DIGITAL YACHT NMEA 2000 veKonvert Gateway Victron VE Direct Instruction Manual

: June 15, 2024
: DIGITAL YACHT

Table of Contents

DIGITAL YACHT NMEA 2000 convert Gateway Victron VE Direct
Product Usage Instructions
Introduction
Before you start
Installation
Operation
Documents / Resources
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)

DIGITAL YACHT NMEA 2000 convert Gateway Victron VE Direct

Specifications

Designed to allow Victron devices to send data to an NMEA2000 network
Compatible with Victron products
Water-resistant
VE.Direct interface
Integral VE.Direct cable

Product Usage Instructions

Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of your veKonvert Gateway. This product is designed to allow Victron devices to send data to an NMEA2000 network. Many Victron devices have a VE.
Direct interface that allows them to communicate with other Victron devices.
VE. Direct is a serial protocol where data Producers like SmartShunts, Battery Monitors (BMV), and Solar Controllers (MPPT) send data to data Consumers like Multiplus, Quattro, and Cerbo GX devices.
convert is only designed to connect to Victron data Producers and is compatible with the following Victron products.
Before operating this unit, you should familiarize yourself again with the user manual of the Victron equipment you will be using convert with.

Before you start

To install and test your reconvert Gateway, you will need: NMEA 2000 cables

Installation

SeaTalkNG (Raymarine P/No A06045)
Simnet (Simrad P/No 24006199)

Mounting

Before starting the installation, select a suitable location for the conversion. The unit is water resistant; however, it should be installed below the deck in a dry location. When locating the unit, you should consider:

VE.Direct Connection

The convert Gateway has an integral VE. Direct cable that can be plugged directly into the VE.Direct connector on any compatible Victron device.
The 4-way connector is a small, usually white plastic socket whose location varies from device to device, so please consult the unit’s manual if you are unsure where to plug in.
The images show the VE. Direct connector on a typical MPPT, Smart Shunt, and BMV device.
The convert will automatically detect what Victron device it is connected to and adjust the NMEA 2000 data that it outputs accordingly.
Below is a list of the PGNs that convert outputs for the different Victron Devices and the different modes that they can operate in.

All MPPTs:

PGN 127506 DC Detailed Status
PGN 127508 Battery Status
PGN 130900 Proprietary Solar Controller (DC Type set to MPPT) (MPPT Output Voltage and Current) (All solar panel data)

All SmartShunts and BMVs:

PGN 127506 DC Detailed Status
PGN 127508 Battery Status (DC Type set to Battery, SOC, and A/h consumed) (Output Voltage and Current)
If you are using the AUX wire of the Victron SmartShunt or BMV to measure a second Starter Battery or the Mid-Voltage of a battery bank, then an additional 127508.
Battery Status PGN will be transmitted which just includes the voltage measured on the AUX connection.
If you are using the AUX wire with a Victron temperature sensor, then the Battery Case Temperature field of the Battery Status PGN will be populated with the measured temperature.

Setting veKonvert Device Instance

By default, convert will have a Device Instance of 0, which is fine when just one convert for a SmartShunt/Battery Monitor and one veKonvert for an MPPT controller is on the NMEA 2000 network.

FAQ

Q: What devices are veKonvert compatible with?

A: convert is compatible with various Victron products. Please refer to the user manual of your Victron equipment for compatibility information.

Q: Where should I install the reconvert Gateway?

A: The convert Gateway should be installed below the deck in a dry location to ensure water resistance.

Q: How do I connect convert to an NMEA2000 network?

A: You can connect and convert to an NMEA2000 network using SeaTalkNG or Simnet cables.

Q: How do I connect convert to Victron devices?

A: The convert Gateway has an integral VE.Direct cable that can be plugged directly into the VE.Direct connector on any compatible Victron device. Consult the unit’s manual for the specific location of the VE. Direct connector.

Q: What data does convert output for different Victron devices?

A: convert outputs to different PGNs for different Victron devices. For MPPTs, it outputs PGN 127506 DC Detailed Status, PGN 127508 Battery Status, and PGN 130900 Proprietary Solar Controller.
For SmartShunts and BMVs, it outputs PGN 127506 DC Detailed Status and PGN 127508 Battery Status.

Q: How can I set the convert Device Instance?

A: convert has a default Device Instance of 0, which is suitable for most setups. Please refer to the user manual for instructions on how to set the Device Instance if needed.

Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of your veKonvert Gateway. This product is designed to allow Victron devices to send data to an NMEA2000 network. Many Victron devices have a VE.
Direct interface that allows them to communicate with other Victron devices. VE. Direct is a serial protocol where data “Producers” like SmartShunts, Battery Monitors (BMV), and Solar Controllers (MPPT) send data to data “Consumers” like Multiplus, Quattro, and Cerbo GX devices.
convert is only designed to connect to Victron data “Producers” and is compatible with the following Victron products.
BMV -700, BMV -702, BMV -700H, BMV-712 Smart, BMV-710H Smart, BMV-712 Smart Rev2
SmartShunt 500A/50mV, SmartShunt 1000A/50mV, SmartShunt 2000A/50mV
All MPPT Charge Controllers
Before operating this unit you should familiarise yourself again with the user manual of the Victron equipment that you will be using convert with.

Before you start

To install and test your reconvert Gateway you will need the:

M3 or M4 screws or other fixings appropriate to the mounting location
A spare NMEA 2000 network connection (T-Piece) to allow the convert to connect to the NMEA 2000 network*
Installation manual for the Victron equipment you will be using with convert
An NMEA 2000 compatible MFD that will display the NMEA 2000 that veKonvert will transmit
NOTE – if you require any additional NMEA 2000 networking components or cables please click on the link below.
https://digitalyacht.co.uk/product-category/nmea-2000/nmea-2000-cables/

Installation

Before starting installation select a suitable location for the convert. The unit is water resistant; however, it should be installed below the deck in a dry location. When locating the unit you should consider:
Routing of the NMEA2000 and VE.Direct cables to the NMEA 2000 network and Victron equipment
Provision of sufficient space around the unit for comfortable cable routing.
Maintaining the compass safe distance of 0.5m

Connecting to NMEA2000 Network

The convert has an integral NMEA2000 cable terminated with a male connector that is designed to connect straight into a standard NMEA2000 network via a spare “T-Piece”. If you are creating a new NMEA2000 network, then you may wish to consider
Digital Yacht’s NMEA2000 Starter Kit, provides all of the cables, connectors, and terminators required for a basic NMEA2000 network.
reconvert takes its power and data from the NMEA2000 network.
If you are connecting veKonvert to a non-standard NMEA2000 network, then a suitable adaptor cable will need to be sourced from the relevant manufacturer;
- SeaTalkNG (Raymarine P/No A06045)
- Simnet (Simrad P/No 24006199)

Mounting

The convert Gateway has two slotted 4mm Diameter fixing holes. Use suitable fixings (not supplied) to fix the converter to a flat surface – using the dimensions and details shown in the drawing below.
Note that the unit may be installed in any orientation.

VE.Direct Connection

The convert Gateway has an integral VE. Direct cable that can be plugged directly into the VE.Direct connector on any compatible Victron device.
The 4 way connector is a small, usually white plastic socket those location varies from device to device, so please consult the unit’s manual if you are unsure where to plug in.
The images show the VE. Direct connector on a typical MPPT, Smart Shunt, and BMV device.
The convert will automatically detect what Victron device it is connected to and adjust the NMEA 2000 data that it outputs accordingly.
Below is a list of the PGNs that convert outputs for the different Victron Devices and the different modes that they can operate in.

All MPPTs

PGN 127506 DC Detailed Status
PGN 127508 Battery Status
PGN 130900 Proprietary Solar Controller
All SmartShunts and BMVs
PGN 127506 DC Detailed Status
PGN 127508 Battery Statu
(DC Type set to MPPT)
(MPPT Output Voltage and Current)
(All solar panel data)
(DC Type set to Battery, SOC, and A/h consumed) (Output Voltage and Current)
If you are using the AUX wire of the Victron SmartShunt or BMV to measure a second Starter Battery or the Mid-Voltage of a battery bank, then an additional 127508
Battery Status PGN will be transmitted which just includes the voltage measured on the AUX connection.
If you are using the AUX wire with a Victron temperature sensor, then the Battery Case Temperature field of the Battery Status PGN will be populated with the measured temperature.

Setting veKonvert Device Instance

By default, veKonvert will have a Device Instance of 0, which is fine when just one veKonvert for a SmartShunt/Battery Monitor and one veKonvert for an MPPT controller are on the NMEA 2000 network.
If you wish to use multiple veKonverts, with multiple MPPTs or with Multiple SmartShunts/Battery Monitors, then each convert will need to have a different Device Instance
To change the DIP switches, open the reconvert Gateway by unscrewing the two cross-head screws in the base of the unit. Then set the DIP switches to create a four-bit binary number as follows…
0 = 0000 4 = 0100 8 = 1000 12 = 1100
1 = 0001 5 = 0101 9 = 1001 13 = 1101
2 = 0010 6 = 0110 10 = 1010 14 = 1110
3 = 0011 7 = 0111 11 = 1011 15 = 1111
Once you have set the DIP switches, power cycle the reconvert unit for the new Device Instance to be applied.
If you are using the AUX function of the Victron SmartShunt or BMV to measure a second Starter Battery or the Mid-Voltage of a battery bank, then the additional 127508
Battery Status PGN will be transmitted with a Battery Instance equal to the Device Instance (set by DIP switches) + 1.

Operation

Once the convert has been configured and installed, it will automatically operate with no additional interaction. At power up, all of the LEDs will flash briefly, and then once the reconvert has initialized and claimed an NMEA 2000 address, it will start converting the VE. Direct data into NMEA 2000 PGNs. The VE.Dir LED will flash every 1.5 seconds and the N2K LED will continuously flash/flicker depending on the amount of data being received.

LED Behaviour

convert has four LEDs, which behave as follows;

LED	State	Meaning
Power	ON	convert is powered up

N2K

Information

For converting technical support please email support@digitalyacht.co.uk
Product Guide for veKonvert V1.00
TEL + 44 1179 554474 www.digitalyacht.co.uk sales@digitalyacht.co.uk

Documents / Resources

| DIGITAL YACHT NMEA 2000 veKonvert Gateway Victron VE Direct [pdf] Instruction Manual
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