New Garmin 943 xsv, VV403, SH 2400 & NMEA 2000 Installed

[Boater71]

I wanted to share what I have done and more than happy to answer any questions. I have upgraded to a new electronics and panel on my cruiser. I call this project phase 1. Phase 2 will include a Fusion unit and Fanthom Radar.

I'm looking for a solution for the white lettering on the black panel!

My goals were:

• Ability to see the displays when not at the Helm. Since the Helm seats are high, I needed to get get to the helm to look at the sonar. I also had no visibility to the VHF as it was mount belo the helm.
• Update to the latest VesselView so that I can share the data with the MFDs
• largest display directly in front of me. Previously I had to look down to look at chartplotter for navigation
• Create a NMEA 2000 network for communication across devices and get AIS data on the chartplotter
• Install Radar for weather, harbor and night navigation
• Add an iPhone holder or charger on the panel where I could also have more
• Prep for dual network Garmin MFDs

I purchased the following:

• Garmin 943 xsv (new and hard to find)
• VesselView 403
• Active Trim with no dash
• Standard Horizon 2400
• NMEA 2000
• Scanstrut ROKK Wireless Active Wireless Phone Charger
  
• upgrade from 6 port junction box to 8 port Smartcraft junction box

The first step, I debated for a while which VV to get, however, I settled on the VV403 for the following reasons:

• It has the VV multilink, NMEA 2000 gateway, and a display ALL in a small one unit
• Connects to NMEA 2000 MFDs and I can share the engine data and view it on a larger display if and when needed
• I won't need a dash for the Active Trim kit
• I already had the VV mobile and view engine data on my iphone/ipad while in the engine room

Install was straightforward. Disconnect the old VesselView and harness, and connect the VV403. All the mercury data I needed and more are now on the home display (no need to switch). The biggest issue I ran into is having to run a sensor discovery. Once the VV403 was connected, it automatically runs the setup wizard, however, it does not scane for the sensors and no data was displayed including no battery data. That threw me off for a couple of weeks until I found how to do that another forum how to the run the sensor discovery. I also needed to upgrade the smartcraft junction box to create 2 more ports for the VV403 & Active trim kit.

Garmin 943 xsv:

• Largest display I could fit the space
• I already had a transducer install which later I found out was not compatible
• Provides DownVu and SideVu, which is really nice to have. I will have to install another transducer for this
• Connected to NMEA 2000 and now I can get all the mercury data, fuel gauges and trim levels

Standard Horizon:

• The new SH 2400 with AIS receiver and integrated GPS
• Connected to NMEA 2000 for AIS data to show on the Garmin 943
• I changed the location so that I can easily see the display and have the controls within reach

ROKK Wireless Active Wireless Phone Charger:

• always had an issue where to put my phone and how to charge it.
• This is a wireless as well as a solid phone holder with one hand operation. I can keep the phone display on the Mercury VV mobile
• I could not mount it Vertically because it extends to more than 8" when mounting the phone. I ended up mounting it horizontally

Before and After pictures below.

 

[RBB]

very nice.

 

[Skybolt]

... I'm looking for a solution for the white lettering on the black panel!
...

Ken at flounder pounder (Searay-parts) can laser etch and provide back lighting for any panel when they are custom made. Pretty reasonable prices for this. They have made many panels of all sizes for me and never hade an issue. I will post a pick later, need to take one first.

 

[Bottom Line]

I wanted to share what I have done and more than happy to answer any questions. I have upgraded to a new electronics and panel on my cruiser. I call this project phase 1. Phase 2 will include a Fusion unit and Fanthom Radar.

I'm looking for a solution for the white lettering on the black panel!

My goals were:

• Ability to see the displays when not at the Helm. Since the Helm seats are high, I needed to get get to the helm to look at the sonar. I also had no visibility to the VHF as it was mount belo the helm.
• Update to the latest VesselView so that I can share the data with the MFDs
• largest display directly in front of me. Previously I had to look down to look at chartplotter for navigation
• Create a NMEA 2000 network for communication across devices and get AIS data on the chartplotter
• Install Radar for weather, harbor and night navigation
• Add an iPhone holder or charger on the panel where I could also have more
• Prep for dual network Garmin MFDs

I purchased the following:

• Garmin 943 xsv (new and hard to find)
• VesselView 403
• Active Trim with no dash
• Standard Horizon 2400
• NMEA 2000
• Scanstrut ROKK Wireless Active Wireless Phone Charger
  
• upgrade from 6 port junction box to 8 port Smartcraft junction box

The first step, I debated for a while which VV to get, however, I settled on the VV403 for the following reasons:

• It has the VV multilink, NMEA 2000 gateway, and a display ALL in a small one unit
• Connects to NMEA 2000 MFDs and I can share the engine data and view it on a larger display if and when needed
• I won't need a dash for the Active Trim kit
• I already had the VV mobile and view engine data on my iphone/ipad while in the engine room

Install was straightforward. Disconnect the old VesselView and harness, and connect the VV403. All the mercury data I needed and more are now on the home display (no need to switch). The biggest issue I ran into is having to run a sensor discovery. Once the VV403 was connected, it automatically runs the setup wizard, however, it does not scane for the sensors and no data was displayed including no battery data. That threw me off for a couple of weeks until I found how to do that another forum how to the run the sensor discovery. I also needed to upgrade the smartcraft junction box to create 2 more ports for the VV403 & Active trim kit.

Garmin 943 xsv:

• Largest display I could fit the space
• I already had a transducer install which later I found out was not compatible
• Provides DownVu and SideVu, which is really nice to have. I will have to install another transducer for this
• Connected to NMEA 2000 and now I can get all the mercury data, fuel gauges and trim levels

Standard Horizon:

• The new SH 2400 with AIS receiver and integrated GPS
• Connected to NMEA 2000 for AIS data to show on the Garmin 943
• I changed the location so that I can easily see the display and have the controls within reach

ROKK Wireless Active Wireless Phone Charger:

• always had an issue where to put my phone and how to charge it.
• This is a wireless as well as a solid phone holder with one hand operation. I can keep the phone display on the Mercury VV mobile
• I could not mount it Vertically because it extends to more than 8" when mounting the phone. I ended up mounting it horizontally

Before and After pictures below.

View attachment 103599 View attachment 103600

That looks great! What transducer are you going to install?

 

[Boater71]

That looks great! What transducer are you going to install?

Garmin support did a fantastic job and provided a 50% discount as the installed transducer (CV23) was not supported by the 943 xsv unit. Quick note, the 943 is AWESOME!

Here were my choices (btw, no inventory for weeks):
- GT51TH - I have to use a pair and really did not want to spend the $$. with a pair install, I had to find 2 locations in the bilge in front of each of the engines
- GT51TM - Out of stock
- AIRMAR® B75M - Best option available, however does not have ClearVu or SideVu. This transducer can ideally replace the existing AIRMAR IH transducer in the boat. However the existing one works just fine

I picked:
- GT30-TM and GT15M-IH Transducer Bundle. Provides everything I'm looking for (Chrip, ClearVU & SideVu) in 2 transducers. Depth & sonar from the In Hull at any speed. From the Transom Mount, I get the ClearVu & SideVU at lower speeds. The GT30 can provide views at higher speeds if installed "perfectly" and there is always the risk of cavitation. I'm researching the best mounting locations for the transom mount transducer. Garmin provides the Y-cable as part of the bundle. In addition, I quickly realized I won't be fishing or looking for things at higher speeds anyway. So for now, theoretically this setup should work fine.

I Will report back in mid to late May when I launch and test the entire setup.

 

[Jeffrey King]

I wanted to share what I have done and more than happy to answer any questions. I have upgraded to a new electronics and panel on my cruiser. I call this project phase 1. Phase 2 will include a Fusion unit and Fanthom Radar.

I'm looking for a solution for the white lettering on the black panel!

My goals were:

• Ability to see the displays when not at the Helm. Since the Helm seats are high, I needed to get get to the helm to look at the sonar. I also had no visibility to the VHF as it was mount belo the helm.
• Update to the latest VesselView so that I can share the data with the MFDs
• largest display directly in front of me. Previously I had to look down to look at chartplotter for navigation
• Create a NMEA 2000 network for communication across devices and get AIS data on the chartplotter
• Install Radar for weather, harbor and night navigation
• Add an iPhone holder or charger on the panel where I could also have more
• Prep for dual network Garmin MFDs

I purchased the following:

• Garmin 943 xsv (new and hard to find)
• VesselView 403
• Active Trim with no dash
• Standard Horizon 2400
• NMEA 2000
• Scanstrut ROKK Wireless Active Wireless Phone Charger
  
• upgrade from 6 port junction box to 8 port Smartcraft junction box

The first step, I debated for a while which VV to get, however, I settled on the VV403 for the following reasons:

• It has the VV multilink, NMEA 2000 gateway, and a display ALL in a small one unit
• Connects to NMEA 2000 MFDs and I can share the engine data and view it on a larger display if and when needed
• I won't need a dash for the Active Trim kit
• I already had the VV mobile and view engine data on my iphone/ipad while in the engine room

Install was straightforward. Disconnect the old VesselView and harness, and connect the VV403. All the mercury data I needed and more are now on the home display (no need to switch). The biggest issue I ran into is having to run a sensor discovery. Once the VV403 was connected, it automatically runs the setup wizard, however, it does not scane for the sensors and no data was displayed including no battery data. That threw me off for a couple of weeks until I found how to do that another forum how to the run the sensor discovery. I also needed to upgrade the smartcraft junction box to create 2 more ports for the VV403 & Active trim kit.

Garmin 943 xsv:

• Largest display I could fit the space
• I already had a transducer install which later I found out was not compatible
• Provides DownVu and SideVu, which is really nice to have. I will have to install another transducer for this
• Connected to NMEA 2000 and now I can get all the mercury data, fuel gauges and trim levels

Standard Horizon:

• The new SH 2400 with AIS receiver and integrated GPS
• Connected to NMEA 2000 for AIS data to show on the Garmin 943
• I changed the location so that I can easily see the display and have the controls within reach

ROKK Wireless Active Wireless Phone Charger:

• always had an issue where to put my phone and how to charge it.
• This is a wireless as well as a solid phone holder with one hand operation. I can keep the phone display on the Mercury VV mobile
• I could not mount it Vertically because it extends to more than 8" when mounting the phone. I ended up mounting it horizontally

Before and After pictures below.

View attachment 103599 View attachment 103600

Boater71,
can you help me with this...

• upgrade from 6 port junction box to 8 port Smartcraft junction box

Where is the existing junction box located ?

I am planning to replace my existing Raymarine C80 & DSM300 module, but i need to understand how the Smartcraft data is being used to feed the depth information to the smartcraft gauges and C80 sonar

I know i have to create a NMEA2000 bus, but i am curious where they connection will be

Thanks in advance!

 

[Boater71]

The junction box is behind the panel which has the analog gauges (your boat may have 2 of them connected together with a smartcraft wiring harness). Each engine will be connected to either a 4, 6 or 8 port junction box and then the 2 junction boxes are connected together to send the data to the display. you may already have a free port.

As for the depth/temp info, I believe the existing transducer for depth and temp is connected to the engine using a special wiring harness. then the data is transmitted to the Vesselview display. Garmin and Airmar provide a detailed wiring diagram. I suggest you trace the transducer to find out where it is connected. Most probably the starboard engine.

What are you upgrading? once you connect the NMEA2000 you should be able to see this info on the chartplotter.

 

[Jeffrey King]

The junction box is behind the panel which has the analog gauges (your boat may have 2 of them connected together with a smartcraft wiring harness). Each engine will be connected to either a 4, 6 or 8 port junction box and then the 2 junction boxes are connected together to send the data to the display. you may already have a free port.

As for the depth/temp info, I believe the existing transducer for depth and temp is connected to the engine using a special wiring harness. then the data is transmitted to the Vesselview display. Garmin and Airmar provide a detailed wiring diagram. I suggest you trace the transducer to find out where it is connected. Most probably the starboard engine.

What are you upgrading? once you connect the NMEA2000 you should be able to see this info on the chartplotter.

Boater71..>Thank you !
I will check it out tonight.

Do you have part #'s for the NMEA2000 & 8 port smartcraft junction box?

 

[Boater71]

I got the Garmin NMEA 2000 Starter kits. If you buy Garmin MFDs, they come with a cable and a T connector.

As for the Smarcraft, I got one off ebay, no part number. Check what you have before you buy, you may have an empty port already or just need a 6 port hub.