What’s the best way to utilize SmartCraft Tachs & Speedo gauges?

[Alex F]

My 320DA has SmartCraft system, but It doesn’t have a separate display monitor. The only display I have is part of the Tachs and Speedo. There’s also no separate display for depth finder, so I have to use one of the tach’s display to see the depth info. The bad part is that looks like I can’t see any other info while I set it to see the depth.

I’m new to this system and was hopping to get some tips on what’s the best way to utilize the tach and speedo monitors to get most out of the system. BTW, the manual I got is really not user friendly. I just downloaded some additional manuls from Merc site and will do some reading.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Alex.

 

[gerryb]

Alex, i configured both displays to show the info I wanted. Depth is on the right, for example. I turned-off many of the displays and made sure they weren't repetitive between the two so as to minimize the number of time I have to press the center button to change the display. Get the manual and go through each of the items shown on each display, circle the ones you need/want, then go tot he section which shows how to configure the system and turn-off the ones you don't need. Another example: I disabled screens where the same info was shown on a guage (voltage, temp, etc.).

Took about 15 minutes to do this on our boat and the settings stay even when the batteries are disconnected.

 

[Dave S]

If you add a Northstar or Navman Chartplotter they can interface directly with Smartcraft on both engines and display a lot of information simultaneously. Otherwise you have limited capabilities for "real time" information on the existing instruments.

 

[CJ Martin]

One thing you can do is add a SC1000 monitor, it's a larger LCD display (it is NOT the much larger SC5000 display!) that doesn't take up a lot of space. I added one to my 260DA specifically to display depth.

On my 320DA, I still have the Raymarine Tri-data display for depth, so I typically run with the sync display on the speedo, and digital engine temps on each tach.

-CJ

 

[Alex F]

I did some more reading to get more of basic understanding and tried Gerry's approach of crossing out what I don't need. The number of preferred items to be displayed happens to be very low since a lot is repetetive information what's available on the guages. I'll set the for now "must have" info like depth and fuel usage. At this point I don't see (may be still don't understand fully) the need for tri-data display.

Dave, I'm happy with my Raymarine displays for now. I need to learn it more and determine if there's anyhting I really need to add or change.

One thing I don't see in the manual is how to make the settings I had changed to be permanent anytime I start the engines. Anyone spare a quick tip?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[matthewmiller01]

I am also new to all of this. I love the amount of information available with the smartcraft system gauge (tach, in my case), but the usefulness of the one window is disappointing. My question is... How can I reset the fuel used? I don't really see the need to keep track of how much gas I have used since the boat came from the factory:huh:. Please help! I am still learning how to use my smartcraft tach to its fullest. TIA for any advice and more tips.

 

[CJ Martin]

To reset the fuel used, scroll to that page and then press and hold both the "-" and "Mode" buttons at the same time. You should see a reset message and you are good to go.

-CJ

 

[matthewmiller01]

To reset the fuel used, scroll to that page and then press and hold both the "-" and "Mode" buttons at the same time. You should see a reset message and you are good to go.

-CJ

This will only reset that screen? I am an idiot! I was thinking it would reset all of the settings for the entire gauge (that the dealer had set at inception). Thanks.

 

[CJ Martin]

This will only reset that screen? I am an idiot! I was thinking it would reset all of the settings for the entire gauge (that the dealer had set at inception). Thanks.

What you are worried about is the Master Reset - you have to hold the "+" and "-" keys (I think) for a while (while the display counts down...actually it's until LCD bars meet but you get the idea). Reseting fuel / miles only takes a second.

-CJ

 

[matthewmiller01]

What you are worried about is the Master Reset - you have to hold the "+" and "-" keys (I think) for a while (while the display counts down...actually it's until LCD bars meet but you get the idea). Reseting fuel / miles only takes a second.

-CJ

That's exactly what I was worried about. Thanks for clearing it up!:thumbsup:

 

[Alex F]

I was trying to setup mine this weekend. When I just turned on the engine key and set the guages how I'd like it, all looked fine. But, when I started the boat, all went back to defualt settings. I changed starboard side tach again to show depth, when port side tach automatically changed to RPMs. When I tried to change the port side I've noticed that it started switching the starboard side again. So, at this point, it looks like if I want to see depth on strbrd side tach, I have to leave with port side showing RPMs.

Any ideas?

Thx,
Alex.

 

[matthewmiller01]

That does seem odd. My will always come back on with the same screen shown as when I turned it off. Have you checked all of the wiring to be correct? It almost sounds as if there is a constant 12v connected to a switched 12v source. :huh:


Another question about the Smartcraft gauges... Is there an audible depth alarm? I have seen my depth alarm blinking at me to warn me I am below my depth setting, but there is no audible alarm that I can tell. Can anyone tell me if I can toggle the audible one ON/OFF or is there not one? Thanks in advance.

 

[Alex F]

That does seem odd. My will always come back on with the same screen shown as when I turned it off. Have you checked all of the wiring to be correct? It almost sounds as if there is a constant 12v connected to a switched 12v source. :huh:.

Unfortunatelly, I wouldn't know better than the SR techies. The system is new to me, so I have big learning curve here. The current work around is clicking the mode button couple of time to get it back where I want to, not a big deal. so, I'll have to do it until I know better.

Alex.

 

[matthewmiller01]

Another question about the Smartcraft gauges... Is there an audible depth alarm? I have seen my depth alarm blinking at me to warn me I am below my depth setting, but there is no audible alarm that I can tell. Can anyone tell me if I can toggle the audible one ON/OFF or is there not one? Thanks in advance.

Someone out there must know the answer to this :smt100. Anyone?

 

[Hampton]

Resets - If you lean forward, you will see the markings on the bottom of the displays (in my boat, anyway). They don't stand out. They show which 2 buttons to push to reset the current display on that particular gauge. Page through each of the 3 gauges' pages and reset the ones you want. Every time I get gas, I right the data down, then reset the miles, fuel used, avg fuel economy...

The reason that one of your displays changes with the other is that they are "Slaved." If you don't like this, turn off the slaved function in the gauge. I like it. When I start engines, I cycle through the various modes on the port gauge and watch the results on both gauges and compare as I go. 165 degrees port, 162 stdb, 50 psi port, 50 stbd, 3.0 psi port, 3.7 psi stbd (temp, oil press, water press).
I continue to cycle the port side until the second double-data screen (displays gph and gallons used). Then, I hit the stbd gauge's mode switch twice to diplay depth. They will stay here until I change them or shut an engine down and turn off the ignitions. I generally cycle the center gauge through the fuel remaining page (it cycles between stbd and port fuel on its own). Then, I go to the RPM page. It has a digital readout of the port and stbd RPMs and a quick-reference bar to make matching them up easy.

I like the redundancies. Occassionally, the tachs will stick a little. The digital readout gives me a quick back up. When I first start an engine, I watch the oil pressure rise on the analog gauge, then start the other engine and do the same. I check for the analog gauges to be pointing to the 4 corners (fuel dependent, but a quick glance tells all). Then, I page through the digital gauges as described and then I get underway.

The only redundancy I have left in the system that I don't necessarily want is the air/water temp page.

Something that is not necessarily obvious to the most casual observer is that there are several menus amongst all three of the gauges. Once you get through one series of menus, you have the option to go out or continue on to more menus. Don't skip the other menus accidentally. To go through them fast, don't make changes and just continue to hit the "Save" key.

That's all I have to say about that.

 

[Hampton]

Someone out there must know the answer to this :smt100. Anyone?

No, sorry.

 

[Psass]

Hello team. I have a 220 sundeck 2006. I need a replacement button for the inside of my bathroom door lock. The replacement lock is $220 but I only need the plastic knob that unlocks the door. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Psass]

Does anyone know where I can get a manual to set the damn thing. :smt021

Thanks