Smartcraft Gurus - Vessel View Display with SC Gauges?

[matthewmiller01]

Both my last boat and the new one coming had/have the smartcraft gauges. I like the vessel view setup, though. But the only vessel view setups I have seen do not have the Smartcraft gauges (since they aren't needed). The obvious question is... can I add on the vessel view display with my current setup of Smartcraft gauges (and not lose any functionality of either)? Thanks in advance.

 

[tbirdvet]

I would also be interested if anyone has done this and how you do the install (what connectors are needed). I thought I read somewhere that a new junction box is need and a cable to connect all together.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Both my last boat and the new one coming had/have the smartcraft gauges. I like the vessel view setup, though. But the only vessel view setups I have seen do not have the Smartcraft gauges (since they aren't needed). The obvious question is... can I add on the vessel view display with my current setup of Smartcraft gauges (and not lose any functionality of either)? Thanks in advance.

Actually, they do have Smartcraft gauges. The difference is that the tach and speedo are just that, a tach and speedo. These are the Link versions and do not have all of the additional functions the System Tach and Speedo have. The System level units read the data coming from the ECM and parse it out to the various Link gauges like fuel, volts, temp etc. The Link Gauges are single purpose and just sit on the network waiting to be given specific data from the System unit.

Yes, you can add a system unit. Definitely a System View. And possibly a Vessel View. I say possibly because it depends on when your engine(s) ECM date of manufacture. For that you have to check engine serial numbers with Mercruiser.

Physically installing is pretty easy assuming you have the dashboard real estate. The simplest installation is to just plug the system unit gauge into a free port on the existing junction box. Keep in mind the Sc system requires a terminating resistor at each end of the trunk circuit. Sometimes this is handled with a resistor built into the CAN cable. sometimes it is handled by using a junction box cap with a built in resistor. Because Smartcraft is intended for many applications and is modular, there are many ways of accomplishing the same goal with different bits of hardware. You really need to know what the existing hardware situation is and then go from there.

Best thing to do is your homework. Find out if you engines are compatible, and then find out what your wiring looks like. If you are a go on the serial numbers, get back with a description of the wiring and we can work out what needs to be done.

Henry


Matt - I just noticed your boat description. You may really need to get Mercruiser involved where you have DTS. DTS is controlled by the SmartCraft System Gauges, and adding an additional System/Vessel View unit to the mix might confuse DTS turning your boat into a large mooring ball. You may have to remove the existing tachs and speedo and replace them with the Link Versions and then install the System View and then re-configure DTS. The literature I have read also says that DTS needs to be configured via the service diagnostic tool. This may not be a DIY job.

 

[matthewmiller01]

Yes, you can add a system unit. Definitely a System View. And possibly a Vessel View. I say possibly because it depends on when your engine(s) ECM date of manufacture. For that you have to check engine serial numbers with Mercruiser.

Physically installing is pretty easy assuming you have the dashboard real estate.

Best thing to do is your homework. Find out if you engines are compatible, and then find out what your wiring looks like. If you are a go on the serial numbers, get back with a description of the wiring and we can work out what needs to be done.

Henry


Matt - I just noticed your boat description. You may really need to get Mercruiser involved where you have DTS. DTS is controlled by the SmartCraft System Gauges, and adding an additional System/Vessel View unit to the mix might confuse DTS turning your boat into a large mooring ball. You may have to remove the existing tachs and speedo and replace them with the Link Versions and then install the System View and then re-configure DTS. The literature I have read also says that DTS needs to be configured via the service diagnostic tool. This may not be a DIY job.

For my 2008, I will assume that my engines will work just fine. I'll verify. I definitely have the dashboard real estate. Currently, the only thing there is a C70 chartplotter. Once I get more verification info, I'll check into the wiring. That may be bad about the DTS programming. And here I thought DTS was better. Maybe not (at least for DIY items).

Yes, I added a SC5000 to my friends 2008 310 DA with DTS. It interfaced with his sc1000 guages just fine. You'll have to follow the steps to re-program the DTS to work with the SC5000, but it is not difficult.

Additionally, I swapped out my sc5000 (that's the one we put in my friend's boat) for a Vessel View display. Apparently any smartcraft capable engine made after mid 2006 is compatible with Vessel View. As always though, check with Mercury with your engine serial numbers to ensure, but given that you have DTS, I'd say your engines were made well after mid-2006.

You might consider the new smartcraft guages, as they are able to output NMEA to your other electronics.

What tools were required to reprogram the DTS? Is it a DIY job? In a nutshell, what all was involved?

Again, I'll check with Mercury for compatibility with my engines. And I agree, the boat year is 2008, so I believe they were made after mid-2006.

Could you tell me more about the new gauges and NMEA compliance? I am aware of a lot, but know only a little detail. Coule you tell me a bit more about NMEA and the benefits of it with my current setup (C70 only)?

Thanks to both of you!

 

[matthewmiller01]

The literature I have read also says that DTS needs to be configured via the service diagnostic tool. quote]


Is this literature available to the general public? Link? I always want to learn more so that I can help myself and others whenever possible.