Discussion- Multipurpose Onboard Computers: Monitoring and Control of Onboard Systems

Note: This thread is a branch from the ongoing "Discussion- Multipurpose Onboard Computers" Please comment, add, critique etc.!!

THIS MAY INCLUDE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF THESE ONBOARD SYSTEMS:

• Propulsion and steering systems
• Sail Rigging Monitoring and Control
• Onboard power systems
• Consumeables / Tank Levels
• Heating/cooling
• Lighting
• Water/sanitation systems
• Environmental and weather instruments
• Safety/Security Monitoring: Intrusion, Bilge Flooding, Heat/Fire, Dangerous Gases, Anchor Drag

CHALLENGES:

• DEVICES: Simple, Reliable onboard system monitoring and control devices
• SENSORS: Interface to wide variety of sensors for: Engine, Power Systems, Tanks, Heating-Cooling, Weather, Environment, Gases, Safety etc.
• INTEROPERABLE: With industry-standard NMEA devices
• CONTROLS: Effective, affordable controls and switches for onboard systems, lights, etc.
• AVAILABILITY: Reliable in heat, vibration, voltage variations, (possibly Lightning)

IDEAS AND DIRECTIONS:

• MONITORING DEVICES: Use Industry Standard (ex: CruzPro) Engine and Power Monitoring devices with NMEA0183 outputs, or Microcomputer-based DIY or Custom devices.
• NMEA COMBINERS (MULTIPLEXERS): Industry Standard or DIY/Custom devices. Monitoring devices could/should include NMEA Multiplexer capability, of 1 to 4 other devices. A final NMEA Multiplexer should have USB output to computer.
• NETWORK: (See Network Thread): NMEA0183 (Serial 4800 Baud), may be implemented as Fiber Optic or Wireless link instead of wired.
• CONTROLS: NMEA controlled "Smart Switches" with on-off, Status, Current measurement, Overcurrent and overvoltage protection, automatic try-again on overcurrent, etc.
• CONTROLS: Lighting controls for Halogen or LEDs, with dimming, status readback, current measurement capability. Perhaps include human-detect lighting (at least for the head)

 

Other Contributors.. please check in!

Some of the people who contributed to this subject in the past were:

• TimB: Rigging Loads, "Friend developing Monitoring and Control Units",
• Hank Rosendale: Systems Monitoring
• TerryKing: Smart Switches
• SAE140: Networks, Microcomputers

This was on a quick look through the thread, not a Hollywood-Legal set of credits, so please don't beat me up if I missed you! Just jump in and comment/suggest/critique.

 

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INFORMATION about MONITORING of onboard systems

This is a try at a list of the onboard systems that may be MONITORED. Please comment, add, suggest, critique!

These have outputs that can be read in, displayed, logged, and later retrieved. "Meta-Data" such as averages, Max/Min, trends and graphs can be created and displayed from logged data.

- Engine Monitors: Commercial or DIY box that senses engine variables:

• Temperatures: inlet,block,outlet, exhaust riser, turbo, oil, drive system, alternator.
• Pressures: Oil, Fuel, Coolant, Turbo, Hydraulic pump.
• Electrical: Alternator current, voltage, EFI supply voltage
• Vibration: Engine, Drive system

- Power Monitors: Commercial or DIY box that senses AC and DC Power systems:

• Voltages and Currents: Batteries, DC Alternator / Generator outputs, Wind/Solar system outputs
• Voltages and Currents: AC power systems, Shore power, Generators, Inverters. Load current from onboard devices or circuits
• Status: Loads which are using power. Circuits whose overcurrent protection has tripped. Circuits that are off/disabled.

- Consumables/Tanks:

• Fluid levels: Fuel tanks, fresh water tanks, gray and black water tanks

-Heat/Cooling Monitor:

• Status of cooling or heating devices
• Temperatures: cabin/crew/engine room/helm/Refrigerators/Freezers

-Weather Instruments

• Wind Direction and Velocity
• Barometric Pressure
• Rain Detector
• Snow Depth (For those wintering-over at Bar Harbor)

- Environmental Monitor:

• Air temperature: Outdoor, Cabin/Crew areas, Engine Room,helm
• Water Temperature: Sea water, fresh water, hot water
• Lightning Detector

-Bilge/Pumps Monitor:

• Each Bilge Area: Water level, Pump Running Status, Pump Current

-Fire/Gases Monitor:

• Detect explosive gases, combustion products, CO, fuel vapors, solvents in Engine Room areas and bilges.
• Detect Gases, CO, combustion products in crew areas
• Detect overtemperatures in various areas (may be combined with Environmental)

 

INFORMATION about CONTROL of onboard systems

**under construction**