Review Simarine Nereide 2 Set

topRik experts present the superstar of Simarine monitoring developments – the digital panel of the switching system for yachts Nereide 2. Despite the fact that the developers position their brainchild as a marine control panel, they themselves cite the example of a luxury camper Schumacher edition, made in a limited edition by the Slovenian manufacturer Robeta, which features the Nereide 2 digital switching system on board.

Our experts, unfortunately, did not have the opportunity to test Nereide 2 on the roads like Simarine Via set, but they had the opportunity to test it at sea during a visit to the shipyards of the German sailing yacht manufacturer HanseYachts AG. Of the six brands that the company owns, we noticed the installation of the Nereide 2 set digital switching system on boats Hanse, Dehler and Fjord - and this is a very serious recommendation and a source of special pride for Simarine.

If the there’s not enough authority for you, then here is some more information that will help you make your choice: the winner of the prestigious DAME Awards among developers and manufacturers of equipment and accessories for boats was Simarine with its Nereide smart marine power panel in the year of its release. But it was this development that formed the basis of Simarine Nereide 2 Set.

That is, we can safely say that the digital panel of the Simarine Nereide 2 switching system, which is presented in the topRik marketplace and which you can buy right now, has a dual purpose. After all, it allows you to display on one screen data on the condition of batteries (capacity/temperature), tanks for determining the level of any liquids, the roll and pitch of a boat or car, the operation of electrical appliances, the atmosphere outside, etc. That is, the information that is equally important for both the skipper and the camper driver.

We would like to immediately reassure those who already have Simarine PICO monitoring systems installed with its monitor, various shunts and modules. You do not have to demolish the entire system if you want to improve its switching and expand monitoring capabilities.

You can even leave the PICO monitor, switching some individual functions to it, for example, only monitoring batteries for capacity and temperature, and transfer the remaining functions to Nereide 2 set. We will talk about what “other” functions the latest digital panel of the Simarine switching system can support in this review.

Key Features and Specifications

The Nereide 2 Set digital control panel together with the SPU-303 distribution block is used for switching low-voltage consumers and DC devices on a boat or in a motorhome. The buttons on the panel control the state of the relay on the switchgear.

The DC distribution unit (SPU-303) is connected to the battery via a main switch with a recommended 200 A fuse. The unit has 31 switching channels (relays), each connected to 1 or more output contacts.

Nereide 2 Set panel supports all other Simarine devices. It connects to them via SiCOM. Devices can be connected directly to two SiCOM ports , to which the panel itself supplies power.

The control panel allows you to connect up to 8 resistance sensors and 7 voltage sensors. It is also compatible with all other Simarine devices. The panel requires a 12 V DC power supply, protected by a 2 A fuse.

Nereide 2 Set works normally when it is turned on, all buttons are active, just like the PICO battery monitor.

The control panel is switched to low power mode by long pressing the power button. In this state:

• buttons are disabled;
• the bilge pump LED will remain illuminated for 24 hours after entering this mode;
• PICO battery monitor goes into standby mode;
• the monitoring process is active, but interaction with the device is impossible.

The control panel can be mounted so that low power modes can be turned on or off. In this case, when you turn off the PICO battery panel monitor will also be completely disabled.

The operating instructions provide different configurations of buttons on the panel for boats of various sizes and configurations.

The Nereide 2 Set control panel can transmit data about batteries and other power consumers to the NMEA 2000 network thanks to the Simarine SN01 NMEA2000 gateway.

Functionality and Integration

All control panels and monitors, modules and shunts of Simarine can be called a single monitoring system that lasts in time and space. This is perfectly demonstrated in the instructions for the Nereide 2 set digital control and switching panel. The manufacturer gave examples of what a monitoring system might look like on ships of different sizes and configurations.

Simarine displays, shunts and shunt modules are used in various configurations, providing the most reliable information, its prompt display and data transfer to FDR (Flight Data Recorder) in accordance with international maritime legislation.

That is, you are offered an amazing construction kit, all of the modules of which fit perfectly together, as well as with most of the electrical and electronic navigation devices already installed on the yacht.

Capabilities for Monitoring and Managing Boat Systems

In order to fully use all the capabilities of the Simarine monitoring and control system for the full cost of the equipment , you should be well aware of the capabilities of the modules that you are going to connect to the control panel. After all, even the very first shunts, from which the Simarine monitoring system began its advancement in different versions, already provide the yachtsman with opportunities that other systems do not provide.

First of all, we are talking about monitoring the condition of the batteries installed on your yacht. The Nereide 2 Set digital control panel, together with the SPU-303 distribution block and a set of corresponding modules, gives you this opportunity.

The battery on a boat or yacht solves two types of problems: it starts the engine and ensures the operation of electrical devices - lighting, electronics, bilge pump, winch, household and other auxiliary equipment. Boat batteries are divided into 4 main types: wet, gel, AGM or lithium. Typically, when choosing a monitoring system, you should consider the types of batteries installed on the boat. What makes the Simarine monitoring system different is that you select shunts and modules so that they are combined with existing batteries and not vice versa.

According to their purpose, batteries can be traction, starting and starting-traction. Traction boat batteries are a power source for the yacht when it is disconnected from the shore charger, solar panels or gasoline engine generator. Traction batteries are a kind of storage facility where energy is stored for future use.

Starting and traction batteries perform different tasks, as is clear from their names. But there are also dual-use batteries with much higher antimony content in much thicker plates. They can withstand a discharge that would destroy the starting battery. Since the reserve capacity of dual-purpose batteries is less than that of deep-cycle batteries, they are used on yachts with two identical batteries, which alternately serve as starting or traction batteries, as well as on boats where the battery performs both tasks - starting the engine and operating under load.

This diversity alone suggests that choosing a battery monitoring system on a yacht is not easy. Unless it's a Simarine system. The Nereide 2 set digital control panel, together with the SPU-303 distribution block and a set of corresponding modules, gives you this opportunity.

Why is it so important to constantly monitor the condition of batteries and temperatures? Because it is a significant part of your boat's safety system. Both loss of power in an emergency and uncontrolled battery discharge can have equally serious consequences for the health and life of the crew, as well as the integrity of the yacht.

There are different control options using separate instruments - voltmeter, coulometer, temperature sensors. But they do not provide accurate measurements, and do not take into account all parameters that affect changes in battery capacity, such as losses, temperature changes, etc.

Therefore, the emergence of a modern battery monitoring system was expected as soon as the first battery monitors such as Simarine PICO appeared. This is not just an amp hour meter, but an intelligent battery monitoring device that is capable of learning. This kind of intelligent monitoring is available to you when you use the Nereide 2 set digital control panel with the SPU-303 distribution unit.

The required indicators of current, voltage and temperature of the batteries are entered into its memory, and during operation the system compares the received data with its own battery model. Based on actual data, the model parameters are adjusted, and it constantly corresponds to the real state of the operating battery. Both starting and traction batteries of various types, including solar panels, can be connected to the Nereide 2 digital control panel.

In many ways, as we have already mentioned, the capabilities of the Simarine monitoring system depend on how it is connected. The Nereide 2 digital control panel provides ample opportunities for this.

Let's give a small example from practice, which concerns the control of batteries and temperature conditions - the most important functions, in our opinion, which are comprehensively and very successfully solved by Simarine monitoring systems, starting with the very first PICO systems with the simplest display of the same name.

The development of such a multifunctional panel as Nereide 2 set significantly optimizes the management of these functions and allows you to expand the functionality of the system with almost no restrictions.

Many boaters are aware of the problem where the current drawn by winches and bow thrusters is not accounted for by other battery monitoring systems. No Simarine system will allow this if you have the following set of shunts available: 2x SC503, 2x SC303 and 2x SCQ25. This means that you can have multiple shunts on both the negative and positive sides of a house battery and "add/subtract" the current coming out of them.

• You can draw over 500 amps from your bank through multiple shunts.
• You can monitor the current draw from the various subsystems connected to the house battery (in our case, the bow thruster and winch).
• You can force the monitoring system to track math.

The second nice feature of this kit is that each 303/503 shunt comes with a temperature sensor. If you use all the possibilities, then with four sensors you can easily monitor the temperature of the battery and engine compartment, impeller and engine block.

Why did we think it was important to be able to control the change in the usually constant temperature difference between the impeller and the water? Because a change in this temperature difference implies increased friction, predicting engine failure long before it occurs.

And monitoring the temperature of the engine block gives much more accurate readings than the gauge on the control panel.

Oh, yes, we forgot that this makes it possible to control the independent energy production of solar panels if you have them installed. So - learn the equipment, or even better - involve an experienced electrician in installing the monitoring system, since the digital control panel Simarine Nereide 2 set significantly expands the switching capabilities due to Simarine modules with support for NMEA 2000, an inclinometer and additional functions.

In addition to the capacitance and voltage module with 8 resistance inputs and 7 voltage inputs, the control panel also provides:

• compatible with all SiCom modules;
• optional integration of remote switch and bilge pump expansion block;
• display of navigation lights;
• monitoring the installation of the front mount;
• automatic lighting control.

User Interface and Ease of Use

All displays and panels that are part of the Simarine monitoring systems are distinguished by a very simple interface, which the user masters intuitively, the control method is so well thought out.

To control you can use either buttons or a touch screen. Buttons can be displayed in different colors as feedback about a given state or errors. In case of an error, the button will flash between the set state color and red.

As we mentioned above, depending on the size and configuration of the boat, the location of the buttons on your panel may look different.

Moreover, the manufacturer has reserved a few more buttons for you so that you can make your control panel unique and completely tailored to your needs and habits.

Nereide 2 can be placed between the main battery and the main switch. And don't worry about it draining your battery if you leave your boat at a dock or in a boathouse for a while. Even in this low power mode, the system offers comprehensive remote monitoring and control functions.

Integration with Other Simarine Systems and Third-party Devices

The Nereide 2 set is a complete digital yacht switching solution that is fully compatible with all Simarine monitoring systems, displays, shunts, shunt modules and other equipment.

To create a complete monitoring system for batteries of all types and purposes, tanks with any liquid, bilge pump, temperature and pressure, roll and pitch of a ship or car, as well as data transmission of any device connected to the monitoring system, the already familiar shunts and modules:

• SC303 Digital Shunt – 300A Shunt, for up to 75V systems.
• SC503 Digital Shunt – 500A Shunt, for up to 75V systems.
• SDI01 Inclinometer – High-resolution digital inclinometer for pitch and roll with manual calibration.
• SCQ25 Quadro Digital Shunt Module – 4x25A Shunt, for 12V and 24V systems.
• SCQ50 Quadro Digital Shunt Module – 4x50A Shunt, for 12V and 24V systems.
• SCQ25T Quadro Digital Shunt and Analog input module 4x25A Shunt and Analog input module with 4 resistance and 3 voltage inputs.
• ST107 Analog input interface module with 4 resistance and 3 voltage Inputs.

If you already have a PICO system with a monitor of the same name, you won't have to throw away this valuable equipment because it integrates seamlessly into the advanced monitoring system with the Nereide 2 set digital control panel.

The Nereide 2 digital switching system is NMEA 2000 compliant, so you can switch your fixtures directly from the plotter, making it much easier to control your yacht.

Software Update Options

Simarine provides users of the Nereide 2 digital control panel with a very simple and reliable software update algorithm.

You can do this yourself without resorting to Simarine services. The easiest way to do this is to use a mobile app for smartphones. You connect to the device via Wi-Fi and then launch the application. You can download it on Google Play and App Store is a free service.

Note that the Wi-Fi on the Nereide 2 set control panel, like all versions of Pico, can be configured as a standalone access point or as a client for your network. Once connected to the application you can:

• change the name of any shunt and module;
• change the polarity of the shunt (i.e. consumer/producer on the + or – bus);
• create a battery bank and assign shunts to it.

Everything is quite simple to do. To see how it works, you can first run the application in demo mode. Then go to Settings > Devices > Shunts to change the name of the shunt or module, set its polarity and “add” it to the battery.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Suffice it to say that the Nereide 2 set control and switching panel has already been highly appreciated by the DAME Awards jury, as well as one of the leading yacht manufacturers in Europe, HanseYachts AG, which owns 6 famous brands.

Simarine, despite its youth, is successfully setting new standards in the field of design, functionality, connectivity and ease of use of monitoring systems for marine and automotive transport. They make a range of panels, monitors, shunts and modules that work together to give you a setup that can be expanded with just the cost of a new product.

Simarine has very consistently achieved the goal set at its inception: bringing electrical and electronic equipment monitoring tools closer to users. All their products are designed with this in mind - and this is their main advantage, from which other advantages flow.

Benefits of Nereide 2 Set

• Wide functionality and variability of monitoring systems.
• Diverse integration.
• Easy to install and use.
• Reliability and efficiency.
• The system features ultra-low power consumption: the distribution block consumes only 10 mA, while the panel consumes 30 mA when switched off when the recorder is active.
• The ability to program your own approach to monitoring due to the variety of modules and their grouping.
• Availability and ease of software updates.
• Full compatibility of Simarine products with the Nereide 2 set control panel.
• Maximum compatibility with other electrical and electronic equipment of the yacht - autopilot, thruster, winches, engine, as well as household appliances.

Disadvantages of Nereide 2 Set

• Some disadvantages of Simarine monitoring systems include their cost. topRik experts will not break tradition, expressing their opinion based on testing at sea PICO monitoring systems, Via control panel Set and digital patch panel Nereide 2 Set - they are worth every penny paid. In addition, the manufacturer allows yacht owners to independently assemble a monitoring system, focusing not only on the dimensions and configuration of the vessel, but also on planned financial expenses.
• Possible restrictions on compatibility with some systems do exist, but there are not many of them, especially if you use adapters and other switching adapters that are offered by manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment.

Comparison between Nereide 2 Set and Via Set - Main Differences

Digital panels Nereide 2 and Via offered by the topRik marketplace are similar in many ways. This is not surprising, since Nereide 2 set is the result of the progressive development of the monitoring system from Simarine, and Via set is its previous version.

All Simarine modules integrate perfectly into the system with both panels. But still there are significant differences. Since Via Set is positioned by the manufacturer as a control panel for campers, it does not have as diverse functionality as Nereide 2 set, although both of them can be installed on boats.

Nereide 2 set switchboard was originally designed for use on ships, because in addition to controlling and monitoring batteries, tanks, temperature and heel, it also has a number of functions that can only be useful during navigation.

These include the ability to control the bilge pump, navigation lights, winches, thruster, etc.

FAQ

Where can I buy Nereide 2 set and what is its cost?

The current cost of the digital switchboard control panel Nereide 2 set is indicated at the appropriate section of the topRik marketplace. We provide secure payment and delivery worldwide in the shortest possible time. When purchasing Nereide 2 set from the topRik marketplace, all manufacturer warranties remain in force.

What is the warranty for the Nereide 2 set from Simarine?

The manufacturer on its website notifies users and future customers of Simarine that all their products are guaranteed for 3 years from the date of purchase.

If the panel malfunctions, during this warranty period the manufacturer undertakes to repair it free of charge or exchange it for a working model. Refusal to fulfill warranty obligations by the manufacturer may be caused by the following reasons:

• the occurrence of a defect due to changes in the product without the written consent of the manufacturer;
• the occurrence of a malfunction due to violations of the manufacturer's instructions for storage, use, installation, operation or maintenance of Nereide 2 set;
• violation of the terms and other conditions of notification of the manufacturer about the defect.

Can I update the Nereide 2 software myself?

As the manufacturer of Nereide 2 patches the software, you can update it yourself. Just stay tuned for information about the release of a new version and act in accordance with the recommendations of Simarine. In the “Software Update Options” section above, we described in detail the update algorithm using your smartphone and the corresponding applications, which can be downloaded for free from Google Play and App Store.

If you have questions about configuring a monitoring system for your yacht based on a Simarine digital panel Nereide 2, ask your questions to topRik experts through any type of communication indicated on this page. All consultations are free of charge.