Staff Answer
May 11, 2026 - 12:50 PM
A terminator is a small plug that looks like an RJ45 head but contains a resistor. Any Victron products that require end terminators are supplied with them. In the event you lost yours you can buy them at PKYS, here is the link: Victron Energy ASS030700000 RJ45 End Terminator (bag of 2)
The purpose of the terminators is to absorb unused signals and prevent echoes on the network. The VE Can network has a hierarchy for the devices to determine whose turn it is to talk, and if they hear an echo of themselves they will stop talking. Some of the other products we sell at PKYS use different terminators. For example the Arco Zeus alternator regulator has a different terminal for the end terminator and requires this one: Ancor 270105 NMEA 2000 female data terminator This has exactly the same function as the Victron one but with a different plug end. Wakespeed alternator regulators use crossover cables to connect to other devices and they require a crossover version of the terminator, the Wakespeed RJ45 single data end terminator This one looks almost identical to the Victron ones except for the color, but the internal wiring is completely different and the two are not interchangeable
- VE.Can networks: YES, you must place a terminator at both physical ends of the "daisy-chain" network.
- VE.Bus networks: NO, VE.Bus networks (like connecting a MultiPlus to a Cerbo GX) do not require terminators.
The purpose of the terminators is to absorb unused signals and prevent echoes on the network. The VE Can network has a hierarchy for the devices to determine whose turn it is to talk, and if they hear an echo of themselves they will stop talking. Some of the other products we sell at PKYS use different terminators. For example the Arco Zeus alternator regulator has a different terminal for the end terminator and requires this one: Ancor 270105 NMEA 2000 female data terminator This has exactly the same function as the Victron one but with a different plug end. Wakespeed alternator regulators use crossover cables to connect to other devices and they require a crossover version of the terminator, the Wakespeed RJ45 single data end terminator This one looks almost identical to the Victron ones except for the color, but the internal wiring is completely different and the two are not interchangeable
