Your thoughts and input on a monitoring and control system

[mrdeepseafisher]

The guys here at work have wanted to rip apart the boat since I got it in 2012 to install a control and monitoring system. I am not a big fan of a "fly-by-wire" system and like the original gauges with wires and cables connected to my engines and tank systems. However while we are out for paint and some other modifications I think I am going to let them put in a system to include the audio/video, monitoring of tanks, alarms, electrical and camera system.

We will probably run parallel sensors on the engines so that I can see and compare the new flat screen data with the original gauges. I can run trends on the digital data and store it in the hard drive onboard. I don't like paying monthly fees and we have been successful in using a prepaid cell phone tied to other control systems to call out if we experience an alarm condition.

I have pasted a simple diagram I scratched out for them to begin working on. Our plan is to integrate touch screens in each cabin and at both helms. I'm considering putting a larger touch screen in the vertical wood panel in the galley where you go down into the rear passage way. Our generator gauges are there now which could be easily removed and convert to make them digital. Its also right next to the main helm where I already have an 8 port switch for the Furuno system so this could be like the Master monitor Interface.

Now is the time for any ideas good or bad to be thrown out before we actually start programming the thing. Take a look and throw out your ideas. What would you like to have access to when you are in various parts of the boat?

 

[Boatsb]

It would be so cool to have a tablet that could pull up the engine gauges wherever you are, And tank levels too. Add in a few cameras and water sensors in the bilges and you have a fully integrated monitoring system.

FYI between Maretron, Noland and the MFD manufacturers its easy. Just sending some cables to a customer to integrate the tank level to his MFD. The stereo and engine are there already.

 

[Outfitter]

I always liked buying a boat with a vhf & digital depth. And then not adding much more once I took over. Just saying.
Zak K.
Black Hat Affair

 

[rsmith]

It would be so cool to have a tablet that could pull up the engine gauges wherever you are, And tank levels too. Add in a few cameras and water sensors in the bilges and you have a fully integrated monitoring system.

FYI between Maretron, Noland and the MFD manufacturers its easy. Just sending some cables to a customer to integrate the tank level to his MFD. The stereo and engine are there already.

If I had a quarter for everything that flew off the bridge and ended up in the drink I could afford Tim powells boat! Tablet? Splash!

 

[SeaEric]

I have pretty much decided to add mechanical gauges in the ER with a wireless camera on them that I can watch on my tablet at the helm. Old school with a tech twist.

 

[krush]

Use a Plc. Then hook it to a cheap hmi. You can store the data. Take various analog inputs for gauges and discreet inputs for bilge level etc. probably $500 total if you are wise. Check out the click series http://www.automationdirect.com

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I always liked buying a boat with a vhf & digital depth. And then not adding much more once I took over. Just saying.
Zak K.
Black Hat Affair

Ha ha!! Some of the only things that I never have to work on are my original 1985 Furuno color radar and my Datamarine sounder and speedo. The compass has been reliable as well.

 

[nautibake]

FWIW - I have a Maretron system with 6 tank monitors, high water sensors in bilges, fuel flows on the engines and it has a feed from the Furuno for real time MPG, distance to empty, etc. Mine was installed by the PO and is MUCH less ambitious than the plan outlined here (impressive to say the least!!!). Mine is connected to the NMEA network and reads through 2 DSM-250 monitors (PH and FB).

Some things to be aware of if you decided to go with this system.

Maretron sells its own diagnostic tool (MSRP$895) called the N2KMeter. When you call support, you can actually get a person, which is great, but the line of questions always leads to "do you have the N2K Meter", and if the answer is no, then they poo poo all of your observations with "how can you be sure?".

also, Maretron discontinued a black water shield for the TLM-100 (the sensors that are used for all tanks). The shield was to prevent the eventual fouling of the sensor in black water. Well, apparently it was not working out so well and they discontinued it. Now they suggest a "Focus Tube" http://www.maretron.com/products/tlm100.php ($40 - $80). Both of my holding tank sensors have failed (neither had the shield or the focus tube when they were installed by PO circa 2014). I replaced one of the TLM-100 sensors myself ($195) after having a marine electronics tech check the network connectivity. He said he had confirmed it was the sensor. The new sensor did not fix the problem, and support said it could be anywhere in the network and it became clear that they didn't want to spend any more time until I had bought their diagnostic tool. I'm sure this is obvious, but as you are planning your installation, the network cable runs and junctions / connections are super-critical to get right or you'll be chasing down issues like I am (and some times they work sporadically, usually when you are trying to troubleshoot them) I have another tech coming on board this week to have another look ($$).

Overall I really like the system. I would LOVE it if I could get it to work consistently on the holding tanks. There is one other useful tool that they sell that I also bought, a USB interface for your laptop which allows you to do configurations, calibrations, firmware updates, etc. in conjunction with a free software app that you download from Maretron. Just be careful, I screwed up my port ER fuel flows when updating the firmware.

Disclaimer: I have not researched what is available today, and I acknowledge there are tons more capabilities on the Maretron and other probably other systems out there. Just wanted to share the limited observations that I have after a few months of ownership. Hope it is helpful.