Jellyfish Hardware

[SkipperDon]

A Transparent Marine Computing Platform for use with Open Hardware for Open-Source Marine Software.

The D3-N1 "Jellyfish" is a transparent, DIN rail-mounted marine computing platform built around a Raspberry Pi 4B. You can see straight through the enclosure to all the electronics inside, and wires spill out like tentacles—hence the nickname.  Currently there is no DIY kit for this hardware solution.  Think of it as R2-D2's marine cousin, or the Skipper's Gilligan. A reliable little buddy for your boat.

DIY Total estimated cost: $450-$650 USD for complete system that has GPS, AIS, NMEA 2000, Analogue to Digital converter, IP67 Camera with night vision, and has mike with speaker
At its core, it's a hardware platform designed to run your choice of open-source marine software—OpenPlotter, SignalK, OpenCPN, or whatever the community develops next on the Raspberry Pi. No vendor lock-in. No proprietary ecosystems. Just a solid foundation you can build on.
Originally designed for first-time and seasoned boat owners who need to:
    • Understand what their engine is doing without deciphering analog gauges
    • Add modern digital displays without replacing existing equipment
    • Avoid $5,000+ proprietary marine electronics

What emerged is a complete platform that:
    • Integrates legacy analog instruments with digital displays
    • Connects to NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 networks
    • Provides GPS, AIS, and audio communication
    • Runs any compatible open-source marine software
    • Costs a fraction of commercial systems

The transparent enclosure isn't decorative—when something breaks, you can see exactly what needs fixing. notice i pulled the rubber wire holders out of the picture some are there but there is plenty of room for variety of cable.  Manufacture say this IP67 compliant and it has two bladder to equalize air.  Amazing technology eh.  Personally i would not try submerge it water but it should be good to keep out moisture.
Transparent Design
    • See what's connected and where
    • Troubleshoot visually without mystery boxes
    • IP67 compliant - with pass through cables
Open Platform
    • Run any open-source marine software you choose
    • No subscription fees or premium feature paywalls
    • Community support from active forums
    • Software flexibility—switch or combine platforms as needed
Modular & Repairable
    • DIN rail mounting makes component swapping simple
    • Standard components—no proprietary parts
    • Upgrade individually as technology improves
    • Repair by replacement with readily available parts
Cost Effective
    • $450-$650 total vs. $3,000+ commercial systems
    • No vendor lock-in for future upgrades
    • Standard connectors—no expensive proprietary cables
    • Free or low-cost charts with open-source navigation software
Ideal Locations:
    • Helm station (most common—easy touchscreen access)
    • Navigation station (protected environment for larger vessels)
    • Engine room with remote display (direct sensor access)
    • Prototype shop use as test bed for your projects
Space Requirements:
    • Enclosure: ~12" x 8" x 6"
    • 10.1" touchscreen (separate mounting)
    • Cable routing for 15-20 connections
Environmental:
    • Protected from direct water (splash-resistant, not submersible)
    • Adequate ventilation (Pi generates heat)
    • Access to 12V power and NMEA 2000 backbone
This will be perfect for:
    • Setting up new-to-you boats needing electronics
    • Running open-source marine software on proven hardware
    • Upgrading piecemeal rather than all-at-once
    • Winter projects while your boat is wrapped
    • Learning how marine electronics actually work
Maybe not ideal for:
    • Plug-and-play simplicity (this is DIY)
    • Commercial vessels requiring certified equipment
    • Extreme offshore conditions (coastal cruising proven, blue-water and other conditions)

Components
I made deliberate choices based on simplicity, redundancy, and field repairability. The CX5106 requires zero configuration beyond DIP switches—no software setup, no driver headaches. I chose the PiCAN-M variant that powers the Raspberry Pi directly from the NMEA 2000 network, eliminating one power supply and cable. I stuck with the Raspberry Pi 4B (not Pi 5) because it's a mature, proven platform, compatible with the Pican-M. I can replace quickly at any electronics shop. DIN rail mounting enables my redundancy plan: the boat carries a spare Pi with duplicate microSD card that I can swap in minutes without tools if the primary fails. USB microphone and speaker, GPS and AIS are low cost. The IP67 night/day camera provides practical night vision and situational awareness for a fraction of radar or FLIR costs ($50 vs. $3,000-$15,000). The PoE switch is being replaced with a simple 12V adapter to reduce cost and complexity. Bottom line: I like reliability, but I plan for failure—spare components onboard, standard parts available anywhere, no proprietary hardware that requires dealer orders when you're 20 miles offshore.

Estimate Core Computing ($193-$283)
Component Function Cost (USD)
CX5106 Analog interface $80-$120
Raspberry Pi 4B (4GB+) Main computer $55-$75
PiCAN-M NMEA 2000 interface $45-$65
DIN Rail Holder Pi mounting $3-$8
microSD Card (32GB+) Storage $10-$15
Power & Network ($67-$120)

Component Cost (USD)
12V to 5V Converter $12-$20
12V Network Switch $25-$40
NMEA 2000 Cables $30-$60
Sensors & I/O ($170-$335)

Component Cost (USD)
USB GPS $25-$40
AIS Receiver   $80-$150
Microphone     $10-$20
Speaker         $15-$65
IP67 Camera  $40-$80
Display & Enclosure    ($103-$180)

Component Cost (USD)
10.1" Touchscreen       $60-$150
Transparent Enclosure $15-$30
DIN Rail                     $8-$15
Liquid Wire/Sealant     $10-$15
Hardware & Wire        $10-$20
Cables & Wiring         ($43-$80)
Total: USB cables, Ethernet, power wiring, analog sensor wires
TOTAL: $576-$978 USD

Budget Options
Entry Level (~$450-$550):
    • Skip AIS initially
    • Use 7" touchscreen
    • Basic camera or omit initially
Recommended (~$600-$750):
    • As listed above
    • Good capability/cost balance
Full Featured (~$800-$1000):
    • Quality AIS receiver
    • Better camera
    • Larger touchscreen (12"+)
    • Additional sensors

Comparison: Basic proprietary chartplotter with similar connectivity: $1,200-$1,500+ (and you can't see inside or run your own software)

The Build Philosophy
Not elegant. Not commercial-grade polish. But:
    • Works with any compatible open-source marine software
    • Completely repairable with standard parts
    • Visually transparent for troubleshooting
    • Documented for community replication
    • Proves open platforms work in real conditions
Key Principles
    1. DIN rail mounting — Serviceability matters
    2. Seal exposed connections — Reliability in marine environment
    3. Transparent enclosure — Visibility aids troubleshooting
    4. Standard components — No proprietary parts

Reason #1: Winter project while boat is wrapped, trying to seal and avoid corrosion, vibration, and moisture from entering the electronics.  I want to avoid the situation that happen to me last summer on Lake Erie.  You know that great lake the spill into lake Ontario via Niagara Falls.  What do you when your boat dies

Reason #2: The community needs documented reference hardware that works with open-source marine software, that is entry level and can be duplicated

 Boat owners deserve accessible, understandable systems including hardware.

Working prototype running on test bench. Engine monitoring active, navigation inputs flowing, camera operational. Spring sea trials will prove (or improve) the design.
This is open hardware for open software. Build it exactly as specified or use it as a starting point. Improve it. Document your changes. Share your configurations.
The transparent enclosure makes documentation visual. The standard components make replication affordable. The modular design makes experimentation safe.
Your boat. Your software choice. Your hardware platform. No vendor permission required.

Bottom Line: an affordable transparent, repairable platform that runs your choice of open-source marine software. The Jellyfish proves you don't need proprietary systems to have capable marine electronics.