nimbusgb
Well-Known Member
Some time ago I decided to upgrade my traditional engine instrumentation to a more modern setup. Clicking on images gets you a full sized piccie
In the original installation the instruments were down behind the helmsmans right calf, not the ideal place to keep watch on the engine perameters.
The original instruments were suspect, the temperature gauge was unreliable and the fuel gauge did not work.
The instrument lighting did not work.
The wiring behind the panel was open to the lazarette.
The wiring had been added to, modified and had redundant cables in the loom.
The wiring was stiff, insulation cracked and over 23 years diesel and engine oil had migrated some 5m from the engine room to the back of the panel via the braided harness cover making the whole lot a nightmare to work on.
I had already purchased a Raymarine e-80 for installation in a pod at the helm. These units are compatible with the J-1989 ( canbus ) engine instrumentation system and can display the data on a screen at the push of a button. Going for canbus seemed to be a logical step.
My 1/4 century old Perkins 4-108 had obviously never been the target of electronic instrumentation so the next project was to find a method of converting the traditional engine sensors, coolant temperature, oil pressure, revs, exhaust temperature and the fuel level to a compatible digital signal.
CANtronik makes the perfect box of tricks for this, their CCIM module is engineered for use in marine and harsh environments and is designed to sit in engine compartments and perform exactly the task required. They also make a compatible engine display with graphic capabilities. i decided that using a separate display to the e-80 would be sensible since the engine perameters would always be on display even if the e-980 was off, watching radar or some other just 'busy elsewhere'. Canbus is a multi tap 2 wire bus so wiring the e-80 into the bus would offer a handy backup to the dedicated display.
I had to acquire software packages from CANtronik to allow configuration and setup of the CCIM unit.
The donk did not have an oil pressure sender relying on just a low oil pressure switch so I had to source a compatible sender unit.
All the sensors were wired to the CCIM was the first task and then the calibration process was started.
The resistance curve for the temperature sensor was plotted using a kettle and thermometer.
The oil pressure and exhaust senders data came from the manufacturers web sites.
The fuel gauge float sender was removed from the tank and physically measured. An interesting point here was the ability to match the tank level data to the profile of the actual tank which is rhomboid in section.
The rev input was solved quickly using a PC based oscilloscope connected to a laptop to accurately measure the signals from the tacho output of the alternator. Initially I had intended to use a hall effect sensor on the flywheel but why complicate matters?
While I was at it I added a water flow switch to the primary cooling intake, upgraded the indicator lights and changed to a simple keyswitch start circuit.
The resulting 'engine control section'
All that remains to be done now is to mould a blanking plate for the old instrument recess with a recessed housing for the engine stop handle. I may also be able to tuck the EPIRB into the recess, keeping it accessible but out of harms way.
The completed binnacle with e-80, Autopilot control head and engine display. On the bottom left is the control pad for a forward looking sonar system. An excellent toy for getting right up to the beach or a jetty!
Just visible on the bottom right of the binnacle ( right next to the blue wheel rim ) is a 4 position switch. Once the nav light circuit breaker is switched on the 4 positions of this switch automatically select, Sailing nav lights ( mast head LED tricolour ), Steaming nav lights ( traditional lights and mast white ), anchor light ( LED ) or auto-on anchor light ( controlled by a light sensitive switch )
The other switches control deck and cockpit lights, AIS transmit mode and other bits and bobs.
Please PM me if you are interested in doing something like this.
In the original installation the instruments were down behind the helmsmans right calf, not the ideal place to keep watch on the engine perameters.
The original instruments were suspect, the temperature gauge was unreliable and the fuel gauge did not work.
The instrument lighting did not work.
The wiring behind the panel was open to the lazarette.
The wiring had been added to, modified and had redundant cables in the loom.
The wiring was stiff, insulation cracked and over 23 years diesel and engine oil had migrated some 5m from the engine room to the back of the panel via the braided harness cover making the whole lot a nightmare to work on.
I had already purchased a Raymarine e-80 for installation in a pod at the helm. These units are compatible with the J-1989 ( canbus ) engine instrumentation system and can display the data on a screen at the push of a button. Going for canbus seemed to be a logical step.
My 1/4 century old Perkins 4-108 had obviously never been the target of electronic instrumentation so the next project was to find a method of converting the traditional engine sensors, coolant temperature, oil pressure, revs, exhaust temperature and the fuel level to a compatible digital signal.
CANtronik makes the perfect box of tricks for this, their CCIM module is engineered for use in marine and harsh environments and is designed to sit in engine compartments and perform exactly the task required. They also make a compatible engine display with graphic capabilities. i decided that using a separate display to the e-80 would be sensible since the engine perameters would always be on display even if the e-980 was off, watching radar or some other just 'busy elsewhere'. Canbus is a multi tap 2 wire bus so wiring the e-80 into the bus would offer a handy backup to the dedicated display.
I had to acquire software packages from CANtronik to allow configuration and setup of the CCIM unit.
The donk did not have an oil pressure sender relying on just a low oil pressure switch so I had to source a compatible sender unit.
All the sensors were wired to the CCIM was the first task and then the calibration process was started.
The resistance curve for the temperature sensor was plotted using a kettle and thermometer.
The oil pressure and exhaust senders data came from the manufacturers web sites.
The fuel gauge float sender was removed from the tank and physically measured. An interesting point here was the ability to match the tank level data to the profile of the actual tank which is rhomboid in section.
The rev input was solved quickly using a PC based oscilloscope connected to a laptop to accurately measure the signals from the tacho output of the alternator. Initially I had intended to use a hall effect sensor on the flywheel but why complicate matters?
While I was at it I added a water flow switch to the primary cooling intake, upgraded the indicator lights and changed to a simple keyswitch start circuit.
The resulting 'engine control section'
All that remains to be done now is to mould a blanking plate for the old instrument recess with a recessed housing for the engine stop handle. I may also be able to tuck the EPIRB into the recess, keeping it accessible but out of harms way.
The completed binnacle with e-80, Autopilot control head and engine display. On the bottom left is the control pad for a forward looking sonar system. An excellent toy for getting right up to the beach or a jetty!
Just visible on the bottom right of the binnacle ( right next to the blue wheel rim ) is a 4 position switch. Once the nav light circuit breaker is switched on the 4 positions of this switch automatically select, Sailing nav lights ( mast head LED tricolour ), Steaming nav lights ( traditional lights and mast white ), anchor light ( LED ) or auto-on anchor light ( controlled by a light sensitive switch )
The other switches control deck and cockpit lights, AIS transmit mode and other bits and bobs.
Please PM me if you are interested in doing something like this.
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