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em-trak B923 AIS Transceiver wiring diagram

See the em-trak B923 AIS Transceiver connection points and wiring example. Open the diagram in Crimp to add your equipment and plan the cables between them.

Open this example as a new project. Use your own parts and cable lengths to make the plan yours.

Cable sizing for this example

Use the diagram as a starting point for your installation. Replace the example equipment and cable lengths with your own, and check the connections against your exact model's instructions.

10 ft one way

12 V system

Wire
16 AWG · 1.5 mm²
Example fuse
3 A
Design current
0.2 A
Voltage drop
0.1%

Sized against ABYC E-11. The design current is the part's continuous draw. The length is one way; voltage drop includes an equal-length return.

Run-length and manufacturer assumptions

The editable example uses 3.048 m (10 ft) runs unless a shorter run is stated. Metric overviews round these to 3 m. Adapt the parts and lengths to your installation before choosing cable and protection.

The example uses the specified 3 A fuse and plans for the 2.5 A transmit peak. Average consumption is lower. Verify the complete antenna, GNSS and data installation; B923 has an antenna splitter but no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Manufacturer installation manual

Show sizes in mm²

Wiring diagram

How the B923 is wired.

Open this example in Crimp to use your own parts and cable lengths. Review the assumptions and installation notes as you adapt the circuit.

em-trak B923 AIS Transceiver wiring diagram, 16 AWG (1.5 mm²) positive feed protected by a 3 A fuse and a matching negative return between the 12 V battery bank and the unit.

The example uses the specified 3 A fuse and plans for the 2.5 A transmit peak. Average consumption is lower. Verify the complete antenna, GNSS and data installation; B923 has an antenna splitter but no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Manufacturer installation manual

Edit this wiring example

Installation notes

Connections and installation requirements.

Guidance for this model, with sources linked beside the relevant advice.

Verified against the manufacturer's documentation (rev. B900 Series 201-0952:9), checked 2026-10-01. Manufacturer documentation →

Choose the correct B900 variant

B923 is a 2 W CSTDMA Class B AIS transceiver with an integrated VHF antenna splitter. The neighboring B924 adds wireless interfaces; the B923 does not have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Its shared antenna connection can serve both AIS and a compatible VHF radio, using the distinct antenna and radio ports shown in the manual.

Power it from DC, not the data network

Use red positive and black negative on the power/data harness, with the specified 3 A fuse block or suitable circuit protection. The transceiver accepts 12/24 V supplies within a 9.6–31.2 V range. Its NMEA 2000 connection must still be on a 12 V network: that port neither powers the transceiver nor accepts a 24 V backbone.

The exact-model specification gives B923 an average 245 mA / 2.95 W at 12 V and a 2.5 A peak. An earlier general paragraph gives a lower family average, so the catalog deliberately uses the B923 row. The peak field represents transmit pulses, not measured startup inrush. Cable sizing must support those pulses without voltage collapse. Terminal bounds are based on the 3 A protection, not a claimed connector ampacity. USB alone is for configuration and does not provide normal AIS transmit or receive operation.

Plan antenna and data paths

Use a marine VHF antenna suitable for the splitter variant and its specified frequency range. Connect the VHF radio to the radio socket, not the antenna socket. Keep coaxial connections dry and provide bend and strain relief. Select a mounting position with usable GNSS reception or install the correct external GNSS antenna, retaining visibility of the status LEDs.

NMEA 0183 port 1 is the high-speed AIS path at 38,400 baud; port 2 is the slower 4,800-baud sensor path. Alternatively, use a Micro-C drop on a correctly terminated NMEA 2000 backbone. Match the destination interface rather than joining same-colored wires across brands.

Commission identity and transmissions

Configure static vessel details with the supported proAIS2 procedure and verify MMSI, dimensions and antenna position before writing them. MMSI entry is intentionally restricted; a wrong saved identity needs the manufacturer's support procedure. Follow the regional programming requirements in the manual.

With normal DC power and antennas connected, check GNSS lock, status LEDs and received targets. Silent mode still receives but suppresses your transmissions; verify it is not selected when you expect to be seen. A remote internet AIS map is not a dependable immediate commissioning test. Diagnose local antenna, GNSS, supply and configuration status first.

Manual and evidence

Manufacturer B900 manual, distributor-hosted PDF, printed pp. 11–12 (variant matrix), 17–18 (harness/protection), 21–24 (configuration/network), 29 (silent mode), 35 (exact-model power). Official B923 page confirms identity. The original attachment link had moved; the mirror and hash are documented in the ledger.

Build it out

Connect it to the rest of your system.

Add B923 to your diagram, then connect your batteries, chargers and loads. Crimp calculates cable sizes and checks the connections as you draw.

Every cable you draw there is sized against ABYC E-11, from the same tables as the reference on this page.

Technical reference

Specifications, terminals and supporting parts.

Check the model, ratings and connection points against your own unit before choosing installation hardware.

Catalog specification

Nominal voltage
12 V
Compatible systems
12 V / 24 V
Rated power
3 W
Continuous draw
0.2 A
Surge current
2.5 A

Supporting parts

  1. 20 ft total of 16 AWG (1.5 mm²) marine cable
  2. Terminations for 16 AWG cable, matched to the equipment's screw terminals, leads or studs
  3. 3 A fuse and holder on the positive run
  4. Heat-shrink, strain relief and terminal boots sized to the cable

Check stud sizes, fuse type, run length and how warm the space gets against the gear you actually have before you order.

Terminal map

Catalog connection points, current direction and planning limits. Check the manufacturer's pinout and connector ratings before installation.

+

pos

positive · input

3 A

−

neg

negative · input

3 A

Method & provenance

Where the specifications and sizing come from.

Manufacturer specifications describe the equipment. Crimp calculates cable results from the circuit and assumptions you enter.

From the maker

What the catalog says

Manufacturer, model, ratings and which terminal does what come from the catalog. A newer revision, or the nameplate on the unit in your hand, can say something different — when it does, the nameplate wins.

ABYC E-11

What Crimp worked out

Sized against ABYC E-11 — the US reference, and what Transport Canada accepts as an alternative to TP 1332 for pleasure craft under 24 m. The run length and the current above are what drive the result. Crimp doesn't know how warm your space gets; draw the cable inside an engine-bay zone on the canvas and it sizes for the heat.

Read how the sizing works

Next step

Plan your installation with B923.

Open this example as a new project. Add your equipment and cable lengths, then review the sizing and checks for your setup.