Upgrading to a VV403 from original VV adding NMEA 2000

[Boater71]

Hi all, starting my spring project to upgrade electronics and looking for some help. I purchased a VV403 and got it connected and setup over the weekend. the boat is winterized so I did not start the engines just put the key into the on position so that I can get the VesselView to work. However, the new VV403 did not have all the engine data nor battery data.


The boat has this old but fancy junction box, picture attached. The 2 black circles are where the original VesselView harness was attached (2 connections to the Junction Box). the VV403 has one harness and I plugged it in the port in RED.

I called Mercury marine and asked why I was not getting any data. A possible answer was the port I plugged into was not the right port, they will look into the old junction box and get back to me by email. I'm asking if anyone went through the process and which port was used. I also have Axius, did it work after the upgrade?

 

[hughespat57]

That not a standard "junction box" that's not where you want to connect the display.
Are you going to keep the original or replace it?
but either way see this combination with your style Smartcraft gateway
see the top is a six port "junction box" that's where you would connect the new VV.
Note how the junction box uses the center multi ignition port that has green & red (port/starb) data

Now be clear the bigger box is the "DTS Smart Junction" with or without a repeater. The port you plugged into should trace to the smart craft gauge clusters. One port and One starboard, the unused ports would be for a flybridge, not VV.

If you are going to replace the current VV it would go to the VV port.

 

[Boater71]

Aha, that makes sense. thank you. I will try it and report back.

 

[hughespat57]

I made a couple of corrections and clarifications....

 

[Boater71]

I made a couple of corrections and clarifications....

I will try it again this weekend and report back. I also heard back from Mercury marine and supplied the following diagram. I believe it supports your first suggestion of connected the new VV to the 6 port junction box.

 

[hughespat57]

yes, looks like they don't recommend using the dedicated VV port any longer for the newer displays.

 

[Boater71]

I went back to the boat and did the following:
- I connected the VV403 to the junction box = I only got a fault code but no engine data and not even battery voltage ( i was not getting the fault code before)
- I connected the original VV back, connected the vv403 to where the original VV was connected, nothing different.

Anyone install the Vvxx3, do you have to start the engine to get any data flowing? I only switched the key to the on position, did not start the engines as they are winterized. I still cant the trim to show if I move them up and down.

 

[Boater71]

Important update.

I read in a different forum that when installing the VV403, after installing the VV403 and going through the wizard, it does NOT automatically scan for sensors. So I did just that and all the data came up with no issues. Settings > System > Network > Auto Select. Asked for confirmation and then too about 30 seconds to complete. All the data was there.