The power of Zeus, part 3
So what do I mean that the new Zeus propulsion system has nerves as well as brains? Well, hooked into the drive controller is an ultra high precision GPS and inertial navigation sensor which feeds it fast updates on...
Category: Network & control
Zeus 1, the most innovative electronics at Miami was a propulsion system!?!
Above is a 42’ Maxum that Brunswick, specifically the Cummins MerCruiser division, was using as a special demo boat at the Miami Boat Show. Obviously (bigger here ) it’s loaded with Northstar’s new 8000i multifunction...
Simrad Remote, a NMEA 2000 surprise
It made sense to me that Simrad’s WR20 RemoteCommander shared an innovation award with the Northstar 8000i at the Miami boat show. It uses Bluetooth to wirelessly connect (“up to” 300’, as they say) with...
More LowranceNet, and a NMEA 2000 ‘gotcha’
In the photo above, taken on an Etec/Lowrance demo boat in Miami, I’m setting up a “Custom Gauges” window, and this particular screen is showing me some of the data available on the NMEA 2000 (LowranceNet) bus, specifically what’s...
LowranceNet 2, good news for NMEA 2000
Well, it was odd really; the very day I blogged about how nothing seemed to be happening with NMEA 2000 cabling issues and how well a proprietary LowranceNet backbone worked with a standard NMEA 2000 backbone...
LowranceNet 2, look what’s in the basement!
Check this out (big size )! It’s the most elaborate test setup a manufacturer ever loaned me, and I learned a lot from it. What you’re looking at is a LowranceNet (aka NMEA 2000) network suitable for,...
Octoplex, using a computer to turn on a light bulb?
If you checked out Octoplex yesterday you know it can do all sorts of fancy power management and monitoring tasks, but the more cynical might note that there’s a lot of electronic complications between...
OctoPlex, the three cable boat, and NMEA 2000
I mentioned OctoPlex when it received a special mention at METS; now I’m trying to write a column about it and the whole coming revolution in marine power systems. It’s not coming easily, I’m...
Northstar 8000i, the architecture
The 8000i has a lot of sizzle, and some interesting new charts, but let’s start coverage with a system overview (bigger here): * The sunlight viewable multifunction displays are Windows PCs; the 12” is self...
Offshore Systems 3271, the perfect fuel tank sensor?
This Offshore Systems fuel sender sounds perfect…stainless steel with no moving parts, measures fuel tank level to 1% accuracy, installs and delivers data all via a NMEA 2000 trunk line, and it can reportedly detect water in the...
