Smartcraft Tach/lcd gauge problem

2

280grappler

Member
May 3, 2007
45
FL
Boat Info
280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 4.3L
I'm using my boat for the first time in months, and am having a continuing problem with the starboard lcd smart craft display, which I rely on for my depth reading.

The LCD now intermittently displays disjointed gibberish, mixing display selections illegibly, and sometimes simply being blank. The analog tachometer works consistently on that side.
Smartcraft.jpg
I tried reseating some of the connectors, but got no change. I realized looking behind the instrument cluster that removing the gauge shouldn't be difficult. So I'm wondering if I could simply swap the two gauges (port side works fine). If they are swappable, then that would tell me if the gauge itself is defective or if the problem is "upstream" in the data being sent to it. But I don't want to do that if the gauges have their own onboard memory which would make the swap not compatible without reprogramming.

Anyone have a thought on whether the gauges have onboard memory or not, and on my idea of a swap to evaluate my problem?
 
They can be moved, but each one has a unique station ID in the setup, ie 1 or 2, but for your testing of the display working, it won't be an issue. The settings are stored in a ROM chip so if you lose power, it's all still there. I wouldn't even move the gauge, just the connector...but read this thread first. Apparently jumpers, cables, and of course the LCD screen itself are all candidates.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/32835-Smartcraft-problem
 
OK. So it looks like you're saying there is ROM in the gauge itself, although possibly just swapping the connectors could give me the answer I'm looking for about the origin of the problem. If I swap the connector feedline from the port side to feed the starboard gauge, then I should just start the port engine, which should then feed the data to the starboard gauge and I'll get an idea if that gauge is ok. If its ok, I can do the other feedline swap and if the formerly good gauge shows gibberish, it will confirm that the data stream is somehow corrupted.

Thanks. (I had read that thread beforehand. I have to say that my impression of smart craft is that it has a lot of glitch potential.)

PS: I'm wondering if I could simply reprogram the port gauge to pick up the depth sounder. That would solve my immediate problem, but I'm not sure that you can assign any function to either gauge. I have a copy of the manual about programming the gauges, but its somewhat complex and I need to read through it a bit more before attempting anything. Edit: from that manual looks like depth sounder has to be on the starboard gauge assembly.
 
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I do know there is the same wiring on port engine where transducer plugs into on the other engine. Try plugging into port engine and activating depth on that side SC gauge
 
Progress update.

I haven't been able to swap the connectors for a test of the gauge unit vs. the input integrity, but I did come up with a workaround for my depth display. Using the tach/lcd for the port side, I got into the CAL1 menu, and toggled through it till I got to depth sensor, changed it to "yes", and stored it. That gave me a depth sensor option on the portside display, which seemed to work fine as long as there was power to the starboard side. If I cut the starboard ignition off, I still had the depth display, but it was dashes unless the ignition was on. Then it displayed the depth.
 
FYI- Station 1 and 2 would only apply if you have 2 separate Helm stations (like a flybridge boat). On your boat, both gauges would be considered Station 1. The Port/Starboard indication is set in the ECM, not the gauges.
 
Thanks.

The Port/Starboard indication is set in the ECM, not the gauges.
Click to expand...

So that suggests that its the gauge, based on my test done below. Said another way, the data doesn't know which gauge is using it.

I did finally disconnect the input plug connector from the good gauge and plug it into the bad gauge. At ignition "on" I got nothing from the currently bad gauge. Also got an "Engine not found" message in the center lcd under the speedometer. After reconnecting as it was originally the port gauge was still ok and whatever was looking for the engine was apparently able to find it. :)

I wasn't able to do the test the other way.....using the input from the bad gauge on the good gauge.....since the harness won't reach.

I fiddled around a little more, but the starboard lcd is just not right. Its either blank, or garbled, similar to the upoaded picture but with variations. Remarkably, at one point it was showing some garbled text in "mirror image" format......i.e., with the text backwards!!!

I'm not sure that type of A/B test can be relied on with these digital electronics, but it seems to me that thats about as definitive as it can get. I might have to risk $300 for a new gauge. Anyone know if the newer models of the tach/lcd gauges are backwards compatible? My smart craft is running software version 3.04. Open to suggestions for the vendor to get it from.
 
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Just keep an eye on ebay and you can sometimes find them for less than $200. Unfortunately you have to get the special Sea Ray branded SC gauge with the blue backlight to match the other gauges. This means less supply and higher price. These gauges can be easily removed if you wanted to swap them to be sure. To me it looks like the LCD readout may have failed. Does the TACH needle work OK? What about the Starboard 4-in-1 analog gauge? Does it work? The version 3.04 is just the firmware running on the gauge. I don't *think* you have to worry about compatibility with the Speedo but a call to Mercury will tell you for sure. I know early on there were firmware updates but not sure if they have anything newer than 3.04 for SC1000 gauges out even now.
 
jason78 said:
Just keep an eye on ebay and you can sometimes find them for less than $200. Unfortunately you have to get the special Sea Ray branded SC gauge with the blue backlight to match the other gauges. This means less supply and higher price. These gauges can be easily removed if you wanted to swap them to be sure. To me it looks like the LCD readout may have failed. Does the TACH needle work OK? What about the Starboard 4-in-1 analog gauge? Does it work? The version 3.04 is just the firmware running on the gauge. I don't *think* you have to worry about compatibility with the Speedo but a call to Mercury will tell you for sure. I know early on there were firmware updates but not sure if they have anything newer than 3.04 for SC1000 gauges out even now.
Click to expand...


Thanks. The tach needle part of the gauge works fine. So does the 4 in 1 analogue gauge (which appears to run off some of the same cabling as the tach/lcd). The LCD readout is utterly intermittent. Sometimes blank. sometimes garbled with intermingled data, and odd stuff.

Now that I've got the depth gauge running successfully from the working lcd readout on the other side, its not critical from a boat operating standpoint, but it would be nice to have everything working as it should be. I appreciate the suggestions.
 
280grappler said:
Thanks. The tach needle part of the gauge works fine. So does the 4 in 1 analogue gauge (which appears to run off some of the same cabling as the tach/lcd). The LCD readout is utterly intermittent. Sometimes blank. sometimes garbled with intermingled data, and odd stuff.
Click to expand...

That would indicate to me the problem is with the LCD readout. If you have unplugged and plugged back in all the connections, a replacement gauge may be the only way to go. As I recall, on the 280, the fuel tank sensor connects to the Port engine so you should not have to calibrate anything except maybe the trim when you replace the gauge.
 
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