What is NMEA 2000?
NMEA 2000 is a data communication network that is used as a standard to enable various instruments on board a boat to communicate with each other. The data protocol was developed by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) and has grown into the global standard for marine electronics. With the help of this data protocol, every NMEA 2000 certified device (outboard motor, GPS, depth sounder, multifunctional meter, etc.) of any brand can share the data selected by the user and/or display it on one or more display instruments connected to an NMEA 2000 network.
The origins of NMEA 2000
The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) is a non-profit association of manufacturers, distributors, dealers and educational institutions founded in 1957 to improve the collaboration between producers of electronic devices. The NMEA’s aim is to give device users the ability to combine hardware and software as they choose. To make this possible, they have developed a communications standard for electronic devices in marine vehicles: NMEA 0183, and its successor NMEA 2000. These standards enable people to integrate devices from different manufacturers seamlessly with one another.
The benefits of NMEA 2000:
- Devices from different manufacturers can communicate with each other using the same on-board network without causing interference
- Plug-and-play interface
- Universal data protocol
- High data transmission rate (250 kbit/second)
- Compact, binary message format
- Supports a disciplined multiple-talker, multiple-listener data network.
NMEA 2000 on board
Devices that are compatible with NMEA 2000 are connected to each other using the backbone cable that runs all along the boat, with a maximum length of 100 metres. You can branch off from this central cable using T-connectors or larger distribution blocks to which you connect the desired equipment with a drop cable. Then all the NMEA 2000 compatible devices connected to the network will be able to communicate with each other. For example, a map plotter and wind meter can exchange data if they are both NMEA 2000 compatible and connected to the network.
For small instruments such as depth sounders and wind meters, the network itself provides sufficient power. Larger devices such as a multifunctional display, AIS transponder and autopilot may require their own 12-volt power supply.
NMEA 2000 compatible Honda outboard motor
Discover the Honda outboard engines that are compatible with NMEA 2000, meaning that they can be connected to all the other NMEA 2000 compatible electronic devices in your boat’s network, such as navigation systems and displays. With this technology, you can read all kinds of real-time motor data on your map plotter or multifunctional meters, such as the rev count, temperature, dynamo voltage, engine hours and fuel consumption.
For a reliable connection between your outboard motor and the NMEA 2000 network, you can use original Honda NMEA 2000 connector cables.
Honda helps you get started with NMEA 2000
Do you want to switch to the NMEA 2000 maritime standard and gain useful knowledge that guarantees you a carefree boat trip?
Discover our NMEA compatible Honda outboard motorsFind a dealer near you
