Upgrade time HELP

D

DrPringle

Member
Jul 31, 2020
185
Boat Info
2007 340 sea ray sundancer
Engines
8.1l
One of my winter projects is to replace my c80 with an axiom 9 and add a quantum radar
Should be pretty simple plug n play I think I hope
I bought a second axiom 9 to replace my smart craft sc500 I’ve done tons and tons of searching but I can’t find any answers on what’s needed to do this swap
Backbones gateways connects nmea networks
It’s really confusing with all the different threads I’ve read over the past month
Anyone have an insight on how to do this ?
What adapters and components are needed?
Boats a 2007 340 da with 8.1s
Thanks for the help
 
First - I believe your boat has System Link gauges. The System Link gauges require the SC500 to drive them. In other words if you remove the SC500 none of your existing gauges will operate. Bummer but that's just the way it is.

So, without getting really complicated, I'd forego the second Axiom and install a Vessel View 7 or Vessel View 9xx then interconnect via NMEA 2000 the Vessel View and your other Axiom. With this arrangement you will still be able to have operational gauges as well have all of the Smartcraft data on the NMEA 2000 network. Win Win...

The next question is what cable harnesses will be required? that depends upon what you currently have and which VV you purchase.

BTW - it's easy to check if your gauges are system link - look behind them and if they are daisy chained together then they are.
 
In addition to ttmotts recommendation. You will need to decide on a seatalkng or nmea2000 backbone. They are effectively the same thing with different connectors so just pick one and go with it. The raymarine products will generally come with the adapters to connect to either one, while any other manufacturer will connect to nmea2000, and you would need to provide adapter to go to seatalkng.

Can you do a complete list of your electronics, with what you intend to keep and what you would like to get rid of?

Do you have a nmea0187 GPS receiver? If so, that may need upgrading if your axiom can’t get a fix on enough satellites.

What is your current transducer and vhf?
 
jmauld said:
In addition to ttmotts recommendation. You will need to decide on a seatalkng or nmea2000 backbone. They are effectively the same thing with different connectors so just pick one and go with it. The raymarine products will generally come with the adapters to connect to either one, while any other manufacturer will connect to nmea2000, and you would need to provide adapter to go to seatalkng.

Can you do a complete list of your electronics, with what you intend to keep and what you would like to get rid of?

Do you have a nmea0187 GPS receiver? If so, that may need upgrading if your axiom can’t get a fix on enough satellites.

What is your current transducer and vhf?
Click to expand...


Everything’s stock
Raymarine c80 no radar
Northstar 100’vhf i believe

I’d like to replace c80 with axiom 9 and add radar

as far as any other electronics haven’t really thought of that maybe sat tv one day

looks like I’ll be keeping me current smartcraft for now maybe vv upgrade they’re pricey tho
 
The VV upgrades are seriously high.

You probably have a GPS antenna/receiver on the boat somewhere and possibly a transducer. Can you check for those items? It’s likely they will need to be updated as well.
 
DrPringle said:
One of my winter projects is to replace my c80 with an axiom 9 and add a quantum radar
Should be pretty simple plug n play I think I hope
I bought a second axiom 9 to replace my smart craft sc500 I’ve done tons and tons of searching but I can’t find any answers on what’s needed to do this swap
Backbones gateways connects nmea networks
It’s really confusing with all the different threads I’ve read over the past month
Anyone have an insight on how to do this ?
What adapters and components are needed?
Boats a 2007 340 da with 8.1s
Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

For two MFDs and the Quantum Radar you will also need a RayNet Hub (Basically a Gig-E Ethernet Switch). You will also need some RayNet cables - probably the most expensive ethernet patch cables around. The Quantum has the option to the be WIFI only - skip that and order the cable and hardwire it.

For the Engine data you will need either a SmartCraft to nema2000 gateway or the new SmartCraft Connect. The SmartCraft Connect will give more info that would normally be available on your SC500. The gateway will just give the data values on the NEMA network.

For the NEMA network - if you do not already have one - you will need to get some adaptors. The NEMA is basically a long line of interconnected devices that talk on the bus. The NEMA2000 requires the ends to be terminated and there also needs to be a power source added. These are all screw together parts and the power injector is just a 12V connection. Other than that you will need one port and cable for the gateway and one port cable for each of the other devices to be added. The Axioms support NEMA2000 out of the box.

To clean up the install you will need some new panels. We can supply the original OEMs from tecnografic or we have our own in house produced panels in black.

Let me know if you need anything else - including pictures and I will be happy to assist.

Thanks,
-Kevin
 
Here are some pictures from my install:

340SDA-Full-Dash-01.jpg 340SDA-Center-01.jpg 340SDA-Radar-01.jpg 340SDA-Gauges-02.jpg

Feel free to call me if you have any questions.

-Kevin
 
jmauld said:
The VV upgrades are seriously high.

You probably have a GPS antenna/receiver on the boat somewhere and possibly a transducer. Can you check for those items? It’s likely they will need to be updated as well.
Click to expand...
The gps antenna is original can’t get any numbers off it seatalk im assuming ?
I have 2 transducers
44-031-1-01
31-407-1-41
 
I am not sure about that. I do not think it is possible. According to the literature it says comprehensive engine data is available through a NEMA connected device.

-Kevin
 
DrPringle said:
The gps antenna is original can’t get any numbers off it seatalk im assuming ?
I have 2 transducers
44-031-1-01
31-407-1-41
Click to expand...
Probably original Seatalk (like nema0183). The Axioms have GPS built in so you can abandon the old external GPS devices. Would have to do more research on the transducers and cabling.

-Kevin
 
The c80 replacement I’m feeling ok
Adding radar shouldn’t be an issue
Adding the second axiom might take a professional
 
DrPringle said:
The gps antenna is original can’t get any numbers off it seatalk im assuming ?
I have 2 transducers
44-031-1-01
31-407-1-41
Click to expand...
Not,having much luck finding those. I suspect the top number is a smart craft transducer and the lower number is a speed sensor.
 
KevinC said:
Here are some pictures from my install:

View attachment 116939 View attachment 116938 View attachment 116941 View attachment 116940

Feel free to call me if you have any questions.

-Kevin
Click to expand...
Kevin - I doesn't look like yours has the System Link gauges and consequently never had the SC500 display right?
@DrPringle - If your SC500 is still functional and you need/desire to keep it you might want to take a look at the Mercury Smartcraft Connect; it is quite a bit less expensive than the Vessel View displays but should be compatible with your generation of Smartcraft. It will provide all of your existing Smartcraft engine and boat data on a NMEA 2000 network. Maybe @Shaps or @alnav or @SKybolt know what is needed to get it physically connected.
https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/gauges-and-controls/gauges-displays/smartcraft-connect/

Regarding your depth and GPS sensors - it's time to get them modernized.
Depth / Temperature - Do you want fishing capability or simply depth/temperature? This will determine if you want integration into the Axiom or on your new NMEA 2000 network. If you need only depth and water temperature, then change to a NMEA 2000 sounder and then that data is available on all of your instruments. The Airmar DT800-NMEA2000 series is what most are using for depth and temperature.
Speed - Don't go back to a paddlewheel speed sensor which is probably your second through-hull. Remove that and install the plug. The GPS units today provide speed on the network.
GPS - The Axiom has a GPS antenna/receiver integrated but depending upon the boat and location it can be spotty on satellite reception. My Garmin units on the bridge of my boat get about a half of the satellites that the antenna on the bridge roof does. So, I would recommend replacing the antenna/receiver on the arch/roof with a Raymarine Raystar 130 SeatalkNG antenna. Doing this in this fashion the GPS data is available to all instruments connected to the NMEA2000 network. Like Kevin said SeatalkNG is NMEA2000 just different connectors on the ends of the cabling; it's a complete mystery why the idiots at Raymarine decided again to do their own thing on cabling....

The message is to defragment and centralize your boat's instrumentation and get it on the NMEA network. Doing this enables better integration in future additions and upgrades plus as NMEA 2000 is a standard that all marine electronic manufacturers comply, your shopping list is expanded for replacements. For example you do not need to replace the GPS antenna with a Raymarine product you can install a Garmin GPS antenna and it will be fully functional with the other Ray products on the NMEA 2000 network. Same with the depth transducer... But Airmar pretty much manufacturers all sonar products for marine.
Tom
 
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