Service schedule on boat.

[pmagowan]

I am designing a monitoring and mutlimedia system for my boat which will use a multifunction touchscreen to display all appropriate data such as, nmea data, engine temp etc, bilge pumps, music etc etc. It sounds a bit complex but it is really just a consolidation of all the systems to one display for ease of use. I was wondering what people thought about service schedules. Cars have them nowadays where they remind you that it is due. You could, theoretically put in all the schedules for maintanance for every bit of equipment. Engine serviceing at x hours or x months, rigging at x years, winches every year, antifreeze etc. You could have a reminder that shows every time you come to the boat until you tick it off the list.

What do you think, is it a good idea or would it just annoy you?

 

[sailorman]

I have a log book & pencil

 

[pmagowan]

I have a log book & pencil

See, I have that too but things go in to log books and never get read again. I suppose what I am talking about is like putting it in your diary every year to remind you. The fact that it is a multifunction display that you are going to have to use all the time means that you can not really avoid the reminder.

 

[sailorman]

See, I have that too but things go in to log books and never get read again. I suppose what I am talking about is like putting it in your diary every year to remind you. The fact that it is a multifunction display that you are going to have to use all the time means that you can not really avoid the reminder.

google calender will do most of that too

 

[pmagowan]

google calender will do most of that too

Yes, that's it. Just 'google calendar' or similar programmed in to the MFD on the boat with a more nautical bent to it. I am going to have mine linked via mobile and interweb as well so that I can check on things from home.

 

[prv]

I think it would annoy me if it got too insistent (your reminder every time is leaning in that direction), but a system to track maintenance is no bad thing. You could probably find free maintenance tracking tools out there already, but given your interest in custom software for the new boat, a purpose-built system seems to fit.

We have a paper engine logbook in which all work is recorded against date and hours - everything from taking on fuel to changing the oil to noticing and fixing a leak. Since we found ourselves using our last spare fuel filter due to not realising how few were on board, it now also has an inventory page to keep track of fluids and consumables. This all comes straight from the aviation world that my dad has spent his life in - he is almost obsessive about engine reliability whereas I'm a little more laisser-faire.

I also have a notes page (using the Apple notes app so it's synced across my phone, iPad and computer) which records the expiry date of everything that has one - nearly all of it is safety equipment like the lifejacket inflators and lights, the flares, the light on the Jon Buoy, the PLB battery, the AA batteries in the grab bag for GPS, VHF & torches, the raft rations and water in the grab bag, the liferaft itself, etc etc etc.

Everything else pretty much goes on the general job list, and moves up it based on how long ago it was last done. That's in my head.

Pete

 

[pmagowan]

wow, Prv, that is quite a list. You have me thinking now. It is probably possible for the unit to log fuel and water fills through a fill gauge or even through a clever way of checking tank levels linked to opening the fill hatch. You could put a bar code reader on it for other thinks such as filters .

I was thinking the reminder would take the form of a small message that pops up on the screen in a non-annoying way and then automatically fades. You could then have a wee icon like on an iphone where a number pops up on it to let you know there are some unchecked reminders. Click on it and you see the list and when it was due and can tick the box to say it has been actioned so that it can reset.

There are just so many things on a boat that need serviced and checked. It might even be useful as a sign on/sign off list for those who are unfamiliar with the boat, as in check seacocks, turn off electric panel, plug in shore power etc. I wouldn't want this for me as it would get annoying once you had the routine in your head but it could be very useful when others use the boat. You could have your winterisation list on it also. It would be a very simple system which gives a quiet nod to you when something needs done.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Connect your seacocks to a pair of limit switches for open/closed so that the it shows on a computer mimic panel the status of seacocks, you could interface the raw water inlet and exhaust outlet into the start button and have appropriate logic.

On the maintenance side of the engine have the consumables linked to the maintenance routines that pop up on hours. Consumables could have a minimum stock and when you complete the work on the computer, if the stock gets reduced and you get an email to order xx if it has reached the minimum level: fuel filters, oil filters, anodes, impellers, service gaskets, lubes. Unscheduled maintenance just requires manual consumption of spares on the computer. A routine could be written that if you were due a service at some time soon, you get an email to prompt you to buy the spares as the minimum stock will be reduced soon due to the soon to be performed planned maintenance. Very simple stuff and for a boat probably easily written yourself.

In fact, don't have any panels if you are using a boat computer and digital switching thingy. My drilling rigs have zero gauges or switches, very bland when the power is off. Power up and every gauge, switch, dial, slider and annunciator appears in a graphic HMI screen.

 

[Ric]

I have a spreadsheet to do this which I can inspect at leisure at home or on the boat on my iPad (they sync over cloud). I have a system which flags up upcoming jobs so I can go down to the boat prepared to to them. I think I would find it annoying to be told what needs doing just as I arrive at the boat to go out for a sail!

The advantage of spreadsheets is that they are user customisable - I constantly add new scheduled jobs, or a refine the days/hours intervals of regular jobs.

 

[rivonia]

Two books are required.

1. Log Book

2. Service schedule book

 

[bluerm166]

I have an informal forward maintenance/improvement list but a comprehensive spreadsheet of all parts of the boat showing the dates of acquisitions,replacements,repairs etc. by me and previous owners (abstracted from invoices/receipts).

 

[charles_reed]

I have a log book & pencil

I run a repeating pasted detail in all my computer generated logs - includes engine-hours, diesel used, diesel fill required, hours to and type of next service, battery dates and top-up, LPG dates.
I find paper gets lost on boats and pencils always need sharpening.

 

[Adethefridge]

Would be very interested in hearing more about your multimedia/ touch screen set up
What hardware/sortware you are using ??

 

[johnphilip]

I have an informal forward maintenance/improvement list but a comprehensive spreadsheet of all parts of the boat showing the dates of acquisitions,replacements,repairs etc. by me and previous owners (abstracted from invoices/receipts).

I go sailing instead.

 

[pmagowan]

Would be very interested in hearing more about your multimedia/ touch screen set up
What hardware/sortware you are using ??

I haven't created it yet but it is likely to be based on the raspberry Pi with arduino micro controllers for the individual system monitoring and control.

People seem to be falling into two camps here, avoid technology at all cost or captains log, star date.....

 

[mcframe]

I
I also have a notes page (using the Apple notes app so it's synced across my phone, iPad and computer) which records the expiry date of everything that has one - nearly all of it is safety equipment like the lifejacket inflators and lights, the flares,

Boat ToDo list on Apple notes, plus the 'boat bag' works for me - an old rucksack that alternates between my garage and underneath my chart table. Anything that needs to change positions; from 2mm drill bits and bits of wood, to, err, bottles of shampoo, dish clothes, disposable BBQs, dehumidifier crystals, sleeping bags in need of 'refreshment' or tea bags, etc.

Before leaving home or boat, I check one, then the other.

 

[prv]

People seem to be falling into two camps here, avoid technology at all cost or captains log, star date.....

I think the whole idea is wildly unnecessary and rather silly, but it clearly gives you pleasure so I reckon you might as well crack on :encouragement:

Pete

 

[David2452]

Probably a bit over the top for most small Mobo and yacht systems but I can see the value for larger Mobos and even yachts with more complex systems.

 

[KellysEye]

>I have a log book & pencil

That's what we did. We did though have a written list of spare part numbers for everything on the boat because long distance sailing just about everything breaks regularly.

 

[pmagowan]

I find it funny that people accept individual electronic products like co alarms, gas alarms, battery monitors, engine temperature monitors, heating controls, plotters, radio etc etc but thing it is too complicated if you simply combine them into a much simpler system. The way I look on it electronics are great at monitoring when compared to humans. Humans forget!

I want to have a simple multimedia device which acts as a wifi hub so that I can have music, photos etc available on any iproducts. I could buy one off the shelf but if I make it I can integrate everything else thus saving amps, wiring and making for a more efficient display panel. Once you have a central interface then it is simply a matter of hooking in any monitoring device so that they all use the single display rather individual ones. This also means that all the systems can be monitored, logged and actioned without reinventing the wheel for each individual one.

The idea for a service schedule comes from my car. Once you have info on engine hours, filter pressure etc etc it makes sense (to me) to use it. Since I carry an iPhone all the time then it shouldn't be too hard to integrate these so that I know what I might want to keep an eye on. My idea is that it should run quietly in the background keeping an eye on things.