Connecting Mercury SmartCraft to a NMEA 2000 Network
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:09 am
The following is a description of how this was recently done on our 190 Montauk to connect the existing SmartCraft system to a new Simrad GO9 MFD and RS-35 VHF Radio. Both Simrad devices are NMEA 2000 capable.
I took on this project in order to display all the engine (135 HP Mercury Verado) SmartCraft user data on the MFD. To simplify the project and allow the AIS receiver data to display on the MFD a NEMA 2000 backbone was installed with the MFD and VHF radio. An extra NMEA "T" connector was added to the backbone to receive the data from the SmartCraft system drop cable. There is a very easy way to install the required backbone and T connectors for this project. Actisense manufactures a "RIB Starter Kit" part number A2K-RSK available from Eastern Marine and EBay. The EBay price is $89 and worth it if you are, like me, old and somewhat arthritic. The benefits of the Actisense backbone are it's simplicity of installation and use. It should also be slightly less vulnerable to moisture intrusion. If you choose to build a backbone the parts needed are available from West Marine and others. I elected to make up a backbone to avoid the shipping wait for the Actisense backbone. Simrad makes connecting to the backbone very simple by providing NEMA 2000 drops (connectors) ready to connect to the backbone T connectors.
The most difficult part of the process was learning exactly what Mercury parts were needed. If researching this you will find a lot of mostly conflicting information. This post is intended to help avoid buying the wrong and possibly much more expensive parts.
Three Mercury parts are needed. (1) NEMA 2000 Gateway Module Assembly, Part No. 8M0151748, cost from my local dealer after discount $300 (2) 6 way 10 pin male junction box, Part No. 878492T16 cost from my dealer after discount $65 (3) junction box weather cap, Part Number 859318T2 cost from my dealer after discount $10. Note: a NEMA "T" connector is included with the Gateway Module. If making a backbone one less "T" connector can be purchased. These parts can be purchased from Amazon, EBay, etc.
The first step was to disconnect the four 10 pin connectors from the existing SmartCraft junction box and remove the box. Second step was to replace the existing junction box with the new 6 way box and reconnect the existing 10 pin connectors. Third was to connect the Gateway Module to the junction box and to the backbone. Fourth was to plug the weather cap in the unused junction box position.
Now it's time to turn on the radio, MFD and ignition key to see engine gauges.
I took on this project in order to display all the engine (135 HP Mercury Verado) SmartCraft user data on the MFD. To simplify the project and allow the AIS receiver data to display on the MFD a NEMA 2000 backbone was installed with the MFD and VHF radio. An extra NMEA "T" connector was added to the backbone to receive the data from the SmartCraft system drop cable. There is a very easy way to install the required backbone and T connectors for this project. Actisense manufactures a "RIB Starter Kit" part number A2K-RSK available from Eastern Marine and EBay. The EBay price is $89 and worth it if you are, like me, old and somewhat arthritic. The benefits of the Actisense backbone are it's simplicity of installation and use. It should also be slightly less vulnerable to moisture intrusion. If you choose to build a backbone the parts needed are available from West Marine and others. I elected to make up a backbone to avoid the shipping wait for the Actisense backbone. Simrad makes connecting to the backbone very simple by providing NEMA 2000 drops (connectors) ready to connect to the backbone T connectors.
The most difficult part of the process was learning exactly what Mercury parts were needed. If researching this you will find a lot of mostly conflicting information. This post is intended to help avoid buying the wrong and possibly much more expensive parts.
Three Mercury parts are needed. (1) NEMA 2000 Gateway Module Assembly, Part No. 8M0151748, cost from my local dealer after discount $300 (2) 6 way 10 pin male junction box, Part No. 878492T16 cost from my dealer after discount $65 (3) junction box weather cap, Part Number 859318T2 cost from my dealer after discount $10. Note: a NEMA "T" connector is included with the Gateway Module. If making a backbone one less "T" connector can be purchased. These parts can be purchased from Amazon, EBay, etc.
The first step was to disconnect the four 10 pin connectors from the existing SmartCraft junction box and remove the box. Second step was to replace the existing junction box with the new 6 way box and reconnect the existing 10 pin connectors. Third was to connect the Gateway Module to the junction box and to the backbone. Fourth was to plug the weather cap in the unused junction box position.
Now it's time to turn on the radio, MFD and ignition key to see engine gauges.