Nice way to think about alarms! As a note the tone/type of sound can be changed in the ALM100. The ALM100 also has a LED that illuminate when in alarm. I have one that is mounted under the solon sofa toe kick area and the light illuminates the carpet on the floor. That alarm, for example, is programmed to emit different sounds for an anchor drag than for a bilge pump coming on.So here is another part to the Maretron puzzle of devices. If you are using a Maretron display like the DSM410 you can define alarms that trigger on any NMEA 2000 parameter. The alarm sounder on that display is pretty much worthless, I think they did that on purpose. So you will need one of their other devices typically an ALM100 basically the size of a typical wall plate for a house light switch and is only a single instance. Setting alarms in the DSM410 allow you to set not only the priority of the alarm but also the instance of the sounder as well. Most people will only have one maybe two alarm sounders and pretty much set to the same instance. So that also means warnings as well as alarms will trigger the sounder.
Bare with me, I know I am stating the obvious, but that also means if you set a warning for low fresh water it will trigger the sounder and the high water alarm will also trigger the same alarm. Crazy right? Maretron also has another device the DCR100. That device is a digital switching type of device that has 6 relays that can be used for digital switching, but also act as individual ALM100's, there is a config item that can be set to make a relay an alarm responder. That means you can have a blinking led/light for warnings and a sounder for alarms. And still have 4 more relays for digital switching or have six alarms all together.
The reason I went through all of that is the ALM100 and the DCR100 cost that same amount. Except the DCR100 is far more useful. Currently Boe marine has the lowest price and just happens to be our sponsor as well. Thought I would give Jim a plug.
As an edit - I also have a separate piezo alarm with LED also located with the ALM100 under the solon sofa that is triggered through the Garmin MFD's; I have found this useful (I sleep better at night) when anchoring in questionable locations and keep the radar operational (MARPA), minimum depth triggering, AIS, etc.
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