Vesselview Link and Lowrance HDS Gen 3 install

sstacey

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Mar 11, 2012
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27
Greetings all,
I've a 2007 Optimax 150 and a Lowrance HDS 12 Gen 3. I recently purchased a Mercury Vesselview LINK ...Not the VVL Mobile.... and am trying to connect it to my Lowrance HDS 12 Gen 3. The VVL kit came with a smartcraft cable but it was 3 feet. So I went to Ebay and bought an extension cable. I found the smartcraft connection in the engine that had the yellow termination cap. I put the cable on the engine, took the yellow termination cap and put it on the cable that came with the kit and connected it to the VVL box. Then connected the VVL to the NMEA 2000 network, which is then connected to the Lowrance HDS 12 Gen 3. While connected to the internet, the Lowrance upgraded, Mercury features enabled and I can now see the Mercury toolbar to the left and engine speed is showing..... BUT that is all. There is so much marketing but no content on how to install this. I was under the impression it was plug and play. After reading what posts I could find, I've bought other cables with no luck and I think I'm now more confused than when I started. Anyone know if I missed something or can provide some input?
 

sstacey

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Mar 11, 2012
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27
Some good info about features if I can get it working. No install or wiring info on the Lowrance site but thanks.
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,416
what version of HDS software are you running? Seems you need atleast 4.0.

Looks like a fuel module option as well
 

sstacey

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Mar 11, 2012
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27
I've upgraded to the latest version and its everything that isn't working. Suppose to have troll control, trim, etc. Only thing showing is the actual speed at the time. I should add that I DO also run a trolling motor from the Lowrance. A Motorguide Xi5 with GPS and that is running and being controlled by the Lowrance perfectly. I am wondering if I have the right smartcraft cable for the Optimax or if there are some pins missing??
 

sstacey

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Mar 11, 2012
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27
Thanks dingbat. Yes, that is the document I received with the kit and it seemed simple to me too. I'm going to take some pics tonight of the engine connection and pins in my cables. I've decided that once this is connected successfully to do a detailed installation document and trouble shooting post because I can't believe I'm the only one with this issue.
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,416
Thanks dingbat. Yes, that is the document I received with the kit and it seemed simple to me too. I'm going to take some pics tonight of the engine connection and pins in my cables. I've decided that once this is connected successfully to do a detailed installation document and trouble shooting post because I can't believe I'm the only one with this issue.
Doubt it has anything to do with the wiring. Motor (smartcraft) all ready talking to LLV converter in 0 and 1s....you wouldn't get any data if it was a wiring issue.

Sorry, I can't help trouble shoot the communications in a Lowrance Unit.

In the Garmin world you can control (turn off/on ) comms sentences (make sure they're turned on) and log data coming across NMEA 2000 connection to see what's going on

Maybe you have something similar on your unit
 

sstacey

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Mar 11, 2012
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27
I do. I'll look through the Lowrance manual to see if there is something more on that. I appreciate you taking the time.
 

sstacey

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Mar 11, 2012
Messages
27
I've found nothing in the manual about this install. They actually refer you to VVL install documentation but there is really nothing to that page as it just says the cable provided connects to the engine.
 

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sstacey

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Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
27
Looked into this and what I believe you mean is the yellow termination cap. If so, YES. It says to take the one off the engine and connect the Y harness provided with the kit. On the Y harness, affix the same termination cap. then plug the other end into the VVL box, which i did, then connect the network cable from the box to the lowrance. Still only getting MPH and nothing else.
 
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