Electronics: Digital Yacht veLink brings Victron data to the plotter via Bluetooth

With the veLink, Digital Yacht addresses a common integration problem on sailing yachts: Battery monitors, solar controllers, chargers and inverters from Victron are hugely popular, but use proprietary communication protocols such as VE.Direct and VE.Bus. Until now, integration into the maritime NMEA 2000 network required either complex cabling or the expensive Cerbo GX energy management system. The new gateway now offers a simpler and cheaper solution for smaller installations where only the electrical data needs to be displayed on the plotter - without an additional app and without cabling on the Victron side.

Bluetooth instead of cable - installation in minutes

The veLink NMEA 2000 Gateway uses Bluetooth for wireless connection with Victron devices. Installation is limited to plugging the interface into a free port in the NMEA 2000 backbone; power is supplied directly via the data network. Compatible Victron devices can be paired with the connection key from the Victron Connect app via the veLink web interface. According to the manufacturer, the complete set-up only takes a few minutes.

The system supports Victron SmartShunts, BMV-712 battery monitors, MPPT solar charge controllers, Blue Smart chargers and Orion DC/DC converters - as long as they have a Bluetooth interface. Up to eight Victron devices can be connected simultaneously, which means that the gateway covers the vast majority of installations. Each device can be configured with individual instances and customised names so that, for example, "Main battery", "Engine battery" and "Solar panel port" appear separately on the multifunction display.

Battery monitoring and solar yield on the plotter

The veLink transmits all relevant electrical data from Victron devices to the NMEA 2000 network: battery voltage and current, state of charge (SOC), remaining runtime, solar yield and power data from DC converters. SmartShunt or BMV-712 battery monitors provide accurate amp-hour metering, while MPPT solar controllers provide real-time data on panel voltage, current input and daily yield. For installations with Orion DC/DC converters, the Victron gateway displays the actual power delivered from the alternator to the service battery. The user can select which NMEA 2000 data is transmitted via the web interface, such as battery status, detailed DC status or charger status.

Particularly practical: alarms configured in the Victron Connect app are forwarded to the NMEA 2000 network via the veLink and appear as pop-up alerts on compatible plotters from Garmin, Raymarine or B&G. In addition, the gateway triggers its own alarm if a device loses the connection for longer than 30 seconds. Chargers, which are often installed in areas that are difficult to access, can be conveniently monitored from the helm - without having to open a separate app on the smartphone.

Compatibility and range

The veLink is NMEA 2000-certified and works with all compatible multifunction displays - including Raymarine, Garmin, B&G, Furuno and other Navico brands. The interface is also compatible with Raymarine's SeaTalkNG standard via an adapter. The Bluetooth range is ten to 15 metres, although steel or carbon hulls can significantly attenuate the signal and require more careful positioning.

Configuration is carried out entirely via the veLink web interface, using a smartphone, tablet or laptop. This makes the installation independent of operating systems or manufacturer-specific apps. In contrast to Victron's own veKonvert interface, which only supports VE.Direct devices and requires a cable connection, the new Victron NMEA 2000 Gateway covers all Bluetooth-enabled Victron products and completely eliminates the need for cabling on the Victron side. The price is around 270 euros.

TECHNICAL DATA

• Bluetooth: Low Energy (BLE), range 10-15 m
• NMEA 2000: Certified, self-powered via bus
• SeaTalkNG: Compatible (with Raymarine A06045 adapter)
• Supports Victron devices: Battery monitors: SmartShunt, BMV-712; Solar controllers: MPPT SmartSolar; Chargers: Blue Smart IP22/IP65; DC converters: Orion DC/DC Smart
• Simultaneous connections: Up to 8 devices
• Data selection: Configurable battery status, DC status, charger status
• Device naming: Individual names (e.g. "Main battery", "Solar panel port")
• Alarm forwarding: Victron alarms as NMEA 2000 pop-ups
• Connection monitoring: Alarm in case of failure >30 seconds
• Transmitted data: Battery: voltage, current, SOC, remaining runtime; Solar: panel voltage, yield, daily statistics; Chargers: charging current, status; DC converters: power output

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