ve.can:nmea-2000:start
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ve.can:nmea-2000:start [2020-01-07 09:38] – [Q3: What about terminators and network layout?] mvader | ve.can:nmea-2000:start [2025-07-19 07:29] (current) – [3.2 NMEA 2000 instances] mvader | ||
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- | ====== | + | ====== |
===== 1. Introduction ===== | ===== 1. Introduction ===== | ||
- | This technical document explains how to integrate a Victron system onto a Marine MFD, such as those from Garmin, Raymarine Navico and other brands. | + | ==== 1.1 Summary ==== |
- | There are multiple ways to integrate, so make sure to closely read the complete introductory chapter to find the best method for your type of system. | + | This guide provides an overview |
- | === Systems | + | * **MFD (Chart Plotter) Monitoring**: |
+ | * **Tank Level Monitoring**: | ||
+ | * **NMEA2000-out feature**: Share tank data, as well as other data such as Battery, DC & AC system data from GX devices to the NMEA 2000 network. | ||
+ | * **GPS Integration**: | ||
+ | * **Advanced features powered by Signal K**: Includes wireless AIS, anchor alarms, and automatic trip logging. | ||
- | For most installations and integrations, | + | This document serves |
- | A GX Device can be connected to a Marine | + | ==== 1.2 MFD Integration ==== |
- | The other type of integration is to connect the GX Device to the NMEA2000 network. See the [[https:// | + | Integration with MFDs depends on customer requirements and equipment used. A GX device (e.g., Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX) is typically involved, with two main options: |
- | Both connections can be made and used at the same time, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The MFD App is by far the simplest method. It presents an easy to use system overview without requiring any configuration. The NMEA 2000 integration on the other hand, whilst being more complex, allows more customisation on the MFD: the data will show up in the data-tree of the MFD, and most MFDs then allow the user to configure various pages and combinations of information. This is not so with the MFD App, as the only available settings are to show or hide battery parameters (Voltage, SOC, Current) as well as naming the batteries. | + | - **NMEA 2000 Integration**: Connect |
+ | | ||
- | Note that, besides making information available on NMEA 2000, a GX Device can also tank level data from NMEA 2000. More information in [[https:// | + | **Comparison of Options:** |
- | === Direct connection | + | |
+ | - **HTML5 App**: Plug-and-play | ||
- | Some of our products feature a VE.Can port; and can thus be directly connected to the NMEA 2000 network. No electronic converter necessary; only a plug conversion cable, the [[https:// | + | **Illustration**: |
- | === Using our converter interfaces (deprecated) === | + | {{ : |
- | * [[https:// | + | * Right bar: NMEA 2000 data. |
- | * [[https:// | + | * Bottom: HTML5 App integration. |
- | Note that the use of both those interfaces is deprecated. Use a GX Device instead. | + | === Further reading by brand === |
- | === What is NMEA 2000? === | + | * [[https:// |
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
- | NMEA 2000 is is a plug-and-play communications standard used for connecting marine sensors and display units within ships and boats. | + | ==== 1.3 Tank monitoring ==== |
- | Victron | + | The Victron |
- | For brevity, this document will refer to NMEA 2000 as N2K. | + | **Key Features: |
+ | * Monitor tank levels on the GX device and VRM Portal. | ||
+ | * Access | ||
+ | * Customize tank naming, shapes, and damping for accurate readings. | ||
+ | * Expand capabilities with the [[https:// | ||
- | === Modbus-TCP Integration === | + | **Visual Examples:** |
- | For larger vessels, using custom designed SCADA systems, the recommended protocol to use is ModbusTCP. See our [[ccgx:modbustcp_faq|]]. | + | {{ :ve.can:nmea-2000: |
- | ===== 2. Varia ===== | + | {{ :ve.can: |
+ | {{ : | ||
- | ==== 2.1 VE.Can products (Skylla-i, Skylla-IP44, | + | ** Video that demonstrates the tank page on the GX** |
- | Since the Victron VE.Can communication protocol is based on N2K, the following products can all be connected directly to a N2K network. The only thing necessary is a plug converter: the [[https:// | + | |
- | * Skylla-i 24V Battery Chargers | ||
- | * Skylla IP44 Battery Chargers | ||
- | * Lynx Shunt Battery Monitors | ||
- | * Lynx Ion + Shunt all models | ||
- | * SmartSolar MPPT Solar Chargers with VE.Can communications port | ||
- | {{ : | ||
+ | === Further details === | ||
+ | * **Resistive tank level inputs built-in to the Cerbo GX and Ekrano GX:** See [[https:// | ||
+ | * **Reading data from NMEA 2000 Tank senders into the GX Device and VRM Portal:** The GX device can read tank level data from compatible sensors on the NMEA 2000 network. This information is then displayed on the GX interface, including the dedicated tank level page, and synced with the VRM Portal. For compatibility details, see [[https:// | ||
+ | * **Transmitting GX tank levels to the NMEA 2000 network:** For vessels with advanced monitoring setups, the GX device can also send tank data back to the NMEA 2000 network, enabling MFDs and other connected devices to access and display the information. For further information, | ||
+ | ==== 1.4 NMEA2000-out feature ==== | ||
- | ==== 2.1 Raymarine & EmpirBus ==== | + | Victron Energy GX devices feature an NMEA 2000-out function: when enabled, the GX device acts as a bridge: it makes the data of all connected Battery monitors, Inverter/ |
- | Besides using NMEA 2000 and/or the Lighthouse App, integration onto Raymarine | + | Using that feature, and having the GX device connected a NMEA 2000 network, Marine |
- | In the [[http:// | ||
- | Next, use the [[http:// | + | ==== 1.5 Advanced features powered by Signal K ==== |
- | The EmpirBus system requires the data instance of battery status and dc detailed status to be unique when using multiple sources. ([[ve.can:changing_nmea2000_instances# | + | Signal K unlocks powerful features: |
- | {{ :ve.can:nmea-2000: | + | * **Wireless AIS & Navigation Data**: Share NMEA 2000 data via WiFi for apps like Navionics. |
+ | * **Anchor Alarm**: Reliable and easy-to-use alarm. | ||
+ | * **Automatic Logbook**: Track journeys effortlessly. | ||
- | ==== 2.2 Maretron ==== | + | More details: |
+ | - [[https:// | ||
+ | - [[https:// | ||
- | All data sent out by Victron devices can be picked up by the Maretron MFDs & software. See the [[http:// | + | ==== 1.5 Modbus-TCP, mostly for SCADA systems ==== |
- | ===== 3. PGN overview | + | Ideal for larger vessels, the GX built-in Modbus-TCP server enables SCADA system integration. For more details, see the [[https:// |
+ | |||
+ | ===== 2. Integration details by Victron product ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 2.1 Systems with a GX Device ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | For most installations and integrations, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 2.2 Other products featuring a VE.Can port ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | All Victron products that feature a VE.Can port can be directly connected to the NMEA 2000 network, using the [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Skylla-i 24V Battery Chargers | ||
+ | * Skylla IP65 Battery Chargers | ||
+ | * Lynx Shunt VE.Can Battery Monitor | ||
+ | * Lynx Smart BMS | ||
+ | * SmartSolar MPPT Solar Chargers with VE.Can communications port | ||
+ | * Multi RS | ||
+ | * Inverter RS | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 2.3 VE.Bus and VE.Direct to NMEA 2000 interfaces | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Note that the use of both those interfaces is deprecated. Use a GX device instead. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== 3. NMEA 2000 Details ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 3.1 PGN Lists ==== | ||
Refer to our [[https:// | Refer to our [[https:// | ||
- | ===== 4. FAQ ===== | + | ==== 3.2 NMEA 2000 instances |
- | Note that there are many more generic frequently asked questions answered | + | Instances |
- | ==== Q1: What about instances? Device instances, data instances? ==== | + | As an example, take a system with two battery monitors (one for the main battery bank, and another for the hydraulic-thruster bank) and also a Quattro inverter/ |
- | See [[ve.can: | + | There are various types of instances, and for marine systems are two that matter: the Device instance and the Data instance. The Data instance goes by various different names, like Fluid instance, Battery instance and DC instance. |
- | ==== Q2: Can MPPT Solar Chargers with a VE.Direct port also be connected? ==== | + | NMEA 2000 defines three different instances: |
- | No, they cannot be connected. Even though the [[https:// | + | * Data instances (Battery instance, Fluid instance, and similar) |
+ | * Device instance | ||
+ | * System instance | ||
- | Similarly, also a GX Device does not (yet) transmit data from connected Solar Chargers on its NMEA2000-out port. | + | === When is manual configuration of instances needed? === |
- | ==== Q3: What about terminators | + | * For **Garmin, Furuno, Maretron and Navico (B&G, Lowrance, Simrad) systems**: no configuration needed. Required fields can be configured |
+ | * For **Raymarine**, | ||
- | A N2K CAN bus network needs to be laid out as in a backbone configuration, | + | === Further reading on NMEA 2000 instances === |
+ | |||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[ve.can: | ||
+ | ==== 3.3 Terminators and network layout ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | A NMEA 2000 CAN-bus network needs to be laid out as in a backbone configuration, | ||
* Use the NMEA 2000 cable as the backbone. | * Use the NMEA 2000 cable as the backbone. | ||
- | * Run a separate drop cable separately to each Victron device. The drop cable will be one of these three products: | + | * Run a separate drop cable separately to each Victron device [[https:// |
- | * [[https:// | + | * Only terminate the NMEA 2000 backbone. Do not install a terminator in any of the VE.Can ports on the Victron products. |
- | * [[https:// | + | |
- | * [[https://nocache.victronenergy.com/ | + | Or: |
- | * Only terminate the NMEA 2000 backbone, do not terminate | + | |
+ | * Have the NMEA 2000 network on one side, with one terminator. On the other end, change to the Victron network, with also one (Victron) terminator at the end. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The first option is more aligned with the official NMEA 2000 method. But, in case of multiple Victron products that need to be connected to the NMEA 2000 network, will require more wire runs and definitively more NMEA 2000 to VE.Can conversion cables. | ||
+ | ==== 3.4 DC Voltage compatibility ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Victron VE.Can network accepts 9 to 70VDC. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The NMEA-2000 network used to be 9 to 16VDC, which is, or will be, expanded to also include 24V. Which means that some NMEA-2000 devices are 9 to 16VDC, some are 9 to 30VDC, and some allow higher voltages. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Also, the Victron VE.Can network will (in most cases) be powered with battery voltage. So for a 48V system, the voltage on the VE.Can network **exceeds** the NMEA-2000 accepted voltage levels. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Therefore, it is important to **not** connect those power cables. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Victron cable used to connect both networks together, the [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 3.5 Galvanic isolation ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | When connecting a GX to an NMEA 2000 network, it is recommend to do so using a galvanically isolated CAN-Bus port. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This is especially the case when your NMEA backbone and GX are powered from separate power sources or do not share a common ground. These are the two most popular models that feature such galvanically isolated port: | ||
+ | |||
+ | | ||
+ | * Ekrano GX | ||
+ | |||
+ | On both above products, VE.Can port 1 has galvanic isolation. VE.Can port 2 does not. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For a full list of which ports feature isolation, see [[https://www.victronenergy.com/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 3.6 Further reading on Victron and NMEA 2000 ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== 4. Maretron ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | All data sent out by Victron devices | ||
- | ==== Q4: What PGNs does a GX Device transmit on N2K? ==== | + | ===== 5. FAQ ===== |
- | See the [[https:// | + | === Q1: Can or must both Ethernet and and NMEA 2000 connection be made between Victron GX and MFD? === |
- | ==== Q5: Can integration onto Raymarine displays also be done without Empirbus NXT? ==== | + | Both can be made at the same time. |
- | Yes, see [[https:// | + | Ethernet is needed to get the MFD App, as explained above. |
- | ==== Q6: What about Maretron and other brand tank sensors | + | And an NMEA 2000 connection is needed to get data to show in other fields |
- | See chapter 1.4.7 in the [[ccgx: | + | See annotated screenshot above for which is what. |
ve.can/nmea-2000/start.1578386319.txt.gz · Last modified: by mvader