Remote Monitoring

[ttmott]

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.

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.
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.

 

[ttmott]

Ya lost me on this one....
I have a pretty strict protocol on instance settings (it's bit me in the past); 0 is port engine, 1 is starboard engine, 2 is generator (J2K100). 3 and up are for other boat systems but still structured and I don't mix them up even if the PGN's are different. Instance 3, for example, is dedicated to the RIM100 that I use for the systems monitor. If I had two RIM100's then different instances would be required but then I would I would structurally assign it as a separate system. Redundant sensors might be a challenge but I'd have to configure to have multiple instances dedicated to a system. Regardless, this keeps my system design documentation simple.

I should note that the data provided on the NMEA 2000 network through the Vessel View/Smartcraft network is not assigned to an instance (at least that I can determine) - that has to be done in the Maretron system and Garmin displays (in my case) to monitor.

 

[Skybolt]

Ya lost me on this one....
I have a pretty strict protocol on instance settings (it's bit me in the past); 0 is port engine, 1 is starboard engine, 2 is generator (J2K100). 3 and up are for other boat systems but still structured and I don't mix them up even if the PGN's are different. Instance 3, for example, is dedicated to the RIM100 that I use for the systems monitor. If I had two RIM100's then different instances would be required but then I would I would structurally assign it as a separate system. Redundant sensors might be a challenge but I'd have to configure to have multiple instances dedicated to a system. Regardless, this keeps my system design documentation simple.

Instances can be confusing when multiple devices report the same PGN and how they should be or can be handled. One way is to handle them as device numbers, like you are doing. Another is to layer them like N2K was designed to do, but is more confusing in my opinion, and might not be warranted to be used that way in every system. But what I was talking about is this, temp probes also have a "type" associated with them, so the type is also used with the instance. Meaning instance 4 can be assigned to all temp probes that also have a different type. If you had 2 cabin temp probes then they would have to have different instance numbers assigned to them. By using the instance numbers this way there can be 256 temp probes for cabin temperature alone instead of 256 total device in the system. Does that matter to us, nope, but for mega-yachts and cruise ships it does. There are other PGN's that work this way as well, but because of that, instancing works this way.

Type is defined by the table below. But that's not to say you have to use them this way. There are many more type then just these, this is just what Yacht Devices YDTC-13 supports.

 

[Skybolt]

I should note that the data provided on the NMEA 2000 network through the Vessel View/Smartcraft network is not assigned to an instance (at least that I can determine) - that has to be done in the Maretron system and Garmin displays (in my case) to monitor.

I am not that familiar with VV or SC. Except they are based on J1939 engine data parameters. J1939 in the beginning only referred to a single engine and didn't know about other engines so it only reported engine temperature without an instance because there was only one engine and there for could only have one temperature, one engine oil pressure. When VV and SC came about and started integrating other non-engine parameters into the mix, I am not sure what they did to accomplish that. Only that when it's converted to N2K it does have an instance number. It may be defaulted to 0 or 1 or 2, typical engine instances, but that is just a guess.

 

[Skybolt]

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.
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.

Yeah this is the case where instances are fantastic and make sense. But the ALM100 also uses types, just not in a confusing way, with how it has different sounder types. So the instance numbers are more like device numbers in this case.

I am using the DCR100 for alarms mostly. When were on the hook for a few days I wanted a way of be notified when we were low on water way before we ran out, but didn't want loud beeps to go off. So I took a channel form the DCR and ran it to two places, one at the helm and one at the electric panel. But is only a yellow light no sound. That way warnings can be shown but not hear and be handled as such. I also did the same for alarms with an alert sounder flasher so thigs like anchor drag and high water light up the boat and make a racket. I did that instead of running an N2K cable everywhere for alarms. I am using four conductor wire so that I wouldn't stretch the N2K total cable lengths past it's limits.

 

[Skybolt]

... 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.

Tom, How do you use MARPA while anchoring? Don't the targets move to much at night when the boat swings? I have used ELB alarms and had false alarms. I totally get being prepared for sleeping better while on anchor. I actually try and anchor out on the edge of the anchorage field and use a stern anchor when possible, otherwise I am up every 1-2 hours checking on things ...

 

[ttmott]

Tom, How do you use MARPA while anchoring? Don't the targets move to much at night when the boat swings? I have used ELB alarms and had false alarms. I totally get being prepared for sleeping better while on anchor. I actually try and anchor out on the edge of the anchorage field and use a stern anchor when possible, otherwise I am up every 1-2 hours checking on things ...

My bad - EBL alarm.

 

[Skybolt]

My bad - EBL alarm.

Yes "EBL" not ELB - Dam dyslexia gets me every time.

 

[Skybolt]

There is another great option for remote monitoring, the Garmin OnDeck hub. It also has five digital switched inputs for remote on/off capabilities. It operates through Active Captain as well so I guess Garmin has bigger plans for AC. It does require a subscription to access it remotely. But all in all it looks like the best option out there for accomplishing remote monitoring.

 

[Skybolt]

There is another great option for remote monitoring, the Garmin OnDeck hub. It also has five digital switched inputs for remote on/off capabilities. It operates through Active Captain as well so I guess Garmin has bigger plans for AC. It does require a subscription to access it remotely. But all in all it looks like the best option out there for accomplishing remote monitoring.

So I looked into this a bit more and spoke with Garmin Tech. and man what a disappointment that was. Hopefully things will change as this product matures but right now I don't know how anyone would even use it easily.

I was told the following, from your device (phone) active captain is how it communicates to with OnDeck, ok no big deal. But your phone has to connect to either the Garmin Marine Network through an MFD or the OnDeck device itself through WiFi direct connect (like the MFD's). It can not be connected to the boats internal wifi and if remote monitoring is being used you must activate and use the internal cell modem. It will not report remotely through wifi, only their cell modem. So maybe after a few FW updates things will change a bit.

On a side note, I was told you can connect the GMN to your boats ethernet and everything should work fine! SO that would mean Active Captain would be on the regular network and make life a whole lot easier when updating through AC. I am going to try this out and see how that works. But that would mean the OnDeck device would work a little better if that's an option.

 

[bobeast]

So I looked into this a bit more and spoke with Garmin Tech. and man what a disappointment that was. Hopefully things will change as this product matures but right now I don't know how anyone would even use it easily.

I was told the following, from your device (phone) active captain is how it communicates to with OnDeck, ok no big deal. But your phone has to connect to either the Garmin Marine Network through an MFD or the OnDeck device itself through WiFi direct connect (like the MFD's). It can not be connected to the boats internal wifi and if remote monitoring is being used you must activate and use the internal cell modem. It will not report remotely through wifi, only their cell modem. So maybe after a few FW updates things will change a bit.

On a side note, I was told you can connect the GMN to your boats ethernet and everything should work fine! SO that would mean Active Captain would be on the regular network and make life a whole lot easier when updating through AC. I am going to try this out and see how that works. But that would mean the OnDeck device would work a little better if that's an option.

Please do report back if the ethernet thing works. I currently access the hub through its cell connection but have found control of the relays to be hit or miss. I'd guess it would be a lot more robust if it were accessible through the boat's network.

 

[Skybolt]

Please do report back if the ethernet thing works. I currently access the hub through its cell connection but have found control of the relays to be hit or miss. I'd guess it would be a lot more robust if it were accessible through the boat's network.

No worries, I totally will. It's just going to be a while until I get around to doing that. I had tried it out a while back with no joy. But after thinking about how the MFD's boot, I probably tested this wrong. So I will now spend some time trying this out.

 

[ttmott]

No worries, I totally will. It's just goin got be a while until I get around doing that. I had tried it out a while back with no joy. But after thinking about how the MFD's boot, I probably tested this wrong so I will now spend some time trying this out.

I have had zero luck connecting the GMN to the boat's network router and getting anything to talk. We tried swizzling the IP addresses and a host of other IT tricks but no joy. Actually when we changed the boat's IP addresses to the same as Garmin uses it locked up the Garmin MFD's. We even tried ethernet cables 568A to 568A and crossover 568A to 568B. That was when I was trying to integrate the boat's IP cameras into the Garmin system.

 

[Skybolt]

I have had zero luck connecting the GMN to the boat's network router and getting anything to talk. We tried swizzling the IP addresses and a host of other IT tricks but no joy. Actually when we changed the boat's IP addresses to the same as Garmin uses it locked up the Garmin MFD's. That was when I was trying to integrate the boat's IP cameras into the Garmin system.

Yep I agree, I also saw the same thing and why I mentioned having to power the MFD on last, but not sure if I tried that or not. In speaking with the tech, he said he is N2K certified, so I am giving this another shot because he also said, he is working from home and said he can see his home network. I should have asked how that was accomplished but let it go. Meaning how he saw his home network on the MFD as to my knowledge there isn't a network browser.

 

[alnav]

I have played with this over the years. My first Garmin MFD's were 82XX series which came without wifi and I wanted to use Bluechart/Garmin Helm which were just being deployed. The wifi adapters Garmin used to sell were hard to find. I actually got everything to work using a CradlePoint router set to an address of 172.16.6.3 and was able to connect and use the apps including Garmin Active Captain when it replaced the older apps while the LAN remained on the internet.
But, when I upgraded to 86XX MFDs things got harder. They appear to have an upgraded software base which likely includes changes to their IP scheme. I did play with connecting via my new PepLink router and a managed switch. I was able to get a rudimentary connection and could see Garmin devices on the router admin site but no usable connection. Given the built-in wifi of the new MFDs the imperative went away and I didn't spend much time on it.
Orlando, I'm going to send you my notes, maybe you can build on my experiments.

 

[Blueone]

The Foscam R4 camera is also affordable ~$90 and is PTZ and also has 2 way audio drop in.

here is a pic from my simple system with motion detection it’s a Foscam VZ4 PTZ…. The camera is hard wired to the Pepwave SOHO router… mounted on an access plate for the anchor light on the hard top…. I can see 360 deg

 

[Skybolt]

here is a pic from my simple system with motion detection it’s a Foscam VZ4 PTZ…. The camera is hard wired to the Pepwave SOHO router… mounted on an access plate for the anchor light on the hard top…. I can see 360 deg

Now that's a much nicer pic then my Foscam R4 PTZ. But I do keep it set on FD for data usage. Either way very nice indeed!

 

[Blueone]

Now that's a much nicer pic then my Foscam R4 PTZ. But I do keep it set on FD for data usage. Either way very nice indeed!

Night vision is very good as well

 

[bobeast]

here is a pic from my simple system with motion detection it’s a Foscam VZ4 PTZ…. The camera is hard wired to the Pepwave SOHO router… mounted on an access plate for the anchor light on the hard top…. I can see 360 deg

View attachment 114465

Did you have to punch ports through and use dynamic DNS? I can't get my Foscam through my t-mobile hotspot to save my life.

 

[Blueone]

Did you have to punch ports through and use dynamic DNS? I can't get my Foscam through my t-mobile hotspot to save my life.

No …I have an peplink app on my phone that connects to the router and from there I sign into a local WiFi ….. what’s really nice is it remembers the various marinas and restaurants you go to and auto hooks up…
With this setup everyone just has to connect to the boats hotspot.