Volvo Penta Easy Connect

[DanM]

For Volvo Penta gas engine owners. Has anyone installed the Volvo Penta Easy Connect on their engines?

https://www.volvopenta.us/marineleisure ... nnect.html

I am considering it mainly for fuel flow and engine diagnostics. I like the bluetooth idea so I don't have to snake a new cable from the engine room to the bridge.

Like to know:
-If it's a DYI product (seems to be)
-Opinion of it's performance
-What you use it for
-What year engines did you install it on since it has more functionality the newer the motor. It starts with the 2003 engines.

Other suggestions besides Easy Connect and FloScan?

Thanks

[bud37]

I don't know if it makes a difference in this case, but what year is your engine package ?

[pepmyster]

In the same boat,HA!, as you. Got a Garmin 1242 touch and want to connect our engines to it. Either NMEA 200o or bluetooth connect. Yes, doing it bluetooth has to be easier but thinking hard wire would be better. 8.1 VP gas 2004.

[Viper]

Haven't installed one yet but covered it briefly in a training session I attended. I would consider it a DYI install. Hooks up to the EVC Multilink box at the helm or to the engine harness of non-EVC applications, and to a NMEA 2000 backbone if you have one. If you have EVC, your access will be at the helm so no need to run wiring to your engines if you want engine data on your NMEA 2000 nav display. The hook up to a backbone will also allow you to see other data on your Bluetooth device such as depth, GPS, etc. that you wouldn't get from the engine. Pretty sure you don't have to hook up to NMEA 2000 if you don't have it, you'll just be limited to engine data if you don't. The kit supposedly comes with pretty easy to follow instructions. I can't comment on performance.