Adding SIMRAD GO7 to replace 3 gauge layout on 21 SL

Cw78

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Does anyone knows if I can purchase a blank dash insert from Bennington, to replace the current stock 3 gauges with a SIMRAD GO7 on my 2021 21SL?

thanks in advance!
 
You would have to go through your dealers parts department, Bennington doesn't sell to the public. You can also try Great Lakes Skipper .
 
ok, does anyone know if they even make a blank dash for a 2021 SL boat?
 
ok, does anyone know if they even make a blank dash for a 2021 SL boat?
I'd imagine a Simrad would be a factory option for any 2021, so you might luck out and get a pre-cut panel that will pop right in (if you order from your dealer that is).
 
I asked my dealer a while back about blanked panels and the response was no. Now did Bennington really tell the parts lady that, or did she just want to get me out of her hair and get back to chatting with her boyfriend?

It does seem like they only manufacture panels meant to accept gauges, rocker switches, MFD's and the like, so no need to make a blank and cut all those in. If you're able to get any info I'll be following!
 
You can contact Bennington with the link below

 
I asked my dealer a while back about blanked panels and the response was no. Now did Bennington really tell the parts lady that, or did she just want to get me out of her hair and get back to chatting with her boyfriend?

It does seem like they only manufacture panels meant to accept gauges, rocker switches, MFD's and the like, so no need to make a blank and cut all those in. If you're able to get any info I'll be following!

Your dealers lazy. I contacted Bennington customer service, told them what I wanted they gave me a part number I took that part number to my dealer and they ordered the part.
I had a blank panel and got a panel for my GO5. It‘s formed for the GO5.
 
I would do at least the 9”
I agree. I went from the 5” that came with it, and my wife purchased the 9 for me last
Christmas. Made a great difference for these aging eyes. The big problem now is availability and sticker shock for the product.
 
Does anyone knows if I can purchase a blank dash insert from Bennington, to replace the current stock 3 gauges with a SIMRAD GO7 on my 2021 21SL?

thanks in advance!
I have a GO7 in my 2022 24’ LSR. I’m changing to a Garmin. It has 8 hours on it. I’ve just been a Garmin guy forever.
Does anyone want to buy the Simrad?
 
Your dealers lazy. I contacted Bennington customer service, told them what I wanted they gave me a part number I took that part number to my dealer and they ordered the part.
I had a blank panel and got a panel for my GO5. It‘s formed for the GO5.
I was there when the parts gal emailed Bennington - she was one of those say-out-loud-what-you-type people. But I agree someone was being lazy if you were able to get your panel. For the record I want one that is completely blank with the exception of the round gauge insets, so I can relocate the radio and install those fancy push-button LED switches. Will be quite the project but could end up giving this a G or Q level appearance.
 
I've been searching for this answer for a while and I finally stumbled up on this thread, sorry for the resurrection... Mods, if this warrants a new thread please let me know and I'll move.

I have a 2019 SX22 Premium, I think this turned into the L line eventually. I have the basic 3 cluster console w/ a fish striker 4 which is useless for my needs. I want the largest plotter that I can flush mount in the center of the dash for easy visibility. I'm looking for the factory blank which would allow me to move things around.

My current layout is this, you can't see the striker 4 on the right above the cup holder.
IMG_0324.jpg

And I am looking for something like this, this is an L-line picture from a google search.
<image source - https://pomerleaulesbateaux.com/webfolder_download/9fc5f106bddb3140e861e03ce9f1a959/0e1a7372.jpg>
Lline.jpg

I reached out to Bennington using the link Jack provided, thanks.

They e-mailed me a few part numbers for my HIN to convert over to a Simrad Go7 console from my standard console. A nice thing they did was to include all the parts to delete and convert the gauges to mercury vessel view as well.

Your dealers lazy. I contacted Bennington customer service, told them what I wanted they gave me a part number I took that part number to my dealer and they ordered the part.
I had a blank panel and got a panel for my GO5. It‘s formed for the GO5.

Semperfi, did you get Bennington customer service on the phone or just e-mail?

I feel that I could get to the answers quicker with them via the phone and cut down on the back and forth via e-mail. Is calling them an option?
I want to know if the console part number is just the blank or the blank and new switches?; the description isn't clear.
Is there another console option for the Go9?
Is there other layout options that would include the analog guages on the side, not doing a guage delete and using vessel view?
If I do the guage delete, do I simply unplug the harness wires from the guages and leave them?

As far as vessel view goes, I don't think I need all the parts listed. I simply need the VV single engine module kit and 20' nema cable to go from the engine to the console. Power will be tapped using the same source the striker used.

I've measured for a Go9 and it can fit in the center on an angle between the windscreen and the tan console portion. If they don't have a Go9 bezel I guess my options are the following.
  • $$$ - have a custom blank made, likely out of stainless/aluminum and swap everything over and install vessel view.
  • $$ - have a custom blank made, keep the analog gauges.
  • $$$ - Buy the Go7 console blank and swith to vessel view.
  • $ - Do someting like dannyleininger - move the radio to the right blank, install the Go7 on the left blank.
Any feedback, answers or insight you have is welcomed.

Thanks!
 
You may want to do some research on the Hull Truth, lots of install information there.

You need to get engine data from the engine harness, not a N2K cable. That engine harness may already come to your helm into a Mercury junction box (a hub that has multi-pin connectors) and have a spare port, or if not, you may have to run a connector cable from the engine itself. From there the engine data needs to be translated via a gateway of some sort into the N2K "language". The Vessel View kits have this device (VV Link controller). That then plugs into your N2K backbone, then that into your Go5/7/9 MFD.
 
You need to get engine data from the engine harness, not a N2K cable. That engine harness may already come to your helm into a Mercury junction box (a hub that has multi-pin connectors) and have a spare port, or if not, you may have to run a connector cable from the engine itself. From there the engine data needs to be translated via a gateway of some sort into the N2K "language". The Vessel View kits have this device (VV Link controller). That then plugs into your N2K backbone, then that into your Go5/7/9 MFD.
Thanks for the reply Potomacbassin and thank for noticing that mistake. You are 100% right, it's the Merc cable from the engine to the console. I fixed my post to refelct that.
I don't have any other smartcraft devices so for now, I think I can just run the merc cable > console / V V > Nema backbone > Plotter.
I've lurked over on Hull truth and walleye central, both had some good info. In a previous life I did some marine electronic installs, I'm hoping I can figure this out if I end up going the vesselview route.

Did you ever find the complete console blank you were looking for?
 
Thanks for the reply Potomacbassin and thank for noticing that mistake. You are 100% right, it's the Merc cable from the engine to the console. I fixed my post to refelct that.
I don't have any other smartcraft devices so for now, I think I can just run the merc cable > console / V V > Nema backbone > Plotter.
I've lurked over on Hull truth and walleye central, both had some good info. In a previous life I did some marine electronic installs, I'm hoping I can figure this out if I end up going the vesselview route.

Did you ever find the complete console blank you were looking for?

I never pursued it beyond asking the dealer. It's one of those things where when something is new, you have all this time, energy and passion to take on projects. But after a few years that joy is gone and now you're lucky just to get the boat out and get some hours on the engine! Life always has a way making new priorities for you!

It'll get resolved now by just buying a new boat!
 
I never pursued it beyond asking the dealer. It's one of those things where when something is new, you have all this time, energy and passion to take on projects. But after a few years that joy is gone and now you're lucky just to get the boat out and get some hours on the engine! Life always has a way making new priorities for you!

It'll get resolved now by just buying a new boat!
Life has a way of changing priorities, that's for sure...

I talked with Bennington again today and we're narrowing down the parts list I need to do my install. I was right, and the first console part they sent me was the full panel with all the rockers and the Simrad Go7 installed. I didn't even ask my dealer for a price...

I ended up talking with the guy at Bennington on the phone and he was super helpful. We got the part number for my specific console blank and he's working with engineering to validate some of the other small parts needed. We are under the assumption that these are going to be plug and play under the console and limit the amount of splicing needed. For example, since I'm deleting the fuel gauge, I remove the plug for the gauge and plug it into one of the part numbers he provided. We think this is a pigtail w/ the quick connector and hopefully the other end is Micro C and plugs into the NMEA bus. We're waiting for validation as there are no pictures of these parts.

I have a few general question to anyone that can provide information.
  • Is my 2018 Merc 150 Pro likely a digital trim sending unit to a digital gauge in my current dash?
    • When I remove this, will the engine send this info to the Vesselview link direct from the engine? Meaning, can I just abandon the old plug under the dash?
  • Does Bennington install a Mercury Junction box under the console if you have a basic gauge setup?
  • Does Bennington run a smartcraft cable from the engine to the console if you have a basic gauge setup?
I can't wait to unwrap the boat and do some investigating. Thanks for the help so far and I'll post back when I have more information.
 
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With respect to the trim sensor, I could be wrong but I believe the sensor wire comes up into the engine ECM and then goes to your helm within the engine harness bundle. Your current gauge should be getting this data from a plug from the main harness or a hub/junction box. On my Yamaha thats how it appears to be set up, there is one plug from the engine to my Yamaha hub, then all of my digital gauges get engine data from this hub.

Your Go9 appears to get all of its data from one source, the junction box -> vessel view link controller -> N2K. So no separate input from the trim sensor. But this is a guess so you might have to just install and see what happens.

As far as Bennington-installed parts, my guess is if it's a digital setup the rigging will include all of the necessary junction boxes etc. but if analog, they probably wouldn't as that's extra cost and labor. But then again they may install certain components across the product line just for consistency. That would be a great question for the Bennington engineers.
 
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