Suzuki NMEA Custom Bundle

Description

Use our Suzuki NMEA Custom Bundle builder to get the parts for a perfect NMEA installation.  So, you get the exact NMEA cables needed for outboard, boat, and fish finder.  Also, we have special cables bundles specifically for Suzuki tiller setups.  All you need to know is what gear you’ve got. Our bundle builder will specify exactly what you need.  And, won’t add anything you don’t.

Have questions?  Or, maybe you have equipment on your boat that is not listed.  We love talking to customers.  Please contact us and we will help you out.

Your Suzuki outboard needs to be a 10 HP or larger 4 stroke outboard built in 1999 or newer.

Suzuki Data System (SDS) Connector Variants

There are 3 possible physical cable connection combinations to connect a Suzuki NMEA Cable to your outboard(s).  In all cases since 1999, there are two connectors on the outboard.  One can be of various shapes/pin count.  The 4 pin connector on the SDS NMEA 2000 cable provides all of the NMEA 2000 engine data to your fish finder EXCEPT for trim.  The 2 pin connector may be connected to the outboards trim sending unit.  The 4 pin connector on the NMEA 2000 cable requires an adapter cable to connect to the outboard wiring in more than 50% of installations.

Trim Connection (All Models)

Every Suzuki outboard made since 1999 has exactly the same 2 pin connector on it’s TRIM sending unit.  It never varies.  The trim connector will only ever fit the 2 pin connector on the NMEA 2000 cable. The engine side trim connector can be additionally identified by two wires that are white (with a tiny yellow tracer line) and black in color.

Many of our customers have difficulty finding the two pin trim connector in their Suzuki outboards.  There can be two main reasons for this.  First, it may already be connected to the wiring harness for the instrumentation that travels to the console, even if there is no trim gauge installed.  Second, Suzuki seems to take some kind of sinister pleasure from burying unconnected ones deep in the engine compartment.  Some of our customers have had success tracing back the harness from the trailer trim switch.

To see if you trim connection is going to the console.

Before connecting this two pin connector, you need to decide if you want trim displayed on your NMEA 2000 devices / fish finder.  Trim is the only parameter that is “either/or” on your installation.  If you have a trim gauge on your console now, and you move this connector to the new NMEA 2000 cable, your console trim gauge will stop working.  This is the ONLY engine parameter that does this.  All of your other gauges will continue to work as they do now.  If you do not have a separate trim gauge on your console, we recommend that you connect the trim sending unit to the NMEA 2000 cable, as any NMEA 2000 capable fish finder will display trim.

Main 4 pin (square) SDS Connection (2008 to Now Connector – Male and Female Versions)

Every Suzuki outboard since 2008 has two connectors that are identical shape and size, and are 4 pins arranged in a 2×2 pin pattern.  But, yours may be either male or female gender, and there seems to be no way to have the serial number indicate in advance which gender any particular outboard build has. The spare square connector you are looking for generally ships from the factory covered in a black or grey silicon rubber cap that has a retaining loop molded on to it as well.  It’s job is to protect this connection until it is needed.  You just have to gently pull this cap off to see what version of the 4 pin connector you have.

Before buying a cable bundle for your Suzuki outboard, you should check to see if your SDS connector looks like this version, or not:

If your SDS connector matches this photo, you do not need the SDS gender adapter cable as well as the Suzuki NMEA Cable.  If you have the opposite gender SDS connector, you will need the gender adapter cable.  Our version of this cable has two different connector colors, and a label indicating which end goes to the engine.  Most manufacturers don’t do this. And our bag has a label to tell you which direction to install the cable as well.  We also send you an email about this after you order.

What if I can’t get to my boat easily?

Can’t easily access your boat?  We can help.  Simply order the adapter cable with your bundle.  If you don’t need the adapter, just return it.  Unopened adapter cables that are returned in their original bag will be fully refunded.  You just have to pay return postage.  Any method with a tracking number is fine.

Using the open 4 pin connector to connect your NMEA 2000 cable works 99% of the time.  However, if you are having difficulty getting engine data on your fish finder, try swapping the existing 4 pin connection running to your console with the 4 pin connection for the NMEA 2000 cable.  In extremely rare circumstances, this will solve the problem.

Specific NMEA 2000 Cable Option for Lowrance & Suzuki 2016 and Later

Got a Lowrance fish finder(s)?.  You can still use the same standard 2013 to Now Suzuki NMEA 2000 cable.  Or, you can purchase the 2016 to Now Lowrance version of the Suzuki NMEA 2000 cable.  This higher priced, Lowrance only version of the NMEA 2000 cable automatically adds a Suzuki icon to your fish finders main screen.  This enables a Suzuki specific engine display.

This option provides a prettier display and and a more simple installation.  However, it does not give you any additional engine information.

It is also worth mentioning that in setups with multiple Suzuki outboards, only one outboard has to have this cable.  All the others use the standard 2013 to Now NMEA 2000 cable.

Main 8 pin (round) SDS Connection (1999 to 2007)

Suzuki outboards built in 2007 and earlier have one round 8 pin SDS connector.  Look for a round connector the size of a silver dollar, covered with a black or grey silicon cap with a retaining loop.  The connector looks like this:

In all cases, these outboards require the Suzuki NMEA 2000 cable for earlier model outboards.  These outboards always require the adapter cable to convert the round 8 pin connector in their outboard to a 4 pin connector on the Suzuki NMEA 2000 cable.

Potential Fuel Use Issue in 2003 to 2007 Models

2003 to 2007 Suzuki outboard owners need to be aware that there is a small chance that the fuel usage data the system displays will be incorrect.  This known problem occurs in about 10% of our customers installations with models in this date range.  90% of the customers who have installed these systems see the correct fuel consumption data.  All customers in this year range see the rest of the engine information correctly.

If fuel consumption is not correct after your installation, and fuel consumption is a critical parameter, you will have to install a third party NMEA fuel monitor.  Garmin and Maretron both make products to do this.