SC5000 to VesselView problem

beachstranded

beachstranded

New Member
Nov 12, 2012
10
Florida
Boat Info
380 Sundancer - SOLD
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1S
I am trying to covert over to VesselView on a 2003 380DA. Mercury confirmed compatibility over the phone according to the engine serial numbers. I purchased a used vesselview and appropriate harnesses. The problem i encountered is that behind the lower instrument panel i only see one 4-port j-box. On that J-box the top 2 connectors appear to be connected to the starboard and port engine systems. Lower right went to the sc5000. Lower left connector has three wires that disappear into a bundle of wires.

I do not see anywhere to plug the harness connector labeled "ignition". I also do not see any where to connect the "wake" cable with only one j-box.

Connecting it to the one j-box, The unit powers up but does not detect the 2 engines after a sensor reset.

I have left another message with Mercury but am wondering if anyone has encountered this and can help.

Thanks...
 
Swapping the four port with a six port j box is one way to go. However you may not need the unused plugs as they may be for features that are not supported on your vintage engines.

You may have to do a master reset on the vessel view. Merc does not make this process public, perhaps out of concern it will kill the DTS configuration, then it requires a factory tech to re-configure. If you call them and explain you are installing a used device they may share the secret start up code. They did for me when I installed the system view.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Thanks for the quick responses so far. I could have been clearer in what i was asking.

Every write up i reviewed previously including the one referenced here, and the installation guide, indicate there should be two junction boxes in a twin engine application. I was surprised when I found only 1 j-box behind the instrument panel. I am hopeful someone with firsthand knowledge may confirm the following...

If its possible that a 2002/2003 380DA has only the one jbox or has the second j-box in another location not readily visible behind the dash?
If some 2002/2003 models are incompatible to upgrade (due to only 1 j-box) or other reason (despite checking engine serial number wih Mercury).
If there is an alternative method of connecting VesselView to twin Mercruisers with 1 j-box.

I would especially appreciate input from anyone with knowledge related to this specific problem.

Thanks...
 
In my 2008 290DA, when i did the same upgrade, I found that I have two J-boxes - one for PORT and one for STBD. I don't know if it is possible to have only one. If I remember correctly, between the two J-boxes, there are more than 6 ports used on mine.

Do you have DTS? On mine, I had to do a master reset of the Vessel View. It didn't affect the DTS setup. BUT CHECK WITH MERCURY MARINE TO BE SURE. That was my biggest fear with my upgrade. Luckily, my VV works fine (other than getting the genny info to show up. I'm still trying to get that sorted out).
 
A single helm junction box for a twin engine configuration is ok according to a copy of the Mercury Smartcraft product manual I have. Where your boat is a 2003, you may well have one that was upgraded to SC post production by a previous owner. Adding a larger junction box may be the only thing you need to do.

I'll be happy to send you a copy of the product manual if you pm me an email address.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Henry,

Thanks. Been too busy to get back to this issue. Merc also confirmed that having one 4-way j-box is ok and since data for both engines was there for the sc-5000 its still there for the taking by vessel view. Seems to make sense so i will try the factory reset and sensor detection again. Thanks for your response.

John
 
My new (to me) VesselView is now working! Both engines and the sc5000 were on the same junction box. I unplugged the SC-5000 and its harness from the single j-box and plugged in the vesselview using its harness. This time i turned on the keys, panel switches AND IGNITION SWITCHES ON THE DASH. I was definitely over thinking it. After making that one connection to verify it was working, i then connected the oher gauges, sensore and plotter.

It clicked for me when a Mercury tech said to me over the phone this week that the data is there in the j-box for the SC-5000 so it's there for the VesselView too (which is what i think Henry was saying too). Thanks to Mercury for providing patient and helpful support. Very refreshing.

Bottom line. One j-box works fine if both engines are plugged into it, which I didn't find in any of the documentation. No "wake" cable was needed. The mounting hardware and air temperature sensor can be reused. I plugged VV in with the new harness and everything works. All the rest was plug and play (gauges, chart plotter).

Thanks for the support here too which kept me from giving up and buying a replacement SC5000. I like the VV display much more and it seemed easier to find both new or used VV's

John
Melbourne, FL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,190
Messages
1,428,252
Members
61,100
Latest member
Raneyd85
Back
Top