Smartcraft connections

PeterM · 07 February 2010, 21:32

So been on the boat preparing for its relaunch in a few weeks(antifouling cleaning etc ) & I connected a spare 12v battery to make sure stuff still works etc and It struck me that the plotter has a screen for fuel use - but with nothing showing ( is lots of zeros).

Clearly the plotter tells the radio position for the DSC, but can the smartcraft tell the plotter about fuel use etc ?Its a Navman 5100 ( or maybe 5500- i cant recall having only seen it once in the last 3 months )

Considering I am something of a dunce when it comes to NMEA etc ......

Pete

Ian Sharlot · 07 February 2010, 21:40

you will need a smartcraft gateway to link them togeather, I may have a s/h one if you need one

Steve_B · 07 February 2010, 21:56

Pete

Did this on ours, got all the engine stats up to, impressive but was surprised how little we used it, as the plotter and depth was the priority.

With the gateway you can call up any fault reports and other info. If you can get it for a good price from Ian, I would strongly recommend.

PeterM · 08 February 2010, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Sharlot

you will need a smartcraft gateway to link them togeather, I may have a s/h one if you need one

Thanks Ian PM sent.........

Seems daft not to set it up if its possible

Cookee · 08 February 2010, 14:13

Navman is still the only GPS to offer full Smartcraft compatibility, and it shows an amazing amount of information - it will even tell you the amount of fuel you will use to get to your next waypoint at the current throttle setting!

We set one up with a Verado 250 and I would recommend the set up to anyone, the trouble is I prefer Garmin GPS systems - they seem to suit the way I think better.

PeterM · 08 February 2010, 14:51

Thanks Cookee- good to know. I'm amazed Garmin cant do it as like you I have a liking for thier stuff. I'd say the ideal set up for me would be a big verado with Garmin- and I'd be put off by this. Oh well I dont have'money so I wont have to worry about it....................

Cookee · 09 February 2010, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

Thanks Cookee- good to know. I'm amazed Garmin cant do it as like you I have a liking for thier stuff. I'd say the ideal set up for me would be a big verado with Garmin- and I'd be put off by this. Oh well I dont have'money so I wont have to worry about it....................

Navman is/was part of the same group as Mercury, that's why they do it. Garmin and all of the others are compatible with any NMEA 2000 Canbus system if that's any help. Smartcraft is also a Canbus system, but it isn't compatible with any other GPS - hope that helps!

biffer · 09 February 2010, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Navman is/was part of the same group as Mercury, that's why they do it. Garmin and all of the others are compatible with any NMEA 2000 Canbus system if that's any help. Smartcraft is also a Canbus system, but it isn't compatible with any other GPS - hope that helps!

got me thinking, i wonder if the smartcraft system is the same as cummins smart gauges system ( same company), what i'm thinking is will the vessel view from the inboards plug into the smartcraft loom ( same plugs i think) of the outboard and if it will register, just a thought while drinking tea

butty · 09 February 2010, 20:54

Biffer

i am about to get a 7m and puting a qsd 2.0 150hp in it, i am looking to connect the the smartcraft system to the plotter, vhf, led gauges that i am fitting to the boat.

i have a mate who works for Navico, he is going to do some research for me, so i will let you know, but we seems to think it will all work fine!!!

biffer · 09 February 2010, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by butty

Biffer

i am about to get a 7m and puting a qsd 2.0 150hp in it, i am looking to connect the the smartcraft system to the plotter, vhf, led gauges that i am fitting to the boat.

i have a mate who works for Navico, he is going to do some research for me, so i will let you know, but we seems to think it will all work fine!!!

i've got a qsd 150 here at the moment, i'm interested in how you get on, we have a forty foot race boat with twin 480hp in it it will be good if we can get all the gear on that talking to each other

PeterM · 04 June 2010, 15:35

So I have finally got round to getting the correct wires & box to acheive this. Looked simple - plug both ends in ( one to the plotter spare plug , the other the the Junction box spare plug. Flashing light on the 'new' box , but the extra options that are supposed to 'appear' ( according to the booklet) don't.

Any ideas from any Navman/ smartcraft gurus ?

I have tried a quick change of 'Navbus' options , but nothing doing........

Cookee · 05 June 2010, 09:33

Peter M - make sure you have the correct gateway - there are different models depending on which Navman unit you have.

Guys - Mercury have now made it possible to join the Smartcraft system up to all NMEA 2000 units - I am guessing that Biffs Cumins motors will have NMEA 2000 on them anyway and will therefore be compatible directly with units like the touch screen Garmins - the information available will depend on the engine manufacturers output, but should be really useful.

I think that they have sold Navman off, so there is no longer a reason to keep it exclusive to them!

PeterM · 05 June 2010, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Peter M - make sure you have the correct gateway - there are different models depending on which Navman unit you have.

Thanks Cookee . I'll have a chat with local mercury guy to get his opinions on Monday. I had assumed there was a 'standard' rather like NMEA etc ...

Pete

Cookee · 06 June 2010, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

Thanks Cookee . I'll have a chat with local mercury guy to get his opinions on Monday. I had assumed there was a 'standard' rather like NMEA etc ...

Pete

Smartcraft is a one off I'm afraid THIS is what you need to make Smartcraft work with NMEA 2000 stuff otherwise you're stuck with Navman