8612XSV MPG doesn't work and Autoglide Functionality

[Submariner]

Does your Garmin 8612XSV report GPH and GPS Speed, yet only reports 0.00 for mpg?
Does your boat have a Yamaha outboard?
Did this use to work before April of 2021, and stop working after a firmware update?

Here's the answer and it's complicated.

The Yamaha Command Link Plus is what's installed for the outboard. Technically, that bus is J1939.
The network that connects the devices all together is the Nema2000 (N2k) bus. The Fusion Radio, Garmin Chartplotter, VHF Radio, Autopilot, all connect via the N2k bus. To connect the engine from J1939 to connect to the N2k bus, a Yamaha Command Link Plus gateway is required (MAR‐ GTWAY‐KT‐00). This converts engine data from J1939 to N2k.

I spoke with Garmin, the problem with MPG not reporting on the 8612 chartplotter is the Yamaha Command Link Plus Gateway. To bypass/remove the Yamaha Gateway, perform the following: There's a Garmin cable one can buy for about $30, "Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939" cable. This plugs into the J1939 port on the back of your chart plotter. The other end plugs into the cable that you unplug from the Yamaha gateway.

This is how you bypass the Yamaha Gateway and have the engine plugged directly into the chartplotter. This solves the mpg reading on the 8612XSV Chartplotter. It will work.

However... If you have the Lenco Autoglide or are planning to install the Lenco Autoglide, the Autoglide will not work without the Yamaha Command Link Plus Gateway. The Autoglide requires engine RPM data, which is only available on the N2k bus if the Yamaha gateway is installed. The Garmin Chartplotter will not take engine data received on J1939 to send back out on the N2k network.

My 8612XSV stopped reporting mpg sometime earlier than April of 2021. I have the Yamaha Command Link Plus gateway for the Yamaha F300. I bought the Yamaha Engine to J1939 cable. I also have Autoglide installed. I tested this today.

My solution remains the same. I use the Yamaha display to see MPG used solely for adjusting engine trim. On my chartplotter, I watch GPH, and can not display MPG. I need the Yamaha Command Link Plus gateway for the Autoglide to function. I can't use the Yamaha Engine to J1939 cable.

Did your boat come with a Yamaha Engine Gateway?
My 2021 RT27-OB came with the Yamaha gateway. I recently helped another boater install Autoglide on their brand new 2023 RT27-OB. Apparently, the factory has stopped installing the Yamaha Gateway and instead, installed the Yamaha Engine to J1939 cable which plugs directly into the Garmin Chartplotter. MPG reading works on the chartplotter.

If you're considering adding Autoglide to your new RT (outboard) (as I assume this info is the same for an RT23 and RT25), you will want to verify whether your boat came with the Yamaha Command Link Plus gateway. If not, you will need to buy and install one to complete your Autoglide installation. Installation is easy, but the gateway adds additional expense.

 

[Submariner]

The easiest way to know if your boat came with the Yamaha Command Link Control Plus gateway is to look at your N2k bus.

Reactor
VHF
12 volt Power
Gps
Ghc20
Yamaha engine
Fusion radio

If your installation has no cable labeled "Yamaha Engine", then you don't have the Yamaha gateway.

What the Nema2k bus looks like on an RT27-OB.
https://www.letsgochannelsurfing.com/autoglide?pgid=kxcmp6wc-c700640b-6d25-4fcb-9e69-bb9de8df2565

 

[GypsyMoth]

Martin,
Thanks for the research and posting it! I'll have to take a look at my boat to see if I have the Yamaha Command Link Plus gateway... but one question.

If I proceed and directly connect the engine to the chart plotter using the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable, will I lose the data from showing on the Yamaha multifunction display (6YC)?

Cheers,
John

 

[Submariner]

If I proceed and directly connect the engine to the chart plotter using the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable, will I lose the data from showing on the Yamaha multifunction display (6YC)?

Nope. It'll all just "work".

There is a Yamaha bus. It takes power, the engine, the yamaha display, and command link plus gateway connected to it.
On the RT27-OB, its directly behind the helm, (open up the mirror in the head), and the bus is right down in front. Red, Grey, White, White, Empty, Empty, all quick disconnects. This is the Yamaha Bus.

You would be disconnecting the gateway to plug in the Chartplotter via J1939 to the Yamaha bus. The Yamaha gauge on your dash would continue to function as normal.

 

[marksandyham]

I have a 7612 on my 2019 R-27. Will the engine data available on the CP be different if I plug the J connector into the CP vs. using the gateway?

AutoGlide may be in my future but this year.

 

[Submariner]

I have a 7612 on my 2019 R-27. Will the engine data available on the CP be different if I plug the J connector into the CP vs. using the gateway?

AutoGlide may be in my future but this year.

The engine data displayed is the same whether it's J1939 or N2k. Well, with the exception of MPG that's only displayed if using the J1939.

Do you have this problem with a 7612 Chartplotter?

 

[GypsyMoth]

Nope. It'll all just "work".

Thanks Martin!

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

For the record, autoglide works well with the 942xsv.


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[marksandyham]

I have a 7612 on my 2019 R-27. Will the engine data available on the CP be different if I plug the J connector into the CP vs. using the gateway?

AutoGlide may be in my future but this year.

The engine data displayed is the same whether it's J1939 or N2k. Well, with the exception of MPG that's only displayed if using the J1939.

Do you have this problem with a 7612 Chartplotter?

No. Just curious. I have not checked to see which connection my 2019 uses. I was hoping to get more engine data just because inquiring minds want to know more information.

 

[GypsyMoth]

Martin,
Just wondering if you actually purchased the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable and connected it?

I received my Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable, and took it down to the boat a few days ago. The instructions that come with the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 state that a Yamaha - Command Link Pigtail Bus Harness is required and that this pigtail is used to cable the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 to the Yamaha Engine Bus.

There are two connectors (the only two connectors that are white, there is a white cover on a third unused socket...) on the Yamaha Bus that can be plugged into the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable. Disconnecting one and plugging that cable into the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable I appear to loose the display of the Yamaha engine trim on the Garmin chartplotter. If I unplug the other and connect it to the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 then the Yamaha Display does not display anything.

I've ordered the pigtail, and will see if that provides all information including the MPG on the Garmin Chartplotter...

Cheers,
John

 

[Submariner]

Martin,
Just wondering if you actually purchased the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable and connected it?

I received my Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable, and took it down to the boat a few days ago. The instructions that come with the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 state that a Yamaha - Command Link Pigtail Bus Harness is required and that this pigtail is used to cable the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 to the Yamaha Engine Bus.

There are two connectors (the only two connectors that are white, there is a white cover on a third unused socket...) on the Yamaha Bus that can be plugged into the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable. Disconnecting one and plugging that cable into the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable I appear to loose the display of the Yamaha engine trim on the Garmin chartplotter. If I unplug the other and connect it to the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 then the Yamaha Display does not display anything.

I've ordered the pigtail, and will see if that provides all information including the MPG on the Garmin Chartplotter...

Cheers,
John

There is a 2 foot pigtail cable that connects from the Yamaha bus to the Yamaha gateway.

I disconnected the Yamaha bus cable from the Yamaha gateway and plugged the j1939 cable directly into the pigtail.

If you add a 3rd pigtail and plug the j1939 into the chart plotter with the Yamaha gateway connected, garmin told me you’d see double engine data on the chartplotter.

 

[Submariner]

Martin,
Just wondering if you actually purchased the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable and connected it?

I received my Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable, and took it down to the boat a few days ago. The instructions that come with the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 state that a Yamaha - Command Link Pigtail Bus Harness is required and that this pigtail is used to cable the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 to the Yamaha Engine Bus.

There are two connectors (the only two connectors that are white, there is a white cover on a third unused socket...) on the Yamaha Bus that can be plugged into the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable. Disconnecting one and plugging that cable into the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 cable I appear to loose the display of the Yamaha engine trim on the Garmin chartplotter. If I unplug the other and connect it to the Yamaha Engine Bus to J1939 then the Yamaha Display does not display anything.

I've ordered the pigtail, and will see if that provides all information including the MPG on the Garmin Chartplotter...

Cheers,
John

Said differently… I bought the j1939 Yamaha cable from Garmin.
I unplugged the Yamaha gateway from the engine bus. It’s connected with a 2 ft pigtail cable. I unplugged it at the n2k gateway and left it connected to the Yamaha bus. This is the one cable Garmin says I needed. I reused that pigtail cable to connect to the j1939 cable to the Garmin chart plotter.

The two white connectors on the Yamaha bus, one goes to the Yamaha n2k gateway, the other goes to the Yamaha display.

Garmin instructed me not to connect the Yamaha j1939 cable and the Yamaha n2k gateway at the same time else the Chartplotter would see double the data and think there’s 2 engines.

When running on the j1939 Yamaha cable and the n2k Yamaha gateway disconnected from the Yamaha bus, my Yamaha display worked and I was able to see mpg (nmpg) report accurately on the 8612 chartplotter. However, without the Yamaha n2k gateway, the Lenco Autoglide would not work.

When I reconnect the Yamaha n2k gateway and disconnect the Yamaha Garmin j1939 cable, the Lenco Autoglide now works but mpg is no longer reported to the chartplotter. But the Yamaha display works and shows mpg.


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[GypsyMoth]

Martin,
Thanks for the clarification:

I unplugged it at the n2k gateway and left it connected to the Yamaha bus. This is the one cable Garmin says I needed. I reused that pigtail cable to connect to the j1939 cable to the Garmin chart plotter.

The two white connectors on the Yamaha bus, one goes to the Yamaha n2k gateway, the other goes to the Yamaha display.

In my attempt, I removed the white connector on the Yamaha Hub/Bus- sounds like I connected the Yamaha N2K Gateway to the chart plotter... I'll locate the gateway and try connecting the J1939 to that end of the pigtail- this would connect the chart plotter to the Yamaha hub/bus... On the other hand, I assume that if I disconnect the existing Yamaha N2K Gateway to Yamaha Hub/Bus from the Hub/Bus and use a new pigtail to connect the Hub/Bus to the Garmin chart plotter the result would be the same (not adding a new connection to the Hub/Bus.

I suppose it is OK to leave the Yamaha N2K Gateway connected to the N2K Bus but disconnected from the Yamaha Hub/bus...

Cheers,
John

 

[Submariner]

In my attempt, I removed the white connector on the Yamaha Hub/Bus- sounds like I connected the Yamaha N2K Gateway to the chart plotter... I'll locate the gateway and try connecting the J1939 to that end of the pigtail- this would connect the chart plotter to the Yamaha hub/bus...

The Yamaha N2k gateway is close, really close. If you're in the head, mirror open, looking straight at the Yamaha engine bus... the Yamaha N2k gateway is just to the port side (your right hand side) of the Yamaha engine bus.

Said different... Look at your Nema2k bus... follow it towards the port side... at the end of that N2k bus (around the corner) you can feel the Yamaha engine N2k gateway. It's a small box, about 3" big. It has two cables. One is a N2k cable, the other is a white Yamaha engine bus connector. It's not easy to see standing in the head because it's directly around the corner of the right hand side (port side) of the mirror access behind the helm. (just to the port side of the latch that holds the mirror in the head closed).

In this photo... you see where I installed my Vesper AIS. VHF, Power, Nema 2000, GPS... then you see the small corner of something with a single square drive screw. That's one of the two screws that hold the Yamaha Engine N2k Gateway. This is where it's installed.
https://www.letsgochannelsurfing.com/ais?pgid=kxco1vh7-7ade5b85-d334-40e8-be15-8447af89af8e

In this photo.. top right, you see a small corner of something with that square drive screw. This is the N2k gateway.
https://www.letsgochannelsurfing.com/ais?pgid=kxco1vh7-200d9857-2f40-49b4-be90-cc4d9a37931c

You can access the Yamaha N2k gateway from the head. It's just hard to see from there.

On the other hand, I assume that if I disconnect the existing Yamaha N2K Gateway to Yamaha Hub/Bus from the Hub/Bus and use a new pigtail to connect the Hub/Bus to the Garmin chart plotter the result would be the same (not adding a new connection to the Hub/Bus.

Correct. I would expect results to be the same. You just want 2 things connected to the Yamaha Bus. The Yamaha display and either the N2k Gateway or the J1939 cable (one or the other, not both).

I suppose it is OK to leave the Yamaha N2K Gateway connected to the N2K Bus but disconnected from the Yamaha Hub/bus...

You are correct as that's exactly what I did. I left the Yamaha N2k gateway connected to the N2k bus, but disconnected it from the Yamaha Bus. As a gateway, it's really just a protocol converter. It's converting engine data at J1939 to talk Nema2k. So once the Yamaha engine gateway is disconnected from the Yamaha engine bus, there's no more data coming it for it to convert.

 

[GypsyMoth]

Martin,
Thanks, the location of the Gateway, especially the photo with the fuse panel removed is very helpful! Not sure when I'll have the boat out of the harbor next, but I'm looking forward to having MPG back on the chartplotter!

I also have Vesper AIS, installed by Ranger- same location you placed yours. It was blocking my view of the gateway...

Thanks again!
-John

 

[Submariner]

Thanks again!
-John

Here's a drawing.

https://www.letsgochannelsurfing.com/_files/ugd/b6c9c0_85ed9b5348034e1bb49f441d5bba5227.pdf

 

[Snaumann]

Martin,
Thanks for sharing your research. I followed your instructions by connecting the pig tail to the Yamaha BUS and J1939 connector to the plotter as you described—MPG displayed again on the chart plotter! Appreciate your continued efforts to educate and assist others!
/r
Scott Naumann

 

[Submariner]

Martin,
Thanks for sharing your research. I followed your instructions by connecting the pig tail to the Yamaha BUS and J1939 connector to the plotter as you described—MPG displayed again on the chart plotter! Appreciate your continued efforts to educate and assist others!
/r
Scott Naumann

No problem! Glad you got it working. 🙂


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[Submariner]

I found a picture of the Yamaha to Nema2k gateway installed on my boat in my photo album.

This is what it looks like. The 2023 models of the RT27-OB do not come with this anymore. Autoglide is going to require this be installed. The spot to install it is still available. This would take me about 15 minutes to install.

https://www.letsgochannelsurfing.com/ais?pgid=kxco1vh7-d9a24198-982f-4276-95dd-7cdfe514e74c

 

[Submariner]

In the following video we just published, I talk about, and illustrate the J1939 and Nema2k networks. I discuss the Yamaha gateway, and the Garmin MPG issue discussed in this thread.

Skip to and watch timestamp 0:55 to 3:45.

What's new on the Ranger Tug R27ob for 2023/ Seattle Boat Show 2023
https://youtu.be/qvSYz3KhKQI