Installing an NMEA 2000 Backbone on a Boat

Jeff explores the best way to install an NMEA network on your boat. Sign up for the PYS Newsletter: confirmsubscription.com/h/r/2...
Jeff Cote is a systems design expert and owner of Pacific Yacht Systems, a full service shop delivering marine electrical and navigation solutions for recreational boats. Visit the PYS website and blog for info and articles on marine electrical systems, projects and testimonials.
Website: www.pysystems.ca
Facebook: / pacificyachtsystems
Instagram: / pacificyachtsystems
Twitter: / pysystems

[@flaviostramare]

Jeff, your videos are realy awsome! Thaks for sharing all these information.

[@Xanatissimo]

Brilliant video!! Simple and straight to the point. Awesome!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Awesome!

[@SVFelurian]

great vid!, always love checking your stuff before every install, thank you!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad to help

[@anthonymarino4260]

Thanks for sharing

[@DamianT361]

Jeff, if I have a 4 port nmea2000 back bone and only use three ports and use both male and female terminators will it still communicate with a open port ? Btw your videos are very helpful 🙂

[@jamesm7346]

Great video very much appreciate it thank you

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CalciteSerendipity]

The cabling was very clutter on a sailboat I just bought. I made things a little better buy elimininating a string of those T connectors in favor of a T connector with 4 ports. Saved a lot of space that way.

[@professionalrealestate]

Great advice. Thank you. Quick question. Most sailboat masts are longer/taller that 6 metres. What should be done in this case if you want add a wind device at the top of the mast?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good question. For sailboats, the N2K line in the mast will be part of the N2K backbone and the windvane or weather station at the top of the mast will have a inline termination resistor.

[@SVRockChalk]

I have a z Vulcan 9R, dst, wind 508, Simarine nema 2000 sending unit, AIS. Precision 9 compass, watchmate, VHS radio and a Lowrance HD5 on my nema 2000 network. The dst and wind instruments are not showing up at all. Do I have a conflict and hiw can I fix this. Thx.

[@ianmizzi5560]

Maybe you can help me. I have the NMEA2000 Bennett indicator kit installed on my boat using a Simrad EVO3 MFD. For some reason it goes offline and requires that I physically disconnect from the backbone and reconnect for it to start working again. It lasts for a few hours and then goes offline again. Any idea what this could be?

[@gcam474]

Great content always! Thank you. Though in this one, a little vague on male/female and wiring considerations. A little bit more clarity would have been good. At least the concern was raised so we know to look deeper.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Noted!

[@KMT15]

Are you a fan of the multi link Tees with 6 connections for 4 devices? I feel like less opportunity for future potential issues with all the connections with individual tees.

[@alohathaxted]

What do I do with the drain wire on a Maretron power Drop T? Can i attach both power cables and the two grounds to each side of the breaker or add an additional breaker?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Bring the drain wire to the battey negative distribution.

[@blakegriswold5524]

Thanks

[@OCCPing]

I am finishing up an update tp my 2010 SeaRay with Axius drives. Can you shed some light on the connection to the Axius drive which uses NMEA 0183 and Raymarine Axiom Pro which uses NMEA 2000? Perhaps a diagram?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Jim, unfortunately don't have experiences with the Axius drives.

[@tpkoenigsr]

Now Jeff ! Would it be possible to also hookup my Honda Kicker motor together or independently with Honda 90 outboard with my Garmin Chart Plotter/Fish Finder ? Would like to get an RPM and Speed readout !

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Thomas, connecting an outboard to a NMEA 2000 compatible device like your Garmin Chartplotter is possible if your Honda outboard has an NMEA 2000 port. Here is a link to some compatible Honda outboards:marine.honda.com/parts/accessories/categories/nmea-components

[@user-jo3rj5vv7h]

Will it matter how far the center of the backbone is from the battery?

[@jb7702]

Great information Jeff. What are your thoughts on plastic versus metal T connectors? I think they both have pros and cons in a marine environment. Can you use both on the same backbone?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

I like metal, but unfortunately mating plastic to metal is inevitable as most devices have plastic NMEA 2000 connectors. Just be careful when threading plastic to metal NMEA 2000 connections.

[@jb7702]

@@PacificYachtSystems thank you. Are there any concerns with the metal connectors in salt water environments?

[@udothiel8009]

Hello Jeff, thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge in all your videos. That helps saving money and time. I am going to install some electrical equipment powered by solar panels to my small sailing boat. First thing is to estimate power consumption. But i can't find what a N2K bus system takes. I've read about 60W but can't believe it. Do you have a realistic value to calculate with? Thanks and all the best to you and PYS.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

A NMEA 2000 is generally less then 5 amps (i.e. 60 Watts at 12 VDC), if really loaded with lots of N2K endpoint.

[@MaretronLLP]

Maretron offers a free program for NMEA2000 (N2K) design. "N2KBuilder" the program will calculate Voltage and Current sums to allow you the means to select the appropriate breaker or fuse for your system. Also note: The five NMEA2000 rules affect each other this video covers one rule. The video comment to plan for the future is correct.

[@ralphbell1786]

@@PacificYachtSystems I've read that there's a "mini" format cable, which is thicker and handles up to 8 amps--usually used for the main trunk line; and there's a "micro" format cable which a little thinner and handles up to 3 amps--usually used for the branches off of the trunk line. Smaller yachts are said to be fine using the micro throughout. Do you agree with this? I don't have personal experience with this, it's just what I read somewhere.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

There are 2 types of N2K cabling: Micro/Mid and Mini. The Micro/Mid cable system is generally used for smaller networks requiring less power (i.e., up 4 amps per network leg) while the Mini cable system is used for larger networks (i.e., up to 8 amps per leg).

[@charlesdavis4396]

I have the Garmin 1242XSV, Garmin VHF110 radio and GT52HW-TM transducer. On the radio and 1242XSV would still need to have their own power correct? And I would still have to power the NEMA 2000 for the transducer correct? But the Garmin radar does not plug into the NEMA 2000??

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Charles, all good questions. Your correct, a chartplotter, a VHF radio, a radar, and all non-N2K transducers are powered separately of the N2K bus. The NMEA 2000 bus needs to be powered and your N2K compatible VHF and MFD will connect to one another via N2K. A radar doesn't get connected to N2K, but rather via a ethernet cable if it's recent.

[@newjerseybill3521]

Hi Jeff. Could you shed some light on connector compatability. Can I use Actisense components on a Garnin installation? I really like the Actisense A2K-SBN-1 small boat network. It would make my installation much neater.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi New Jersey Bill, yep certified NMEA 2000 hardware (tees and drops) from reputable manufacturers are compatible with one another.

[@newjerseybill3521]

@@PacificYachtSystems So Raymarine SeaTalkNG is the only common oddball?

[@dirkbuys9498]

Is this the new thick ethernet from long time ago but a little more expensive? New transport protocol?

[@seanlathbury5410]

Hey Jeff, This is interesting but I'm a little lost as to what's the actual reason to have the devices all joined together.....will they "talk" to each other? Will it all connect to a central station where I can read everything. It would be great to have a centralized device where I can see engine performance / battery and GPS all. Is this the function? As always, great videos and thank you for sharing.

[@twistthatthrotle]

Hi Sean, That is precisely the intent. A multi-function display is able to capture the data and will act as your central station at which point this information would be available. These displays also serve as chart-plotters, fish finders and can even integrate with autopilot technology. The technology available in the marine industry right now is pretty incredible.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Totally agree Reid.

[@seanlathbury5410]

Thank you both. Sounds like a good project now.

[@anthonyferro25]

Jeff, Have you noticed any system reliability issues due to noise created by coiling excess cabling?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point, coiling electrical wiring might look good, as much as possible it should be avoided to minimize magnetic flux.

[@rexbro100]

I have a mercruiser 5.7 and want to add to network,, where do i connect to engine? I do have a wire termination on top of engine labeled "AZ973-1c-12dc4" if this is it do you know were to get the proper cable ?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hmmm, good question, unfortunately don't know the answer. You are looking for a NMEA 2000 or J1939 Canbus connector on your engine if it has one.

[@rexbro100]

@@PacificYachtSystems NMEA 2000, and the engine yr. is 2007. thanks for the reply anyway,, i'll continue to hunt and post if/when i find a "hook-up"

[@nomadequipment2177]

After watching Jeff for hours I'm going to disable 90% of my circuits 😂 bloody bodge jobs😂

[@bradfrdw.8083]

Jeff .... I want to put NMEA200 on my bayliner 4788, and specifically upgrade the engine instrumentation. The engines are Cummins 6BTA 370hp diesels, circa 2000, and so need analog to digital circuitry. Does anyone make a solution for this? Thanks.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Yep, you should consider the Actisense or Noland products.

[@bradfrdw.8083]

@@PacificYachtSystems many thanks

[@markanthony4302]

The devices on my nmea network only come on when my engine ignition is on. I want to use my motorguide which is on the network without having the engine ignition on. Is this possible?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Yep, you need to find the NMEA 2000 power source and wire it to a new switch, instead of the ignition switch.

[@markanthony4302]

@@PacificYachtSystems thank you can I use a power isolator and a new power cable to power the devices I want on without the ignition on

[@rolflarsson9884]

SO you mean 6m cable..Not between the devices ?????

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Ray, 6M is the maximum length of a drop cable. Recall that the N2K drop cable is between the NMEA 2000 backbone tee and the NMEA 2000 certified device.

[@milkoberben2963]

@@PacificYachtSystems how are you then connecting to the mast head because even on my small boat that is more then 6 meter

[@alexd7466]

why not just use network cables for everything?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Yep drop and backbone cabling are the same N2K network cable.

[@alexd7466]

@@PacificYachtSystems Sorry, I realize my question was not clear; I mean why are N2K cables used, and not Ethernet cables, like for home networks,? (the can be 100m in length)

[@ryanrussell4031]

I can’t draw boss! 😅

[@pierro306]

A good map, a sextant, a magnetic compass, a simple GPS, a mobile phone and my brain are OK to naviguate. But sorry ! Seeing the complexity and remarkable connectivity of all the system you'll do what you want with your money; just don't forget my point in case you're lacking energy. I 'd like to connect somme NMEA captors to a computer instead of buying 3 different expencive devices. This video's good in that point, a bit simple too. I read from Wiki that the maximum lenght for NMEA 2000 is 10m thought. (sorry i'm french)

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Pierro for sharing, tech is no substitute for proven, true, and simple.

[@charlesdavis4396]

NMEA fat fingers.

[@MR-yp7mu]

Wrong. One of the first things that they teach at NMEA 2000 installer training is NOT TO put your Ts directly together. There are better ways to do that. There are basics Jeff.

[@williambeattie8529]

Do you have a contact for these trainers - interested to send them an email