How to install and configure a HUB or a POD ?

Note: this article is applicable for the following products: HUB, HUB-Lite or POD.

This article is not applicable for HUB-PROs.

The installation of Sailsense devices is not complex, but with a few tips and a bit of preparation, you can make it very smooth. Going through the 5 steps below will help you save a considerable amount of time... and sweat ! 😅

Step 1: list the data sources you want to monitor with your Sailsense devices!

The first step is to identify which data source of your boat will be monitored through Sailsense equipement. This will give you the number of HUB and PODs required for your boat.

Each HUB, HUB Lite or POD can monitor:

The voltage of 2 battery banks (12-28 VDC)
A CAN-based network (NMEA2000, J1939-engine, Mastervolt, C-Zone, ...)
3 analog inputs (0-30 VDC)

Note:
A typical installation, would be the following:
* HUB:
- Navigation instruments (via NMEA2000)
- Gauges (via NMEA2000 or analog inputs)
- Battery voltage (via voltage or analog input)
- Battery state of charge (via NMEA2000 + Czone interface)
- Engine data (via NMEA2000 if available on chart plotter)
- Optionally: other analog gauges or systems
* POD: (optional)
- Engine data of J1939 engine (or if not available on chart plotter)
- Engine battery voltage (via analog input)
- Optionally: other analog gauges or systems

Step 2: locate the best spot to install the HUB (and optionaly the PODs)

The best way to save time during an installation, is to avoid dragging cables from one end of the boat to the other in order to connect one of the equipment to the HUB or to a POD. So to avoid this, it's handy to locate all the data sources beforehand and to draw a little schematic.

The most optimal position for the HUB would be somewhere close to the chart table, because:

There is a connection the NMEA2000 backbone available there
The electrical board of the boat is nearby, allowing to easily plug the HUB to a permanent power supply and to monitor the service and engine batteries
Other analog systems are usually in the same area (gauges, bilge pump, ...)
... and the chart table is high enough on the boat to get a decent GPS and 3G/4G signal quality in most of the cases

For the POD, the most optimal location would be in each engine room, as close as possible the engines.

Step 3: read the installation manual !

Yes, it's not a joke. 😜

Check the latest manual corresponding to your installation:

Set-up

Installation procedure

HUB or HUB-Lite

Download here

POD for VOLVO engines with ECU

Download here

POD for YANMAR engines with ECU

Download here