What are the basic configuration items of the TLM100 and how do I perform them using a DSM250?

The TLM100 comes from the factory pre--configured for a 40 inch depth, rectangular fuel tank. By default, the TLM100 is configured to transmit information over the NMEA 2000 network for the first fuel tank designated as tank number 0. If this is not the desired configuration, then follow this tutorial to understand the basic configuration items of the TLM100.

From the favorite screens, press the enter key to enter the main menu.  Scroll to Configuration… using the up and down arrows and press the enter key.  Scroll to Device Configuration… and press the enter key.  Scroll to the TLM100 that you wish to configure and press the enter key.  

Notice the first item is Advanced Configuration… which isn’t normally used except by advanced users that completely understand the TLM100 after reading the manual. The items under the advanced configuration menu are covered in another video.

First, let’s configure the Device Label. The Device Label allows you to create text, like “Aft Fuel Tank” that is associated with a tank number. Later when you go to setup screens on Maretron’s DSM250 display or within the N2KView, you can easily identify the “Aft Fuel Tank” as opposed to “Tank-Fuel #0”. To configure the Label, press the enter key with Device Label highlighted, this will bring you to the text menu. Using the available categories create your desired text. When done scroll to save and exit and press the enter key.

Next, let’s configure the tank capacity. This is where you tell the TLM100 how much fluid the tank holds. You don’t have to configure this parameter, but if you do configure the tank capacity, most displays will be able to show the amount of fluid remaining and not just a percentage of fluid in the tank. To configure the tank capacity, press the enter key with Tank Capacity highlighted and then use the up and down arrows to set the capacity. If you hold down the arrow keys, then the numbers will begin to scroll progressively faster the longer the button is held.  Once you have selected the capacity, press the enter key to store the capacity value within the TLM100. The TLM100 now reports its capacity to all displays connected to the network.

The next menu entry is Tank Levels Calibration…. Remember, the TLM100 is pre-configured for a 40 inch depth, rectangular tank. If this isn’t the desired configuration, then you can use this menu item for different shaped or depth tanks. To calibrate the tank shape and/or depth, scroll to Tank Levels Calibration… and press the enter key. Notice that there are two calibration techniques. The first technique is Custom Calibration…, which allows you to configure the TLM100 for odd shaped tanks using a 16 point calibration table. If you have a non-rectangular tank, go ahead and follow the on screen instructions to perform the 16 point calibration. The other calibration technique has to do with rectangular shaped tanks.  Use this entry to set the distance from the TLM100 to a full tank and the distance from the TLM100 to an empty tank.

The next menu entry is Tank number. NMEA 2000 displays use tank numbers to distinguish which tank should be displayed. For example, if you have four fuel tanks, then the displays need a way to distinguish the different tanks. Therefore, unique tank numbers must be configured for each tank type. If there are four fuel tanks and two fresh water tanks, then you might configure the fuel tanks to be numbers 0 through 3 and the water tanks could be numbered 0 through 1. To configure the tank number, press the enter key with Tank Number highlighted and then use the up and down arrows to set the tank number.  Once you have selected the tank number, press the enter key to save the tank number within the TLM100.

Lastly, we need to configure the tank type. This is where you pick the type of fluid that is contained within the tank. To configure the tank type, press the enter key with Tank Type highlighted and then use the up and down arrows to set the tank type.  Once you have selected the tank type, press the enter key to save the tank type within the TLM100.

The configuration of the Maretron TLM100 is now complete.  Press the Back button four times to return to the Favorite screens mode.