Archive for October 2009

« Previous Entries
• 29 October 2009
  BMET dates
  

  Dates for the next British Marine Electrical Technician exams have been arranged.  If you are interested in any of these dates please contact Liv Whetmore, Training Administrator, British Marine Federation on 01784 223631.

  • 27 November 2009 – Egham
  • 9 December 2009 – Hatton
  • 3 February 2010 – Egham
  • 3 March 2010 – Hatton
• 29 October 2009
  Halyard exhibits new water separator at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show
  

  Halyard, the British designer and manufacturer of specialist marine exhaust systems will be exhibiting its wide range of off-the-shelf products for noise and vibration control, alongside the company’s new MS4000 water separator, on stand N028A in the North Hall at this year’s Tullett Prebon London Boat Show.

  The MS4000 completes Halyard’s popular Millennium Separator range, enabling the company to supply generator systems from as little as 5kw up to an impressive 40kw.

  The MS4000 has been specifically designed to cater for 40mm (1.5”) exhaust systems on both generators and propulsion engines, demonstrating Halyard’s continued commitment in providing high quality products for family yacht owners installing their own machinery. The MS4000 retails at a competitive price of £130 plus VAT.

  Water separators are fitted into wet exhaust systems after Halyard’s silencer, which is built to take the high temperatures which can occur if the cooling water intake blocks. The unit separates the cool gases and water, dramatically reducing noise and back pressure. Water then drains silently away below the waterline with the gas exciting above the waterline. Halyard’s Millennium Separator range can achieve noise reduction of up to 80%, negating the noise associated with generators running at night on nearby boats.

  The new water separator is being manufactured in the UK by Halyard, the only company in the world able to manufacture an entire exhaust solution in-house and also the only company worldwide to have Lloyd’s Type Approval on its entire range of GRP exhaust components.

  For more information please contact James Grazebrook at Halyard (Marine & Industrial) Limited, Whaddon Business Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HF, Tel +44 (0)1722 710922, Fax +44 (0)1722 710975 or visit the web site at www.halyard.eu.com

• 29 October 2009
  C A Clase Launches Nauticomp Infinity II and Infinity Pro Display Screens
  

  C A Clase, will launch the new Nauticomp Infinity II and Infinity PRO display screens at the Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show 2010. Combining cutting-edge display technology with an easy to use interface, the new Nauticomp Infinity II and Infinity PRO CCFL and LED display screens provide customers with high quality, reliable operation in an affordable, flexible and stylish package.

  Infinity II
  The technologically advanced Nauticomp Infinity II series incorporates an extensive range of easy to use features. Both Infinity II models can accommodate up to three sources, with picture in picture (PIP) mode enabling all to be displayed on the same screen simultaneously. The Infinity II series also includes Nauticomp’s famous dim-to-red technology, providing exceptional night viewing. Furthermore, the unit’s slim design enables users to install a larger display into a more confined area, which is ideal for yachts that may have space and weight restrictions.

  The Infinity II is available in 15″ or 19″ CCFL or LED backlight models. Prices start from £2686.78 excluding VAT (UK RRP) for 15″ CCFL display and £3275.99 excluding VAT (UK RRP) for 15″ LED backlight display.  

  Infinity PRO
  Housing the industry’s largest screen in the smallest chassis frame, Nauticomp’s Infinity PRO display screens have been designed to provide high quality and versatile solutions for a clean looking pilothouse. The Infinity Pro incorporates a multitude of features including dim-to-red, picture in picture (PIP) and scalable resolution for superior image. Furthermore, all functions can be easily accessed via the unit’s compact external keypad which enables users to quickly switch between inputs as well as between auto and manual input selection.

  The Infinity PRO is available in 15″ and 19″ CCFL and LED backlight models.
  Prices start from £2928.36 excluding VAT (UK RRP) for 15″ CCFL and £3517.57 excluding VAT (UK RRP) for 15″ LED backlight display.

  Infinity II & Infinity PRO Summary of features
  - Multiple inputs – DVI, VGA & Composite
  - Sunlight readable – ready for all environments
  - Bonded Glass – optically enhanced for clarity
  - Picture in Picture – designed to display all inputs
  - Waterproof – built to stringent IP67 standards
  - Extended temperature range – longer life, more reliable
  - Superior image – scalable resolution up to SXGA

  Based in Hampshire, C A Clase is the exclusive distributor of Nauticomp products in the UK and Europe. For further information about the Infinity II and Infinity PRO display screens or to find out more about the C A Clase portfolio of cutting-edge marine electronics, please visit the team on stand N38A at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show, 8th – 17th January 2010.

• 29 October 2009
  Business as usual – Icom UK on the move to New Premises!
  

  Icom UK are pleased to announce our move to new premises this coming weekend. After 24 happy years at our current location in Sea Street we are due to be fully in place at our new home by 9th November 2009.

  Bob Stockley, Sales & Marketing Director said, “We are all really excited, our new ‘purpose-built’ premises provide us with more space, modern facilities and new equipment to enhance our service to our customers. Because of the size of our business, the move will be in two phases. The sales, marketing, I.T and accounts team along with the warehouse will move between 30th 31st & 1st opening on Monday morning for business as usual, the workshop will move the following weekend, 5th, 6th & 7th. Of course with two Fridays allocated to the move, there may be a little disruption, however this should be only slight and we ask all our valued friends & customers to bear with us, on the 30th especially.”

  Icom UK’s new address will be:

  Icom UK Ltd
  Blacksole House
  The Boulevard
  Altira Park
  Herne Bay
  Kent CT6 6GZ

  All telephone numbers and email addresses remain the same.

• 29 October 2009
  Mastervolt Revolutionises the Supply of Onboard Power with the World’s First Hybrid AC System
  

  Mstervolt has developed the world’s first true hybrid solution for all on board ‘mains’ power requirements. The new all-in-one GPX-5 power plant cleverly combines a generator, inverter and battery charger with shore power to provide the power required at the moment it’s required completely automatically. No longer does the consumer have to consider if and when he needs to start the generator before switching on high start-up power devices such as air conditioning or microwave, or high loads such as an electric cooker, kettle or coffee machine. The GPX-5 does the thinking for you.

  Marc Persoon, Marketing Manager for Mastervolt, says, “The Mastervolt GPX-5 is a revolution in the design of systems for the supply of onboard electrical power. It’s a new generation of hybrid power supply that combines power from shore, batteries and generator in the most efficient way – and all in a much smaller package than a conventional power system. There’s nothing else that can match it on the market”.

  When choosing a conventional generator, the size of generator is determined by the peak load, which means for the majority of time, when the power consumption is much lower, the generator is oversized and inefficient. In the GPX-5, the generator and inverter work together to satisfy the highest loads because the battery helps to power short peaks in the AC load. As a result, the generator can be two to four times smaller in volume than that in a conventional set up.

  The innovative system senses the switching on of high start-up power devices. For the first 30 seconds, the inverter powers the load completely from the batteries while the generator is started automatically and picks up the load.

  What’s more, the generator will never run idle or near idle without load, preventing uneconomical running. It’s a similar concept to Stop/Start found in modern cars – the generator only runs when it’s needed. The GPX-5 improves fuel efficiency by an incredible 30 to 40% depending on system usage. Up to 5kW is available continuously when the generator is running.

  The system provides perfect 50Hz, 230V AC even when powering a heavy load. There are three user adjustable profiles: eco, performance and minimum running. The GPX-5 is fully compatible with the Mastervolt MasterBus single-cable system and can be controlled and monitored from any MasterView System or Masterview Easy display, or even remotely with SMS texting by mobile phone using the GPRS interface.

  An AC transfer system is built in – allowing one shore AC power connection in with one AC power out for the onboard system. Power from the shore can be combined with that from the generator and the inverter to feed the onboard consumers and reduce the load on the onboard systems. But only if the shore power is of a suitable standard since the device automatically checks the quality of the incoming supply, thereby protecting sensitive devices such as computers and televisions.

  Designed to withstand the marine environment, the GPX-5 is an installer’s dream with all the components housed in one easy-to-fit, heavily sound-proofed enclosure.

  The end user is keeping the environment in mind when using the GPX-5, providing output kWh’s at the lowest price and also with the lowest emission levels: a true ‘green’ proposition.

  The new Mastervolt GPX-5 System starts is available in 12V, 24V and 48V models, and comes with a MasterView Easy display and a 5-year warranty.

• 28 October 2009
  Mastervolt introduce the World’s First All-In-One Power System Control and Monitoring Panel
  

  Mastervolt is increasing its range of innovative MasterView panels for monitoring and controlling yachts’ electrical systems with their largest display yet – the unique MasterView System.

  The 10.4inch, full colour, high-resolution LCD brings superyacht functionality to yachts between 40ft to 80ft by providing a central panel to monitor, operate and configure the whole power system. Connected into the single cable Mastervolt MasterBus plug & play network, the MasterView System is designed to cater for large applications consisting of batteries, battery chargers, inverters, DC-DC converters, isolation transformers and generators in addition to controlling digital switching and monitoring the levels of up to 10 tanks.

  Commenting on the introduction of the MasterView System, Marc Persoon, Mastervolt’s Marketing Manager, said, “Mastervolt are the only company offering a panel like this – a panel that connects to the complete power system, including digital switching.  It replaces cluttered and confusing instrumentation panels consisting of multiple tank level gauges, voltage meters, charger remotes, breakers and generator remotes etc of different styles and colours with a neat easy-to-use single display. It makes so much sense and is far more suitable for today’s sophisticated yachts and motor cruisers.”

  The display shows the following main pages: a Home screen with an overview of power sources such as inverters, generators and batteries; Power Flow page with a graphical illustration of voltages and currents; Tank Level page; a Favourites pages; Digital Switching page that shows the layout of the yacht with lights and pumps – loads can be controlled by simply clicking on the icons.

  It’s a versatile panel that allows end users to set it up exactly how they want it. However, the astute engineers at Mastervolt realised that the end user may make an accidental change so they’ve included an easy-to-use Back to Yard Settings function that resets the system to the final configuration set up by the boatyard. The function not only resets the panel but also all connected Mastervolt products.

  Other innovations include the Product Replacement Wizard that automatically detects if a replacement product has been added to the electrical system. Once replaced, simply touch the ‘replace’ button on the screen, and the system will update and work like before.

  For production boat builders, the Mastervolt design office can pre-design a system configuration and save it on to a USB flash drive stick, for each model in their range, for easy programming. The file includes all the product configurations, digital switching configuration, design of the favourites pages and background images of the yacht.

  Other displays in the MasterView series include the MasterView Read-out, a simple LED indicator of battery charging; the MasterView Read-out OEM, a frameless component for building in to a customised instrument panel; the MasterView Classic, a LCD display that can be configured as a dedicated panel for a specific component or monitor all connected products; and the MasterView Easy, a touch screen display that offers excellent readability and ease of operation.

  The new MasterView System from Mastervolt retails for £2,150 + VAT.

• 28 October 2009
  Mastervolt Wins the IBEX Innovation Award For the Sexond Year in a Row
  

  Winning the IBEX Innovation Award in the electrical category for the second year in a row, Mastervolt continues to push the boundaries of what is possible for onboard electrical systems.  Mastervolt won the award for the revolutionary Lithium Ion Battery.  Constructed with Lithium Iron Phosphate, it is the first battery of its kind designed for marine applications and the first to include CANbus capabilities.

  “This battery will drastically change the way onboard electrical systems are designed,” said John de Rijk, Technical Director of Mastervolt International.  “Today’s electrical systems compensate for the time it takes to recharge batteries which can be up to approximately eight (8) hours.  Mastervolt’s Lithium Ion battery does not have time constraints, you can completely recharge in one (1) hour if you desire.”

  Mastervolt’s Lithium Ion Battery is available in a 24V, 160Ah size.  They are planning to introduce a 12V version in the near future.  The battery may be discharged 80% vs. conventional batteries which may only be discharged 50%.  It has a cycle life of 2000 cycles at an 80% depth of discharge that is 3-4 times the average cycle life of traditional batteries.  It features a battery management system that constantly equalizes the battery cells during discharge, recharge and at rest.  With its CANbus capabilities, the battery can be connected to Mastervolt’s MasterBus™ network providing vital power information to the system.  The Lithium Ion Battery is charged using traditional 3-stage battery chargers.

  For more information about the Lithium Ion Battery and Mastervolt’s complete line of marine electrical products and systems, please visit www.mastervolt.com .

• 28 October 2009
  New FF525 Fish Finder Module from Standard Horizon
  

  Compatible with a wide range of Standard Horizon chart plotters, the upgraded FF525 black box fish finder is packed with sophisticated electronics to turn your plotter into a highly accurate echo sounder.

  The more compact FF525 replaces the earlier FF520, and features improved waterproofing and shock resistance along with a higher power output for deep-water penetration.

  The rugged module, which weighs no more than 1kg, can be installed almost anywhere by the owner without the need for professional help. A single cable connects the module to the plotter, with another cable to the transducer. There are a wide range of transducers to choose from, all designed for different hull shapes and applications, which are sold separately.  However, some clever software in the module called Transducer ID allows the plotter to interrogate the transducer fitted, and then optimise itself for the best results.

  Once automatically tuned for beam width and operating power, the fish finder gives a colourful, representational display of the water and seabed beneath the boat, and makes full use of Standard Horizon’s exceptional transreflective screen technology. The images are crisp and sharp, and viewable even in direct sunlight. Surface clutter can be reduced or eliminated altogether with a built-in sensitivity time control, and the dual frequency of 50/200 kHz allows the fish finder to work at peak performance in both very shallow or very deep water.

  Fish are represented either as icons, or as a coloured echo, and those swimming close to the bottom can be indentified with the use of a white line, which makes them stand out against the seabed. For confirmation, the split-screen plotter can zoom in by up to four times.

  The module can also trigger depth alarms, or alarms to signal the presence of fish, and when operating at 200 kHz, the FF525 has a range of up to 350m. For much deeper water, the 50 kHz frequency can give an impressive 1,200m of penetration, making this unit ideal for casual anglers or professional fisherman alike. It is also a vital safety aid for coastal navigation.

  The improved FF525 is totally compatible with the latest Standard Horizon GPS chart plotters, such as the CP180, CP180i, CP300, CP300i and CP500. It is also compatible with other models including the CP155C, CP175C and CP1000C. Some earlier models may require a simple software upgrade to gain optimum use of the fish finder.

  Each FF525 module carries a 3-year waterproofing warranty, and the recommended retail price is: £189.95 including VAT, with transducers starting from £139.95 including VAT.

• 28 October 2009
  Marine Electronic Services – Raymarine UK Dealer of the Year
  

  Marine Electronic Services Ltd (MES), based in Bristol & Poole has been awarded the prestigious Raymarine Dealer of the Year Award.  The Award is given for exceptional sales and service levels during 2009.  Picking up the award for MES, Zoe Edmonds commented, “Despite economic challenges in the market, we’ve managed to achieve significant sales growth and build our installation and service business too.  The Award is a credit to our whole sales and engineering team.”

  MES was established in 1989 and now has a current customer base of around 52,000 with product and installation offerings to end users and boat builders. They expect 2010 revenues to top $18m.

• 28 October 2009
  Raymarine Product Update: E-Series Widescreen Cartography Capabilities
  

  Excitement and anticipation for the new E-Series Widescreen has been tremendous and in order to meet  customers’ expectations Raymarine has made the decision to launch E-Series Widescreen with only Navionics preloaded cartography and support for Navionics charts, including Platinum Plus with TurboView. This change has been made due to a delay in the availability of the Jeppesen cartography library. Raymarine realises DualChart capability is a highly desirable feature and Raymarine and Jeppesen will continue to collaborate in order to achieve a powerful chartplotting and cartography experience for E-Series Widescreen users. As Jeppesen progresses their development efforts on their cartographic libraries, Raymarine will communicate at the earliest opportunity the availability of DualChart capability on E Series Widescreen. Continue to check HybridTouch.com for more details.

« Previous Entries

You are here: News » Archive for October 2009