smartcraft/NMEA2000 Explanation please!

True North

True North

Member
Sep 11, 2012
165
Live: DeWitt, MI,West Michigan (Ludington)
Boat Info
2005 SR 260DA
350 MAG MPI
Bravo 3
Engines
(1) 350 MAG MPI w/Bravo III
So I finally own a new enough boat to have some of the modern electronic gauges. I have done multiple web searches and have gained just enough knowledge to be dangerous, but I have a few questions.....
2005 260DA with the system tachometer and speedometer gauges. My understanding is my engine is fitted with "smartcraft" that is basically an information "brain" that is hooked to many sensors on the motor and report back to my gauge cluster. It is also my understanding that my new Simrad G07XSE has the capability to hook into this "brain" via a NMEA2000 or Mercury Vessel View system to display these parameters on my Simrad unit. What I am lacking and what am finding conflicting reports on is HOW do I connect these systems? 1)where is the smartcraft connector located at to hook into? 2) do I connect from the smartcraft directly to my Simrad, or does it first need to go through a NMEA backbone or through a vessel view link first?

Anybody that has a great link for me to have this explained in detail specific to my application or who can take the time to explain would be much appreciated. My research doesn't tell me where to look for these hook ups on the boat (some say motor, some say at helm), how to physically hook them up (male female adapters or direct wire install), and I am finding conflicting reports of if I need a NMEA, vessel view or a combination of such??? I know there are many discussions on many forums regarding this, but the conflicting reports have me confused. Thank you in advance.
 
Actually it is not that complicated. Smartcraft is made up of up to three data busses or called CAN's (Control Area Network) of which one is vessel systems (CAN H) and another engine systems (CAN P); the third was for the larger yachts and typically used for generator data (CAN V). Each CAN is comprised of three wires, CAN HI, CAN LO, and shield / ground. Each of these data networks have differing data protocol however neither are directly compatible with NMEA 2000 nor each other. NMEA 2000 is also a three wire CAN however has DC power integrated into the cabling. Mercury Marine makes what are called "gateways" which convert the Smartcraft CAN protocols into the NMEA 2000 protocol. Depending upon what data you desire (engine or other) you would need the CAN P gateway and/or CAN H gateway. They are a bit on the pricey side so for both plan on about $1K. Most likely somewhere in your helm are Smartcraft junction blocks and if there are open or unused connections the gateways plug directly into; use care not to confuse the Smartcraft CAN terminating resistor with a dust cover on the junction block, the terminating resistor needs to remain installed. Now, NMEA 2000 consists of a backbone, connectors, drop cables, power cable, and terminators. The cost to put together a rudimentary NMEA 2000 data network is around $100. There is ample data on the internet to understand this simple data network. The Maretron web site is excellent.
With all that said Mercure now has Vessel View Link that appears to be a gateway to NMEA 2000 for all of the Smartcraft CAN's.
 
Last edited:
Save time and money. Purchase the vessel view mobile and use your phone or tablet to see all your engine data, fuel and codes.
 
MikeBravo said:
Save time and money. Purchase the vessel view mobile and use your phone or tablet to see all your engine data, fuel and codes.
Click to expand...

2005 System Tachs and Speedos do not have any wireless connectivity, so VesselView mobile won’t do anything.

TT’s explanation is accurate, however may be information overload. Mercury sells engine interface modules that provide a connection to a NMEA 2000 network. While these provide two way communication, not having a VesselView display will mean there is no way to see any meaningful data from the gps.

NMEA 2000 networks look very much like the Coaxial cable Ethernet LAN construction that was used in the early days of Ethernet networking. There is a backbone made up of cables joined with tees that is terminated with an end cap on one end and a power connection. Devices are plugged into the tees. To connect the SC NMEA 2000 interface you may need a six port SC junction box in addition to the the interface unit. On a single engine you only need a four port junction two ports for the tach and speedo, one port for the terminal resistor cap, and one for the feed from the engine. If that’s the case you need a six port junction and non resistor dust cap to replace the four port unit.

The NMEA 2000 network is very simple two tees, a power connection fitting, a terminal resistor and a short cable. Cable from SC interface goes into one tee, cable from MFD goes to other tee. Power fitting gets plugged into 12 volts.
 
Henry Boyd said:
2005 System Tachs and Speedos do not have any wireless connectivity, so VesselView mobile won’t do anything.

TT’s explanation is accurate, however may be information overload. Mercury sells engine interface modules that provide a connection to a NMEA 2000 network. While these provide two way communication, not having a VesselView display will mean there is no way to see any meaningful data from the gps.

NMEA 2000 networks look very much like the Coaxial cable Ethernet LAN construction that was used in the early days of Ethernet networking. There is a backbone made up of cables joined with tees that is terminated with an end cap on one end and a power connection. Devices are plugged into the tees. To connect the SC NMEA 2000 interface you may need a six port SC junction box in addition to the the interface unit. On a single engine you only need a four port junction two ports for the tach and speedo, one port for the terminal resistor cap, and one for the feed from the engine. If that’s the case you need a six port junction and non resistor dust cap to replace the four port unit.

The NMEA 2000 network is very simple two tees, a power connection fitting, a terminal resistor and a short cable. Cable from SC interface goes into one tee, cable from MFD goes to other tee. Power fitting gets plugged into 12 volts.
Click to expand...
You attach the vessel view to an empty plug at the junction box, which then reads your engine data and sends it to your phone or tablet.
 
it sounds a little complicated, but it's probably one of those scenarios that it would be best to have someone show you once and then it would make perfect sense. Is the smartcraft connection that you need to tie into a plug of some sort and is it located on the engine or in the electrical area at the helm i.e. what am I looking for to locate it? Thank you all.
 
True North said:
it sounds a little complicated, but it's probably one of those scenarios that it would be best to have someone show you once and then it would make perfect sense. Is the smartcraft connection that you need to tie into a plug of some sort and is it located on the engine or in the electrical area at the helm i.e. what am I looking for to locate it? Thank you all.
Click to expand...
Two ways to connect the vessel view mobile. At the junction box in the helm or to the plug on the engine. You may need to buy a 6-way junction box if all of your data ports are used at the helm.
 
These are what the SmartCraft plugs look like -
And this is the Smartcraft Junction block (6-way shown)
 
Thank you very much! I plan to look at this closer this next weekend, but may push the project off until the off season, I am able to work on the boat in the winter in heated storage :)
 
Henry Boyd said:
The point is on a boat with only a tach and speedo, the mobile app does nothing.
Click to expand...
But wouldn’t you get the error codes and other smartcraft data, oil pressure, battery volts, etc? I have 06 engines, and get lots of data from mobile vessel view outside of rpm.
 
Todd320 said:
But wouldn’t you get the error codes and other smartcraft data, oil pressure, battery volts, etc? I have 06 engines, and get lots of data from mobile vessel view outside of rpm.
Click to expand...
Exactly, The OP has a 2006 boat, his engines will work with vessel view.
 
MikeBravo said:
Exactly, The OP has a 2006 boat, his engines will work with vessel view.
Click to expand...

Small tiny problem, he does not have a Vessel View display. Your suggestion to use the VV mobile app is inaccurate until he actually installs VV. Furthermore, he has a Simrad display and was asking how to network it with his engine. Suggesting adding a Vessel View display that would be redundant in lieu of some nmea2000 hardware and gateway and be less expensive does make much sense.

With NMEA 2000 compatibility being so prevalent as well as expanded functionality of MFDs, the need for an engine manufacturer’s display like VV has become diminished. In our case I am considering trashing the Volvo engine display and replacing it with the small Axiom display for dedicated engine monitoring. Currently we have everything we need up on one of the e120w displays.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Small tiny problem, he does not have a Vessel View display. Your suggestion to use the VV mobile app is inaccurate until he actually installs VV. Furthermore, he has a Simrad display and was asking how to network it with his engine. Suggesting adding a Vessel View display that would be redundant in lieu of some nmea2000 hardware and gateway and be less expensive does make much sense.

With NMEA 2000 compatibility being so prevalent as well as expanded functionality of MFDs, the need for an engine manufacturer’s display like VV has become diminished. In our case I am considering trashing the Volvo engine display and replacing it with the small Axiom display for dedicated engine monitoring. Currently we have everything we need up on one of the e120w displays.
Click to expand...
He doesn't need a vesselview display to use vessel view mobile. I was merely trying to help the OP out by telling him about the vessel view mobile. He can read all of his engine data on a smartphone or tablet without having to install a NMEA 2000 system, but I give up.
 
MikeBravo said:
He doesn't need a vesselview display to use vessel view mobile. I was merely trying to help the OP out by telling him about the vessel view mobile. He can read all of his engine data on a smartphone or tablet without having to install a NMEA 2000 system, but I give up.
Click to expand...

Please explain it to me. All I know, having retrofitted the 2007 vintage Smartcraft (the same as the OP) hardware on our 280 that there is exactly no wireless capability. So there has to to be new hardware introduced. Furthermore the question raised by the OP was how to get the SC on his existing Simrad MFD.
 
so.....not to add salt to the wounds.....but this post is the reason I am confused when I try to research on my own. I don't care about having a wireless bluetooth connection to my smartphone. I am trying to determine with certainty what exactly I need to gain engine smartcraft data from my 2005 motor to my 2019 Simrad GO7XSE unit. I know my unit has the screen option to display such data, but am not sure how to "plug and play" the unit to the motor??? Do I already have a connection from the motor? Do I truly need smartcraft (expensive)? Do I need to build a NMEA2000 gateway, and if so could use a little coaching specific to my application. I don't have a good resource i.e. I don't know a guy who can show me the ropes, thus have to rely on you experts to coach me along! But the very fact that there are differing opinions within this existing post makes it hard to not spend money unnecessarily or without merit. Thank you.
 
True North said:
so.....not to add salt to the wounds.....but this post is the reason I am confused when I try to research on my own. I don't care about having a wireless bluetooth connection to my smartphone. I am trying to determine with certainty what exactly I need to gain engine smartcraft data from my 2005 motor to my 2019 Simrad GO7XSE unit. I know my unit has the screen option to display such data, but am not sure how to "plug and play" the unit to the motor??? Do I already have a connection from the motor? Do I truly need smartcraft (expensive)? Do I need to build a NMEA2000 gateway, and if so could use a little coaching specific to my application. I don't have a good resource i.e. I don't know a guy who can show me the ropes, thus have to rely on you experts to coach me along! But the very fact that there are differing opinions within this existing post makes it hard to not spend money unnecessarily or without merit. Thank you.
Click to expand...
The posts have made this way too complicated for you....
Yes you need to build a NMEA 2000 network if you don't have one already.
Then, you need to convert the Smartcraft data to NMEA 2000 data.
To do this you must :
  1. Have Smartcraft spare ports (look at your junction blocks for the spare ports; see my previous post(s))
  2. Purchase one or both (depending upon what data you need; engine, vessel systems, or both) Smartcraft to NMEA 2000 gateways.
  3. Connect the gateway(s) to the junction block or any spare Smartcraft connection.
  4. Connect the gateway(s) to the NMEA 2000 network
  5. Configure your Simrad to gather, read, and display the data.
 
ttmott said:
The posts have made this way too complicated for you....
Yes you need to build a NMEA 2000 network if you don't have one already.
Then, you need to convert the Smartcraft data to NMEA 2000 data.
To do this you must :
  1. Have Smartcraft spare ports (look at your junction blocks for the spare ports; see my previous post(s))
  2. Purchase one or both (depending upon what data you need; engine, vessel systems, or both) Smartcraft to NMEA 2000 gateways.
  3. Connect the gateway(s) to the junction block or any spare Smartcraft connection.
  4. Connect the gateway(s) to the NMEA 2000 network
  5. Configure your Simrad to gather, read, and display the data.
Click to expand...
So Im doing the same thing only with 2 engines 2005 mercruiser 496 mags, No Smartcraft gages, only analog.

I have a GO9 XSE. I have latest software update and am looking to bring in my smartcraft engine data from my twin 496 smartcraft ready engines to display on my chart plotter which is already on my nema 2000 network. I understand the cabling and junction boxes I need and was planning in using a



Mercury-Mercruiser 8M0165589 NMEA 2000 CAN-P SmartCraft Gateway 1-4 Engines

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-892323T01 Dual Engine Instrument Adapter

2 Mercury-Mercruiser 878492K14 Smartcraft Junction Box Kit 4 Way w Caps

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-891957K01 CAN P Link Harness Assembly

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-879981T25 CAN Data Harness 10 Pin 25 Ft.

Mercury-Mercruiser 84-879981T30 HARNESS ASSY

Is this the latest hardware and best way to do this?

I would like to dispay engine data and hopefully engine alarms on my chart plotter.

UPDATE
So just talked to Mercury Support.
they have a 5 way j box now the 4 port is discontinued. I was told I can bring 2 cables into the 5 port j box and plug in the 8M0165589 gateway can p multiengine and connect that directly to me nema 2000 network to get vessel view data to my simrad.
I have already reprogrammed my starboard engine name. Does this sound correct? so the can p jumper harness and the multiwake harness is not needed like in the diagram below?

PXL_20220709_184037604.MP.jpg
 
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