upgrade gauges

GMSLITHO

looking to upgrade to a smart guage the boat is a 2003 with a 350 Merc any suggestions ? 

jme097

I did it with my 2007 280 2 seasons ago. One of my favorite upgrades that I have done thus far. I put in a level 2 (I believe) Mercmonitor with smartcraft link gauges. Awesome to have realtime data and ACCURATE data.

diggin2day1

My boat is a 2002 FV270 and was smartcraft capable(I called Mercruiser with engine serial number)... removed all my analog gauges and used a vesselview 4. Love it!!

Stodge

I have vessel view in mine.  Very happy with it.

JonnyM

The other option would be to go with vessel view mobile that connects to your engine and sends a Bluetooth signal to your smart phone.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/gauges-and-controls/gauges-displays/vesselview-mobile/

GMSLITHO

Keith how was the install on the vessel view and what material did you use for the dash ,nice job by the way looks really neat ,could you post the link for the switch covers mine are on the way out 

diggin2day1

I ordered the switch actuators(covers) from OTRATTW.com. I built the VV4 mount and the  chartplotter mount out of fiberglass. Install was fun(for me) and very rewarding when completed!

LaRea

If you ditch the analog gauges, you also need to link your fuel tank level to the engine computer.  It's easy and cheap ... search on this forum for details.

Dream_Inn

LaRea said:

If you ditch the analog gauges, you also need to link your fuel tank level to the engine computer.  It's easy and cheap ... search on this forum for details.

This reminds me of that one more thing I keep forgetting to do.

Cableguy Greg

I have been considering doing this over the last year and a half. Ever since I got the information provided thru VesselView Mobile, I have wanted more, but without the app. I looked at getting VesselView 4, but that is an older unit. Rinker has a VesselView 702 on their parts site for a decent price. I am just concerned that I wouldn't get all of the parts, then I would have to spend extra to get it to work properly. 

diggin2day1

    The VV4 is on the bottom left and the bigger screen in the middle is(now) a Garmin GPSMAP 742xs chartplotter. The VV4 acts as a SmartCraft gateway allowing information to be displayed on the chartplotter via NMEA2000. 
    I didn’t even realize that there was a new VV4 on the market, mine is just over a year old. 
   For those that are old school and concerned about “too many electronic components” to go bad and “analogue is better”.... The SmartCraft system uses all the same sensors as when you have analog gauges... only information is converted to a digital display. 

skennelly

On a cheaper route with vv mobile this was an idea of mine

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32832255743.html

Not only would it do vv mobile but also radio control.

Wouldn't hold up in our marine environment though.

GMSLITHO

looks like I could just install the vessel view module its about $300 ,download the app,and mount a iPad to the dash.Leave the gauges that are there and no wiring. Done in 20 minutes 

skennelly

That's what I currently do.

J3ff

you could, but then you have to connect at least once a day.. (maybe even everytime you start depending on if the module still has power or not).. and launch the app, et tc etc.. i know first world problems. 

diggin2day1

The wiring is minimal... power/ground, Smartcraft data cable and N2K cable. The beauty of it all comes together when all the information is on multiple devices. With the N2K network I can even control all functions of my stereo system(Fusion) from my chartplotter. 

GMSLITHO

The reason I was looking to upgrade in the first place was last year half away through the season  when I got over 4000 rpm  the alarm would beep every 2 minutes till I shut the boat off it would reset and be fine till it ran above the 4,000 rpm turns out it was the neutral safety switch .well that took  a while for the mechanic to track down so I saw that the smart gauges would tell you what the problem was,probably not that one but any major issues it would give you a code
to reference 

 ok the vessel view 702 is $2000
the vv4 is $1200 
the smart gauge is $650 
the module is  $300
don't they basically all do the same thing  
and Ill feel Im  getting a little more from that crazy  phone bill I pay every month 

diggin2day1

this is where I bought my VV4- http://www.veradoclubparts.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=8M0074096

Dream_Inn

The module does not provide all the information that the vessel views provide.  You may get what you need out of the module, but you just won't know until you need to have it.  Keep an eye out on ebay/craigslist for used older vesselviews.  I bought mine about 4 years ago for ~$250 and then spent ~$50 for cables.

GMSLITHO

Thanks ,I think Ill go that route 

Cableguy Greg

The Rinker parts site has the 702 for $1200. The mobile unit tells you a lot. If the engine is throwing a code, it will show up. It might not give you a description of the code, but it will save you time with the mechanic. It also gives you maintenance numbers, when to change the oil, outdrive lube, anodes and more. 

04FV270riverrat

what about this kit? just need to add a display?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vessel-View-Link-Single-8M0110639-New/201873326035?epid=718676637&hash=item2f00967fd3:g:tp0AAOSw2gxY3TyV:sc:UPSGround!40356!US!-1&vxp=mtr

04FV270riverrat

@diggin2day1 is this the kit you have?

https://www.veradoclubparts.com/Vessel_View_4_Kit_p/8m0074096.htm

Says its for 2007 and newer? Did you have to buy any extras to hook it up? 

Stodge

There is a cable that connects to the smartcraft plug on the motor then to the monitor.  Might want to see if that's included in the kit.