Smartcraft at a Glance

What senders will work with my SmartCraft gauges?

Mercury offers a full line of senders specifically for the SmartCraft network. Click here to access a complete list.

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Why would I use a steering indicator with a single engine application?

Any time you advance the throttle with your MerCruiser engine you want to be sure you know where you will be heading. This is especially important while towing a tuber, skier or wake boarder. When you advance the throttle, or engage your SmartTow system, the steering indicator gauge will advise you of the direction you will be traveling.

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If I have both a paddle wheel and a pitot sensor or GPS speed hooked up to my gauges, how do I know where the gauge is getting its information?

It is determined by the "paddle to pitot transition" selected in the gauge calibration. Keep in mind that if a GPS speed signal is present it will override the pitot speed signal. At the transition point, the gauge stops pulling information from the paddle wheel and begins pulling information from the pitot or GPS unit. Please refer to the owner's manual. Click here to access the owner's manuals.

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My fuel gauges don't appear to be reading accurately. What can I do about it?

While it appears that your gauges aren't functioning properly, some times the issue is with the fuel sender. Some fuel senders operate more effectively than others. Other times inaccuracy in your fuel gauge could be caused by improper calibration of your fuel tank. In some instances you may need to re-calibrate the gauge to give you more accurate readings. Rectangular tanks are usually the most accurate. If you have a tank made to fit in the bilge of your boat, you may want to try the "Add Fuel" method for calibrating your fuel tanks.

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How do I calibrate my fuel tanks?

Please see your owner's manual for instructions. Click here to access the owner's manual.

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How many link gauges can I connect to one gauge?

You can have up to 24 link gauges.

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How do I install link gauges?

Click here to access the link gauge installation sheet.

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How do I add a depth transducer to my system?

To install a depth transducer use the instructions provided with the depth transducer. Depending on which depth transducer you chose, you can also add sea water temperature monitoring functionality. Click here for a depth transducer install sheet or visit your authorized Mercury dealer.

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What link gauges can I use with my SmartCraft gauges?

You can hook up any link gauge that has an applicable sender. To run a speed link, you need a pitot sensor, paddle wheel or GPS with a System Speed, System Tach, System View, or Vessel View. If you only have one fuel tank on a multi-engine application and the fuel sender is connected to the STBD engine, then you will not get information to display on a fuel level link gauge unless it is plugged into a STBD link gauge supply (STBD System Tach, STBD Outer VesselView, etc). The link gauge you are trying to display information on must be connected to the same side that the sender is connected to an engine. Click here to see what type of link gauges your engine will support.

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My sync, rudder angle or other link gauges aren't working properly. What should I do?

Make sure these gauges are connected to the starboard engine. This type of information is carried on the starboard engine information system.

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Can I use link gauges without a System Tach?

Yes, you can run link gauges with a System View, Vessel View, System Monitor, or Race View. If you do not have a System View, Vessel View, System Monitor, or Race View you will need a system link adapter kit that allows you to use link gauges directly to the engine without an intermediary. Click here for a list of components. The benefit of driving SC100 link gauges with SC1000 or higher gauges is that you utilize the gauge calibration such as tank and trim. When attached to the engine you are running strictly off of the engine calibration. To run a tach link gauge directly off the engine without an intermediary, you will need to contact your local Mercury dealer.

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Can I use a System Speed gauge to drive link gauges?

System Monitor, System View, Vessel View, Race View, and System Tach gauge can all drive link gauges.

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Can I use a System Speed without a System Tach?

The Smart Craft system requires a System Tach, System View, Race View or Vessel View to be installed with a System Speed. You can, however, run a System Tach without a System Speed.

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What fuel level senders should I use with my SmartCraft gauges?

Any type of sender that outputs 33 Ohms full to 240 Ohms empty (or a voltage representative of that resistance range). Some fuel sender technologies are much better than others. Please avoid using the float arm type senders as they are designed for analog systems. Senders that have been known to work well are WEMA, Royce, ISSPRO, and Moeller Digital.

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What engines are compatible with SmartCraft technology?

Please click here to see a list of engines that are compatible with SmartCraft technology.

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My air temp reading doesn't appear to be reading accurately.

Ensure that the sender is properly installed, not in direct sunlight or mounted in an enclosed space. Typically an air temp sender is mounted in the dash around where your knees would be under the helm. Unplug your air temp sender while the gauges are powered up and plug it back in. There is additional information on the System Speed installation sheet. Please click here to access the installation sheet.

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What engines are Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) compatible?

Please click here to see a list of DTS compatible engines.

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Where can I buy SmartCraft gauges?

You can buy SmartCraft gauges at any Mercury dealer.

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Can I use SmartTow on my engine?

SmartTow will work on DTS engines manufactured in 2006 or later. Contact your local Mercury dealer for more details.

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Can I replace my SystemView with VesselView?

Yes, you can, but your engine needs to be built after July 2006. You will also need to resize the cutout for VesselView. Contact your local dealer for more information.

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I'm planning to repower my boat that is rigged with mechanical cables. Can I also add Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS)?

If you purchase a DTS compatible engine (see engine chart), your boat can be rigged with SmartCraft components, harnesses and a DTS compatible engine. Contact your authorized Mercury dealer.

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How do I change the contrast and brightness on my SC1000 gauge?

Hold down the mode and the + button for two seconds. In the quick cal, you will find contrast and brightness. Press mode to exit. Click here to access the owner's manuals.

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On a mechanical system, I needed to perform regular maintenance on my controls. What maintenance do I need to do on my SmartCraft system?

Nothing! The SmartCraft control system is totally maintenance free. If you choose, you can adjust the friction on your control. You may want to increase the friction control on your control if you commonly run in rough water. Click here for Control Friction Adjustment.

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What's the difference between analog and digital gauges?

Analog gauges are meters that are displaying a value that is driven from a sensor mounted to the engine or is in the water. Each gauge is built to be wired directly to its sensor, creating a large mass of wires and pressure hoses (for boat speed and water pressure). In a digital system, the sensors are wired to the engine's computer, which then sends the information to the digital instruments on a single wire. Digital instruments are not connected to a sensor, but rather to a data transmission line, like a telephone cable, and each one is programmed to "pull" information from this data cable. This allows instruments and the engine to share information with each other, and then create new information as a result of the sharing.

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What GPS units can I connect to my SmartCraft Speed gauge?

The SmartCraft speed gauge will accept a GPS input from any GPS unit that is compatible with the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 0183 data standard. SmartCraft gauges are provided with both a positive and a negative wire to make this connection.

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Do I need to use a paddle wheel speed transducer with my SmartCraft speed gauge?

You do not need to use a paddle wheel speed transducer with the SmartCraft system. Boat speed is also available from the on-engine Pitot (pressure) speed sensor, and is available if a GPS is connected to the system. However, the troll control function of the SmartCraft speed instrument requires the input of the paddle wheel transducer for very low speed accuracy.

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