How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Hello again,

Your fuel gauge is not related to the smartcraft system, and if you followed my previous advice with no luck, you may want to see a marine mechanic for a new sensor/ gauge or wiring, but you did not post voltage or resistance results so I suspect you may not have tried them.

I do not belive you have a bad gauge in regards to your gps question, you may want to post exactly what wires you connected together and how you connected them, I have not seen you post this here or on the HB site......

Peter.

 

[TheBobman]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Thanks for the great info Peter. Maybe you can answer a quick question for me. In an I/O setup with a 350 MAG MPI (new) with sc1000 tach and speedo, can I get fuel management info without the paddleheel/fuel/oil harness? In that setup (no external oil tank, etc) what does that harness get me I do not have already?

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Hello,

You will still get fuel flow and similar information, just nothing that deals with fuel level, for example, range. the harness will allow you to conect your fuel tank and one other tank of your choice like fresh water, waste water etc. it will allow you to also add the paddlewheel sensor and temp and depth sensor as well.

Peter.

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Rotofixer, you have been a GREAT help here! I am hooking up a 2003 Optimax 150 that I just bought. It was originally part of a dual setup, and came with the Smartcraft gauges. Included was a 6 port junction box. I have the speedometer and tach connected, and I ran the cable and connected to the engine (termination resistor end to engine).

There is not a termination resistor on the junction box. I suspect the dealer removed it when he removed the engine from the previous owner's boat. There is a weather-cover. Both gauges power up, but give me an ENGINE DATA BUS error. Is that from the missing termination resistor? If so, where might I find a TR? My local dealer is not very helpful?

Can I hook the data cable directly to the tachometer to see if the engine is sending the data? I have 2 cables (since it was a dual engine setup, and I got everything except the second engine). I tried both cables, in case it was a cable failure, but got the same error both times.

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Rotofixer, you have been a GREAT help here! I am hooking up a 2003 Optimax 150 that I just bought. It was originally part of a dual setup, and came with the Smartcraft gauges. Included was a 6 port junction box. I have the speedometer and tach connected, and I ran the cable and connected to the engine (termination resistor end to engine).

There is not a termination resistor on the junction box. I suspect the dealer removed it when he removed the engine from the previous owner's boat. There is a weather-cover. Both gauges power up, but give me an ENGINE DATA BUS error. Is that from the missing termination resistor? If so, where might I find a TR? My local dealer is not very helpful?

Can I hook the data cable directly to the tachometer to see if the engine is sending the data? I have 2 cables (since it was a dual engine setup, and I got everything except the second engine). I tried both cables, in case it was a cable failure, but got the same error both times.

Hello,

Thanks for the comliments, I am glad I have been able to help some of you.

Yes, the system will NOT work without the other termination resistor. That is why you get CAN BUS ERROR, the part in between the two resistors forms what is called the "CAN BUS TRUNK".

the part number is near the front of this thread, you can email Silvio (tommyhabana@yahoo.com) and ask him for a quote, they are super super cheap @10$(?) US and he is great to deal with, tell him I say hi (Peter from Canada)!.

You can only connect the tach direct with a two resistor harness... so no, not with your cable with only one yellow end. If you give that p/n to your dealer they WILL be able to order it for you as well. Don't worry, I am sure your system will operate just fine!

Peter

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Before I read your reply, I attached a spare tach (I got two with the motor, since it was a dual motor set-up). The spare tach worked fine; it showed RPM's and all other data. Now I am confused. The cable is marked "Termination Resistor" only on one end. I don't understand why it would work if it is hooked up directly to the tach, unless the junction box is bad? But if the junction box were bad, the system should not come on at all when I turn the ignition on.

I'll try the termination resistor, and let you know how it works. Is there any special configuration that the plugs need to be in the junction box? I currently have the cable from the motor on one side, and both gauges on the opposite side.

Thanks again for all your help and your patience. This is my first motor install, and I am figuring it out as I go along.

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Before I read your reply, I attached a spare tach (I got two with the motor, since it was a dual motor set-up). The spare tach worked fine; it showed RPM's and all other data. Now I am confused. The cable is marked "Termination Resistor" only on one end. I don't understand why it would work if it is hooked up directly to the tach, unless the junction box is bad? But if the junction box were bad, the system should not come on at all when I turn the ignition on.

I'll try the termination resistor, and let you know how it works. Is there any special configuration that the plugs need to be in the junction box? I currently have the cable from the motor on one side, and both gauges on the opposite side.

Thanks again for all your help and your patience. This is my first motor install, and I am figuring it out as I go along.

there is no point speculating about the system components until you correctly install the system, the fact that the tach works is interesting, but you are playing with very expensive components, including the engines PCM 555 unit, I would not continue to run the tach like that. I am sure once you install the resistor all will be good. No there is no specific way you need to plug stuff into the box, just make sure that unused plugs have weather caps.

 

[rawko]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

does a merc 07 efi 150 have the smartcraft harnesses at the motor??

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Roto - I spoke with the previous owner of my motor today. According to him, the system was set up with 1 weather cover and 2 cables from the motors on one side of the junction box, and then cables to 1 speedometer and 2 tachs on the other side of the junction box. There was no (obvious) termination resistor in his set-up, and he had the system for 5 years without any issues. I switched out the tach I had installed for the other one, and both it and the speedometer powered up and gave readings on all systems except fuel level, which is not installed.

I am going to order a TR tomorrow from my local dealer, but I can't figure out how his system ran without a TR for so long. Is it possible that the weather cover is actually a resistor? It is black, and seems to just have the light green rubber inserts in a blank plug, but I did not pull the rubber pieces out. Is it possible that it could actually be a resistor? Any way I can check it visually?

I double-checked the cable from the engine. It does not state that it has a TR on the junction box end. I hooked up the original tach directly to the cable, and got the ENGINE DATA BUS error. I wonder if the tach itself is bad. I'll let you know how the system does when I get the TR installed.

Thanks again for this great thread, and for the time and patience you have put into this endeavor! It has been a life-saver.

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Hello again,

The only termination resistors that I know of are yellow and on the new 14 pin harnesses, blue. But they normally have the word "terminator" on the cap. Weather caps that I have seen are purple. I will be curious to see what happens when you plug it into the box. You are sure your harness only has one yellow end right?

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

does a merc 07 efi 150 have the smartcraft harnesses at the motor??

Yes, it should have it, although it is not listed on the merc website (no more 150 EFI...) Just pop your cowling off and look for a yellow connector cap labeled "TERMINATOR" to know for sure, on mine it was on the forward right hand side of the engine, about half way up.

Peter.

 

[saltydogfish]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

I can't believe that I found someone that can discuss and advise on Smartcraft.I know all these other folks are thankful for your time and expertise. I don't know if you saw my post yesterday or not. I think it is probably pretty simple. I have a 2000 Mako 233 W/A that had a 2000 optimax 250.I repowered with a new 2007 verado 275. They put in all new controls,etc..but no new instruments. When I started breaking in last month the tach was jumping all over. At top speed it showed 4400 RPM.This boat has only the tach plus the usual smaller gauges ie...fuel etc..No room for a speedo because of navigation. To replace the tach what will I need to get and is it just a simple plug-in.
Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Hello again,

The only termination resistors that I know of are yellow and on the new 14 pin harnesses, blue. But they normally have the word "terminator" on the cap. Weather caps that I have seen are purple. I will be curious to see what happens when you plug it into the box. You are sure your harness only has one yellow end right?

I got the numbers off the cable, and checked them on the internet. According to the cable numbers, they are both single resistor cables. I ordered the TR from my local dealer yesterday. They will be in next week. I'll let you know how it works when I install it. I pulled the green inserts out of the weather cap yesterday. It is an empty plug; no electronics in there at all.

By the way - is it possible to turn off the FUEL LEVEL function on the Smartcraft gauge? I looked through the book, and went through the calibration procedures, but did not see an ON/OFF option. My fuel sender is not connected to the SC gauge, and I really don't want to pull the deck again to get to the sender. I have it hooked to an analog gauge presently.

Thanks again! You are a great resource and help!

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Hello JM,

You may turn the fuel level to off in either cal1 or cal2 (can't remember which one), if you don't you will continuously get a low fuel alarm. You would not have to pull your deck to wire the tank into the system, you could just use your current wire going to the analog gauge (as long as your sender is compatible with the system).

Peter.

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

I can't believe that I found someone that can discuss and advise on Smartcraft.I know all these other folks are thankful for your time and expertise. I don't know if you saw my post yesterday or not. I think it is probably pretty simple. I have a 2000 Mako 233 W/A that had a 2000 optimax 250.I repowered with a new 2007 verado 275. They put in all new controls,etc..but no new instruments. When I started breaking in last month the tach was jumping all over. At top speed it showed 4400 RPM.This boat has only the tach plus the usual smaller gauges ie...fuel etc..No room for a speedo because of navigation. To replace the tach what will I need to get and is it just a simple plug-in.
Thanks in advance,
Jim

Hi Jim,

I may not be 100% sure about this one but, your engine is DTS, so the main 14 harness should already be at the helm, look back in this thread and find where I posted an email from mercury marine (#28), it shows the 14 pin harness, try to see if you have this harness, and look for the empty smartcraft connector (capped) or it may have the adapter plugged in to run the analog gauges (like in the picture). if you cannot find this I can tell you how to wire it all in from scratch, but I think you HAVE to have that harness. (I am assuming your old tach is NOT smartcraft right???)

Peter.

 

[saltydogfish]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Great,thanks. My boat is in Islamorada and I'm going down Labor Day.Hopefully I can take it from there.I know if I take it to a dealer down there $$$$$$$$$
Jim

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

I finally got my termination resistor this week, after two weeks of waiting for a 3 day delivery to my local dealer. I installed it, and the gauges work (just like they did before the resistor was installed). I have only been able to run it on the hose at this point. At least I feel better, knowing the expensive engine components are now protected!

Thanks to all of you for the advice and assistance with this project!

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

I finally got my termination resistor this week, after two weeks of waiting for a 3 day delivery to my local dealer. I installed it, and the gauges work (just like they did before the resistor was installed). I have only been able to run it on the hose at this point. At least I feel better, knowing the expensive engine components are now protected!

Thanks to all of you for the advice and assistance with this project!

Just like they did before??? are you saying you still have the DATA ERROR message? I would think that is now gone

 

[Ydnar84]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Okay, i have read through this entire topic and there has been a ton of useful information but nothing i have been able to put together to complete what i'm trying to do with a couple of boats i have. I just got a new boat with 2 "2009 200hp optimax Mercury Outboards". Came with everything already installed and working with the smartcraft gauges. Boss man wanted to replace those motors with "2003 150hp optimax Mercury Outboards". Time for the issue. The boat has the 14-pin cable, however the older motors have the 8-pin engine harness. We bought the adapters and we can start the motors fine and trim it and everything but i can't seem to figure out why my smartcraft gauges don't work. I tried an "Maser Reset" with the Auto-Detect and i just keep getting "No Starboard Motor" fault and a Lost Engine Comm fault. I verified the Motors positions using a DDT and also make sure the 4 extra wires (blu/wht, grn/wht, brown/wht, and light brown) from the adapter are plugged into the corrisponding colors on the engine. Is there something i'm missing???

Hint: An obersvation i've noticed is on the 200's Engine Harness it using PIN "F" while the 8-to-14 Adapter doesn't have a PIN "F" of the 14-pin connector... What is pin "F", and does anyone have a diagram explaining what the diffrent pins are for on the 8 and 14 pin connectors.

Thanks for any help you guys can spare.

 

[Rotorfixer]

Re: How to install a SMARTCRAFT system

Okay, i have read through this entire topic and there has been a ton of useful information but nothing i have been able to put together to complete what i'm trying to do with a couple of boats i have. I just got a new boat with 2 "2009 200hp optimax Mercury Outboards". Came with everything already installed and working with the smartcraft gauges. Boss man wanted to replace those motors with "2003 150hp optimax Mercury Outboards". Time for the issue. The boat has the 14-pin cable, however the older motors have the 8-pin engine harness. We bought the adapters and we can start the motors fine and trim it and everything but i can't seem to figure out why my smartcraft gauges don't work. I tried an "Maser Reset" with the Auto-Detect and i just keep getting "No Starboard Motor" fault and a Lost Engine Comm fault. I verified the Motors positions using a DDT and also make sure the 4 extra wires (blu/wht, grn/wht, brown/wht, and light brown) from the adapter are plugged into the corrisponding colors on the engine. Is there something i'm missing???

Hint: An obersvation i've noticed is on the 200's Engine Harness it using PIN "F" while the 8-to-14 Adapter doesn't have a PIN "F" of the 14-pin connector... What is pin "F", and does anyone have a diagram explaining what the diffrent pins are for on the 8 and 14 pin connectors.

Thanks for any help you guys can spare.

Hello,

I would say you may have opened a can of worms......

It seems like you guys are a dealer? If you had some other cables around I would say to connect the smartcraft system through the "old" smartcraft connector on the engine (the one with the yellow terminator resistor) using the blue cables and junction box. That 14 pin DTS harness is only supposed to be for 06 and newer outboards according to merc. Try hooking them up the old (normal) way and I am sure you will be just fine. Let us know how you make out.

Peter.