NMEA2000 backbone to STNG backbone

[George Bear]

Has anyone actually connected a Sea Talk NG backbone to a NMEA2000 backbone thereby making one long network.
There is an adapter for this and it will solve my specific problem but before buying the adapter I would like to hear about other’s experience.

[Knotical]

Most of my instruments are RM, so I created a SeaTalkNG backbone, and connected the Vesper XB8000 (NMEA 2000) to the backbone via an adapter.

[wholybee]

STNG *is* NMEA2000 just with different connectors. It will work fine.

[Calif.Ted]

My ST 60's are networked to a nema 2000 Garmin MFD by use of the RM itc Seatalk to seatalk ng adapter and a nema 2000 to Seatalk ng adapter cable.

[pcmm]

I currently have a Seatalk1-seatalkNG-N2K network. Its pretty easy to setup.

I have a Seatalk1 junction block for my old ST60 instruments to connect to, that then goes to a Seatalk1->Seatalkng Raymarine adaptor. The adaptor has 1 terminator one end of the block and a Seatalkng ->N2k backbone adaptor cable. That connects to a N2K backbone block that has a terminator at the opposite end. I'm getting power from the Raymarine Seatalk1/SeatalkNG adaptor. The N2k block currently has my Axiom, Amec Widelink AIS, and an engine monitor connected to it. Works completely fine and reliably!

[George Bear]

Originally Posted by Knotical

Most of my instruments are RM, so I created a SeaTalkNG backbone, and connected the Vesper XB8000 (NMEA 2000) to the backbone via an adapter.

It looks like you connected a NMEA2000 device to a STNG backbone. I’m looking at joining two different backbones together, one STNG and one NMEA2000.

[George Bear]

Originally Posted by wholybee

STNG *is* NMEA2000 just with different connectors. It will work fine.

Yes that is right, but has anyone actually done it?
I mean joining up the two backbones to create one backbone with one side being STNG and the other NMEA2000?

[Knotical]

Originally Posted by George Bear

It looks like you connected a NMEA2000 device to a STNG backbone. I’m looking at joining two different backbones together, one STNG and one NMEA2000.

I am not sure how you would benefit from having 2 separate networked backbones, as others have said it is very easy to connect different instruments to either backbone with the correct adapters.

I haven’t heard of or seen 2 backbones networked together so can’t answer your specific question, sorry.

[George Bear]

Originally Posted by Knotical

I am not sure how you would benefit from having 2 separate networked backbones, as others have said it is very easy to connect different instruments to either backbone with the correct adapters.

I haven’t heard of or seen 2 backbones networked together so can’t answer your specific question, sorry.

Thanks for the reply.
In my case I have an existing NMEA2000 network and I have just installed a Raymarine Autohelm which came with a STNG network, so I need to join the two networks so that all data can be shared.
In theory it’s straightforward and there is a connector for it. Just looking for someone that’s done it.

[shimari]

Originally Posted by George Bear

Yes that is right, but has anyone actually done it?
I mean joining up the two backbones to create one backbone with one side being STNG and the other NMEA2000?

Yes. You can either use a STNG backbone to N2K backbone cable, or cut an old STNG backbone cable and use Maretron field connectors. Just make sure you have terminate.

In my case, I just patched in a N2K five drop connector and kept the STNG terminations.

[Kelkara]

Originally Posted by George Bear

Thanks for the reply.
In my case I have an existing NMEA2000 network and I have just installed a Raymarine Autohelm which came with a STNG network, so I need to join the two networks so that all data can be shared.
In theory it’s straightforward and there is a connector for it. Just looking for someone that’s done it.

As has been mentioned the *only* difference between SeatalkNG and NMEA2000 is the shape of the plugs on the cables.

If you already have an NMEA2000 network (with devicenet connectors) ... I wouldn't bother with a SeatalkNG backbone at all.

Personally I would use the Raymarine seatalkNG to Devicenet adapter drop cables to plug the RM kit directly into the existing network backbone.

Alternatively Raymarine makes little adapters that will convert regular cables from one plug system to the other ... but these add an extra set of connections to corrode and fail.

The third option is that Raymarine also make a backbone adapter. This is different from the drop cable adapter only because seatalkNG uses a different plug for the backbone than the drop cables. This will let you plug the SeatalkNG T and 5-way fittings into your backbone so that you can use the regular SeatalkNG drop cables. The final network should have just a single power source ... do not add the seatalkNG power cable as well if your network is powered elsewhere.

My network has a seatalkNG backbone but with several other brand devices plugged in via the adapter cables. They all talk to each other, although unfortunately Raymarine and B&G use proprietary commands to control the autopilot, so I can't use my plotter to adjust the autopilot.

[George Bear]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I’ll go ahead and buy the connector for joining the two backbones.

[OldGreyB]

All good replies.

With your stated currently 2 backbones, remember when you join them to make one backbone:

1. Ensure you only have a total of 2 end terminators - total of 120ohm
2. Power from one power source only.

[smac999]

many times, and long before you could buy the backbone adapters. just made my own cables with nmea 2000 field end on a stng cable.

but since your STNG pilot parts will be all over the boat, and not all in the same place, you are likly better off keeping a single n2k backbone and just using adapter drops. otherwise you might be changing the backbone back and forth many times alone the existing backbone.

[Redline452]

Originally Posted by George Bear

Yes that is right, but has anyone actually done it?
I mean joining up the two backbones to create one backbone with one side being STNG and the other NMEA2000?

I’m doing exactly that. Took a STNG cable, cut one end and installed a field-attachable N2K connector. The N2K terminator is behind the cockpit hub (Fusion stereo remote and AR200 sensor), to the nav station (iKommunicate hub, TrueHeading AIS), then via the converted cable to a Raymarine STNg/SeaTalk module (Axiom12, ST1, and the power feed) to the STNg terminator.

Could have used a manufactured adapter cable, but I had all the parts.