Electronics

[pmagowan]

I know some people on here like to fiddle with electronics and there have been a number of threads about different types of basic electronic equipment like galvanic isolators, charge controllers, battery monitors etc. Has anyone given any of these things a go with DIY or are they beyond the competent amateur? I was thinking there may be a need for a modular system that would manage all the functions in a simple way rather than all these piecemeal solutions. An electric panel with built in mcbs, galvanic isolator, inverters, battery monitoring and management, charge controlling etc. Surely it would be more efficient if they were all combined or at least designed as a system. I know one of the things that put off some would-be DIYers is that it is all so complicated, first to decide what you need and then to work out how to install it.

Just a thought.

 

[VicMallows]

It's not complicated at all ... and 50 years ago many people would have done just that - build their own. The sad reality is that it is just not cost-effective any more. Cheaper to buy ready made 'modules' and string them together. (A crazy example: if you need an RCD and a few MCBs, it is far cheaper to buy a complete consumer unit from Toolstation, keep the spare RCD and MCBs, and throw away the case and other bits you don't need!).

 

[yerffoeg]

Merlin offer just that.

http://www.merlinequipment.com/markets/group.asp?groupid=30

I installed one of their systems 10 years ago and it has been excellent. The AGM house battery is still going strong. Quality gear but not cheap.

 

[savageseadog]

As a retired electronics engineer the electronics for me are the easy bit. Making electronics boat proof is another thing altogether. I've never made a piece of boat electronics ever in thirty years. I've repaired plenty of things but that's another thing again.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yep.. with an electronics background, I am constantly amazed that with most components now being SMD, that the entire things aren't potted... would make them bulletproof barring individual component failure... but given that they are all disposable anyway, why wouldn't you!

 

[William_H]

As a retired electronics engineer the electronics for me are the easy bit. Making electronics boat proof is another thing altogether. I've never made a piece of boat electronics ever in thirty years. I've repaired plenty of things but that's another thing again.

+1 However a boat is still a boat withy dreadful environment for electronics. So generally a commercial model will hopefully be more water proof etc.
Still the best approach for electronics is have the minimum that you need. At least it gives you a chance to keep every thing working corectly. Mind you I am not advocating not having modern very useful aids like VHF radio and GPS (perhaps sounder). Hence everyone's needs are different according to boat size and usage. good luck olewill

 

[savageseadog]

While there is some interest from electronics types. I installed an AIS transceiver made by Digital Yacht last year for the Fastnet race. I was not only impressed by the quality of design and build but by their support, 99% of what you will ever need to know is online/downloadable and covers interfacing to all manner and makes of marine electronics. The main man must be a genius and probably has little home life doing what must be a very tough job prising information out of big companies. I know how hard specialised small scale electronics manufacture is and I take my hat off to him.

 

[prv]

Merlin offer just that.

http://www.merlinequipment.com/markets/group.asp?groupid=30

That's a useful package deal, but I don't think it's quite as integrated as pmagowan is suggesting. It's still just a collection of bits from various manufacturers rather than a one-box solution.

I had very similar thoughts to him when designing Ariam's new electrics. I was hoping that someone somewhere could sell me a single black box with the following connections:

• Engine battery
• Main battery bank
• Starter motor
• Alternator
• 240v in
• Other low-voltage charging in (for solar, wind, etc)
• 12v supply to electrics panel
• Data link to a small control and monitoring panel to be mounted near the chart table

The box would then manage efficient charging, separation of engine and service banks, monitoring of battery state, and all the other things that people regularly post here asking about. Perhaps a deluxe version would include a 240v output, supplied by shore power or inverter as appropriate (you'd want a shore-power-only output too for the immersion heater etc).

There are various smart boxes out there, but I couldn't find anything that does it all.

Pete

 

[skenn_ie]

I would use a series of small Arduinos, with a maser driving a graphical display, to monitor the distributed computers. An alternative master is a Pi or Odroid. A Pi2 or Odroid can be used as a transmitter, receiver, and an AIS Rx.

 

[skenn_ie]

Black Box

Again, I would recommend distributed computing, with a master/display/control unit. All the wiring coming to the console would be a mess, and lose voltage along the way.
Arduino (developed by an artist, for his students), Pi, or Odroid. If anyone is interested, I have material to make hundreds of shunt resitors for high-current measurement, that can easilly provide 10mOhm multiples as required.

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

MCBs and RCDs use "din rail" mounting system. You can get blank din rail boxes to put your home brew equipment in. There are also enclosures pre cut to take din rail equipment.

 

[William_H]

I think it is far better safer and legal to have the 240VAC board separate from the low voltage 12v or 24v controls. Hence easist to buy a 240v board. it is however quite reasonable to fabricate your own low voltage distribution board including what metering and circuit breaker/ fuses you want. As said for the real complex electronics then potting might be the best answer to exclude moisture etc. If ind it is actual physical design that has the shortcomings of my constructions. hence the commercial jobs tend to be better made and hopefully longer lasting. Iseem to have rewired completely my little boat many times over 30 odd years of ownership. So for me simple is best. olewill

 

[Topaz2008]

First post so forgive me if I have posted in the wrong place.

I have just fitted a chart plotter and would love to have my existing analogue wind angle/speed instrument connected to it. I was looking for a converter that would convert this sensor to NMEA 2000. Can anyone point me in the right direction?