Let’s explore some key enhancements a Victron GX device brings to your boating experience.
Victron Energy has been the marine electronics industry leader for some time. Whether it’s lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, or optimal electrical systems, most electrical systems frequently include multiple Victron devices. While many of these boats also feature a Victron GX device, full integration with the rest of the boat’s electronics is still rare—even though this integration can significantly enhance the boating experience.
Let’s explore some key enhancements a Victron GX device brings to your boating experience.
Immediate Enhancements
By simply connecting a Victron GX device to your boat’s NMEA 2000 network, you immediately unlock several powerful features:
- Chartplotter Integration: Your power systems data, such as battery status and energy flow, becomes instantly available on your chart plotters and navigation instruments. This seamless integration provides a centralized overview of your boat’s electrical systems.
- Tank Level Monitoring: Your boat’s tank sensors will automatically display their readings on the GX device. This makes monitoring fuel, water, or waste tank levels from a single interface easy.
- GPS Integration: The Victron GX device can receive GPS data from your NMEA 2000 network, supplying location and speed information to various services.
These features work right out of the box, providing a solid foundation for monitoring and managing your boat’s power, navigation, and environmental systems and sensors in an integrated manner.
Marine Extensions
Upgrading the Victron GX firmware to a Venus OS Large Image and toggling a simple setting makes more advanced marine capabilities available. This upgrade enables marine extensions for Victron GX, unlocking the potential of a platform called Signal K and enabling a range of new functionalities.
By simply enabling marine extensions, you can share data from your instruments with popular navigation software, providing seamless integration and enhanced usability for your navigation and marine data.
Signal K
Signal K, enabled by Venus OS Large Image, is an incredibly powerful platform. It offers a range of useful features right out of the box, but you can unlock even greater functionality by adding plugins or extensions. These customizable enhancements include:
- Anchor Alarm: Set a reliable and customizable anchor alarm to ensure peace of mind while at anchor.
- Automated Trip Logging: Automatically record and store trip data without manual input for detailed voyage tracking.
- Track Sharing: For enhanced safety and connectivity, share your boat’s live track and location with friends and family, including rich text updates and photos.
- Starlink Integration: Leverage Starlink’s GPS to enhance your boat’s location tracking and navigation accuracy.
- Weather Stations: Transform your boat into a fully functional weather station to monitor and share real-time conditions.
Marine Electric Systems, LLC is a Leader In the Maritime Industry
We here at Marine Electric Systems have over 30 years of industry experience. You can trust our team for reliable service and expert craftsmanship in the Maryland, Baltimore, Annapolis, and Baltimore city areas! We’re highly certified and adhere to all ABYC and NMEA regulations. We specialize in top-notch electrical solutions for recreational, commercial, and government boating clients. Anything from electrical refits, to navigation systems, or boating maintenance. To stay up to date on our services, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also contact us at 410-263-0807.