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  1. tpenfield

    Mercury SmartCraft Gauge Question

    Yes, I have done the pitot thing over the years . . . never seems to last very long as it usually gets clogged. I figure since my electrical gremlins of the past couple of months are behind me, I'll venture into the 'nice-to-have' items. I think if I can find a 6 pin connector with the proper...
  2. tpenfield

    Mercury SmartCraft Gauge Question

    Thanks, guys . . . I did come across this . . . Looks like it is the Faria MG3000 series of gauges (Not sure why the boat manufacturer did not use the Mercury branded gauges). :unsure: So it looks like the GPS signal is supposed to come in on the 6 pin connector. The speedo, has the depth...
  3. tpenfield

    Mercury SmartCraft Gauge Question

    Greetings . . . I have wanted to get GPS input to my Faria/SmartCraft speedometer. The VesselView system gets GPS speed, and that is what I currently use. The factory set up the speedometer as a pressure/pitot input, rather than GPS. Of course the Mercury Axius/VesselView stuff has a GPS...
  4. tpenfield

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    If you want to extend your working time, store the resin (and MEKP) in a cool place. The heat of the tent will get it to kick, but in doing so, you will have more working time. If the resin starts warm, it will kick fairly quickly. (and make a mess)
  5. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2 ECT DTS Axius Voltage Issue

    All set . . . The new alternator is working as expected, voltages are all good. I replaced the isolator. The engines are happy. . . The pulley on this alternator was a wee bit bigger than the original. So, I had to go up a notch on the serpentine belt size. For those following along, the...
  6. tpenfield

    PPF - Paint Protective Film

    I was at a car show in CT this weekend and came across a few cars that had PPF (Paint Protective Film). It seems like vinyl wrap, but more durable. I also understand there are versions of PPF for boats. Just wondering if anyone has looked into PPF for their boats or any other related...
  7. tpenfield

    Volvo penta 4.3 gxi rough running

    Fuel injected engines really need the computer diagnostic software to figure out what is wrong. Otherwise, you are taking shots in the dark.
  8. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2 ECT DTS Axius Voltage Issue

    I got all my parts . . . :) . . Alternator, Isolator, Rubber bands. Ready to have a go at it tomorrow. :p
  9. tpenfield

    Booze and boat don’t always mix well.

    Yup, I've been over there a few times, got my boat stuck once when the tide went out. Here are a couple more pictures . . . Hinckley 40C sport boat, $1Million boat. , .
  10. tpenfield

    serpentine belt too close to exchanger?

    Make sure the heat exchanger is secured properly. Run it to see if there are any chaffing marks after a while. It may be OK. Serpentine belts tend to be better behaved than V belts because of the tensioner.
  11. tpenfield

    Volvo Penta 7.4 Gi

    The engine is a GM 454 CI (7.4L), so you can price shop some of the common parts. Other stuff, you will pay the V-P price. More folks know/support Mercruisers in terms of repair shops, etc.
  12. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2 ECT DTS Axius Voltage Issue

    Thanks. Yes, we have the same engines . . . and the 'system' voltage and 'battery' voltage have the same issue (if you want to call it that). Your readings are a bit closer (Within 0.5 volts) than mine, which are typically about 1.0 - 1.5 volts apart. I have found that what is titled "battery...
  13. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2L ECT Seacore Alternator Replacement . . .

    Quick Update . . . I took the back cover off the original alternator to see about repairing it. Things looked a bit far gone (corrosion, etc.), so I decided to make this alternator 'end-of-life'. As per my other thread on the engine electrical issue, the replacement alternator had a defect...
  14. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2 ECT DTS Axius Voltage Issue

    The new 2 alt/2 batt isolator arrived today (that was fast). I think the alternator will arrive tomorrow or Friday. (The defective one is on its way back) But . . . I am traveling for the next 5-6 days, so I won't be installing things until next week.
  15. tpenfield

    Maybe my turn for new boat time

    Refresh my memory . . . what is being addressed by/at the dealer?
  16. tpenfield

    Axius repair on used boat Cobalt 303

    @silver_power That is awesome news . . . :D Hopefully you can share your newly gained knowledge with the folks here on the forum. I know from my experiences so far, these high-tech boat engines are not easy to work on. I'm going to look up that Axius manual . . . the Axius books that I...
  17. tpenfield

    Water in bilge while on muffs

    I think the consensus answers to your questions are: (1) Very (2) No (3) Yes It sounds like you may not be really able to check the leak until the boat is in the water. Will you have the ability to get the boat back out of the water once launched? Probably should plan for that possibility...
  18. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2 ECT DTS Axius Voltage Issue

    Thanks everyone for your help and guidance with this issue. 🤗 In working through this issue, one of my great mysteries of VesselView / SmarftCraft has been solved. The Battery voltage displayed on the VV screen and the Diacom readout appears to be the voltage on the purple wire (Ignition)...
  19. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2 ECT DTS Axius Voltage Issue

    I have ordered a new battery isolator, along with a new alternator (Arco Marine brand this time). I'm returning the DB Electrical branded (actually came in a J&N Electric box). I've had good luck with DB Electrical stuff in the past, not this time . . . :unsure: Hopefully the electrical...
  20. tpenfield

    Mercury 6.2 ECT DTS Axius Voltage Issue

    As for the alternator(s) . . . On the starboard engine (new alt) the current down the purple wire is 3.5 amps @ 9.3 volts with the ignition ON. On the port engine (existing good alternator) the current down the purple wire is 0.12 amps @ 11.5 volts with the ignition ON. Doing the math . . ...
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