Introducing veKonvert by Digital Yacht. A simple and effective solution for integrating battery data into your existing marine electronics. It connects the Victron SmartShunt to an NMEA 2000 network, providing easy access to battery information on your boat’s multi-function displays (MFDs).
About Digital Yacht
Digital Yacht started in 2010 with a vision to simplify life onboard. Their first product, a wireless AIS receiver that transformed the Apple iPad into a fully functional marine chart plotter with AIS overlay, won the prestigious DAME Design Award in the electronics category and laid the foundation for their success.
AIS has remained a core product line for Digital Yacht, alongside wireless integration with tablets. Over the years, their portfolio have expanded to include navigation sensors, internet connectivity solutions, instrument sensors, monitoring and alert systems, and expertise in integrating boat data into NMEA 2000 networks.
Today, Digital Yacht exports to over 100 countries and has been honoured with accolades such as the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2022. Looking to the future, their focus on AI and cloud connectivity promises to bring even more innovative, user-friendly solutions to simplify life onboard.
What is veKonvert?
“Battery monitoring is a “must have” for every boat owner, and this sparked the idea for a complete battery monitoring solution,” explains Nick Heyes, CEO of Digital Yacht. “A quick market analysis found the Victron SmartShunt, and it was difficult to see how this could be bettered,” he adds. “It was reliable, accurate, and solved every requirement with voltage, current, state of charge, and historical analysis – and at an affordable price.” However, there was one gap: a straightforward way to connect the SmartShunt to NMEA 2000 networks and display battery data on an MFD. While the Victron Cerbo offered comprehensive system integration, many boat owners needed a simpler solution, especially for smaller systems where space and simplicity are priorities.
This is where veKonvert comes in. Designed as a simple, plug-and-play solution, veKonvert connects directly to the SmartShunt and integrates it with the NMEA 2000 network. Once connected, real time battery data such as voltage, current, and state of charge becomes easily accessible on your MFD, providing a practical way to monitor key battery parameters. Alarms and alerts for low battery voltage can also be configured.
Who is veKonvert for?
- Boatbuilders: Ideal for boatbuilders needing a plug-and-play monitoring solution.
- DIY Enthusiasts: Easy to install and configure, perfect for users installing their own system.
- Smaller Boats: Provides essential monitoring for simple systems.
- Tenders: Suitable for tenders, displaying SmartShunt data on an MFD for independent monitoring.
By consolidating navigation and electrical data onto a single multi-function display, veKonvert saves valuable space on the dash or chart table. Its broad compatibility with brands like Raymarine, Garmin, Navico, and Furuno ensures it works effectively across various systems.
Whether for professionals in the marine industry or recreational boat owners, veKonvert simplifies battery monitoring, making it accessible and efficient for everyone.
Collaboration and future plans
“Victron’s open approach to sharing data protocols enabled super quick development,” says Nick Heyes. This collaboration has also sparked new ideas for innovation.
Digital Yacht plans to expand their product range by introducing enhanced alert and monitoring capabilities via the NMEA 2000 network. Their existing NavLINK wireless NMEA 2000 data server already complements the SmartShunt’s Bluetooth functionality, pointing towards even more possibilities in the future. Future developments may also incorporate AI and cloud connectivity, paving the way for a smarter onboard monitoring ecosystem.
For more information about veKonvert and Digital Yacht’s product range, visit Digital Yacht’s website and see how their solutions make life onboard easier.
