NMEA 2000 & Networking

NMEA 2000, piece by piece

An NMEA 2000 network is a backbone with drops coming off it. The backbone runs the length of the boat. A T-connector sits wherever a device joins, a short drop cable runs from the tee to the chartplotter, sounder, engine gateway or sensor, and a terminator caps each end. One power tap feeds the whole network 12 volts.

Garmin, Lowrance and Simrad use the standard Micro-C connector, so their gear can share one backbone. Raymarine's SeaTalkNG uses its own plug and joins a standard backbone with an adapter cable.

What you need

• Starter kit: drops, tees, a power tap and both terminators in one box. Most first networks start here.
• Backbone and drop cables: sold by length. Measure the run before you order; one size longer beats a splice.
• Tees, terminators and power isolators for adding devices or splitting power on a bigger boat.
• Gateways: Actisense and Maretron boxes put older NMEA 0183 gear and analog engine senders onto the network.

Sea Gear Tip: When gauges drop out, check the terminators first. A network needs exactly two, one at each end of the backbone, and only one power tap.

Call the Marine store at (609) 884-2711 with your plotter model and we'll match the cables. Orders over $250 ship ground free. More gear in Electronics.