Ethernet splitter

[voyager35]

Hi I am fitting a new B&G Halo radar to my boat this winter. They are wired with an ethernet connector which goes into the chart plotter. Unfortunately the plotter only has one port which is currently used to connect the two chart plotters together . So i will need a splitter to connect the three cables together. I can buy one from B&G for over £300, which seems excessive for what looks like a simple connection. There are lots of splitters/switches for sale for very little money, would these be suitable (it would be inside the boat so waterproofing shouldn't be a problem) or do i need the special connecter?
thanks

 

[KompetentKrew]

This thread gives the answer: Raynet network switch

I've not checked these others, but this is the right search term: ethernet switch site:forums.ybw.com - Google Search

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I haven't tried for B&G stuff, but I've done exactly this for Raymarine kit that similarly has only a single ethernet (they call it Raynet) port on the back of their MFDs. You can get hubs very cheaply from ebay for only a few pounds but these are not easily mountable and usually need a mains to low voltage DC adapter to power them and the power plug is a normal barrel type which isn't appropriate for a boat. So instead I use this...

https://uk.farnell.com/brainboxes/s...-100mbps-din-rail/dp/2383213?st=5 port switch

It is an industrial ethernet switch. It has a proper power connector, can be bulkhead or DIN rail mounted and runs on 12 Volts.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

This thread gives the answer: Raynet network switch

I've not checked these others, but this is the right search term: ethernet switch site:forums.ybw.com - Google Search

Beaten to it by my own thread.

The ebay link in that thread to the crimper tool is out of date but here's one...

RJ45 EZ Crimper Cat5e 6 7 HD Pass Through Network Connector Crimping LAN Tool @I | eBay

 

[Martin_J]

And finally on board with a few spare minutes, I just checked which ethernet switch I installed... It must have been five years ago and it's been powered up ever since.



TP-Link SF-1005D. I was too long ago to really remember, but I do recall opening up all the small ethernet switches I had lying around and checking their internal voltage regulators... The TP link one was happy for 20v or so .. Anyway, its been running off the boat battery for the past few years.

Strange.. mine says 9v on the back. The current spec says 5v.... I'll have to check the others in the spares box.

 

[Martin_J]

Note... It doesn't normally hang mid air but it was the only way I could see the label on the back.

 

[lustyd]

Also available is the Teltonika TSW110 which runs on boat power and not that fussy with voltage. TSW110 - L2 Unmanaged Switch | Teltonika Networks for about £50.

If you want to do it on the cheap you can do without a switch either with a hub or just connect the bare wires and it'll act like a hub without any extra boxes. It's not pretty but TCP/IP does cope with it just fine. I'll leave you to investigate the wiring for that setup but it will work just fine for 2 MFDs and a Radar. You can use a hub like this one, although that's 5V so will need a step down for voltage. https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-Ethernet-Unmanaged-Internet-Splitter/dp/B07PYSNSDD/

If you want to add in a router or a Cerbo at any point go with the switch.

 

[voyager35]

Wow thanks for such quick replies
The one sold by Farnell looks promising as it isn't voltage sensitive. I shouldn't have connector fitting problems as all the cables are premade