Maretron n2k builder

[Irie308]

For the life of me I can't figure out how to use this software. Installed it and every time i try i get frustrated and walk away. Is there a how to guide somewhere or even better a youtube video?

 

[ttmott]

Yea I had a bit of a learning curve also but now no issues.
You click and drag the components from the menu then turn/flip them as needed. The hard thing for me was getting things to link. I found if the devices are placed first then the connectors then the cabling it becomes a bit easier to link everything. If the gender isn't correct then it will not link. Or, if the type of connector isn't correct it will not link.
One shortfall in the S/W is devices with In and Out (or A and B) designations like a NBE100 do not flip so the power supplied to them can't be schematically arranged as you would like so it ends up being a quagmire to make it work.

 

[ttmott]

Here you can see what I'm talking about on certain devices like the NBE100 so the power side was correct schematically; there are two of them one is OK and the other arranged to work-

 

[Irie308]

What i can't get right is the borders that separate each component. How do you manipulate them?

 

[ttmott]

Are you talking about the line commands from the menu?

 

[Irie308]

Are you talking about the line commands from the menu?

Yes, i think i'm sorta making some head way. I guess my mistake was that I was trying to edit the default. I just tried deleting it all and started fresh.

 

[Skybolt]

I also find it frustrating to use. I use it so infrequently I have to take a few minutes to re-adjust to it when I do again.

The one thing I found to be very useful is to omit the LEN calculations and getting everything perfect first time through.

I make the initial drawing and get everything connected, then go back and fill in the blanks.

Also breaking up the network into sections may be of value as well. I know my network is too large for a single 8.5x11 sheet of paper to be of any use when printed.

 

[dtfeld]

Took me a while as well. Getting M /F connected took a little time.

Looks like you getting it now!

 

[Irie308]

For example there is no power mini/micro T only for the micro/mid? I guess its just clunky.

 

[Skybolt]

For example there is no power mini/micro T only for the micro/mid? I guess its just clunky.

Yep Micro/Mid. They don't have any blocking tees that I have found. But yes a bit klugy, but it works.

 

[ttmott]

Yep Micro/Mid. They don't have any blocking tees that I have found. But yes a bit klugy, but it works.

View attachment 157629

Yea - you have to put a NBE100 in the drawing even though you are actually using an inline power isolator like from Garmin to get the analysis features to work correctly. I'm surprised that Maretron doesn't offer a power isolator other than the expensive extenders. Plus the extender requires the networks on each side to be completely independent (they are optically coupled) and isolated and thus requiring terminating resistors.

 

[Skybolt]

Yea - you have to put a NBE100 in the drawing even though you are actually using an inline power isolator like from Garmin to get the analysis features to work correctly. I'm surprised that Maretron doesn't offer a power isolator other than the expensive extenders. Plus the extender requires the networks on each side to be completely independent (they are optically coupled) and isolated and thus requiring terminating resistors.

What I do for the power calculation, I have each separately powered network drawn up individually. I have a main drawing, but it doesn't support the power calculations.

I just use power blocks to isolate individually powered network segments which works really well. I would think the NBE100 could be used the same way as a power block.

 

[ttmott]

What I do for the power calculation, I have each separately powered network drawn up individually. I have a main drawing, but it doesn't support the power calculations.

I just use power blocks to isolate individually powered network segments which works really well. I would think the NBE100 could be used the same way as a power block.


View attachment 157641

If you draw them separately for analysis then additional terminators need to be in the drawings for the S/W to analyze right?
From a system aspect if NBE100's are in the drawing then the analysis features automatically break the system into individual networks from a power aspect. Still additional terminators are required to be shown. The BOM would be in error. I actually have the NBE's so the BOM is accurate and consequently my drawing files on the boat are pretty much accurate.

 

[Skybolt]

If you draw them separately for analysis then additional terminators need to be in the drawings for the S/W to analyze right?
From a system aspect if NBE100's are in the drawing then the analysis features automatically break the system into individual networks from a power aspect. Still additional terminators are required to be shown. The BOM would be in error. I actually have the NBE's so the BOM is accurate and consequently my drawing files on the boat are pretty much accurate.

Yes you need the terminators so it will pass the design check. I don't see the advantage of including the NBE's and in my case I would need to add seven of them, unless I miss understand your meaning? Isn't that messing things up?

As for the BOM, that is always wrong for me. It only includes Maretron devices, even if you add other devices as miscellaneous, fill in the blanks to get voltage and current, they are left off the BOM anyway.

But to be honest, I only used the voltage and current when I first started using this. It doesn't really have much value considering the low current draws involved. I mean what's the smallest breaker you use for this, 5A? I only have one section that is on it's own dedicated breaker and it's 5A. About five times what it needs. The other drops are off of the originating systems and get turned on/off with them.