CANCrocodile: Contactless CAN Reader for the Wiring Harness
The CANCrocodile is a contactless CAN reader. Sometimes the data you need is not on the diagnostic connector, or the vehicle owner will not accept cut or pierced wires. The CANCrocodile clamps around the CAN-High and CAN-Low wires and picks up the signal through their electromagnetic field, with no electrical contact at all.
This version plugs into the second port of a CANedge logger and takes its 5 V supply from there. Clip it on, power up the logger, and CAN frames from that harness are recorded like any other channel, while the vehicle wiring and its warranty stay untouched.
Highlights
- Contactless pickup: no cutting, splicing or piercing
- Clamps directly on the CAN-H / CAN-L wire pair anywhere in the harness
- Powered from the CANedge second port (5 V)
- High-speed CAN, 5 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s
- Internally terminated; LEDs for power and data
- Firm perpendicular grip so the wires do not slip
Where it earns its keep
- OEM and leased vehicles: log data without affecting the warranty or leaving traces
- Buses that are not on the OBD2 or J1939 port: reach internal networks behind gateways
- Fleet telematics: fast, non-invasive installation across many vehicles
- Agriculture and machinery: tap J1939 harnesses on equipment without a diagnostic connector
Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Function | Contactless (inductive) CAN bus reader |
| Compatibility | High-speed CAN (ISO 11898-2): J1939, OBD2, NMEA 2000, CANopen and more |
| Bit rates | 5 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s |
| Supply | 5 V from CANedge second-port power output |
| Connector | DB9 female, CiA 303-1 pinout (for CANedge CH2) |
| Cable length | 70 cm |
| Termination | Internal 120 Ω |
| LEDs | Red: power; green: CAN data detected |
| Operating temperature | -20 °C to +80 °C |
| IP rating | IP30 |
| Weight | 100 g |
Frequently asked questions
Does the CANCrocodile affect the vehicle?
No. It reads the electromagnetic field around the wires without any electrical connection, so nothing is cut, pierced or loaded, and the vehicle wiring stays as it was.
Which logger does it work with?
This CH2 version is made for the second port of the CANedge1, CANedge2 and CANedge3, which supplies its 5 V power.
Can it transmit on the bus?
No. It is a receive-only, contactless reader, which is exactly what makes it safe for non-invasive logging.
Need a quote or help choosing the right setup? Contact Pertech, the CSS Electronics distributor in Israel.
