Installing MercMonitor/What did you do with Analog Gauges???

[darleyhavidson]

For those who have installed a MercMonitor, what did you do with the Analog gauges?

Did you keep them installed? Remove and plug dash holes? Unhook wiring and leave gauges in place?

**For reference, I have a 2003 Optimax 225**

Any practical advice and experience is appreciated.

dh



2002 Ranger 620VS
Mercury Optimax 225HP
2003 Optimax Powerhead (0T648533)

[fishin couillon]

I had dual gauges, Speed w/fuel and voltage and other was RPM w/trim & water pressure.....i removed the RPM gauge since the MM gives that info along with trim (with digital connection) and water pressure.....other gauge stayed and still functions....

That is on a Phoenix boat...

[06 SB]

I replaced the speedo and left all the analog gauges in place. I eventually got tired of the redundancy so I yanked out all th analog gauges and replaced them with digital Systemlink gauges. Here is a link to that thread.

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread....emoving+analog

I did the exact same thing on my new boat too. I like having real numbers based on what the PCM is seeing.

[Cranko201]

08 Stratos 201, removed all guages and wiring, don't need any more. Had to keep gas guage. Used plugs to fit hole from C&O Marine. Be sure to check the fit of plugs often, they get loose and come out. I put a touch of silcone on lip to hold in place. If ordering plugs get one extra per hole size for when it blows out going to boat ramp. Love my mointer for alarms, get instant results. Level One

[low slung cruiser]

Replaced speedo on mine and kept all the rest

[Astyle954]

Removed all gauges, replaced with system links and rebuilt entire dash for dual 9" setup.

[darleyhavidson]

I replaced the speedo and left all the analog gauges in place. I eventually got tired of the redundancy so I yanked out all th analog gauges and replaced them with digital Systemlink gauges. Here is a link to that thread.

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread....emoving+analog

I did the exact same thing on my new boat too. I like having real numbers based on what the PCM is seeing.

Thanks for the info. That was a nice setup you ended up with.

[darleyhavidson]

Thanks everyone for your input and advice. It is much appreciated.

[darleyhavidson]

08 Stratos 201, removed all guages and wiring, don't need any more. Had to keep gas guage. Used plugs to fit hole from C&O Marine. Be sure to check the fit of plugs often, they get loose and come out. I put a touch of silcone on lip to hold in place. If ordering plugs get one extra per hole size for when it blows out going to boat ramp. Love my mointer for alarms, get instant results. Level One

Do you have a picture of your dash you can post?

[Cranko201]

Hope this helps someone

[Savage]

Replaced speedo on mine and kept all the rest

^^^This^^^

[Jumping Jimmy]

Cranko201 did you have to remove your console shroud to access your gauges on the far right. I have a Stratos and access to my WP gauge is nearly impossible. My gauges are single file to the right.

[darleyhavidson]

Replaced speedo on mine and kept all the rest

How did you cap off or remove the hose from the back of speedometer?

[Cranko201]

I did, also I might add, I changed over from e tec to Mercuy by myself, now that was a job to get done. Made it better to add correct harness.

[Savage]

How did you cap off or remove the hose from the back of speedometer?

Disconnected the hose at the lower unit, or plug it a screw under the dash.

[Jumping Jimmy]

I did, also I might add, I changed over from e tec to Mercuy by myself, now that was a job to get done. Made it better to add correct harness.

That is what I just had done. I was able to find a new 200 ProXS to replace my 2004 200 HO Evinrude. I had the dealer install a Smartcraft Tach and Speedo. I ran the boat Sunday to start the break-in procedure. My speedo did not function so I took it back to the dealer to investigate. I loved the new Smartcraft Tach. I am debating on adding a WP gauge, trim gauge etc to work with the large gauge. In reality I don't think I need them. I am hoping to be able to indicate fuel usage on the speedometer when they get that functioning.

[EuropeanAM]

If you have functional analog gauges- you can leave them in place. Some items you might add to Smartcraft may affect an analog instrument (unknown what engine, so can't be of much help there).

Please take a moment to review the Forum Announcements, and update with the Required Info when posting. Thanks!

[darleyhavidson]

If you have functional analog gauges- you can leave them in place. Some items you might add to Smartcraft may affect an analog instrument (unknown what engine, so can't be of much help there).

Please take a moment to review the Forum Announcements, and update with the Required Info when posting. Thanks!

I hadn't heard that analog gauges could be affected. I have a 2002 Ranger 620VS with a

Mercury Optimax 225HP (2003 Optimax Powerhead/0T648533).
Could you elaborate on if any of my analog gauges would be impacted by adding MercMonitor and/or System Link gauges?

[06 SB]

A good example of what Don is talking about is the trim system. If you added a digital trim sender to get trim data to the Mercmonitor, you would disable the analog trim gauge in the console. You can easily fix this by adding a Systemlink trim gauge.

[darleyhavidson]

A good example of what Don is talking about is the trim system. If you added a digital trim sender to get trim data to the Mercmonitor, you would disable the analog trim gauge in the console. You can easily fix this by adding a Systemlink trim gauge.

Thanks for providing an example. BTW, I sent you a PM.