Smartcraft SC1000 Speedo & Tach or the New Mercmonitor?

[CAGE RATTLER]

Just ordered a new 496 MAG and want to be able to keep track of engine data and was just wondering since the new mercmonitor came out, which would be the best option.

looks like the mercmonitor is about $400 and I found a good deal for the sc1000 tach & speedo combo with all cables for $250. The SC1000 set is a 2009 with version 4.0 software.

I was also wondering if i need to buy any flow meters or anything to get the fuel management stuff to work? Or does the engine sensors take care of that?

Thanks

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Merc Monitor is state of the art and very close to what the techies use to diagnose your engine. It gives you a lot more info then the SC systems. You will require either special adapters on the back of your analog gauges if you want to use them or if you already have smartcraft ready gauges, you are good to go. To get gpm info you will need a hook up to your GPS. Merc Monitor also has Eco mode which determines your best cruise speed and engine tilt combo... Sc does not...

 

[Henry Boyd]

Rick,

It depends on what you want to achieve. If you want functioning gauges then the SC1000 pair will do the trick with the appropriate SC100 Link gauges, e.g. fuel, water temp, volts, oil pressure etc. The Link gauges are abt 35-40 each on places like eBay

If you want to have engine data displayed to a MFD, you will also need a NMEA 2000 MFD such as Raymarine C80 (latest version), E80 C90W etc. I used Ray models as an example as I have the stuff and know it will work. There are other brands as well. I think the Merc Monitor will drive the link gauges as well.

In either case, (according to Mercruiser) you will have to disconnect all of your analog gauges. The reason being that Smartcraft works of the PCM555 engine computer at 5 volts, and that should 12 volts be introduced, it will fry the PCM. SO that means you will also have to add a tank harness to connect the fuel tank sending unit.

I think the MFD display is neat, but unless I had two, one only for engine data, and one only for navigation, I would still be using gauges because it is just too much data for one screen. If I was on a lake, where I didn't have to worry about having constant GPS/Radar I might think differently.

You might contact Mercruiser customer service. They are very helpful with Smartcraft. I would also imagine since you have a shiny new 496 on order they would be more than happy to help scope out what you might need.

Henry

 

[CAGE RATTLER]

Hmmmm .............. So I cant just add a mercmonitor or the sc100 tach & speedo and keep running my anolog guages?

Just checked info on my GPS. Its the Garmin GPS Map 492 which looks have NMEA 0183 input/output capability. It only has one connection to it which is a power/data cable. Not sure how it would hook up to the smartcraft. Does that mean I wont get the fuel management data unless I upgrade to a newer GPS with NMEA2000 capabilty?

 

[Henry Boyd]

According to Merc, it is all or nothing on the gauges. Other folks on CSR have run mixed system without problem. But like I said the link gauges are about 40 bucks a piece, the tank harness was less than 50, and a PCM555 is $ 1500.00. I viewed the additional $ 300 as cheap insurance. Besides all of the gauges look the same!

My set up is a little different, I went with the SC5000 display and all of my gauges are link gauges. I take the NMEA feed from the C80 and get GPS data such as time, SOG, COG, waypoint XTE etc from the GPS. Smartcraft then calculates fuel consumption MPG.

I think if I was doing it over again I would go with the Merc Monitor, a SC1000 tach, and link other gauges. I would skip the speedo altogether as the data also shows up on my C80.

With the SC5000 attached to the GPS I did not have to add a pitot transducer to get the speedo to work. I don't know if the speedo will work off of the GPS when used with the Merc Monitor, or the SC1000 gauges. You might want to find out as the transducers are pricey.

Sorry I didn't answer your question about flow meters. No you won't have to add anything. Smartcraft does not actually measure the amount of fuel being consumed. The PCM555 is programed to release specific amounts of fuel into the engine under specific conditions. Smartcraft just keeps track of that info, saves it and adds it up and then pops it out on the screen. I typically fill up when I am down to around a quarter of a tank. If I expect to have to add 75 gallons it usually turns out to be 78 or 79. Figuring a gallon, maybe 2 in the fill hose makes think that the Smartcraft is off 1-2%.

Henry

 

[CAGE RATTLER]

OK ... Probably a stupid question but...... How does the smartcraft know when you fill up the tank..lol

or is that where the tank harness comes in?

 

[Henry Boyd]

OK ... Probably a stupid question but...... How does the smartcraft know when you fill up the tank..lol

or is that where the tank harness comes in?

The tank harness attaches to the engine harness. You then have to find the pink wire (double check color code from your own wiring diagram) that runs from the gauge to the fuel sender. You then attach the wire from the fuel sender end of the pink wire, to the the correct wire on the tank harness (the harness has capability for two tanks). You will then have to calibrate the tank from the master gauge (either SC1000 tach or Merc Monitor(?)). Then you will have fuel info as well as a low tank warning!

Henry

 

[CAGE RATTLER]

thanks