On my 2005 Yamaha F150's I had to order a cable for each motor that terminated in a NMEA2000 connector. I connected both motors to my Garmin 4210 via the NMEA2000 bus. Everything works fine. I have all my Yamaha engine gauges/information on my 4210.
J1939 is a newer interface that wasn't available when I did mine. My 4210 does not have a J1939 connector but my new 943xsv does. I appears to be a better way to connect a chartplotter to your engines. It is a separate bus from the NEMA2000 bus. Not sure if bridging the buses preserves all the functionality of J1939.
From Garmin...
Can a J1939 Engine be Connected to the NMEA 2000 Network
Some marine engine manufacturers utilize the J1939 protocol to communicate via the CAN system. J1939 and NMEA 2000 use the same message formats, but the method of sending that data differs. J1939 manufacturers "hard code" the node address for each product connected on a network, where NMEA 2000 is considered a "plug-and-play" system that assigns node addresses automatically when connected to the NMEA 2000 network. NMEA 2000 is an easier method of installation between various marine devices. J1939 engines are more likely to be found on larger vessels, or commercially used ships, i.e., commercial fishing boats, tugs, ferries, cruise ships where engine data is critical information for the operation of the vessel. J1939 engines often have gateways that allow them to connect to the NMEA 2000 network, but if the engine is a J1939, some proprietary sentences are not read via the NMEA 2000 network.
There are a couple of engine manufacturers found in pleasure crafts that use the J1939 interface, like Yamaha and the Volvo Penta . Garmin makes a line of GPSMAP units with the J1939 port that allows for engine data to be shared with the Garmin Chartplotter.
- J1939 engines will require a specialized cable from the engine manufacturer.
- J1939 also requires professional installation by an authorized installer for J1939. It is not installed by the end-user.
- J1939 engines can connect to the NMEA 2000 network but require a gateway that is sold by the engine manufacturer. Some engine proprietary sentences will not transmit via NMEA 2000.