I’m not an expert here, but I think you want this instead.

https://www.simmercury.com/dual-engine-under-helm-smartcraft-connect-kit-8m0173696/

The one you linked to only puts the data on the network. This one gives you the mercruiser screen with more warnings and error codes. And of course it’s double the price.

 

Wow, Salty! And that’s JUST for the cord/hookup! I’m glad I’m NOT doing that job.

Wishin’ you good luck with it, @boatrboy, hope it turns out perfectly!

 

As long as you have a spare/unused plug on one of the boxes -- plug it in there. When I went to add vessel view mobile, I had a six on mine that was full, so I had to swap it out for an 8-port box ... which is essentially the same as you've got with two 4-port boxes.

 

So will I get engine data on both engines plugging into only one of the j-boxes? I’ve seen on the websites that sell this a cable that looks like it plugs into both j-boxes and you plug the gateway into the cable. Will I need this or since I already installed the “wake” cable will I skip this?
Phil - do you have to separate j-boxes or are both motors in that same 8 port you mentioned?
Thanks.

 

If you have data from both engines on your current VV display, then you would only need to plug the Mercury plug (on the new adapter from your first post) into one of the junction boxes. I think -- it's hard to tell what's plugged into each box. It might be that the PO had access to (2) 4-port boxes so that's what they used (cheaper, easier to get, who knows!)

I know less about the Garmin MFDs but if they require the 2000 gateway, what you have in your first post should work.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge of NMEA will chime in I thought the way to do it was to have a backbone -- rather than just taking this round plug and going right into the new MFD. If you have the backbone, then you can start introducing more items later.

I'm in a similar spot now with both my Whalers. I've got Smartcraft due to Mercury, but my MFDs are Simrad and they have an NMEA connection. So I'll need to do the same at some point if I want the Smartcraft and other engine data on the MFD.

 

If you have data from both engines on your current VV display, then you would only need to plug the Mercury plug (on the new adapter from your first post) into one of the junction boxes. I think -- it's hard to tell what's plugged into each box. It might be that the PO had access to (2) 4-port boxes so that's what they used (cheaper, easier to get, who knows!)

I know less about the Garmin MFDs but if they require the 2000 gateway, what you have in your first post should work.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge of NMEA will chime in I thought the way to do it was to have a backbone -- rather than just taking this round plug and going right into the new MFD. If you have the backbone, then you can start introducing more items later.

I'm in a similar spot now with both my Whalers. I've got Smartcraft due to Mercury, but my MFDs are Simrad and they have an NMEA connection. So I'll need to do the same at some point if I want the Smartcraft and other engine data on the MFD.

View attachment 148600

I should have mentioned I already have ordered the nema 2000 starter kit which I will be installing shortly. Nothing I have now uses nema 2000 but I will eventually get a newer radio and depth transducer and will start using the 2k for networking. I plan on leaving the vv 1.5 which uses nema 0183 for the foreseeable future as it work great for me.
My prep is more for the GPS as my Raymarine c80 started acting up. If I go for the Garmin, I thought it would be good to have the nema 2k stuff ready to go.
I realize that realistically, i could install the Garmin and use the nema 0183 for the gps data only and NOT have engine data available, but I figure if I do this piecemeal, the cost hit will be easier to swallow... and maybe the wife wont notice

 

There is also 8M0165589 which comes with a T fitting

 

I have a Smartcraft Connect (SC) I bought right about the time they were introduced. The Connect was designed to completely replace legacy Smartcraft/Vesselview functionality. The other Mercury adapters are more like data taps to enable N2K/Bluetooth/Wifi connections to display engine data. The Connect contains actual processing and control functionality using chart plotter screens for the interface (while also displaying data including fault codes).
I too wanted to keep my old VesselView but sadly, I found in my case that this generated significant interference and weird behavior. It now makes sense that having two control devices contending on the same bus would cause problems.

 

I have a Smartcraft Connect (SC) I bought right about the time they were introduced. The Connect was designed to completely replace legacy Smartcraft/Vesselview functionality. The other Mercury adapters are more like data taps to enable N2K/Bluetooth/Wifi connections to display engine data. The Connect contains actual processing and control functionality using chart plotter screens for the interface (while also displaying data including fault codes).
I too wanted to keep my old VesselView but sadly, I found in my case that this generated significant interference and weird behavior. It now makes sense that having two control devices contending on the same bus would cause problems.

I just got off the phone with Mercruiser and they did say the SC would provide some more features than the original gateway. However, it appears that there are some updates that caused issues with my vintage motors and they cause some errors on displays. He stated they are working on these and have solved 2 of the 3 issues.
But it does look like the gateway should provide me plenty of engine data and rudder angle which was something I was hoping to see.

At double the cost, the SC should dock the boat for me.

 

Hello all,

Did you determine if the gateway, Mercury part 8M0165589 worked for your application? I have a 2006 Sundancer 340 with SC1000. Mercury told me this gateway part I listed will work just fine with my new Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv. Mercury support told me I might only need a junction box, but no cables or resistors. The alternate part 8M0173696 is the Smartcraft Connect that supports the Mercury Vessel View app and transfers data to your phone via wireless and Bluetooth. That part would still only connect to the GPSMAP via NMEA 2000. Garmin also said the same thing. Garmin also said data HAS to be shared via NMEA 2000 for things to work properly on the Garmin.

I just am wondering if you all had success using the gateway part and if the Mercury features on your Garmin displays work as expected. Thanks is advance for your feedback! I am setting up my NMEA 2000 network and have no intention of using the VesselView app so this seems like the correct part for me to get my engine data on my Garmin.

 

Here is some light reading for you. I had always questioned merc on the extra j-boxes, but I did not want to chance ruining anything so I went with it. It works great. When you say sc1000 you are referring to the gages, not the smart craft display (sc5000) correct?

https://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/sc-5000-to-vv703-question.115614/page-2#post-1466189

 

Also consider https://yachtdevicesus.com/collections/engine-gateways/products/engine-gateway-ydeg-04. I've been using it for a few years. Less expensive, reliable, and more configurable.

 

I went with vessle view because the gateway was so expensive. Works great for me . I don't have twins though ú⁷