Technical Reference For Garmin NMEA 2000 Products EN-US
Technical Reference For Garmin NMEA 2000 Products EN-US
Technical Reference For Garmin NMEA 2000 Products EN-US
PRODUCTS
NMEA 2000 Network Fundamentals
This technical reference provides basic NMEA 2000 component identification (NMEA 2000 Components,
page 2), basic NMEA 2000 network-building instructions (NMEA 2000 Network Planning and Construction,
page 4), and a list of NMEA 2000 data that may be used by some Garmin NMEA 2000 certified devices
(General NMEA 2000 Data Types, page 12).
You can learn more about NMEA 2000 and purchase the NMEA 2000 standard documentation at nmea.org
/content/STANDARDS/NMEA_2000.
Garmin uses NMEA 2000 micro connectors on devices, sensors, and T-connectors that are compatible with
other NMEA 2000 micro connectors, cables, and NMEA 2000 compatible devices.
010-11076-03: 0.3 m
(1 ft.)
010-11076-00: 2 m
(6.5 ft.)
010-11076-04: 4 m A cable up to 6 m (20 ft) can be used as a
Backbone or drop (13 ft.) backbone cable or a drop cable.
cable 010-11076-01: 6 m A cable longer than 6m (20 ft) can be used as a
(20 ft.) backbone cable only.
010-11076-02: 10 m
(33 ft.)
010-11171-01: 30 m
(98 ft.) (spool)
010-11089-01: 0.3 m
Right-angle drop (1 ft.) Can be used when connecting to a device with
cable 010-11089-00: 2 m minimal clearance for the rear connectors.
(6.5 ft.)
2
Item Description Garmin Part Number Notes
3
NMEA 2000 Network Planning and Construction
The backbone is the main communication channel of an NMEA 2000 network to which your NMEA 2000
devices connect. You must connect each NMEA 2000 device to the backbone using a T-connector. You must
connect the NMEA 2000 backbone to a power source, and you must install terminators at both ends of the
network for proper functionality.
When you design an NMEA 2000 network, you should start by creating a diagram of the network. When creating
the diagram, be as detailed as possible, observing these considerations.
• You should include all of the devices you intend to connect to the network.
• You should note the approximate location on the boat for the backbone and each of the connected devices.
• You should measure the distances between the location of each device and the backbone, and you should
measure the overall length of the backbone.
• You should note the power consumption (LEN) of each connected device.
After you create a diagram of your network, you should apply the principles of proper NMEA 2000 network
construction and adjust your plan as needed. You must understand and apply these concepts.
• Linear backbone construction (Linear Backbone Construction, page 6)
• Power connection and distribution (Power Connection Considerations, page 7)
• Proper network termination (Network Termination, page 11)
• Cable length and device limits (NMEA 2000 Cable Length and Device Limitations, page 12)
4
Sample NMEA 2000 Network
NOTE: This diagram illustrates only the NMEA 2000 data connections to each device or sensor on the network.
Some devices or sensors can be powered by the NMEA 2000 network, and others may require a separate
power connection. Consult the installation instructions for each device you connect to your NMEA 2000
network to make sure you supply power to the device appropriately.
Wind sensor
Marine instrument
Drop cable
Female terminator
T-connector
Male terminator
5
Linear Backbone Construction
The backbone is the main communication path of the NMEA 2000 network, so it is extremely important to
construct the backbone properly. An improperly constructed backbone may prevent the network from
functioning, or you may experience unexpected performance.
The backbone consists of a combination of T-connectors and cables, terminated on both ends. All T-
connectors must connect to the sides of one another either directly or through a backbone cable extension.
The top of a T-connector is used to connect a device or power to the network only, and the backbone cannot
route through the top of a T-connector.
Backbone cable
If needed, the backbone can be extended using a cable connected to the sides of a T-connector.
The maximum length of a single backbone cable is 100 m (328 ft.)
Male terminator
The terminator must connect to the side of the last T-connector in the backbone.
6
Power Connection Considerations
NOTICE
Connecting the NMEA 2000 network to a power source greater than 12 Vdc may damage devices connected to
the network.
You must connect the NMEA 2000 network to power through the ignition or other external switch, or it will drain
the boat battery when not in use.
You should not connect an NMEA 2000 network to power in more than one place without using a power
isolator in between the two network power connections.
An NMEA 2000 network must connect to a 12 Vdc power source using a dedicated NMEA 2000 power cable.
When connecting the NMEA 2000 network to power, you must observe these considerations:
• The dedicated NMEA 2000 power cable must connect to a 12 Vdc. Connecting to a 24 Vdc or any power
source greater than 12 Vdc may damage the NMEA 2000 network components or devices.
• The dedicated NMEA 2000 power cable should connect to the power source through the auxiliary power
switch on the boat. If there is not an auxiliary power switch, or if connecting to the auxiliary power switch
causes electrical interference, you must connect the power cable to the power source through an in-line
switch.
• The dedicated NMEA 2000 power cable must connect to the top of a T-connector, not the side.
• The power cable can connect to the top of a T-connector located in the backbone of your NMEA 2000
network on either end or in the middle, depending on the length of the backbone and the power needs of the
devices on the network (Power Distribution and Balance, page 8).
• Some NMEA 2000 devices provide power to the NMEA 2000 network, and this may not be ideal for every
NMEA 2000 design. To avoid having two power connections to the network, you can install these devices
using a power isolator (Power Isolation, page 10).
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Power Distribution and Balance
Selecting the proper location of the power connection to the NMEA 2000 network depends on the length of the
backbone and the power needs of the devices on the network.
For the NMEA 2000 network to work properly there must not be more than a 1.67 Vdc drop in the supply
voltage between the T-connector with the power cable and the NMEA 2000 device located farthest from this T-
connector.
To determine the voltage drop in your NMEA 2000 network, use this equation:
Voltage
= Resistance × Distance × Load × 0.1
drop
Resistance: Refers to cable resistance (ohms/m). The Garmin cable resistance value is 0.053.
Distance: Refers to the distance from the power connection to the device located furthest away on the network
(in meters).
Load: Refers to the network load. The network load is the sum of the LEN numbers of all devices from the
power connection to the end of the network.
When evaluating the results of your calculation, consider the following:
• If you calculate a voltage drop of 1.67 Vdc or less, you can connect power to either the end or the middle of
the NMEA 2000, and it will function correctly.
• If you calculate a voltage drop of more than 1.67 Vdc, you must connect power to the middle of the NMEA
2000 network. The location of the power connection in the network depends on the network load and
distance from the battery. You should try to balance the voltage drop equally on both sides of the power
connection.
• If a voltage drop of under 1.67 Vdc is not possible on the NMEA 2000 network, contact a professional
installer for assistance.
Power cable
Length = 2 m
Drop cable
Length = 2 m
Drop cable
Length = 6 m
Drop cable
Length = 4 m
8
Backbone cable
Length = 10 m
Backbone cable
Length = 6 m
When the voltage-drop formula is applied to this example, the voltage drop is less than 1.67 Vdc. This NMEA
2000 network will function correctly when powered at the end:
Resistance × Distance × Load × 0.1 = Voltage drop
22 14
0.053 × × × 0.1 = 1.63 Vdc
(2 + 10 + 6 + 4) (4 + 5 + 5)
Power cable
Length = 2 m
Drop cable
Length = 2 m
Drop cable
Length = 4 m
Drop cable
Length = 6 m
Backbone cable
Length = 10 m
Backbone cable
Length = 6 m
When the voltage-drop formula is applied to this example, the voltage drop is greater than 1.67 Vdc. This NMEA
2000 network will not function correctly when powered at the end. to function correctly, this NMEA 2000
network must be redesigned with the power connected to the center of the network.
Resistance × Distance × Load × 0.1 = Voltage drop
24 16
0.053 × × × 0.1 = 2.04 Vdc
(2 + 10 + 6 + 6) (4 + 5 + 7)
9
Middle-Powered NMEA 2000 Network Designed Correctly
Drop cable
Length = 2 m
Power cable
Length = 2 m
Drop cable
Length = 4 m
Drop cable
Length = 6 m
Backbone cable
Length = 10 m
Backbone cable
Length = 6 m
When the NMEA 2000 network is redesigned with the power source in the center, calculate the voltage drop in
both directions. If the T-connector to which you connect the power source is connected directly to another T-
connector (as shown in this example), use the LEN from the device connected to that T-connector as part of
the calculation for both directions.
Voltage Drop to the Left of the Power Connection
Resistance × Distance × Load × 0.1 = Voltage drop
14
0.053 × × 4 × 0.1 = 0.30 Vdc
(2 + 10 + 2)
12 12
0.053 × × × 0.1 = 0.80 Vdc
(2 + 6 + 4) (5 + 7)
Power Isolation
Some NMEA 2000 devices, such as a boat engine, provide power to the NMEA 2000 network. In some cases,
this may be sufficient to provide the appropriate power to the network, but in other cases this may result in
providing power to the network in two places, and could result in unexpected behavior or may damage other
connected devices.
To accommodate two power connections to the network, you can install a power isolator (010-11580-00) in the
backbone to when connecting devices to the network that also provide power. The power isolator allows data
communication, but does not allow power to pass through.
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Network Termination
You must install terminators at the ends of an NMEA 2000 backbone for it to function correctly. You can install
either two standard terminators or one female terminator and an in-line terminator on an NMEA 2000 network.
NOTE: You must not install more than two terminators on an NMEA 2000 network.
If the NMEA 2000 network is built using correct linear backbone construction, you should install one female
terminator and one male terminator on the sides of the final T-connectors on opposite ends of the backbone.
Female terminator
Male terminator
If the final NMEA 2000 device on the NMEA 2000 network is separated from the backbone by a long length of
backbone extension cable, and the typical T-connector/drop cable/terminator combination is not feasible or is
too bulky for the area, you can use an in-line terminator instead of the final T-connector on the backbone. You
can connect the final device to the in-line terminator using the appropriate length of drop cable, or connect the
final device directly to the in-line terminator without using a drop cable.
An in-line terminator may be useful when connecting a wind sensor or other device at the top of a mast, for
example.
NOTE: An in-line terminator connects to the NMEA 2000 backbone using a male connector, and to the final
NMEA 2000 device using a female connector. Because of this, you can only use one in-line terminator on an
NMEA 2000 network, in place of a male terminator.
This end of the backbone uses a standard female terminator connected to T-connector for the last
device.
This end of the backbone uses an in-line terminator to connect to the last device. Note how using the in-
line terminator is used in place of the final T-connector and terminator.
Female terminator
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NMEA 2000 power
In-line terminator
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NMEA 2000 Engine Data
Data Type PGN Data Required Typical Sender
Battery voltage 127489: Dynamic engine parameters NMEA 2000 compatible engine
Fuel flow rate 127489: Dynamic engine parameters Fuel flow sensor
Oil pressure 127489: Dynamic engine parameters NMEA 2000 compatible engine
Engine RPM 127489: Dynamic engine parameters NMEA 2000 compatible engine
Coolant pressure 127489: Dynamic engine parameters NMEA 2000 compatible engine
Fuel pressure 127489: Dynamic engine parameters NMEA 2000 compatible engine
Oil temperature 127489: Dynamic engine parameters NMEA 2000 compatible engine
Boost pressure 127489: Dynamic engine parameters NMEA 2000 compatible engine
Total fuel flow rate 127489: Dynamic engine parameters Fuel flow sensor
Total fuel onboard 127489: Dynamic engine parameters Fuel flow sensor
Fuel economy
NOTE: The fuel economy data type 127489: Dynamic engine parameters Fuel flow sensor and speed
is configurable, based on the (GPS speed or water speed) sensor
speed source.
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NMEA 2000 Navigation Information
Data Type PGN Data Required Typical Sender
129026: COG/SOG
129029: GNSS position
Distance made good Garmin chartplotter and GPS antenna
129284: Nav data
129285: Route
129284:Nav data
Waypoint name or Garmin chartplotter
129285: Route
Bearing to waypoint 129284: Nav data Garmin chartplotter and GPS antenna
Distance to waypoint 129284: Nav data Garmin chartplotter and GPS antenna
Desired COG 129284: Nav data Garmin chartplotter and GPS antenna
129026: COG/SOG
Course over ground GPS antenna
129029: GNSS position
129026: COG/SOG
GPS speed GPS antenna
129029: GNSS position
129026: COG/SOG
Position GPS antenna
129029: GNSS position
129026: COG/SOG
Turn 129029: GNSS position Garmin chartplotter and GPS antenna
129284: Nav data
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NMEA 2000 Trip Data
Data Type PGN Data Required Typical Sender
15
NMEA 2000 Weather Data
Data Type PGN Data Required Typical Sender
129026: COG/SOG
Wind speed (less-
129029: GNSS position A wind sensor and a GPS Antenna
accurate1)
130306: Wind data
129026: COG/SOG
Wind direction (less-
129029: GNSS position A wind sensor and a GPS Antenna
accurate1)
130306: Wind data
1 If a heading sensor and water speed sensor are not present, a less-accurate reading can be calculated using only a wind sensor and GPS antenna.
2 If a GPS antenna is not present, a less-accurate reading can be calculated using only a wind sensor, a water speed sensor, and a heading sensor.
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Data Type PGN Data Required Typical Sender
130306: Wind data
129026: COG/SOG
Beaufort scale (less-
129029: GNSS position A wind sensor and a GPS Antenna
accurate2)
130306: Wind data
129026: COG/SOG
Sunrise/sunset GPS antenna
29029: GNSS position
1 If a GPS antenna is not present, a less-accurate reading can be calculated using only a wind sensor, a water speed sensor, and a heading sensor.
2 If a heading sensor and water speed sensor are not present, a less-accurate reading can be calculated using only a wind sensor and GPS antenna.
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NMEA 2000 Sailing Data
Data Type PGN Data Required Typical Sender
129026: COG/SOG
True wind speed (less-accurate1) 129029: GNSS position Wind sensor and a GPS antenna
130306: Wind data
129026: COG/SOG
True wind angle (less-accurate1) 129029: GNSS position Wind sensor and a GPS antenna
130306: Wind data
129026: COG/SOG
Wind VMG (less-accurate1) 129029: GNSS position Wind sensor and a GPS antenna
130306: Wind data
Waypoint VMG 129284: Nav data Garmin chartplotter and a GPS antenna
129026: COG/SOG
Maximum true wind speed (less-
129029: GNSS position Wind sensor and a GPS antenna
accurate1)
130306: Wind data
129026: COG/SOG
Opposite tack heading (less- 129029: GNSS Position A wind sensor, a heading sensor, and a GPS
accurate1) 127250: Vessel heading antenna
130306: Wind data
1 If a water speed sensor is not present, a less-accurate reading can be calculated using a GPS antenna instead.
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NMEA 2000 Water Data
Data Type PGN Data Required Typical Sender
129026: COG/SOG
Time of day GPS antenna
129029: GNSS position data
129026 - COG/SOG
Date GPS antenna
129029 - GNSS position data
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