

To build a NMEA 2000 network for your boats electronics system should be done with the help of a NMEA qualified technician. These diagrams shown here courtesy of Maretron show how a NMEA 2000 system is put together. The drop connectors are used to connect electronic equipment to the backbone. These are the basic components showing how easy the connections can be made. The NMEA 2000 system is also called a CAN network (controlled Area network) The cables required to build a NMEA 2000 network are called NMEA 2000 back boneĭeviceNet cables and come in Mini (8 ampere hrs) and Micro (4 ampere hrs). The NMEA 2000 backbone cable can connect the boats GPS, VHF, radar, Chartplotter, engine, outboard motors, speed and depth transducers. This ability to process huge amounts of data enables the single backbone system to work connecting multiple pieces of equipment from many different manufacturers. How does NMEA 2000 work? it is a multiple talker system which means it can transmit and receive signals simultaneously. NMEA has a data speed of 250k bits/second, that compares to NMEA 0183 which has only 4.8k bits/second. Wiki definition NMEA 2000 improvements over NMEA 0183 Internationally, the International Electrotechnical Commission is in the process of adopting NMEA 2000 as the network standard for the use on SOLAS class vessels with its standard 61162-3. Today, the standard continues to evolve meeting industry needs by energetic and committed industry professionals collaborating in a structured Working Group. Coast Guard Research and Development provided countless hours of support. In addition, other experts outside of the marine industry included, Kvaser AB, Oklahoma State University, Sun Microsystems, and the U.S. More than 40 marine organizations have invested time and resources to create NMEA 2000 based on CAN (Controller Area Network). The NMEA 2000 Marine Network Standard was developed by various companies in and outside of the industry. NMEA 2000 can increase your bottom line profitability Only NMEA 2000 certified products can communicate with each other. The boat will always be ready for the future. When new NMEA 2000 certified products are purchased, the owner, boat dealer or electronics dealer will only have to plug the new certified product onto the network.

Subtracting a device from the network is simple just remove it, the network continues to share data. The NMEA 2000 network is an open true plug and play system, installing is just a matter of plugging in. It will finally answer the hard questions of hidden costs, ease of installation, simplicity, configurability and scalability. NMEA 2000 Network will completely change the way you think about networking. The new NMEA 2000 system is based on a single backbone cable that sends messages and data in both directions. The best thing about NMEA 2000 is that you can mix and match equipment from different manufacturers to build your boats electronics system. However if you want to add another manufacturers product to your system you will need something like NMEA 2000. If you use only Raymarine then you may not need NMEA. In Raymarine’s case their proprietary method of interfacing is called SeaTalk. Now its important to know that some Companies like Raymarine have their own method of talking to each other. Manufacturers products to build your perfect electronics system. There are several benefits of using 2000 compatible equipment for your boats electronics system and they include easy installation, reduced costs involved with installation and the ability to mix electronic NMEA 2000 Previous version of NMEA is the 0183 standard. NMEA 2000 is the latest version of NMEA which is the marine industry standard for the way electronics and marine instruments talk communicate to each other.

Next time you are in the market for a new addition to your boats marine electronics package and are looking at the latest offerings you may see the label NMEA 2000 compliant.
