Barantech Adds NMEA 2000 Smart Relay to Cruzo Boat Control

Barantech has expanded its Cruzo marine-control system with an NMEA 2000-certified programmable Smart Relay. The company is presenting the updated system ahead of live demonstrations at IBEX in October and METSTRADE in November.

The Cruzo platform is designed for both new builds and retrofits, combining glass control panels, relay modules, mobile control and multifunction-display integration. That makes the update relevant to smaller leisure boats as well as larger installations.

Eight relay channels manage common onboard loads

The Cruzo Smart Relay provides eight outputs, with four 10A relays and four 20A relays according to Barantech’s product specification. Typical controlled equipment includes lighting, bilge pumps, blowers and windlasses.

The unit monitors current on its outputs and supports programmable trip levels. It is rated IP67, but installers still need to follow the manufacturer’s wiring, fuse and location requirements rather than treating network control as a substitute for correct electrical protection.

NMEA 2000 links the relay to the wider boat network

Barantech says the relay is NMEA 2000 certified and can integrate with Cruzo panels or compatible onboard networks. The wider Cruzo system has also been tested with platforms including Garmin EmpirBus, CZone and Raymarine in NMEA 2000 environments.

The new configuration tools allow builders and installers to change relay and panel behaviour without redesigning the whole switching system. That can be useful in refits where owners want modern controls while retaining some existing loads and wiring architecture.

Control panels also receive hardware changes

The latest Cruzo panels add thicker front glass and a safety-lock function for buttons. Barantech is also showing its Configurator, Config Tool, Cruzo Connect mobile app and Cruzo Vision display as parts of the same control ecosystem.

For LBG owners, the main appeal is the possibility of adding digital-style switching without replacing every piece of onboard equipment. Any retrofit should still be designed by a competent marine electrician because networked controls add software configuration to the normal demands of safe DC wiring.