Smartcraft, Vesselview, DTS, NMEA 2000...
 

I'm trying to understand what exactly all of these are and how they play together.

NMEA 2000:

• Easy, an "open" CAN design to allow messages between devices from multiple vendors

DTS aka Digital Throttle and Shift:

• How is this connected between the throttle and engines? Is there a computer of some sort hidden somewhere or is it just a link between the throttle and ECU?
• Does this use the same network as Smartcraft?
• Are the connectors standardized?

Smartcraft:

• Mercury CAN bus? Why are there a thousand different connectors?!
• Can I add devices to this system (such as gauges)?
• Where can I get the documentation on this without paying Mercury or an Ebay seller for what may or may not be the correct book?

Vesselview:

• Digital information center, but is it more than information?
• Is this a two way design where things can be controlled by the Vesselview or is it only for viewing data?
• What is the difference between the Vesselview Link and the Mercury NMEA 2000 gateway? (84-8m0105243)
• Is there anything that wouldn't be available if I used a Vesselview Link with a MFD like my SIMRAD NSS12-EVO3 or should I leave my old Vesselview in place (Old version that isn't NMEA 2000 compatible)?
• If I decide to keep the Vesselview I think I would like to upgrade to a VV 403, are there any compatibility problems I can expect?

?????:

• I currently have the original Mercury Joystick controls, can I upgrade it to the new much better looking joystick? The connectors are different on the two
• How is "track way points" handled? Is that a function of the Vesselview, Smartcraft or DTS?
• I would like to connect my genset (Kohler 7.3ECD) to my Smartcraft or NMEA 2000 system, but from what I have read you can't do it when you have DTS? Is this true?
• What even IS Axius?!
• And finally, is there any good source of updated information on all this? I wasn't able to find really anything... Of course Mercury just says "we'll help you find a dealer!"
• What are these "Ethernet" ports on the back of SIMRAD MFDs for? Are they really 1mbps? That's not even part of the Ethernet standard! And why have two of them?!

Most of these questions are generic and I'm posting this to hopefully help others as well as myself (maybe it could become an FAQ) but here is the info on my boat in case some of these are dependent on the age/setup of the boat.

2008 Formula 350 Sunsport w/
DTS
Axius
Seacore
Smartcraft
Vesselview (first generation I believe)
Joystick control (wait, is THIS Axius?)
496 HO engines
Bravo 3 outdrives

Thanks and sorry again if some of this has been asked before, I think it would help a lot if all the answers were together in one place! If you can answer any of the questions then I will update the post with the answers.

Also, if anyone has any questions they would like answered about these systems please feel free to ask and I'll add them to the top post.

I will try to answer a few of your questions,

firstly Axius, smartcraft and vesselview are all mercruiser products.

Axius is the joystick. well the system that controls the legs and engines via the joystick. It is an optional extra on the 496 from around 2008. As far as upgrading i assume it is possible for a cost.

Smartcraft is as you discribe the CAN for the engines/ tabs/ legs, this is required for both vessel view and Axius.

Vesselview i understand is only one way, similar to plugging into your cars OBD2 port. Vessel view is a product that comes in a few systems, one now being mobile. You will need a mercrusier BT dongle. ( i guess you could reverse engineer this if you wanted) its a simple plug and play. Mercruiser also sells vessel view screens, which are virtual dials, with fuel burn etc displayed. Simrad also allows you do display this info,( i believe some other can as well) there are alot of smart craft compatible stand alone dials if you dont want to splash out on vessel view.

As far as reseting alert codes etc you will need code reader/laptop. (some alerts will come up on vessel view but i dont know a way to reset via vessel view) there is a few available but i understand mercruiser is closing down access to this. its about a 9k a year licence fee for the latest software on your lap top.

Dont know about the ethernet port,

NMEA is a way to network,. mostly used for gps etc.

DTS, is digital throttles, a componet of axius. ( can not have axius with analogue throttles). The way i ve seen them work is they normally have a cat 5 looking cable plug into a remote actuators from the ditigital shifters. there will be at least 2 for each engine, one for gearbox one for throttle. Generally thought of as a improvement over the old style.

hope that answers some of your questions

The way I understand it is that smartcraft and vessel view speak CAN. NMEA 2K is a different protocol. That is why if you want to display mercury data on your MFD, (Garmin, Lowrance, etc.) you need to add the merc gateway. The gateway converts the CAN data to NMEA 2000.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b5576250b.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5db8503e44.jpg
Here are the instructions from Mercury for when I installed a NMEA 2000 network this past winter. Smartcraft signals from engines go to the J box then to Vesselview box. Vesselview box converts signals and connects to NMEA 2000 Network. Any NMEA 2000 compliant product, once "t'ed" into the network, can be 100% utilized. So a compliant stereo can be seen by the Simrads, as well as the stereo can see the simrads and show speed, direction, etc. The 2 Simrads I installed can display many things seperate or simultaneously. My wife can view the chartplotter with engine functions running on the side while I view gps and so on. Clear as mud at 1sthttps://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...84e935bee8.jpg

Here is the system before install. J box was already wired to Smartcraft engines under the dash, we had the 2007 Systemview set-up.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...81e64a395f.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f63f6acf14.jpg

So it looks like the vessel view box does the same thing as the merc Gateway?

I can't confirm that because I was focused on our particular set-up. I talked in depth with Walter Ross Senior Product Manager Mercury Marine and he gave me all the info and exactly what I needed to order for the conversion. Simrad makes the Mercury Vesselview units, only difference is the logo at start up and price, thats why a Simrad plugs in without any start up issues.

the vessel view link will give you the mercury vessel view software/interface on compatible units(simrad,lowerance etc) the gateway will convert smart craft data onto the nmea network so you have all your engine/trim date etc but will use the mfd's generic gauge interface

NMEA 2000 is a communication protocol that is developed and maintained by an international committee. The spec defines the messages that are shared between devices and allows devices from various manufactures to share data as long as they conform to the spec.

CAN Bus is the physical network that NMEA and many other automotive and industrial systems utilize to communicate. Basically CAN Bus is the phone line and NMEA is the language.

SmartCraft is a proprietary Mercury language that operates on a CAN Bus. The main reason they have their own language is because the NMEA spec doesn't support all the engine and vessel data they want to include in their displays and diagnostics.

Aside from being a display, VesselView contains a Mercury gateway so that you can network via NMEA 2000 with chartplotters, auto pilots, MFDs and any other device that is NMEA 2000 compliant.

Hope this helps,
GF?

The gateway will give you generic data but the vessel view will give you more detailed data like engine faults and checking engine sensors and such. My simrad would not display vessel view because its older but will do the gateway. So I got the vessel view mobile and it works great.

The nema network is nice. I was able to install a fusion black box stereo unit. It sits behind the counsel and can be controlled by the simrad ,bluetooth to phone or controlled by the little round panel on the dash. I love this unit since getting it. Once you get into the wiring its pretty easy.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3d01f62db0.jpg

I have a 1999 Formula Fasttech 382, and would like to take all the guages off and go with a digital screen,what do I need to do, or is it at all possible to upgrade to the newer styling?? I have 2 700 Mercs, and I, trying to understand this all and it seems like a RACEPAK setup but for Boats, anyone help me out??

the 700sci's? those are smartcraft, build a nmea network, add the vessel view link multi engine and pick a simrad display.

Hi all,
I might not have all the information to hand in order for someone to answer having read the above and done some searches.

We have a triple CMD QSD 4.2 350 powered boat with Bravo 1 XR drives, which uses basic Smart Craft instrumentation. We have recently installed an NMEA 2000 gateway which works with our Garmin 5012 screen (currently plugged into 1 engine). The problem is that the engines are not linked at all and need to be connected so that we can see engine data from all three engines on the display.

Now I know each engine is setup as 'Starboard' by default and we will also need some form of Link cable between each separate network.

How can each engine be 'named' and what are the options for linking them? (I noticed on the Garmin that there was the ability to name a few things via the NMEA 2000 network would this be sufficient before linking the engines?)

thanks in advance for any advice.

Programing is going to be a dealer visit or buy your own scan tool. Then you will need a j-block

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/878492t16-junction-box-6way

and the extension harnesses from the engine to the helm.

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/879981t20-harness-assy T20 is length of cable so t30 etc.

now... part numbers are what i used for my 525’s and 6.2’s. Call mercury 920-929-5000 with engine seria numbers, and they will plan the whole system for you and give you all the part numbers needed. And tell you if you need to go to a mercury dealer or Cummins dealer for the programing...

Hi
Thanks for the reply. We already have J-Blocks in place behind the helm with spare ports plugged into each engine (SC1000 REV counter gauges and other smaller slave instruments).

I guess my question would really be what tool for the programming of the engine.

Our engineer was able to see the engines with his laptop and software (can't remember what the software was) but was unable to configure anything. The bizarre thing is the supplier Barrus (we are UK based) who supplied the software and interface to the engineer then claimed they no longer support CMD QSD 4.2 engines........ but I believe these engines are still available in the US....

https://www.rinda.com/marine/marinemenu.htm

again have to research the Cummins side of things. Unknown territory to me....but that’s what the dealer used for programming one of mine.

Thanks for your advice.

I don't know but it looks as if support for CMD QSD 4.2s in CDS G3 has been dropped - as the engine are not listed in any info I can find, also I can find no mention of CMD QSD 4.2s on Rinda's website - I guess older software is the poteintial answer....

I had a twin set up and have search internet months for this problem even mercury europe couldnt help me , finally i found that theres a jumper wire near the main engine harness connector on the right back side of the engine that will change engine set up.( its long ago don't know exactly what pins you need )

I also had a loose connection on one of the automatic fuses on top of the engine that gave some trouble ( engines were brand new )

no need to program it thru software on these , soon as jumper is on right pins vessel view will see them

hope this helps

bor

Thanks - found it mentioned in the workshop manual but doesn't tell you how to set it - but I found reference to it on SB marine's website which explains:"Setting up the MUS (Multiple Unit Synchronization) ID Jumpers on Cummins Marine engines allows the CAN network to properly identify the Starboard and Port engines (which are termed MASTER & SLAVE respectively).

The MUS ID jumper is a 4-pin Deutsche plug located somewhere on the on-engine harnessing. The connector will have a looped wire that tells the engine whether its the master or slave. When pin positions 1 & 2 are jumped together, the engine will be setup as the MASTER (typically the STBD engine). To setup an engine as the SLAVE engine (typically the PORT engine), wire positions 1 & 3 need to be jumped together."

doesn't mention if you can link three engines though - wonder if you short 1 & 4 for third engine????? or will that blow it up :(