Maretron MPower and Digital switching with the IPG100

[Skybolt]

The Maretron anchor watch is a pain to get set up and cancelled. Everything must be done in Control mode. I put up with it mainly because it will alarm all of the noise makers on the boat. No sleeping through that. Back in the day I had an App called Drag Queen on my Ipad that was great and did everything needed for anchor loss; but alas it's not supported anymore.

I have a Vesper AIS and run their anchor watch software. Works great and I have the alarm output tied to a rim100 input that will alarm the boat.

 

[bobeast]

So your using SignalK exclusively to do this? Or reading in the data and running your own software? Very interested in that, if you could explain a little detail it would be appreciated. I have been considering writing something for my R-Pi that is running signalK already.

I run a signalK server on a PI with a GPS hat. I'm writing an iPhone app, that among other things, reads the WiFi data transmitted from signalK, and displays that data on an "instruments" page. It also has an Anchor Watch module, that lets you set the drop point and radius, then initiates an alarm or sends a push notification if the GPS position shows the boat outside of the radius. It also reads the switch positions, and can toggle those switches by sending a PUT request to the signalK server. Doing it this way, I can monitor all this data remotely, by running the same software on another iOS device configured as a "client".

I guess in a lot of ways it is very similar to the Maretron software without the fancy gage visuals.

 

[Skybolt]

I run a signalK server on a PI with a GPS hat. I'm writing an iPhone app, that among other things, reads the WiFi data transmitted from signalK, and displays that data on an "instruments" page. It also has an Anchor Watch module, that lets you set the drop point and radius, then initiates an alarm or sends a push notification if the GPS position shows the boat outside of the radius. It also reads the switch positions, and can toggle those switches by sending a PUT request to the signalK server. Doing it this way, I can monitor all this data remotely, by running the same software on another iOS device configured as a "client".

I guess in a lot of ways it is very similar to the Maretron software without the fancy gage visuals.

Ah, I get it. I want to be able to use Maretron's VMM6's, their digital switch package of six contura switches. But they only output PGN 127501, so i need to read that and resend it in 127502 format. So I am going to write something for the pi to listen and convert that. I am planning on using Actisense's SDK on a pc first (as a service) then convert the C# code for the Pi.

 

[bobeast]

Ah, I get it. I want to be able to use Maretron's VMM6's, their digital switch package of six contura switches. But they only output PGN 127501, so i need to read that and resend it in 127502 format. So I am going to write something for the pi to listen and convert that. I am planning on using Actisense's SDK on a pc first (as a service) then convert the C# code for the Pi.

Does that require you to interpret and reconstitute the sentences, or does Actisense do that for you? I've been looking for decent documentation or even sample code on that without paying NMEA a couple of boat bucks for it.

 

[Skybolt]

Does that require you to interpret and reconstitute the sentences, or does Actisense do that for you? I've been looking for decent documentation or even sample code on that without paying NMEA a couple of boat bucks for it.

Haven't started it yet, their reader breaks out the PGN, so I am guessing it won't be hard to re-create them. There are copies of the NMEA standard floating around the net so between that the even raw data, it can be figured out I am sure.

I need to setup a test network and also get the USB adapter off of the boat, it's installed and wired in place. Might buy another one to test with.

All of this depends on what Yacht Devices has to say regarding their YDSC-04 switch control unit. If I can make that work then I'm waiting until the cold weather again. So I am in no hurry to add another project to my list.

 

[Skybolt]

Thought I would update the info on Yacht Devices YDSC-04, the correctly released firmware (1.03) doesn't work with switches above 4, but thanks to Ben at Yacht Devices US, I got a new piece of FW that will address switches above 4! Thank you Ben!

EDIT: I should add that this new firmware is not public yet but i am told it will be in a month or so. But in any event it works great so far.

 

[Skybolt]

Even thought the Maretron MPower system looked fantastic on paper the real life experience was not that and I believe after three bad units that this isn't a viable option. While everything worked for a few months, the oputputs would go to 8v and fry the led lighting.

I am currently using Oceanic 8 Way Relay Module. This doesn't need any software to configure and can be found for under $300. It is only an output module and needs to be controlled by something. It is fully compatible with Garmin MFD's and only took minutes to setup. There isn't a phone app or anything to use it outside of an MFD.

To control the Oceanic, I am using two Yacht Devices YDSC-04's with the beta firmware as of this date. I also have their YDNR-02 that has a built in web server that is configurable and also support the digital switching. The only draw back to that is you need to configure it on every device that uses it. When you create a web view it is only for that device. So you must do this on all devices. For that reason I have a "Boat" tablet that is configured as well as my phone. This part of things (The YDNR-02) I have been using for a few years and it has worked great for what it is.

I am also using these Contura momentary switches so everything looks exactly the same. The only draw back on this is getting the on indicator light to light up. I had to split the output's of the Oceanic and run wire(s) (new cable) to the indicator lights on the switches. The cabling for all of this is not for the faint of heart. I am not using the led outputs of the YDSC because they are 3.3v and not 12v, otherwise the YDSC would be perfect.

Hopefully this setup will stay working longer then 2-3 months.

 

[ttmott]

Even thought the Maretron MPower system looked fantastic on paper the real life experience was not that and I believe after three bad units that this isn't a viable option. While everything worked for a few months, the oputputs would go to 8v and fry the led lighting.

I am currently using Oceanic 8 Way Relay Module. This doesn't need any software to configure and can be found for under $300. It is only an output module and needs to be controlled by something. It is fully compatible with Garmin MFD's and only took minutes to setup. There isn't a phone app or anything to use it outside of an MFD.

To control the Oceanic, I am using two Yacht Devices YDSC-04's with the beta firmware as of this date. I also have their YDNR-02 that has a built in web server that is configurable and also support the digital switching. The only draw back to that is you need to configure it on every device that uses it. When you create a web view it is only for that device. So you must do this on all devices. For that reason I have a "Boat" tablet that is configured as well as my phone. This part of things (The YDNR-02) I have been using for a few years and it has worked great for what it is.

I am also using these Contura momentary switches so everything looks exactly the same. The only draw back on this is getting the on indicator light to light up. I had to split the output's of the Oceanic and run wire(s) (new cable) to the indicator lights on the switches. The cabling for all of this is not for the faint of heart. I am not using the led outputs of the YDSC because they are 3.3v and not 12v, otherwise the YDSC would be perfect.

Hopefully this setup will stay working longer then 2-3 months.

Dimming capabilities?

 

[Skybolt]

Dimming capabilities?

Ah no. The Oceanic is actual SPDT relays, so no dimming, also no software needed to setup. But for under $300 it's a great device and no special interface devices to buy.

I think the real workable solution is the Garmin Boat Switch, which is Empirbus. It has dim-able channels along with readable inputs for monitoring. It is really made for operating a smaller boat like a center console.

This particular setup, Oceanic/Yacht Devices/Contura switches, is a lot of work and cable making. Assuming the outputs (lights etc.) all are in one spot or terminal block, that goes to the Oceanic Ooutput module. Then a cable to the YDSC module. Then you also need to "Y" the outputs to wire back to the switch on indicators. That part is the same no matter what you use if manual switches are to be used.

The only two systems I know of that save the whole switch wiring are the Maretron MPower which is also Carling as well, they have contura style switch banks that will go into the same spot as six Contura switches. The other one is, of course, CZone, but their switch options are not Contura compatible. CZone and Maretron save the wiring nightmare of switches. But are so proprietary and expensive that it doesn't make sense unless being built new and a much lager boat then mine.