NMEA 2000 starter kit, colored design

The Garmin NMEA 2000 starter kit, part number 010-12935-00, is designed to set up a basic NMEA 2000 network on your vessel. It enables standardized and bidirectional communication between marine sensors and display devices, with a data rate up to 250 Kb/sec.

The kit includes all necessary components for a first installation:

A 2 m drop cable to connect a device. A 6 m backbone cable to extend the main network. A 2 m power cable with a 3 A fuse for powering the network. Two T-connectors for connecting devices to the backbone. A male and a female terminator connector, essential for maintaining signal integrity at the network ends.

An NMEA 2000 network is a "plug-and-play" communication standard used to connect marine sensors and display devices. It enables different electronic devices to communicate with each other in a standardized and bidirectional manner, thereby improving the integration and consistency of navigation data.

The NMEA 2000 network allows a data rate of up to 250 Kb/sec, ensuring fast and efficient transmission of information between connected devices.

Yes, NMEA 2000 is considered the successor to the NMEA 0183 serial data bus standard. It offers more advanced communication capabilities and a "plug-and-play" installation.

Garmin uses NMEA 2000 micro-connectors on its devices, sensors, and T-connectors. These micro-connectors are compatible with other certified NMEA 2000 micro-connectors, cables, and devices.

This kit is compatible with a range of Garmin devices, including the ECHOMAP and GPSMAP series. It is designed to integrate into the existing Garmin ecosystem.

Yes, this kit is compatible with other marine instruments that are NMEA 2000 certified. The NMEA 2000 standard ensures interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers.

The backbone must be built in a linear fashion. All T-connectors must be connected to each other along their sides, either directly or via a backbone cable. The top of a T-connector is reserved solely for connecting a device or power supply, and the backbone must never pass through the top of a T-connector.

Yes, it is essential to install terminators at each end of the NMEA 2000 backbone. The kit includes a male and a female termination connector for this purpose. Correct termination is required to ensure signal integrity across the entire backbone length.

The NMEA 2000 power cable must be connected to the top (upper part) of a T-connector, never on the sides. It can be placed at either end or in the middle of the backbone, depending on the network length and the power requirements of connected devices.

Yes, it is recommended to connect the NMEA 2000 network to the power supply via the ignition switch or another external switch. This prevents certain NMEA 2000 devices from remaining constantly powered and draining the boat's battery when not in use.

It is not recommended to connect a NMEA 2000 network to power at more than one point without using a power isolator between the two connections. Some NMEA 2000 devices may supply power to the network, and an isolator may be required to prevent issues.

A drop cable, which connects a NMEA 2000 device to the backbone, is limited to a maximum length of 6 meters (20 feet).

The maximum length of a backbone cable is 100 meters (328 feet). The kit includes a 6-meter backbone cable, but longer cables can be used to extend the main network if required.

The 2-metre power cable supplied in the kit includes a 3 A fuse. This fuse protects the NMEA 2000 network and connected devices from electrical overcurrent, ensuring the safety of the installation.

The LEN (Load Equivalency Number) is a simplified value representing the amount of current a device draws from the NMEA 2000 network. A LEN of 1 equals 50 mA. This value is used when calculating power requirements and balancing the NMEA 2000 network.

To connect a device to an NMEA 2000 network, you must use a T-connector and a drop cable. The drop cable connects to the top of the T-connector, and the T-connector is inserted into the backbone of the network to establish communication.

NMEA 2000 is a "plug-and-play" communication standard designed to simplify installation. The Garmin starter kit provides all the essential components to build a basic network, and the construction principles are clearly defined in the technical documentation to make setup straightforward for users.