Multifunction Display

Multifunction Displays

Last month’s article referring to digital hardware was the tip of the iceberg. Almost weekly there are new additions to the variety of products available to boaters. The latest crop of electronic products can coordinate multiple functions into one display.
At the Sydney Boat Show, BEP had an interactive C-Zone system on display and despite some initial scepticism, I discovered that even for an ancient luddite, gathering information was an absolute breeze. Moreover, the system allows several options to display functions being monitored
Complex AC & DC installations are becoming more and more common on board. In addition, the increase in tank monitoring requirements for fuel, fresh, grey and black water, makes accurate monitoring more essential than ever. The new BEP AC and DC systems monitors offer a, compact, user friendly, integrated monitoring solution.
Mulitfunction display screenshotsBoth full colour 2.8" QVGA LCD monitors feature extra large font type and an adjustable backlit screen for easier reading during the day and at night. BEP’s DCSM and ACSM can be panel or surface mounted. They offer adjustable high and low level alarms that give the end user an early warning of potential faults. The units’ configuration can be saved on a USB drive and later copied to multiple monitors, providing OEMs with a simple cookie-cutter solution. The new DC and AC systems monitors can be powered from 12 or 24V DC.
The monitor offers complete versatile functionality with eight generic user configurable inputs. Users can monitor four batteries and four tanks or three batteries, three tanks and two systems in operation, and so forth. Programmable high/low, audio/visual alarms for voltage, amps and tank levels provide added safety.
The DCSM can display voltages of multiple battery banks (0-32VDC) and charge and discharge (amps) for two battery banks, including battery remaining capacity in Ah and percentage; fluid level for multiple tanks; and circuit status (on/off) of important circuits.
The user can configure the display to show the data in analogue, digital (numeric) or graphic (bar graph) form.
In conjunction with the C-Zone system, the systems in operation function can monitor important circuits such as navigation lights, bilge pumps as well as other pumps and lights and display information in graphic or numeric form.
Featuring a backlit keypad and a dimmable screen. BEP’s DC systems monitor comes complete with a 450A/50mV shunt and connecting cable. At a price of around $800 the DCSM is substantially more expensive than other battery monitors, but if the tank monitoring functions are utilised too, saving on individual tank gauges, the system becomes a very attractive alternative to single function monitors.
BEP’s new ACSM displays AC volts, frequency and amps for two supplies, a third position for monitoring AC volts and frequency for a third supply. The data can be supplied in analogue, digital or graphic form. The ACSM comes with an audible and visual alarm for Hi/Low voltage, current and power. They are programmable with adjustable set points and snooze timers for each one of the three generic, user configurable inputs. The ACSM can be used to turn off AC circuits when supplies are over loaded.
Boaters can select legends such as Ship’s Power, Shore Power and more. The ACSM features a splash proof design and can be surface mounted or fitted into the BEP range of circuit breaker panels. It comes complete with three voltage transformers and two current transformers. The ACSM monitors AC voltage of (0-300V) and AC current (0-120A).
The BEP system was chosen as an example of how well developed and sophisticated these digital systems have become. This system is obviously dedicated to the monitoring of a limited number of functions and electrical and electronic circuits on a boat. A separate system would be needed to process environmental data such as wind speed and direction. Yet another system would be needed for chart plotting and fish finding.
But don’t forget that now they can all interact by courtesy of the single NMEA 2000 backbone, opening the way to displaying all the information in one output monitor or chartplotter screen, which is a topic in itself.

*Gavin Sorrell works in collaboration with Aquavolt Electric Boat Parts.
Tel: 02 9417 8455 www.aquavolt.com.au