Upon purchase of our 1973 Amerglass, we quickly diagnosed that the entire electrical system would have to be replaced . We took advantage of this refit to test a Digital Switching installation.
All the wires come back on boxes
EmpirBus is a brand owned by Garmin (as of 2018). This system is based on Connect50 boxes that replace the electrical panel of a traditional installation. Indeed, on this Connect50 come to connect all the positive wires of the board. For example, for a lighting, we connect the Plus wire on an output of the Connect50. The Minus wire joins all the other negatives of the board.
A Connect50 box has 32 channels (20 outputs and 12 inputs). The outputs go to consumers (a lamp, a pump, a fridge), the inputs are switches (switches, pump sensors, chain counter). For each output, the circuit breaker is configurable (5 or 10 A). If a consumer requires a higher amperage (e.g. electric toilet pump), several wires will be drawn to supply it.
Precise identification required
In order to connect the wires to the right terminal blocks, it is necessary to identify them well. For this, we used labels each time we wired a new function. This identification is essential, because we quickly find ourselves faced with a mass of wires.
The EmpirBus Connect50 can also control wireless switches that comply with the EnOcean standard. This is very practical, as it is possible to easily place these switches in the boat, just by placing them on a wall (screwed or even glued with a double-sided adhesive). By programming 2 switches on the same function, you can even make a back and forth without difficulty. Interesting detail, these switches do not require a battery to operate. They "manufacture" their own energy when the user presses them
400 m of electric wireseuros
On this boat of only 9.50 m on which we have completely redone all the electricity, we have drawn no less than 400 m of cable! Of course, each consumer has 2 wires, but the metre climbs quickly. And yet the installation is not complex and is limited to a few lights, a fridge, a water unit, electric toilets and a few 12V sockets. To which are added the main and anchor lights, the bilge pumps as well as the windscreen wipers and windlass controls. In short, nothing grandiose or exceptional, and yet 400 m of wires drawn!
Programming and graphic interface
Once all the wires are connected, the functions must be programmed. This is a graphical programming, where each event is coded. This is the strength of the system because you can choose the different events and imagine scenarios to respond to them.
For example, we have programmed a switch that puts the boat on standby (when you disembark, for example, for a visit on land). In this case, the bilge pumps are still active, the fridge stays on, but all the lights are off. Except for the cockpit lights, which are on for 20 seconds, the time it takes to turn the key in the lock and leave the boat. With this type of equipment, there is no limit to the programming, except your imagination! However, experience shows that you should not make installations that are too complex. It is preferable that the user always knows what happens when he presses a particular button.
Once the programming part is done, it is uploaded to the Connect50. The manipulation is simple and can be repeated several times, until the last modifications intervened after the tests are carried out.
Then we have to build the graphic part. These are the screens that we create to drive the system. These are displayed on the MFD (Muti Fonction Display). In this case, a Gamin GPSMap 923 screen. But since the Connect50 is connected to the NMEA 2000 network, you can display the data on a competitor's screen. It is also possible to display them on your mobile connected to Wifi. This graphical interface can integrate visuals that can be animated according to use. On a view of the boat, we will turn on the headlights when they are ON for example.
A solution adapted for construction sites
Without Garmin's help, we would not have been able to program our installation easily. A configuration such as ours with 2 Connect50s cannot be done quickly by an ordinary person. To meet these expectations, EmpirBus has developed a "light" version of its Connect50, the Boat Swich. It is a pre-programmed module where you connect already defined consumers (light, pump, euro lights). There is no question of programming or graphics in this case. On the other hand, in the case of a site that produces in series and for which a dedicated programming is developed, this system is a saving of time and material for the installation.
Identical to a conventional electrical panel
Like an electrical panel, the Connect50 replaces circuit breakers. If by misfortune, the screen that controls the system refuses to light up, it is always possible to intervene directly on the box to manually activate one or the other channel. Each channel is numbered and a green LED indicates if it is ON or not. With a table that makes the link between the number and the function, it is possible to operate your boat "the old fashioned way" by activating or not the circuit breakers.
However, fully waterproof (even the plugs), the Connect50 will be much more protected. This is why they are particularly suitable for small boats, where the console is often wet (open hull, semi-rigid boats).
A successful experience
Our experience with the refit of this nearly 50 year old boat shows the feasibility of this type of installation. However, the logic programming part is not within the reach of everyone and the choice of this type of system can only be made by calling on an enlightened professional.
