NMEA 2k voltage

[noelex]

Using a substantial backbone cable for your NMEA network is good advice. The connected instruments are important for safety. However, superior backbone cables are expensive.

Duplex tinned ordinary power cable is cheaper, so it makes sense to supply power to the NMEA backbone where the voltage drop at the ends will be similar. Of course, you can do both, belt and braces.

 

[lustyd]

Theoretically yes I’m with you.

In the real world installation has a cost and complexity is not a good thing. The whole point of a backbone is reducing cabling and complexity, otherwise each device would have its own power cables. More connections, cables, cable runs, fuses, switches all add to potential failure points.

I don’t think better backbone cables are that much more expensive. Doing it again I’d even consider buying bare cable and connectors for the backbone rather than pre-made cables.