to be sourced from the manufacturer. Examples include:
  • SeaTalkNG (Raymarine P/No A06045)
  • Simnet (Simrad P/No 24006199)

3.2 Mounting and Location

• Install EngineLink to a flat bulkhead using suitable fixings.
• EngineLink can be installed in any orientation.
• Choose a location for best WiFi performance, ideally a central location on the boat with minimum metallic obstructions.

3.3 Powering EngineLink

Apply power to the NMEA 2000 network. The EngineLink's LEDs will briefly flash once, and then after a few seconds, the Status and Data LEDs should be illuminated, as per Table 1.

Table 1: EngineLink LED Status Indicators

* Note: A short flash every 2 seconds indicates EngineLink cannot connect in STA Mode. Check that the wireless network is visible and the password is correct.

3.4 Setting up the Wireless Network

• By default, EngineLink creates a wireless network (Access Point) with the Name (SSID) "enginelink-xxxx" and Password "PASS-xxxx", where "xxxx" is a four-digit code unique to your device.
• To connect to EngineLink, scan for wireless networks, find it, select it, and enter the default password when prompted.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Multiple devices can connect to EngineLink and display the web pages in their browser. However, after a settings change, you must refresh the other browser sessions for the new settings to be applied.

3.5 Accessing the Web Interface

• The EngineLink has a built-in web interface consisting of a series of pages that allow monitoring of single or dual engine installations.
• A wireless device, connected to EngineLink, can access its web interface in a browser at http://192.168.1.1 or http://enginelink.local. This should bring up the EngineLink home page as shown in Figure 1.
• When an active web browser session is in progress, the Green LINK LED on the EngineLink unit will be ON.

Figure 1: EngineLink Web Interface Home Page showing options for Gauges, Raw Data, and Settings.

4. Operation

By default, EngineLink is configured for a single internal combustion engine but can be configured for dual engine operation and/or compatible electric engines (refer to section xxx). The Gauges page is fully editable, allowing you to change, hide, or add gauges to suit the engine data on your NMEA 2000 network.

A list of NMEA 2000 PGNs that your engine or engine gateway generates should be provided in the relevant operational manual or by the engine dealer.

4.1 Gauges Page

• On the Home page, click the "GAUGES" button. This page will be displayed (Figure 2).
• If the engine or engine gateway is not currently transmitting data, the gauges will be displayed with no needle and "N/A" in the center. Digital and slider values will be blank.
• If the data value is outside the range of the analogue gauge, the gauge will display no needle and "OoR" in the center.
• Each gauge can be edited to show different data, be hidden (if no data is available), or have its range changed. To edit a gauge, click the "Padlock" icon. The icon will change to an open padlock, and a series of "Spanner" icons will appear in the center of each gauge (see Figure 3).

Figure 2: EngineLink Gauges Page displaying various engine parameters like Speed, RPM, Depth, Temperature, Voltage, etc.

Figure 3: EngineLink Gauges Page showing editable gauges with "Spanner" icons.

Click on the "Spanner" icon of the gauge you wish to edit. A "Gauge Configuration" pop-up window will appear (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Gauge Configuration pop-up window, allowing selection of "Data Source", "Source Address", "Instance", "Range Max.", and "Rated Max.".

If you wish to change the gauge to display different data, click the "Data Source" drop-down menu and select the desired data (see Figure 5). If multiple devices output the same data, you can set the "Source Address" of the device. For multiple engines, set the "Instance" (conventionally, Port Engine is Instance 0, Starboard Engine is Instance 1).

Figure 5: Data Source selection dropdown in the Gauge Configuration window, showing various engine parameters.

Below the main dashboard, there are additional gauges (six on the standard dashboard, eight on the Dual Engine dashboard) that can be edited or added as needed (see Figure 6). Click the "Spanner" icon in the desired position, and the "Gauge Configuration" pop-up will appear, similar to editing an existing gauge.

Figure 6: EngineLink interface showing additional gauge positions available for customization.

Set the gauge configuration as detailed previously and repeat for as many gauges as desired. Once the dashboard is configured, click the open padlock icon to save and apply changes.

It is recommended to back up your Gauge Configuration using the backup function in the Settings page. This backup file can be used to restore your dashboard after a firmware update or factory reset.

If your engine outputs "Status Warning Light" data, a red warning triangle icon ⚠️ will appear below the RPM gauge of the engine or transmission experiencing the warning (see Figure 7).

Figure 7: EngineLink Gauges Page displaying a warning icon ⚠️ below the RPM gauge.

To view the warning condition, click on the red warning triangle icon. A pop-up window will appear listing the condition(s) that caused the warning icon (see Figure 8).

Figure 8: Warning pop-up window displaying "Starboard Engine Warnings: CHECK ENGINE MAINTENANCE NEEDED".

The red warning triangle icon will remain displayed as long as the condition is present and cannot be cancelled or cleared by EngineLink.

4.2 View Data Page

EngineLink receives NMEA 2000 data in Digital Yacht's RAW data format. This can be viewed by clicking the "View Data" button on the home page (see Figure 9).

Figure 9: EngineLink Data Monitor page displaying raw NMEA 2000 data packets.

This data includes all NMEA 2000 data on the network, which can be logged and analyzed if required.

To log the RAW data, scroll to the bottom of the page (see Figure 10) and click the "Start Log" button to turn it ON. Wait a suitable length of time (at least a few minutes), then click the "Start Log" button to turn it OFF. The "Save Log" button will become active, allowing you to select the filename and location to save the log file.

Figure 10: Data Monitor page with "Start Log" and "Save Log" buttons.

4.3 Settings Page

To change EngineLink settings, click the "Settings" button on the Home Page. Available settings include:

• Network settings: Configure whether EngineLink creates its own wireless network (default) or joins another wireless network on the boat.
• Ports Setting: The port number (default = 2000) that EngineLink uses for UDP and TCP connections (Fig 13).
• Engine and Units Settings: Configure engine type, number of engines, system voltage, and units (Fig 14).
• NMEA 2000 Device List: View connected NMEA 2000 devices (Fig 15).
• Firmware Update and About Information: Update firmware and view device information (Fig 16).

By default, EngineLink operates in Access Point (AP) mode, creating its own wireless network with a default name and password. The network name and wireless password can be changed as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11: Network Settings in Access Point (AP) mode, showing LOCAL SSID, PASSWORD, LOCAL IP, NETMASK, WIFI MODE, and WIFI CHANNEL.

Any wireless network changes must be saved by clicking the "Update Settings" button. A confirmation pop-up will appear stating that settings have been applied and EngineLink will reboot within 20 seconds.

To join an existing wireless network, click the Station (STA) button, select the network from the drop-down list, and enter the wireless password. Click "Update Settings". After EngineLink reboots, it should join the selected network, and the Status LED will be ON.

Figure 12: Network Settings in Station (STA) mode, showing STATION SSID, PASSWORD, IP AT STATION, NETMASK, WIFI MODE, and WIFI CHANNEL.

If the Status LED is OFF with a short flash every two seconds, EngineLink has failed to connect to the selected network. Wait 30-45 seconds for EngineLink to revert to AP mode, or press and hold the reset button for >10 seconds for a factory reset.

In addition to displaying engine data, EngineLink converts GPS, Depth, and AIS PGNs into wireless NMEA data that popular mobile apps like Navionics Boating can receive.

By default, EngineLink allows apps to connect using UDP or TCP protocol on Port 2000. Up to 3 TCP connections and 7 UDP connections are supported simultaneously.

Figure 13: Data Connections settings, showing TCP PORT, UDP PORT, and Active TCP Connections.

When a TCP connection is made, the IP address of the connected device is displayed. There is usually no reason to change the default Port 2000 settings unless the port is used by another device.

By default, EngineLink is configured for a Single Combustion Engine, a 12v DC system, uses GPS SOG for speed, and displays European Metric Units. These settings can be changed in the "Other Settings" section (Fig 14).

Figure 14: Other Settings, including ENGINE type, NUMBER OF ENGINES, SYSTEM VOLTAGE, UNITS, SOURCE OF SPEED, GAUGE CONFIGURATION (Backup, Restore, Reset), and NMEA 2000 NETWORK (Device List, Reset).

Changing any of these settings applies the new value instantly. If you change the engine type to "Electric Motor", you will be prompted to confirm the mode change.

Figure 15: NMEA 2000 NETWORK DEVICE LIST, showing Address, Manufacturer, CAN Name, DIN, Class, and Function of connected devices.

5. Configuration Backup and Firmware Update

Once settings and gauges are configured, it is recommended to back up the configuration for easy restoration after firmware updates or factory resets.

Clicking the "Backup" button in the Gauge Configuration panel prompts you to name and save the backup file. To restore, click the "Restore" button and browse to the backup file.

The "Device List" button on the Settings page shows other devices on the NMEA 2000 network and their CAN Addresses, leading to the page shown in Figure 15.

Figure 16: Firmware update section, showing options to upload a file, serial number, firmware version, and links to support.

At the bottom of the Settings page (Figure 16) are details of the EngineLink's Firmware version. Firmware updates are sometimes necessary to fix bugs or add features. Check the version number and visit the Digital Yacht support website for updates.

EngineLink firmware can be updated via the web interface. Download the latest update (BIN file), click "Choose File", browse to the download location, select the file, and click "Update Firmware". The update takes about 10-20 seconds, and an "Update Successful" pop-up window should appear.

This Quick Start Manual covers basic EngineLink operation. More detailed descriptions are available in training videos. Scan the QR code applicable to your engine installation to access the relevant YouTube video.

Combustion Engine [QR Code for Combustion Engine YouTube Video]

Electric Engine [QR Code for Electric Engine YouTube Video]

Appendix A: EngineLink NMEA 2000 PGN Support

In addition to mandatory NMEA 2000 network management PGNs, EngineLink can receive and transmit the following PGNs:

Received PGNs

• 127488: Engine Parameters, Rapid Update
• 127489: Engine Parameters, Dynamic
• 127493: Transmission Parameters, Dynamic
• 127496: Trip Fuel Consumption, Vessel
• 127505: Fluid Level
• 127506: DC Detailed Status
• 127508: Battery Status
• 128259: Speed, Water Referenced
• 128267: Water Depth
• 128780: Linear Actuator Control/Status
• 129025: Position, Rapid Update
• 129026: COG & SOG, Rapid Update
• 129029: GNSS Position Data
• 129038: AIS Class A Position Report
• 129039: AIS Class B Position Report
• 129040: AIS Class B Extended Position Report
• 129041: AIS Aids to Navigation (AtoN) Report
• 129793: AIS UTC and Date Report
• 129794: AIS Class A Static and Voyage Related Data
• 129798: AIS SAR Aircraft Position Report
• 130312: Temperature - DEPRECATED
• 130316: Temperature, Extended Range
• 130576: Trim Tab Status

Transmitted PGNs

• 126993: Heartbeat
• 126996: Product Information
• 126998: Configuration Information

For more information about NMEA 2000, scan the QR code in the original document to access the NMEA 2000 Networking Guide.