Smart craft with analog guages

[john olson]

I'm planning on purchasing either a new or newer 300xs. I have new Gaffrig guages already, but looking on Merc web site, they recommend using their smartcraft gauges. Couple of questions:

-Can a new merc motor with digital electronics power analog gauges?

-Is it possible to wire all the Gaffrig gauges and somehow tandem wire in a smartcraft gauge under my dash. Then, as Merc suggests, I would have the smartcraft gauge to see what alarms or faults may have occured, and still use my Gaffrig gauges. Merc. obiously doesnt reccomend using both types of gauges, I'm just trying to optimize my options.

-What are all the rest of new Merc boats doing for their gauges(not looking for comparison of gauges in the other thread) just how/what everyone is using with a new motor.

Thanks
John

[hotbeek]

I just did the conversion from an analog powerhead to a smartcraft powerhead. Seems most of the analog guages and senders were in the barrel/cannon connector while the smartcraft ran a whole different wiring connectors. The only thing I didn't like about the smartcraft is you have to toggle through screens to see all the info. With my analog gauges I scan my dash and can see everything I care about. Not to mention if I switched over to smartcraft I'd have abunch of useless gauges or holes in my dash that need to be filled ?! I do like the feature of being able read codes from the gauge but can you clear the codes without plugging into a ddt ?

[john olson]

Hi
I agree, it is nice to be able to scan the gauges instantly. Which I am more apt to do now that I have trim rings and new gauges already purchased. My question, is it possible to do both and use the smartcraft only to check the fault,alarms, etc. and keep the analogs on the dash. Can both type gauges be wired into the same harness?

Thanks
John

[dkramer]

I have both Analog gauges as well as a Smartcraft sc-1000 gauge. The Smartcraft gauge runs off of the harness from the motor. The gauges can be wired to the bullet connectors from the control box. I like the piece of mind of having both. The Smartcraft is quicker with it's readings as it is direct from the motor. I don't think toggling between the screens is really a big deal. Most times when I am running WOT I am either watching the Water PSI or the Engine Temp. As far as codes go. The only time you will see the code is if it is standing, i.e. you have a problem. That would require a Mercury mechanic or someone that has a ddt and kn ows what they are doing to clear the code anyhow. If a brief code comes in or alarm goes off it clears on its own. Also depending on the engine type you have will allow the Smartcraft to display more or less info. For example my parent's Verado displays more info than my 250xs. Probably due to how complex that thing is, lol. Hope this info helps you out.


Dave

[john olson]

Thanks Dave, that helps a lot. A couple of questions

Does the Smart Craft come with it's own wire harness to the engine?

About how much is the smart gauge system?

For controls, I have zero effort Gaffrig controls, all that has is a neutral safety wire coming out of it. Is there an additional wire harness and connection point on the motor itself to accommodate the analog portion of the gauges presently in my dash.

This is my first foray to Mercury, have always been an OMC guy, so bear with my lack of familiarity.

Thanks
John

[dkramer]

John,
The smartcraft gauge will use it's own harness that plugs into the motor and that will run to the unit you put in. I have an SC-1000 and I think they are about 100. the cable is probably another $75. or so. There are alot of options with the smartcraft, I had considered smartcraft individual gauges first but it was more than I wanted to spend so I did the SC-1000 and Gaffrig analog gauges. I didn't have to add any wiring harness however I have Mercury Controls and it has a harness that comes out of it. I do believe that there is a digital to analog device and if I recall I had seen one when looking at Livorsi gauges. I will look at the catalog and see if I can find it for you. There is alot of options to monitor just about everything the engine is doing if you want to add all the harnesses, i.e. fuel levels, oil tank level, gps, etc, etc. Really all depends on how much $$$ you want to shell out.

Dave

[dkramer]

John,
Check out this link. There is alot of info on the smartcraft.

http://www.livorsi.com/catalog/smartcraft.htm

Dave

[gwalt584]

I have the SC 1000 on my bay boat and the smartcraft dial gauges that you have to toggle through. I know this is an overkill but I have lots of info to insure that the 300XS is doing what it supposed to do.
John,
I have a complete set of guages, harness to completely set up a smartcraft engine. It was installed on a boat along with a Mercury 250XS to replace a Yamaha 250 then the owner decided to sell the boat and wanted to keep the 250XS. So it was installed ran one time and then pulled out. If interested I will post some pictures and explain what's included.
Gary

[john olson]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the info. Saw the Livorsi set up, this is basically what I'm looking for. Thanks so much.

Gary, if applicable, and right price and looks on the gauges, might be interested on going all digital. You can forward pics etc to me at
[email protected].

Thanks to both of you.

[hsbob]

you can use both, but the SC will not power any analog guages. a new 300 will probablycome with the digital trim guage [SC]. i have found the SC trim guage to be too slow. the analog trim sender and digital are direct replacements. 3 wires for the digital SC sender and 2wire for analog. im going back to the analog.

[Fish]

there is something called an AGI (analog gauge interface) that is designed to use a newer motor wiht older gauges. Just a thought. I see them on ebay from time to time and I think livorsi carries them.