NMEA 2000 networks can be complicated, especially those with a high number of devices that also incorporate analogue and NMEA 0183 devices. These networks get a lot of attention and focus, but here at Actisense we understand that your leisure boat probably doesn’t have 40+ devices on board with multiple power taps or battery banks.
So… here’s what we can do for you, to make it as simple as possible, with various out of the box solutions designed for smaller installations. Some of these can be expanded with additional components, whilst others cannot, but more on that later.
A2K-KIT-1A NMEA 2000 Starter Kit (2m)
- A2K-MPT-2: Micro Power T- to power the network
- 2x A2K-TER-M: NMEA 2000 micro terminator male – to terminate the ends of the network
- A2K-T-MFF: 2x Micro T-piece – to allow two NMEA 2000 devices to connect to the network
- A2K-TDC-2M: NMEA 2000 Lite cable assembly 2 metre – to extend the distance between any two network pieces.
A2K-KIT-2A NMEA 2000 Starter Kit (6m)
- A2K-MPT-2: Micro Power T- to power the network.
- 2x A2K-TER-M: NMEA 2000 micro terminator male – to terminate the ends of the network
- A2K-T-MFF: 2x Micro T-piece – to allow two NMEA 2000 devices to connect to the network.
- A2K-TDC-6M: NMEA 2000 Lite cable assembly 6 metre – to extend the distance between any two network pieces.
A2K-KIT-3 NMEA 2000 Starter Kit (reduced size)
- A2K-MPC-1: NMEA 2000 Micro power cable, 3m UL certified cable
- A2K-TER-F: NMEA 2000 micro terminator female – to terminate one end of the network
- A2K-TER-M: NMEA 2000 micro terminator male – to terminate one end of the network
- A2K-4WT: Multi Drop T
A2K-KIT-4A NMEA 2000 Smart Starter Kit (4m)
- A2K-MPT-2: Micro Power T- to power the network
- A2K-TER-U: 2x NMEA 2000 micro Smart Universal Terminator – to terminate each end of the network and monitor network voltage
- A2K-T-MFF: 2x Micro T-piece – to allow two NMEA 2000 devices to connect to the network
- A2K-TDC-4M: NMEA 2000 Lite cable assembly 4 metre – to extend the distance between any two network pieces.
The idea behind these kits is to provide a simple, cost effective, clear way of creating a basic NMEA 2000 network, where the minimum requirements are met. The best part about these kits is that they are all expandable, meaning you aren’t limited to network size and the number of devices that can safely and correctly be added to the network.
Alongside this, the parts are interchangeable. Kit 4 comes with TER-U smart terminators instead of the traditional terminators, but these can be replaced in the field. The same goes with the T-Pieces, which can be swapped over with a 4Way-Tee on the boat.
To extend the network, all you need to do is remove a terminator, extend the network using cables and connectors, then add the terminator back in at the end of the backbone.
But wait, there’s an even simpler solution!
If you know the maximum number of devices on-board, and have no plans of expanding your NMEA 2000 network, then the Self-contained Boat Network (A2K-SBN-1 or A2K-SBN-2) is the perfect product for you. With the equivalent of 4 T-Pieces on the SBN-1, or 8 on the SBN-2 and internal terminators, the saving in space is huge.
To create an operational network using an SBN, all you need is a power supply to connect to (e.g. battery), your NMEA 2000 devices and some drop cables. Plug and play at it’s finest, with full protection of your NMEA 2000 devices.
The important point to highlight here, is that the network cannot be expanded using an SBN-1/2. Meaning that if you purchase an SBN-2 and use all 8 M12 connections then wish to add a 9th device, this cannot be done in accordance with the NMEA 2000 specs. Be sure to purchase with the future in mind. If you have any doubts about the number of devices you may add, then my suggestion is to buy a starter kit such as A2K-KIT-2. This removes the limitations of expansion.
