Lowrance EP-85R Installation And Operation Instructions Manual

1

Pub. 988-0154-522

EP-85R Storage Device

Electronic Sensor

Installation and Operation Instructions

This document shows how to connect an EP-85R storage device to a
NMEA 2000

®

network. The EP-85R stores Fuel Used, Trip Fuel Used
and Seasonal Fuel Used data for up to three NMEA 2000 compatible
engines that output standard NMEA 2000 Fuel Rate Data.

NMEA 2000 is the communication bus standard developed by the
National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) for use in boats.
Lowrance has introduced a line of products that can communicate over
a NMEA 2000 network (LowranceNet).

All Lowrance NMEA 2000 capable devices are either NMEA 2000
certified or certification is pending.

CAUTION:

Installing LowranceNET NMEA 2000 devices is significantly
different from installing earlier Lowrance components without

NMEA 2000 features. You should read all of the installation
instructions before proceeding. Decide where you want to install
all components before drilling any holes in your vessel.

Some sonar or GPS display units may require a software upgrade to
display NMEA 2000 data correctly. For free software upgrades or
additional information on the LowranceNet NMEA 2000

®

network

system, visit our web site, www.lowrance.com.

The EP-85R Storage Device.

Smart module

Red NMEA 2000
connector

2

The EP-85R consists of a red cable connector and a smart module. It
accumulates fuel used data from fuel flow messages it receives from up
to three engines. Fuel used data includes: Fuel Range, Fuel Used, Trip
Fuel Used and Seasonal Fuel Used.

The EP-85R Storage Device, like the other LowranceNet Electronic
Probe (EP) sensors, is designed for use with a NMEA 2000 network.
Your sensor, however, is also compatible with LowranceNet blue
connector networks. It can be added to a blue connector network by
using a red female to blue female adapter cable. Your sensor MUST be
connected to a NMEA 2000 network or it WILL NOT function.

The NMEA 2000 red female to blue female adapter cable allows users

to add red connector devices to a blue connector network.

Tools and Supplies

Your EP sensor packs with a T connector needed to attach it to a
LowranceNET NMEA 2000 network. If you are connecting to an
existing LowranceNET network, those are all the electronic
components you need. If this is the first sensor you are connecting, you
will also need a one-time purchase of a LowranceNET Node Kit.

For complete instructions on setting up a new NMEA 2000 network or
expanding an existing one, see the other document packed with your
EP-85R Storage Device, "Setup and Installation of NMEA 2000
Networks, General Information," part number 988-0154-173. If that
document is not available, it can be downloaded free at
www.lowrance.com.

LowranceNET Node Kit for a NMEA 2000 network. Includes a 2-foot

extension cable, T connector and two 120-ohm terminators.

3

Installation

To install the EP-85R Storage Device, route the sensor's cable
connector to the T on the network backbone where you intend to attach
it and plug it in.

Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network

A NMEA 2000 network is a communications link between two or more
devices that transfer NMEA 2000 information. LowranceNET is the
NMEA 2000 networking system developed by Lowrance Electronics. A
NMEA 2000 network functions like the phone wiring in a house. If, for
example, you pick up a phone in the living room you will be able to
hear the conversation someone is having on a phone in the bedroom.

In similar fashion, a NMEA 2000 network allows multiple display units
to receive data from a GPS antenna or multiple sonar units to receive
messages sent by a temperature sensor. A NMEA 2000 network gives
you the flexibility to view information like engine diagnostics and fuel
level data on digital gauges or display units located anywhere on your
boat.

There are two types of LowranceNet red connectors: the single T

connector (left) and the double T connector (right).

Network Backbone and Network Nodes

A network bus backbone consists of network cabling, terminators and T
connectors. Network nodes are made by fitting T-shaped connectors into
the backbone (using the sockets on the sides) and attaching any network
device to the bottom of the T.

Staying with the previous phone wiring example, T connectors on the
backbone are the equivalent of phone jacks spread throughout a house.
To pick up a phone and be able to hear a conversation from another
phone in the house, both phones have to be connected to the main phone
line. In similar fashion, only sensors and display units plugged into the
NMEA network can share information. The network backbone is like the
phone wiring that runs throughout a home.

4

It connects the network nodes, allowing them to communicate across the
network. Connections found in the middle of the bus could have T
connectors or backbone network cable plugged into one or both sides.

Connections at the end of a network will have the backbone cable plugged
into one side and a terminator plugged into the other, as shown in the
following figure.

NMEA 2000 network node located at the end of a NMEA 2000 backbone.

NOTE:

If you have a double T Connector on your network that is not
attached to a device, you must cap the unused connector with a
NMEA 2000 cap. This will protect the pin connectors from
corrosion. The NMEA 2000 cap looks like a terminator, but has
"Cap" stamped into the connector housing.

All T connectors on your network probably will be connected to a device.
If you want to add another node to a working network, add another T
connector. T connectors may be purchased from LEI (ordering
information appears on the back page of this booklet). If you are adding a
Lowrance or LEI NMEA 2000 sensor, it will come with a T connector.

Adding a Network Node

You can add a node to any existing connection, anywhere along the
network backbone. This connection could be between a T connector and a
terminator, between two T connectors, between a T connector and a
backbone extension cable or between two extension cables. Wherever you
want to add the new node, separate the sockets of the existing connection
and install the T connector between them. If you want to add a node at
the end of the backbone (network bus) remove the terminator from the
last connector, like the figure above. Install the new T connector and
attach the terminator to the side of the connector.

Backbone cable
(to rest of bus)

Cable from
sensor or
display unit

Terminator at
the end of the
backbone (bus)

Double T
connector

Cap for unused
connector

5

In this example, a new device is added to the NMEA 2000 bus by

installing a T connector between a T connector and a terminator at the

end of the backbone (network bus).

Additional Network Information

For more information on creating or expanding a network refer to the
NMEA 2000 network setup booklet, part number 988-0154-173, which
came packed with this document.

Existing network
node

Attach
terminator at
end of bus

Use T-connector or double T connector to add
device to bus (maintaining linear architecture)

Backbone cable
to rest of bus

Devices connect to
double T connector

6

Notes

7

LMF-200: EP-85R Operation

This section covers how to use EP-85R Storage Device with the LMF­200 Multi-function gauge.

NOTE:

You will notice the LMF-200 does not have an Exit key. Menus will
time out after a preset amount of time (3, 5, 10 or 15 seconds). The
default setting is 5 seconds. Refer to your LMF-200 instruction
manual for more information on the Timeout feature.

LMF-200 Multi-function Digital Gauge.

Boat Setup

If this is the first time you have turned on your LMF-200, you will have
to complete Boat Setup before you will be able to use the gauge or the
EP-85R Storage Device.

To execute Boat Setup:

1. With Boat Setup highlighted on the screen, press MENU. The Boat
Setup menu will appear, allowing you to select an engine-tank
configuration that matches the number of engines and fuel tanks on
your vessel. Boat Setup options include: 1 En/1 Tk, 1 En/2 Tk, 2 En/1
Tk, 2 En/2 Tk, 3 En/1 Tk and 3 En/3 Tk.

2. Select the configuration option that matches number of engines and
tanks on your vessel and press

MENU.

3. Select the tank you want to set up and press

MENU, which will open

the Tank Size window.

4. Use the

UP and DOWN keys to input the number of gallons the tank

will hold and press

MENU. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each additional

tank. After all tanks have been set up, you will be directed to the main
display.

8

Boat Setup Reset

If you want to access the Setup screen (Boat Setup) after an engine­tank configuration has been chosen you will have to reset the
configuration to default settings.

To reset engine tank configuration:

1. Press MENU, highlight SYSTEM SETUP and press MENU.

2. Choose

ENG/TANK and press MENU twice. The following message will

appear: Hit menu to reset Eng/Tnk.

3. Press

MENU. The Setup screen will appear with Boat Setup

highlighted.

Fuel Remaining Source (FRem Src)

The Fuel Remaining source function allows you to select the device
used to measure the amount of fuel remaining in the tank. It will be set
to fluid level by default. The Fuel Remaining Source should be set to
fuel flow (Eng/FFlow) if you are going to use the EP-85R to monitor the
fuel remaining.

To set Fuel Remaining Source to Fuel Flow:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Select FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Highlight

FREM SRC and press MENU. That will open the FRem Src

menu..

3. Select

ENG/FFLOW and press MENU, which will take you back to the

main display.

NOTE:

If you select Fuel Level (Fluid Level) as the Fuel Remaining
Source, the EP-85R WILL NOT calculate Fuel Range.

Fuel Manager menu

The Fuel Manager menu allows you to adjust options used to measure
fuel economy. The following options can be set or reset from the Fuel
Manager menu: Refill Tank (Refill T), Part Fill (Partial Fill), Economy
Speed Source (Eco spd), Fuel Remaining Source (FRem Src), Reset Trip
Fuel (Rst trip F), Reset Seasonal Fuel (Rst Seas).

Refill Tank (Refill T)

Since the EP-85R is not connected to the tank, its fuel information is
not automatically updated when the tank is filled up. You must use the
Refill Tank command to ensure the fuel information in the EP-85R

9

stays consistent with the amount of fuel actually in the tank. The Refill
Tank command will NOT be used when the EP-65R Fluid Level is set as
the Fuel Remaining Source.

To refill tank:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Highlight FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Select

REFILL T and press MENU. If your unit is configured for more

than one tank, the Select Tank menu will appear with up to three
options. (If you are using a single tank configuration, you will not see
the Select Tank menu.)

3. Select the desired tank and press

MENU. The following message will

appear:

Hit Menu if Tank filled up. Press MENU and you will be taken

you back to the main display.

Partial Fill (Part Fill)

Since the EP-85R is not connected to the tank, its fuel information is
not automatically updated when fuel is added to the tank. When you
add fuel to a tank without completely filling it up, you must use the
Partial Fill command. This will ensure the fuel information in the EP­85R stays consistent with the amount of fuel actually in the tank.

To use Partial Fill:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Highlight FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Highlight

PART FILL and press MENU. The Select Tank menu will

appear with up to three options. (If you have one tank, you will be
taken directly to the Fuel Quantity window.) Select the desired engine
and press

MENU.

NOTE:

When using the Partial Fill command, you will only be able to input
an amount of fuel less or equal to the fuel used figure. The unit will
not allow you to input a fuel amount greater than the fuel used
figure.

3. The Fuel Quantity window will appear. Use the

UP and DOWN keys

to enter the amount of fuel you added to the tank and press

MENU. You

will be taken back to the main display.

Economy Speed Source (Eco spd)

The Economy Speed Source menu allows you to choose the speed source
(Water Speed, Pitot Speed or Ground Speed) the LMF-200 will use to
calculate Fuel Economy. Ground Speed is the default speed source for
Fuel Economy.

10

To change Economy Speed Source:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Select FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Highlight

ECO SPD and press MENU, which will open the Eco spd

menu. The menu has three options: Water Spd (Water Speed), Pitot
Speed and Gnd Spd (Ground Speed). A NMEA 2000 GPS module
measures ground speed, while a paddlewheel, like the EP-25 measures
water speed.

3. Select the desired speed source and press

MENU, which will take you

back to the main display.

Reset Trip Fuel Used (Rst trip f)

The EP-85R Storage Device keeps a running total of fuel used for a
trip. By using the Reset Trip command, you can reset to zero the
running total of fuel used on a trip.

To Reset Trip Fuel (Rst trip f)

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Highlight FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Select

RST TRIP F (Reset Trip Fuel) and press MENU. The Select Engine

menu will appear with up to four options. Select the desired engine or
All Engines and press

MENU. (If you are using a single-engine

configuration you will not see the Select Engine menu.)

3. The following message will appear: Hit Menu to Rst Trip F. Press

MENU, which will reset the trip fuel used to zero and take you back to

the main display.

Reset Seasonal Fuel (Rst Seas)

The EP-85R Storage Device keeps a running total of fuel used for a
season. By using the Reset Seasonal command, you can reset to zero
the running total of fuel used for a season.

To reset seasonal fuel:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Highlight FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Choose

RST SEAS and press MENU. If you have more than one engine,

the Select Engine menu will appear with up to four options.

3. Select the desired engine or All Engines and press

MENU. The

following message will appear: Hit Menu to Rst USD:S.

4. Press

MENU, which will take you back to the main display.

Displaying Storage Device Data

You can display your storage device data on the Single Digital, Dual
Digital and Fuel Manager pages.