Yachting Art Magazine

In the field of boating and mobile applications, the widespread use of digital communication networks requires manufacturers and integrators to have tools capable of accurately translating signals from analogue sensors. The new VR2CAN module, which will be presented at Metstrade Amsterdam 2025, is part of this interconnection approach.

VR2CAN is an interface designed to convert resistance or voltage measurements into data that can be used on NMEA2000™ or J1939 CAN buses. Designed to integrate into heterogeneous systems, it meets the growing need of shipyards and equipment manufacturers to ensure consistency of information between traditional sensors and modern electronics.

Although analogue CAN interfaces have been around for several decades in the automotive industry, their use in the marine sector is more recent. The NMEA2000 standard, which appeared in the 2000s and was largely inspired by the J1939 protocol, has profoundly changed the way data flows on board: tank levels, mechanical status, environmental data and system alarms. The VR2CAN is a continuation of this trend, allowing analogue sensors (still widely used on boats, particularly for fluid levels) to be integrated into a digital architecture without major modifications.

Analogue-to-digital conversion and extended compatibility

The interface offers two isolated analogue inputs, which can be independently configured in resistance or voltage mode. This adaptability allows it to support a wide variety of so-called ‘slow’ transmitters, i.e. sensors whose values change gradually, typically fuel, fresh water or waste water gauges, or resistive position sensors. Both inputs are protected against voltage applications up to +50 V, even when the device is powered off, reducing the risk of damage during wiring or inaccurate intervention.

Software management is based on pre-recorded correspondence tables: the user can select standard gauge resistance curves or create their own curves for specific applications, particularly for pressure, temperature or trim sensors. The wide range of configuration options allows the module to be adapted to fleets of sensors already in service, without the need for replacement.

Adaptation to irregular tanks: a frequent challenge on board

In many vessels, particularly sailing boats and boats with high volume constraints, tanks have complex or asymmetrical shapes. Traditional resistive gauges provide readings that are difficult to interpret by a linear system: a change of a few millimetres in the float position does not always reflect a proportional variation in actual volume.

The VR2CAN provides an advanced calibration system that allows you to define a custom table linking the values read by the gauge to a more reliable estimate of volume. This approach departs from the usual linear interpretation and provides a more representative estimate of the actual tank content on the main display or on an NMEA2000 multifunction screen. Ship operators and recreational boaters alike benefit from greater accuracy and operational safety, especially when operating conditions require strict consumption management.

Simplified installation and supervision

The single externally visible LED provides a quick indication of the device's status: bus activity, communication faults or simple confirmation of operation. This choice is part of a philosophy of discreet integration, as the module is designed to be installed behind an electrical panel or near a sensor array.

Configuration can be carried out in two ways: via a dedicated computer application or directly via the CAN network. This dual approach gives construction sites and integrators a choice of configuration methods and facilitates subsequent adjustments without removing the equipment. Firmware updates can also be carried out from the application, extending the module's operating life without the need for hardware intervention.

Towards the rationalisation of embedded systems

By offering a compact, isolated and configurable converter, the VR2CAN is in line with the current trend towards rationalisation of embedded installations. The coexistence of analogue sensors and digital networks remains the norm in most vessels, whether recreational or professional. Clean, stable and adaptable signal conversion is therefore an essential link in the information chain.

With its ability to handle irregularly shaped tanks, adapt to multiple sensors and communicate with widely used standards such as NMEA2000™ and J1939, this interface is primarily aimed at integrators seeking to gradually modernise existing installations or ensure compatibility between different generations of equipment.