Twin Engine Vessel View Mobile

aero3113

I don’t remember seeing any plugs at the helm when I replaced my dash panels. I do have open plugs at the engines. Would it be the same plugs that the scan tool connects to?

Grahamu

The plug is at the rear port side of the engine

Spyderweb

@aero3113, I mounted mine  in the ER on the port hull wall above the batteries.  Works fine with my iPad mounted at the helm.

Grahamu

@aero3113, I gave you some misleading advice earlier in this thread as it was based on my setup. I am attaching photos from the Mercury Smartcraft Rigging Manual showing 2 configurations. Note if you have the setup in the first pic it is the starboard engine where the power supply is disconnected. The VV module will plug into an empty port in a junction box



Second setup. "b" is the canbus link cable



Plug on my engine

aero3113

Thanks @Grahamu

aero3113

Good to know @Spyderweb

YYZRC

Grahamu said:

@aero3113, I gave you some misleading advice earlier in this thread as it was based on my setup. I am attaching photos from the Mercury Smartcraft Rigging Manual showing 2 configurations. Note if you have the setup in the first pic it is the starboard engine where the power supply is disconnected. The VV module will plug into an empty port in a junction box



Second setup. "b" is the canbus link cable



Plug on my engine

My understanding, after spending many hours talking to Merc and many more dollars, is that the first setup (disconnecting the power connector) only applies to the 8.1L engine. My 350 MAG did not have this connector. 

https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/6599/vesselview-7-question/p2

This is the setup I am running as recommended by Mercruiser tech support:

aero3113

I’m pretty sure this is why I didn’t install VVM last season. All of this is too confusing! LoL

YYZRC

It does hurt mentally. 

Grahamu

@YYZRC. That's not true, I have 350 MPI MAG engines with the set up in the first photo and my Mech Supervisor is ex Mercury Marine Trainer for 25 years who installed it. I don't intend to connect to anything else other than VVM. If you are connecting to sensors and instruments the setup is probably similar to the one you show. I will take a look in the rigging manual and check with my guy what that's about. @aero3113 did say he was only connecting to VVM.

YYZRC

Just repeating what I was told by Mercruiser tech support. I tried the first diagram setup originally (it was cheaper!) and it would not work on my boat. Merc said I needed to have two J boxes and the connector cable to run my VV7. 

The diagram I posted allows the VV to be powered by either engine, no connector disconnect needed. 

Grahamu

Yes I understand that and your system is more involved than mine. I simply want engine data only when both engines are running. I like to know accurate RPM to keep them synchronized and fuel flow for fuel economy. I scan the analogue gauges every few minutes for other info. If necessary I can run the starboard engine with the port engine ignition key on if I need info dockside. I haven't read the link you posted but will later. 

Grahamu

I should also have said you are using the setup in my 2nd photo, without 3 wire power disconnect, whereas my engines have the 3 wire power disconnect

Grahamu

@aero3113 wrote I’m pretty sure this is why I didn’t install VVM last season. All of this is too confusing! LoL.
To simplify it, identify the engine plug and determine if it has the 3 wire power supply, if so follow the schematic in photo 1. If it doesn't then follow the schematic shown in 2 or as shown by @YYZRC
As a footnote all engines with a 14 pin engine connector do not have the 3 wire power supply and cannot share a single junction box and must use 2 with a CAN link.

YYZRC

@grahamu great post! One more - how do you know how many resistors are required in the cable (one or two)? I was never given an answer to this, I was just told one resistor for my application. 

Grahamu

@YYZRC, I think you have VesselView 7 and only one resistor in the cable is shown in the diagrams. 
A 2 resistor cable has extra connections coming off the cable at the end before the second resistor. I'm not sure what they are for, haven't got that far into the book.

Grahamu

@YYZRC I only see the 2 resistor cable being used in single engine applications.

YYZRC

Cool, good to know!

Spyderweb

@aero3113, FYI, on my setup, I run both engines to a single junction box, plug VVM to box, and have terminator plug on 4th slot of j-box.

Grahamu

In 2006 mercury switched to a 14 pin engine plug. I think @aero3113 has a 2008 engine and would have one and cannot use a single junction box as explained above. The VV module has a branch plug in which a yellow resistor terminator plugs into.

Grahamu

To clarify a yellow resistor terminator would not be required after a junction box. I will post a schematic later.

Grahamu

Schematic 

tricountytrail

Wondering if with vessel view mobile can you see fuel rail pressure and the port and starboard exhaust manifold temperatures?

Spyderweb

I’ve got VVM and I don’t believe those options are available.

LaRea

I don't see them on my 2007 Merc 496 motors.