MercMonitor Trim Position Sender-gctid374839

[Saturday288]

Hi all!

So, now that I have a brand new B3 drive to hang, I figure it's time for new driveshaft and exhaust bellows. And, since the bellhousing will be mostly off to do those, now is the time to replace the trim position sender.

Last Spring I installed a Lvl 2 MercMonitor (engine is 350MAG MPI, SmarctCraft capable), but the drive trim values never got transmitted to the MM, so the ECO function didn't have enough info to work. I tried switching from the "analog trim" lead to the "digital trim" lead, but still nothing. So, I upgraded to the Digital Trim Position Sender that was installed yesterday. Trouble is, it's got 3 wires (red, white, blue), and the installation instructions say there should be a 3-pin plug in the harness that it gets plugged into...I can't find that specific plug. Anybody out there with any advice or TPS experience? Should I have stayed with the original-style sender?

Thanks!

[Go Aweigh2452]

Some merc monitors are year dependent on your engine for smart craft. The flat connector should be on top and to the left of the carb (maybe behind a tad) as you are looking at the front of the engine. You will have to remove the cover for the carb to see the flat plug. On mine, it is black with a blue lip.

Since you are already plugged in to the merc monitor, you may require an adapter/junction connector to allow the new capability?

I'd call merc and ask but make sure you have the serial number of your engine to help them id the right components you will require.

[Guest]

Merc Monitor is my next project for this year, after the big dash and screen upgrades I did last year (still in the 325 boat owners forum not in projects where it belongs, sorry). I am hoping to find information about all the connections and integrations into my Simrad monitors without having to dig too hard. I know it's a challenge but a MM is the best way to bring the "digital information" to life for my 2006 MPI's that I found so far. I will be searching your threads Saturday288, for any insight or projects you may have written about. I'm curious how well and easily your upgarde experience has been (sounds like it's not over yet) and how happy you are with your choices. Thank you in advance for anything you have shared on this site!

Dave

[Go Aweigh2452]

This website is where I go to for answers on the MercMonitor...

http://www.veradoclubparts.com/category_s/48.htm

[Saturday288]

Doug:

Merc Customer Assistance is already on the case - turns out I got Todd A. on the line again - the same guy who "granted" me the new B3 drive! He's got all the ser #'s of my power pkge, and I sent him additional info on my MM configuration this morning. I've seen most of the posts on the verado club forum, but 90% are related to outboard installations. I do see a capped 3-pin plug to the left of the throttle body - looks like the cap has a loop of black wire to close/short the circuit....is that the one you refer to?

Thanks!

[TenMile]

Hey guys,

I'm on my second boat and second MercMonitor and I've successfully used the trim sender with the device in both cases.

First boat had a 2003 5.7 MPI which I think is the first year that the MercMonitor supports. Current boat is a 2004 5.7 MPI with a 2011 Bravo III Seacore leg.

I simply switched the Analogue trim sender connector over to the Digital Trim connector. Had to go through the calibration screen on the MercMonitor in the Setup screen and it's been working great. I do find that if I trim the leg all the way down it gives me a Trim Sender error (I think the trim sender needs to be turned slightly). Other than that - it works fine.

Nauti -- integration with your Simrad devices is dead simple. I believe their setup is the same as Lowrance that I have. The Lowrance communicates via NMEA2000. Simply connect the MercMonitor's NMEA2000 connection to your NMEA2000 backbone and the engine data is all available. MercMonitor also uses the GPS data it receives from the NMEA backbone to display speed and calculate fuel economy and range figures.

[Guest]

Installed MercMonitor ECO unit last year and really had a bad time with the Trim Sender working right. Contact w/Merc and they instructed me to do the following:

On the hard and with the trim all the way down, place an ohm meter on the sender and adjust to 16-20 ohms. Mine set to 17 and then everything worked great for the rest of the season. Before splash today checked to make sure that the setting was still good.

Remember to check this setting otherwise the Trim Sender will not work.

[TenMile]

Jarhead wrote:
Installed MercMonitor ECO unit last year and really had a bad time with the Trim Sender working right. Contact w/Merc and they instructed me to do the following:

On the hard and with the trim all the way down, place an ohm meter on the sender and adjust to 16-20 ohms. Mine set to 17 and then everything worked great for the rest of the season. Before splashing tody we checked to make sure that the setting was still good.

Remember to check this setting otherwise the Trim Sender will not work.

Hey Jarhead -- how do you make that adjustment to the sender? Is it done by turning it?

[Guest]

TenMile wrote:
Hey Jarhead -- how do you make that adjustment to the sender? Is it done by turning it?

That's what the guys in the shop said. They also said that the adjustment is really delicate so it took them awhile to get it just right.

[Saturday288]

great info, jarhead and tenmile - thanks!

[TenMile]

Hey Ted, are you just getting the new upper/lower for the B3 or did Merc spring for the new Transom assembly as well? When I purchased my 288 last year -- it needed the full upper/lower and transom assembly which required a full lift of the engine (PO had let the boat sit on the water for 18 mos unattended and it ate the entire drive away). When they pulled the engine, they found that the exhaust Y-pipe was corroded so I had it replaced as well -- not a big ticket when the engine is already out. Might consider getting that checked too. I also ended up getting a slightly different gear ratio on the leg than the stock. Stock it came with a 2.0:1 ratio but I opted for 2.1:1 which provides a bit better hole-shot and allows for a couple different prop choices -- you may not have that option...but if you do it's worth the research. Sorry -- don't mean to sidetrack this thread.

Mercmonitor is one of the best mods an owner can do to the boat. Pays for itself in 2 ways -- tells you the optimal RPMs, Trim and tab position to maximize fuel economy. Plus, provides textual descriptions of engine faults right down to the sensor description. Had my old boat lose a Throttle Position Sensor -- device told me in english, what failed and within 2 hours, new part and all happy -- a $20 repair vs probably $500 at a local shop!

[Saturday288]

Terry:

Again - thanks for the info. Merc sent me a new B3 drive...transom assy was fine - only the gears in the lower unit were chewed up, but the upper was contaminated with metal shavings, so the entire unit was toast. Speaking of Merc - I got a reply from their Cust Assistance rep this afternoon - I should have stayed with the original style TPS - there's no way for me to use the digital TPS on my engine. So, I'll remove the digital TPS ($95 bucks gone, lol), replace it with a new original style sender, and get creative when routing the leads.

I agree - the MM is a great tool. I'll be glad when the trim data allows the ECO function to work.

CHEERS

[Guest]

I had a mercmonitor installed last year and was told that the engine doesn't have the digital TPS and that the trim portion of the guage would not work until I change it to digital. I believe it has only 2 wires coming from it, not 3. Are some of you saying that it may still work? I love it even without that portion of it working. Eventually I'll get to that upgrade. Just received my HDS8 and 3G radar. Will be installing that shortly.

Thanks

[Guest]

Ted, Terry and FL510, forgive the newbe type question, but what is the difference between the Digital TPS and whatever the other version is? Is digital TPS standard on Merc's starting with some year? Ted, why will it not work with your '05 and why did you buy it to begin with? Is it something I need for my '06 Merc's? And a quick question about my fuel tank, do I need to replace my sender for a digital one? I believe my sender simply goes to the fuel gauge and that's all, so I don't think the tank info is anywhere on any network and therefore not available to any other equipment,. i.e. the engine, N2K network, etc.

Thanks guys!

[Saturday288]

Dave

Good question! I'm not really sure what year the digital TPS started being used, or under what circumstances it would be necessary.....perhaps if one's boat was equipped with true SmartCraft guages or a VesselView setup? I'll let others chime in on that. The reason I bought it was because, like FL510 mentioned, "hmmmm, digital must be better and that's what the MM needs". Guess I was wrong, lol.

Regarding your fuel tank and the need for a digital sender...you can input tank capacity and fuel on board into the MM, and then let the MM calculate fuel remaining based on burn rate. Might not be 100% accurate, but there are ways to tweak the factors to get you close. I would recommmend getting the MM installed and then play with it for a season to see what it gives you before spending $$ on sensors you may not need or no longer want. Just my 2 cents......