Actisense DST-2 canbus connections

[Hoolie]

According to Actisense the canbus connections on the DST-2 were developed for an OEM customer who wanted basic canbus capability. Apparently it doesn't fully meet the NMEA2000 specification so can't be sold as an N2K device.
Has anyone used these connections to link into an N2K or SeatalkNG bus. If so what are the limitations alluded to by Actisense? They appear very reluctant to provide any further information.

 

[Martin_J]

I have not used one but sometimes the reason for not achieving NMEA2000 certification can be something as simple as the end device having a built-in onward connection for daisychaining (something not permitted by the standard since each device has to have it's own connection to the bus) and maybe another reason like the wind MHUs that have built in terminating resistors.

Anyway.. back to the DST-2, I'd guess it's not something as simple as that for failing to get certified.

I then thought maybe non standard PGNs..

Reading another part of the Actisence website though, they do suggest the use of their NGW-1 to connect to NMEA2000 which really does suggest a direct connection to the Can-H and Can-L on the DST-2 will not work.

NMEA 2000 Depth, Speed & Temperature Data from a DST-2


You'd really need to hook the DST-2 up to a canbus analyser to see what it transmits to the canbus.

 

[Hoolie]

I have not used one but sometimes the reason for not achieving NMEA2000 certification can be something as simple as the end device having a built-in onward connection for daisychaining (something not permitted by the standard since each device has to have it's own connection to the bus) and maybe another reason like the wind MHUs that have built in terminating resistors.

Anyway.. back to the DST-2, I'd guess it's not something as simple as that for failing to get certified.

I then thought maybe non standard PGNs..

Reading another part of the Actisence website though, they do suggest the use of their NGW-1 to connect to NMEA2000 which really does suggest a direct connection to the Can-H and Can-L on the DST-2 will not work.

NMEA 2000 Depth, Speed & Temperature Data from a DST-2

View attachment 159204
You'd really need to hook the DST-2 up to a canbus analyser to see what it transmits to the canbus.

Thanks for that - it more or less lines up with my thoughts. I will soon have installed the DST-2 and its sensors and I'll try connecting it to the N2k backbone after disconnecting most of the other devices. I'll update when I have more info.

 

[jwfrary]

It might be the can interface isn't opto isolated which would be against tge nmea 2k standard