Smartcraft Junction Box

bjac

Member
Jul 13, 2008
232
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 350 Mag MPI 300hp w/Bravo III Drives
Hello All:
I have a 4 port Smartcraft junction box (shown below) at the helm going to my present guages. I want to install the Vesselview Mobile device and do not have any ports available on the 4 port unit. Can I just purchase a Smartcraft 6 port junction box and swap it out, or is there a specific model or series number of 6 port that I need?

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You should be able to swap it out if memory serves. You might need a cap for the open port, but shouldn't require a terminator (resistor)
 
I have been thinking about getting the vessel view mobile, which needs an open smartcraft port. Is that what you are doing, or are you just adding more smartcraft gauges?
 
I have been thinking about getting the vessel view mobile, which needs an open smartcraft port. Is that what you are doing, or are you just adding more smartcraft gauges?

Hi Todd.
Yes I want to try the Vesselview Mobile as well but have no available ports left. After talking to Mercury via email, they say swapping out a 6 port junction box is the simplest way to go.

Bill
 
Perfect, probably my situation as well, but haven’t been to the boat to check it out. Part #878492T16? I thought they required a terminator, but it might just be a dust cap for the open ports. I am also considering the more expensive smartcraft to NMEA, and pair that with iKommunicate + wireless router, and you can get all your instruments on a configurable 20$ app, but that is way more expensive.
 
Hey Todd:
I’m not sure if there is a difference or not but Mercury gave me a part #878492K16 which they said should come with 3 dust covers. They also said you should not have to put a terminator on it. I also considered the new Vessel View 403 which is plug and play but it is very expensive, so the mobile unit was a good addition for the time being.
 
289DCDF9-5EF0-436D-9E60-E6DB6FC47FF7.jpeg
I pulled up my smartcraft SC5000 installation manual, and the twin engine configuration has a terminator/resistor, image attached. Of course, your configuration might be different, but thought I would upload just in case.
 
That certainly is interesting especially when the Merc rep specifically said a terminator was not required. I’ll have to check this further.
 
Do you have the smartcraft manual? If not, I can post the full one here. It has about 10 different configurations. The rep might be correct, it’s quite possible that as long as you pull everything plugged into the 4 port junction box and reinsert it into the 6 port junction box, then everything is properly terminated (because it was before). I would go with that theory, if I understand correctly, the terminator just minimizes signal reflections so you will not damage anything.
 
Yes, I have the manual for my SC5000 as well. I never really thought of looking in it as the junction box replacement would (hopefully) not affect the SC5000, just give me more accessible ports. The one good thing is that I found (what appears to be) a good source for purchasing the new junction box. Their ad shows it coming with 3 dust covers, as the Merc rep said it should under that order #, and I will probably ask them to send a terminator just in case. Here is a link to the company I am going to speak with this week or next on this purchase if your interested.

http://www.veradoclubparts.com/JUNCTION_BOX_KIT_p/878492k16.htm

Bill
 
Simple answer.. Swap it out.. no issues.. I did it last year on mine.. went from 4 port to 6 and capped the one port that wasnt needed
.
 
Yes, I have the manual for my SC5000 as well. I never really thought of looking in it as the junction box replacement would (hopefully) not affect the SC5000, just give me more accessible ports. The one good thing is that I found (what appears to be) a good source for purchasing the new junction box. Their ad shows it coming with 3 dust covers, as the Merc rep said it should under that order #, and I will probably ask them to send a terminator just in case. Here is a link to the company I am going to speak with this week or next on this purchase if your interested.

http://www.veradoclubparts.com/JUNCTION_BOX_KIT_p/878492k16.htm

Bill
Were you able to connect the mobile vessel view system via the 6 port junction box in addition to your gauges? Do you have 2 engines or 1? In other words : 2 x junction boxes? The LCD's of my smartcraft gauges are defective and I'm looking at adding the mobile vessel view system. How do you connect the mobile vessel view connector to the port/starboard junction box(es)? Thanks in advance.
 
Were you able to connect the mobile vessel view system via the 6 port junction box in addition to your gauges? Do you have 2 engines or 1? In other words : 2 x junction boxes? The LCD's of my smartcraft gauges are defective and I'm looking at adding the mobile vessel view system. How do you connect the mobile vessel view connector to the port/starboard junction box(es)? Thanks in advance.

Yes I was able to connect the mobile vessel view to one of the empty ports on the newly installed 6 port junction box. I have twin 350 Mag MPI's. I simply connected the one connection and the information from both engines flows through the entire junction box thus being picked up on the mobile unit with one connection.
 
Yes I was able to connect the mobile vessel view to one of the empty ports on the newly installed 6 port junction box. I have twin 350 Mag MPI's. I simply connected the one connection and the information from both engines flows through the entire junction box thus being picked up on the mobile unit with one connection.
Thank you! I will try the same. Appreciate your help. Happy Holidays.
 
I’m sure you know this, but so it is clear to others, technically, you are not really adding it to the SC5000, you are adding it to the Smarcraft network, whether you have an sc5000 or not is mostly irrelevant, except that most people with an sc5000 want a replacement, but don’t want to pay the 1500$ for vesselview system with screen (or see the value in it).
 
I’m sure you know this, but so it is clear to others, technically, you are not really adding it to the SC5000, you are adding it to the Smarcraft network, whether you have an sc5000 or not is mostly irrelevant, except that most people with an sc5000 want a replacement, but don’t want to pay the 1500$ for vesselview system with screen (or see the value in it).
Yes I understand that it is the network that the vessel view mobile kits get's added to. I referred to the SC5000 as it came with the display and the network in one at the time. thanks for the clarification.
 
As well can anyone tell me for sure where the SmartCraft network junction box would be located on a 2003 380DA. Assuming it would be behind the dash somewhere?
 

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