Rose Point announces a new Engine Interface Add-On for customers who want to display and monitor engine performance data onboard. The system is specifically designed to interface existing diesel and gasoline engines. The product includes both hardware and software for connecting to the engine and displaying information on the screen.

There have been many past attempts by others to create cost-effective engine monitoring systems for older engines. None have been widely accepted. This product has the right combination of features; it includes both the hardware and software, uses existing sending units, is based on NMEA 2000 standards, and can be installed in the wheelhouse or on the engine. This unique combination of features will make this device succeed where others have failed.

The hardware is very unique, extremely flexible, and is ideal for a number of different installation modes. The system is based on NMEA 2000 and includes a USB gateway to transfer the information to the PC and to calibrate the hardware. The device can also be calibrated using proprietary PGN’s on the network. Unlike other devices that send only one pre-defined message, the device can be programmed to output the type of data the user wants by selecting from a list of typical engine data types. One person might care about fuel pressure while another is looking for transmission oil pressure. There are four analog inputs, including but not limited to: oil pressure, engine temperature, fuel pressure, and engine tilt/trim. The software can be used to configure alarms for many of the supported data types, and has an interface for RPM and for monitoring system voltages for two battery banks and the alternator. These unique features make the product suitable for different types of installations.

The hardware is designed to be installed under the dashboard by connecting to existing gauges installed on the vessel. Once the data is in the system it can be transported to other devices via the NMEA 2000 network, and to the computer via the included USB gateway. An alternate installation mode is to connect the interface box directly to the senders and locate the box in the engine room. In this type of installation, the devices are connected to an NMEA 2000 backbone for distribution to the rest of the vessel. A separate USB to NMEA 2000 gateway can be used to transport the data to the PC for display.

The Engine Interface Add-On includes user-configurable software gauges for displaying data on the screen. Users can choose from a variety of gauges and display options when designing their screen displays. Additional NMEA 2000 data types are also supported so that data from other NMEA 2000 sensors can be shown along with the data from the Engine Interface Add-On. One of the most important aspects of gathering data from the engine is the ability to record it for later analysis. The Engine Interface Add-On includes the ability to record data from the engine and to create strip charts for individual sensor data.

The new Engine Interface Add-On will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2012. The prices have not been announced at this time. Visit www.rosepointnav.com for more information.

Rose Point Navigation Systems is a leading developer of PC-based navigation systems and produces Coastal Explorer and Rose Point ECS. The company was founded in 2003, by Brad Christian, an ex-Microsoft developer. Rose Point is located in Redmond, Washington.

For screen shots, please contact Jeff Hummel: Jeff@Rosepointnav.com.