Smartcraft guages

[HighVelocity]

Hey, whats the story with Smartcraft Merc gauges???. I heard they work like a lan port on computer. The set is very expensive. And how the hell are my gauges working now?? They dealer rigged this 2003 225 EFI for me and I don't know how they conected the original gauges.


Thanks Ed

[Fish]

standard gauges can still be connected to the newer motors in the same fashion as an older motor. THere is a single wiring harness with a computer looking output on the new motors that you can connect smart craft gauges to, or you can run smart craft and old gauges if you want. The smartcraft is a really neat setup, I run a system monitor on my fishing boat, but still have all the traditional gauges which i find my self using almost all the time anyway. There is a really good FAQ on the mercury site about them, what they recomend for what motors...etc.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/smartcraft_made_easy

[hsbob]

the smartcraft system is great but the trim guage is real slow.

[HighVelocity]

It's funny there were only 2 reponses to this thread. I don't think a lot people know about smartcraft. I know I didn't. I saw the hose coming out of the lower unit for MPH. So that prompt the question, what else can this thing do. How about exhaust gas temp??etc. Thanks for the site info I will check it out.

I wonder if I could hook it to my laptop.

I'm not sure how the trim is wired but mine is not that slow.

Ed

[hsbob]

the smartcraft trim is slow than the analog trim. you trim the motor up and wait about a second and the guage moves, you stop the trimming and again the guage still moves for 1 to 2 sec more.

check the merc site for the three option packages. starts at arround $300 for low end kit. my speedo-tack, temp guage, gas, water psi ran arround $1200 retail.

the real catch-22 is hooking up a gps to the system. it needs nmea 2.0 or lower and that not to available today. merc owns navman so sooner or later they should have a mouse gps for the system. garmin 45, street pilot mono work.

[HighVelocity]

I checked out the kits, I am having them send a catalog.

That's strange to hear the trim is real slow. You would think digital would be faster. Maybe the analog to digital conversion takes time. I would like to dial in my analog trim gauge better but I can't rotate the sender anymore.

I will say these EFI motors are awesome. Mine sat all winter and cranked the first time I hit the key. I think the key is not to mess with the factory set-up.
That's why I would like to be able to monitor everythng and make sure it's all with in spec.

[hsbob]

you'll need to change the sender for the smartcraft. it requires a 3 wire unit. its a direct replacement for the analog sender and is $75

[Bed Bug]

I have the smartcraft gauges on my boat, I use the smart tach and speedo, It displays everything and has digital display for other important features. I have replaced all my gauges with just these two and love it, the cost was about $1000.

As for connecting it to your PC Well No Not exactly, the system uses CANbus and special devices are needed and the proper information is held proprietary by mercury.

I have been working on this for a while and getting closer, I will let you guys know if I have a breakthrough.

I don't have a problem with the trim response, my gauges digital display is set to switch to the trim position when I am setting trim, works fine for me.

This system is similar to what automobiles have been using since 1996 called ODBII or Onboard Diagnostics Bus 2nd generation.

[HighVelocity]

Thanks for the info.

What about diagnostic tool. Is that something only merc dealers have?
I think some guys call it a DDT unit.

I know on older cars, they have the code breaker device that let you look in the book to see what it all means, very basic.

[Bed Bug]

You can buy a DDT unit yourself if you want to they are about $1000 ea then you need the software cartridge, the OTC Enhanced 4000 that you can get on ebay for about $150 - $200 is known to work also with the Merc software cartridge.