New NMEA network components - buying advice

[mullet]

I'm adding/upgrading kit on my boat which will entail creating a new NMEA 2000 network. I've got all the components already but none of them came with drop cables or other networking kit (they weren't new when I got them).

Looking around, it seems like a case of buying an NMEA2k starter kit (power cable, couple of t-connectors, couple of terminators), then additional drop cables and t-connectors as needed. This seems a cumbersome way of doing things (in terms of potential failure points and bulk) and all the parts would need to be bought piecemeal. Have I overlooked any alternative (potentially more sensible) ways of setting this up? And are there any suppliers that do job lots of networking kit? It seems odd that everywhere seems to sell these components in single packs (though perhaps that is because more components come with the networking kit when bought new?).

In case it is relevant, the components are: chartplotter, AIS transceiver, VHF, GPS antenna, wind transducer (all Garmin FWIW). The only one that is already installed on the boat is the plotter (which has a power cable but no networking). Later I may well add speed/depth transducer and MFDs.

Any advice/suggestions much appreciated!

 

[PaulRainbow]

Sorry, you need a starter kit and additional tees and drop cables as required. Making bulk kits up would be difficult as every installation is different and some equipment comes with cables. Stick with the Garmin kit.

 

[mullet]

Thanks, @PaulRainbow. Do you mean stick with a certain brand's kit for the networking cables etc? Or for the actual components? Or both?!

The need to accommodate different installations makes sense, and likewise that some kit comes with cables etc. I'm still surprised not to be able to find some sort of box that one can plug lots of drop cables into (like a LAN network switch). Its seems like its utility would be fairly universal. Same for kits for making up drop cables, much like one has for LAN patch cables with a roll of cable and end fittings (which do exist, to be fair, but at surprisingly high price - a lot dearer than buying ready made cables in arbitrary lengths cables, which is the opposite to what I'd have expected).

 

[Daverw]

You will find a lot of what you need on ebay as people will be selling the spare bits at much reduced cost, we started with a basic lowrence starter kit and then added the drops for Raymarine as needed as they are different to others. Don’t forget you need to route the main backbone often from cockpit to chart table and then to mast, hench the tee section and different cable lengths needed, also you need to feed power to the middle which may not be were your instruments are.

you will have spare bits left over, we had enough to install again nearly but over the last two years most have now been used as we’ve added stuff.

 

[[70521]]

As @PaulRainbow said keep with the Garmin kit. It is really simple if expensive.

I upgraded from Stowe water and wind instrumentation last winter to Garmin as there is an ancient Garmin chartplotter on the boat. You just plug it in and it works. The radar is being fitted this winter and I expect the same will happen.

 

[mullet]

Thanks for all the comments which are much appreciated. It's a small boat and I'm coming to the realisation that my installation will be a lot simpler than most: everything that needs plugging in can be sited within very close proximity to everything else (the wind transducer is wireless with a receiver that plugs into the backbone).

One product I spotted (not sure how I overlooked it) is this, which would appear to meet my needs. Actisense NMEA 2000 Small Boat Network - Starter Kit - Internal Terminators - A2K-SBN-2

Does anyone have any experience with it? I can only find one mention on the forum. Only slight concern is that it might be inadequate if I find I every need more than 8 ports. If that happened is there any reason I couldn't plug in a multi port drop like this? CM-CF-4 - Maretron NMEA 2000 Multiport Box (Micro-Mid Male Homerun / Micro-Mid Female Drops) CM-CF-4 for only $74.45 ! Perhaps t-connectors might be simpler...

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks for all the comments which are much appreciated. It's a small boat and I'm coming to the realisation that my installation will be a lot simpler than most: everything that needs plugging in can be sited within very close proximity to everything else (the wind transducer is wireless with a receiver that plugs into the backbone).

One product I spotted (not sure how I overlooked it) is this, which would appear to meet my needs. Actisense NMEA 2000 Small Boat Network - Starter Kit - Internal Terminators - A2K-SBN-2

Does anyone have any experience with it? I can only find one mention on the forum. Only slight concern is that it might be inadequate if I find I every need more than 8 ports. If that happened is there any reason I couldn't plug in a multi port drop like this? CM-CF-4 - Maretron NMEA 2000 Multiport Box (Micro-Mid Male Homerun / Micro-Mid Female Drops) CM-CF-4 for only $74.45 ! Perhaps t-connectors might be simpler...

I would avoid those.

You can buy a Garmin 4-way port (forgot to mention that before) and that can be expanded by adding more 4 way ports or more tees. I'd get the Garmin starter kit and if you need it, the 4 way port. This will make a more flexible and updatable network. As you noticed, it's cheaper to buy ready made cables than it is to make your own and they are more robust, IMO.

 

[Daverw]

I’m not sure what’s the issue with the small tees, I’ve a row of four together which are screwed to the panel, easy to add or mod then connected to others along the main backbone, also makes it easier if you then add something like raymarine which use different connectors

 

[vas]

on a smallish system individual tees are fine. I run out of space trying to cram close to a dozen tees behind the lower helm area. Ended up splitting in two different areas and using a combo of 4-tee assemblies on each spot, plus lots of singles.
If OP has little space to arrange the 4-5 devices he's planning to install, starting afresh getting a 4tee one is a smart move imho.

 

[Daverw]

If think there is a difference between small system and small area to put many devices

 

[Ademist]

One product I spotted (not sure how I overlooked it) is this, which would appear to meet my needs. Actisense NMEA 2000 Small Boat Network - Starter Kit - Internal Terminators - A2K-SBN-2

Actisense generally make high quality reliable equipment.