Vessel View Failure Results in MINOR DAMAGE


R

RDOBROSKI

New member
What a sad, sad, sad day yesterday. As we just pulled out of the slip and started to make the turn out of the marina, the Vessel View started screaming at me with some type of error. Next thing I know, my steering and throttles would not work. They were completely useless. (keep in mind, I have the DTS system with AXIUS so everything is electronically controlled. Steering and Throttles) So without any control, it happened. My beautiful Formula scrapped and anchor down the side of the boat on the port side. We did everything we could, but without any type of throttle or steering it was impossible. Now I have a huge scar and the gel coat is completely gone and can see pink fiberglass. I guess the only good thing is somehow the anchor missed the paint.

The bigger question is how in the %^&* did this happen? How can a system have such an error and leave you without control? How? Could not sleep a wink last night. I've been so angry and of course have no boat now to use. Starting to wish I didn't get the Merc electronic DTS and AXIUS. Nothing like this ever happened to me with good old fashioned cables.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Call Tom @ Grande 443-994-9500 He is a Master Tech on Mercruiser and has a excellent glass guy. They are Merc certified.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Good news is nobody is hurt and fiberglass gel coat is relatively easy to fix, and you will never know it was there.

NOW, I understand how sick you are...I had a minor scratch by a rafting buddy and lost sleep, so I feel for you.

As for the electronics...do you think perhaps you lost an engine? Meaning it "stalled" and that caused to lose "stuff"?

Any idea what the "alarm" or "code" was?

I never heard of this, but I don't know much about these systems of course.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

This is the second time I heard of this, this summer. A lady hit the dock @ Oyster Cove in Md did a lot of damage. Same problem from what I heard
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Sorry to hear about the situation

Sounds like Merc has a "new" problem on their hands if this has happened before !

Didn't you just get the software update also ?

One question: What were the battery voltages before leaving the dock ? With the DTS and especially Axius, they love electricity and if the batteries are not charged well, all kinds of things will start to happen.

Also, did the engine RPM surge or were they running normally (idle speed)

I had a situation with the 310BR (DTS system) with a low battery voltage (only a house and start battery on that boat) and coming into dock and engine was surgine, Vessel View beeping, etc...Just had to turn off the blowers and battery voltage increased and all normal....I DID have throttle control.

P.S...The IMRON WAS NOT DAMAGED ???
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

toofast said:
Good news is nobody is hurt and fiberglass gel coat is relatively easy to fix, and you will never know it was there.
NOW, I understand how sick you are...I had a minor scratch by a rafting buddy and lost sleep, so I feel for you.
As for the electronics...do you think perhaps you lost an engine? Meaning it "stalled" and that caused to lose "stuff"?
Any idea what the "alarm" or "code" was?
I never heard of this, but I don't know much about these systems of course.
Click to expand...

TooFast, I agree it was fortunate that no one was hurt. My codes are: Port Battery Voltage Low, Starboard Battery Voltage Low and this is the one that screwed me I think: CCM:WheelPOSMyRel diff My steering is electronic and right now you can only turn the steering wheel 20 degrees according the steering position vessel view screen and then wheel just stops. Which is bad since it use to spin freely.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

FormulaFANMN

Yes I did just get the software updated on August 4th. Used the boat several times afterwards and everything was great. Hell we went on a 3 hour cruise last weekend. As far as the batteries go, they were charged..HOWEVER, I do have a low voltage starboard code and a low voltage port code stored. I checked the voltage readings when I went back to boat per your question and they were 13.4 and 13.5. I guess ??? when we left the dock originally the batteries were LOW, don't know how since the boat was on shore power and battery charger was on. The engine was running smooth, no surge. Thankfully, I had 3 other guys on board that were able to help me keep as much damage as possible from boat without getting hurt, which means no IMRON damage.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

island21638 said:
This is the second time I heard of this, this summer. A lady hit the dock @ Oyster Cove in Md did a lot of damage. Same problem from what I heard
Click to expand...

Boy I'd love to talk with that lady and compare notes. Talk about being scared.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Is your setup with the Axius / Merc for batteries :

Port Start Batt
Stbd Start Batt
House x 2 Batt
Gen Batt

I would strongly encourage all Axius owners to use GROUP 31 batteries for the Start Batteries (AGM a big plus). The house batteries are already Grp 31.

My 2008 is DTS, but I replaced the factory batteries with Sears Platinum Marine (Odyssey) batteries and use 4 Group 31 and a Group 34 for Genset.

The 2008 DTS w/Thruster has a somewhat strange setup for batteries and feel Group 31 should be used for the 4 batteries for port and stbd engines.

ALSO, there was a posting about the upgrade to the alternator for the Merc Axius owners. Do you know IF you have this upgrade to provide more alternator power at lower power settings ??
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

My setup is:

Starboard Start (GP31 isolated)
Genn Batt (GP34)
Windlass Batt (GP 31)
Port Start (GP31)
House(GP31)

I believe the house and port start are paralleled.

AFA the axius "upgrade" .......Merc is scheduled to change out the pulleys this week to correct the high draw at idle speed situation.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Glad they finally went to a 31 for starting batteries.

You only have ONE house battery ??
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

I have the same setup as rdobroski

I am pretty sure the Port Start is shared as a Second House Battery

On the Port side we have two of the 31's. On Stbd side we have the Gen Battery and a third 31.

Then of course the windlass/bow thruster (if you have one) is under the bed up front.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

The windlass / thruster battery is up front on the 31PC ? Sure wish Formula would have it up front on the 34PC.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Yep sure is....only question I've had forever is I don't see a way this battery get's charged from the charger....I think it only charges when the engines are running. (But anyways, that is a whole different thread - as not to hijack this one ;D )
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

toofast,

There is a small charger mounted under the front berth next to the windlass battery.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

wow, I can't believe I missed that one...I will have to check it out next weekend. Thanks much! What a great forum!
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Rdobroski,
my heart goes out to you my man. like other's have said, at least nobody was hurt, but i would have probably cried over something like that. here's to hoping it's a quick turnaround in getting her fixed, and back on the water.

twarble
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Thanks Twarble and yes I damn near cried after we got her back in the slip and I was able to process what happened and take a look at the damage. I also agree and I'm thankful no one got hurt. My cousin had his leg out and was going to kick me off the anchor and I yelled for him to put his leg inside the boat. Someone's limb is simply not worth it. Merc is coming out, hopefully, either Wed or Thurs to take a look. I'm still shell shocked and its going to take a long time for me to trust this boat again.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

I had a similar situation in the Intercoastal down in FLA,and it was power related...these batts need allot of juice to run these systems...I have upgraded batteries as well and am a bug about checking the amps/volts readings to insure I'm fully charged before going underway.

Still sucks and sorry it happened....

P.S. I've NEVER had another issue.
 
Re: Vessel View Failure Results in BAD DAMAGE

Bigross,

Thanks for letting me know you had a similar issue. At least I'm not the only one. At first, I was blaming myself thinking I did something wrong and maybe I imagined I lost power to the steering and throttles. But after talking to a few people and the people aboard that day, it seems this is possible if you have a low voltage situation. Of course, I have two alarms for low voltage. Grrrrr. Would have been nice to know!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top