Quark-elec QK-AS2K-KIT NMEA 2000 N2K Starter Kit

The NMEA 2000 N2K Starter Kit will supply a complete data and power network to all your NMEA 2000 marine electronic devices on your boat. The backbone and its accessories provide everything you need for your first NMEA2000 system.

What is the difference between NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 (N2K)?

NMEA 0183 is a serial data interface operating at 4.8 Kbit/second utilising standard asynchronous communications.

NMEA 2000is a low-cost serial data network operating at 250 Kbit/second utilising the Controller Area Network (CAN). The CAN bus was originally developed for the automotive industry but is now used in numerous industrial applications.

The key difference, apart from the obvious one of operating speed, is that NMEA 0183 is an interface while NMEA 2000 is a network, the NMEA2000 network allows for 2 way data traffic.

The NMEA 2000 network allows multiple Electronic devices to be connected together on a common channel for the purpose of easily sharing information. Because it is a network, and because multiple devices can transmit data, a more comprehensive set of rules is required that dictate the behaviour of the members of the network. The CAN automatically provides some of these rules – mostly for control of access to the network, packet transmission, and for error detection.

Similar to NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 defines standard data formats and definitions, but in addition provides more extensive network management rules for identifying nodes on the network, sending commands to devices, and for requesting data. Besides the greater amount of control and integration provided, NMEA 2000 replaces with a single cable the wiring of up to 50 NMEA 0183 interconnections and can handle the data content of 50-100 NMEA 0183 data streams.

This Starter Kit includes:

• 1 x QK-AS2K-B NMEA2000 Backbone

NMEA 2000 (aka.N2K) is a plug-and-play communications standard used for connecting marine electronics including sensors and display devices. The NMEA 2000 protocol increases the speed and functionality while significantly reducing the wiring and expertise needed for marine electronics setup on boats and ships.

The 6 port NMEA trunk allows for connection to 2 terminators, and 4 other connections (12.0V power and networking for 3 pieces of NMEA 2000 equipment.)

• QK-AS2K-T NMEA2000 Backbone Terminator Set (Male and Female)
• QK-AS2K-P Power-Tap T-Splitter Cable
• QK-AS2K-C NMEA 2000 Drop Cable (2m) 

Help and Support

For any technical questions regarding this product, you can visit the forum at https://www.quark-elec.com/forum/ and ask your question, it’s regularly checked by the Quark-elec technical team and your question may already have been answered there.

Alternatively, contact us directly, with details of your set up and we will be happy to help.