Mostly successful docking despite runaway bow thruster
There’s probably no good time for a bow thruster to get stuck in ON mode, but it happened to me while backing into our marina slip on a windy day. Moreover, that maneuver included...
Category: Electrical & Engines
Upgrading our house battery system, part 2; life is better with lithium
In part one of this series, I explained our motivations for upgrading to a lithium house battery bank, my choice of all Mastervolt components, and the pleasing results of early testing. Now let’s talk about what makes lithium different and what you need to consider if you too plan an upgrade. Active battery monitoring and control are critical to protecting other power components, for instance, and there are other important install details. Plus, I’ve got more real-world testing results to share.
Lithium battery math, better than you may think
There’s a lot of talk about installing lithium batteries in boats, but the enthusiasm often comes to a crashing halt when boat owner hears the cost. I’ve just installed a Mastervolt lithium system in Have Another Day and I’m over the price shock. But as I work to understand the results of my upgrade I’m amazed by the benefits I hadn’t anticipated. Follow along with my math and see if you reach the same conclusions I do about the benefits of upgrading to a lithium house bank.
Volvo Penta Launches Industry’s First Fully Integrated Assisted Docking System
Volvo Penta today announced the commercial availability of the industry’s first fully integrated Assisted Docking system. The system gives the captain better control when docking a boat by automating his or her intentions, compensating for some dynamic variables, such as wind and current, and helping the vessel stay on its intended course…
Yamaha strategic alliance with Siren Marine drives forward digital and connected technology
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. today announced a strategic alliance with Siren Marine, manufacturer of marine-based IoT (Internet of Things) solutions. It is Yamaha’s most recent step to reinforce CommandBlue™, a philosophy that represents a commitment to move engineering and development into the realm of the customer, ultimately delivering products that are easier to use and creating greater satisfaction and confidence on the water.
Upgrading to lithium batteries & testing an all Mastervolt DC power system
Like many boaters, I treasure the peace of a serene anchorage, but not the sound and smell of a generator. So the high energy density and fast charging abilities of lithium batteries got me interested, and eventually led to an all-Mastervolt system that should also improve my 12-volt DC house power system in many other ways. This is part one of a series detailing the reasons for that decision, the installation, and how well it performs.
Panbo Podcast #8 – Dockmate docking remote control with Marc Curreri
Dockmate U.S.‘s Marc Curreri sat down with me to discuss their docking remote controls. Dockmate offers wireless remotes to control your engine(s), thruster(s), windlass, and horn. Dockmate’s remotes are available in push button and...
Carling Technologies introduces new digital switching platform
Carling Technologies is pleased to announce the launch of MPower, a digital switching platform that delivers simple, intuitive control over the increasingly complex systems found on today’s vessels. “MPower is a scalable and programmable solution targeted to all segments of the recreational marine market–from smaller vessels to large boats with multiple helms,” Frank Emnett, Vice President Software, Monitoring & Control Systems said in a statement.
VETUS Certified as First Thruster Integrator for NMEA 2000
Complete boat systems supplier and thruster specialist VETUS has announced NMEA 2000 certification for its new CANverter gateway device, offering industry-first connectivity and communication capabilities for boat owners using its proportional bow and stern thrusters. Approved as the first and only thruster integrator for NMEA 2000, VETUS advances the implementation of thruster, as well as electric propulsion, technology in line with the National Marine Electronics Association’s widely recognized communications standard…
Mercury’s new 600hp Verado V12: truly different & surprisingly smooth
Mercury Marine’s highly secure and unusual Lake X facility has decades of history as a research, development, and testing skunkworks for the company’s many outboard innovations. So it was a fitting location, even on a gloomy Monday afternoon, for the unveiling of Mercury’s latest creation. And what an outboard they revealed: a 600 horsepower, twelve-hundred plus pound V12 with a two-speed automatic transmission, counter-rotating props, and a lower unit that rotates while the engine itself only tilts.
