Converting to Digital Gauges.

[brotherkicksave]

Hello All.
I don't know where else to post this question, so I'll do it here.

I have a Crest Tritoon with a 150 Mercury Optimax. The boat is a year old and probably the most concerning part of the boat is Mercury's Beep Warning system. It has proven to help us avoid concerns, but I'd like to look into converting the boat from the standard analog gauges to digital. That way I can monitor the vitals as we operate the boat. On more than one occasion the buzzer has sounded for no apparent reason. I check the owner's book and the single warning buzz is a "sensor out of range" warning. I would imagine that is some sort of Throttle Position Sensor issue, but the boat runs perfect. Very Disconcerting with a boat full of families.

I went the the purchasing dealer and they are still "researching" how to go about it.

Any thoughts or experiences would be great.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Converting to Digital Gauges.

No practical advice here- sorry. But, I'm curious as to how digital gauges will be an improvement over analog? Just not getting the thought process, is all.

 

[oldman570]

Re: Converting to Digital Gauges.

You can go to Faria Marine Instruments and see just what gauges are avaible for you motor and toon. Telaflex web site also has a good set of gauges also. For the best info on eather brand of gauges, a call to them should get you the best answers and the parts needed to install them. Myself I would go with the analog because you can look at the gauge and not have to switch from one reading to another as you might have to do with digital. The new smartcraft units are fairly easy to install and ruote the cable as it is all in one wireharness.Once ou have desided on just what you want and have the part numbers you can order them here at Iboats or at your dealer if so desired. JMO
Oldman570

 

[brotherkicksave]

Re: Converting to Digital Gauges.

There are three gauges on the boat....Tach, Volt Meter and Fuel. I've been told in order to get more information on the dash (Water Pressure, Water Temp) I would need to switch to Digital. The problem is that the warning buzzers go off and the symptoms do not match what the warning buzzer is telling me is wrong. It is a very uneasy situation when these buzzers go off and I can't determine what the issue is.

No practical advice here- sorry. But, I'm curious as to how digital gauges will be an improvement over analog? Just not getting the thought process, is all.

 

[jhebert]

Re: Converting to Digital Gauges.

Mercury engines use a proprietary digital information network. You can only connect Mercury SmartCraft gauges or a few other types made under license by a limited number of vendors. Installing a SmartCraft system is not well documented in Mercury literature. My impression is they don't anticipate the boat owner will install their own SmartCraft network and gauges. I have never found a Mercury website where they give detailed information about their SmartCraft system for the purpose of assisting an owner to install it themselves.

Sometimes people have dug up bits and pieces of information about installing Mercury SmartCraft themselves, usually with the help of their dealer. One of the best examples is an article at

Installing SmartCraft On 40-HP Mercury Four-stroke - Moderated Discussion Areas

In that article many links were given to more information from Mercury, but, as Mercury changed their websites, many of the links have become dead links and simply redirect to Mercury's top page. This puts you back to square-one in searching for information on how to install SmartCraft yourself.

If you find any information, please respond and include it in the discussion. I am always looking for more information about installation of SmartCraft, but it seems very hard to find.

 

[oldman570]

Re: Converting to Digital Gauges.

At MG3000 you will find sevsral diffrent gauges that are a eazy hookup to motors with a ECM and under the instruction/ tech section you should find the instructions I belive. If not there and the gauges are bought new there is normally instructions with the gauge for installation. I have used both Faria and Telflex gauges and have never had any trouble that a call to the manufacture couldn't answer. The new gauge shown on the Faria site is one that can be mounted in a limiled area and still get most everthing for engine montering. JMO
Oldman570