Engine Swap Question - 2.5/280 to 300xs

[Pachanga_rick]

Ok, I pulled my 2.5/280 and am installing a new 300xs and have a couple questions for people who know the 300xs more than I do (I'm assuming most of you do at this point) ...

1st: Is the Mercury Smart Craft SC1000 worth it? Its not much cash, its more about a question of is it better than my manual gauges? I would like the extra room as my dash is tinny..

If the SC1000 is a worthy upgrade is it simple plug and play to my existing pig-tail?

Thats pretty much it at this point.. lol I should have the motor at the shop Wed, or Thur so I'm just trying to have a game plan and familiarize myself with these motors.

[Rynobull]

I installed a smart craft gauge that replaced my tach. The digital display is under the tach and very useful. Very easy to read engine temp, water pressure and rpm. Also has a troll feature which is great when in no wake zones so you can idle along at 900 rpm (or whatever you set it at) and get through the no wakes faster without touching the hotfoot.

I still use my gps Speedo, and fuel gauge (although this model has a function that shows how many gph and total gallons used, which you can reset) There are instructions on how to set the fuel gauge part of the gauge, I just haven't done it yet.

I haven't figured out how to get it to read the trim and sea temp though... it has those functions but not sure if I need more sensors?

Overall very worth it!

[Rynobull]

Mine looks like this:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/171503898997

Plug unto back of tach then the harness plugs into a spot on the starboard side of the motor. Super easy. That's it!

[Pachanga_rick]

Question, can I just get a 8 pin to 14 pin adapter and run all my existing gauges?

[Pachanga_rick]

Just worried the tach might be to small

[Euroski]

Yes, my 2003 Cougar had a 300x before installing the 300xs. It's "plug & play"

Question, can I just get a 8 pin to 14 pin adapter and run all my existing gauges?

[JPEROG]

Question, can I just get a 8 pin to 14 pin adapter and run all my existing gauges?

You can get the adapter but the nice thing about going the NEMA route is that you are seeing exactly what the computer is generating (no guessing on temp, rpm, and water pressure) all of which will put you out of a race by the time you come off plane and or restart if kicked into guardian. I would go with the biggest garmin that you can fit in your dash. The gauge configuration can be laid out however you want, they are very clear to read and easy to use plus you can plot out the course if needed. Personally, I am done with gauges after doing a few boats with the touch screen. My original fear was having my STV or LCB kick into guardian mode at big speed and thats what got me on this path. I have the 741xs, 740s, and 942xs all in different boats but they are all basically the same operational procedure. The xs is the newer model.

Joe

[Pachanga_rick]

I rally have little dash space to work with.. The tach is so far from me (throttleman), Its almost useless. This is one reason I thought about the SC1000 .. Its has all the info and its small.. I can place it in my dash mounted pod on the top.

Its an extra 400$, so nothing terrible but I noticed on the wiring diagram that the have wire running to the throttles.. I have no need, so if they are not hooked it will it mess with the engine, same with the tether.. its not used in a canopy.