The system sounds fascinating, but expensive. Did any of the Nigel
Calder articles mention pricing? Another question would be just how
proprietary it is. For example, do you have to buy their inverter to
hook up to the equipment? Their tank monitors?
I have long thought that a bus design makes a lot of sense for boats,
but I haven't been paying attention to the literature. It would seem
that you can do the power bus without any particular companies
equipment. I would think that the real proprietary technology would
come in the twisted pair data bus. Can you give any more info on that,
to save us lazy types the trouble of digging? Is it RS-422, or
"one-wire" or ethernet, etc?
Thanks. It looks like a great lead if it doesn't cost more than the boat!!
- Gardner
--- In harryproa@yahoogrou
>
> When considering a cruising sized harryproa, let me suggest EPLEX as
an option for your
> electrical system design. I have no current or prior relationship
with this company.
>
> http://airpax.
>
> I don't know a whole lot about them except from articles written by
Nigel Calder and
> published by Prof Boatbuilder and Sail magazines. EPLEX, from
Sensata Technologies is
> among several companies, like Paneltronics and others that are
creating multiplexed
> wiring systems for marine and other applications.
>
> The design philosophy comes from the automotive industry, and it is
called power
> multiplexing. The basic system uses a 12V or 24V power backbone
while all switches and
> fusing are honed off distributed nodes, and all are connected by a
twisted pair of
> communication wire. The premise is wiring does NOT have all go back
to a central fuse
> panel. Only the twisted pair cable and 12/24V power bus wires go
back to a central fuse
> location. Thus big savings in weight (30% or better wire reduction)
and simpler install.
> The multiplexing concept allows any circuit, fuse, or switch to be
checked from anywhere
> in the twisted pair network. Nodes can be replaced completely
without any
> reconfiguration. New nodes added and can be configured from a
control panel or off-line
> using a PC. Status, faults, power usage, voltages, tank levels,
engine data, genset info.,
> etc can all be monitored from any point in the network. The system
can use AC nodes for
> those circuits as well.
>
> These nodes have electronic fuses which can be set for independent
trip current levels and
> have manual back up if the electronics fail. For systems that are
critical, parallel wiring
> can be done for those circuits or they can be separate and apart
from the EPLEX wiring.
>
> A bit of history. ED&D Inc (designers of EPLEX) was bought by
Airpax which is now a
> subsidiary of Sensata Technologies. EPLEX is not sold direct to
customers but is wholly
> supplied by Wes-Garde. http://www.wesgarde
this relationship is
> Wes-Garde must design your electrical system to offer a bid price
for the components.
> They will do all the programming using their proprietary E-logic
application and provide
> telephonic or on-site support for your installation. It costs you
nothing for the system
> design and you have no obligation to buy !
>
> Modular install may make electrical system planning for Seabbatical
easier, boat lighter,
> and installation easier, especially if contracted for multiple
boats. They are receptive to
> single boat custom designs and not dissuaded by one-off projects.
>
> POC is Bret McDonald system manager or Wes Sorenson VP, PH (860)
527-7705, Cell for
> Bret (860) 250-2538.
>
> Rob can excommunicate me now for shameless product propaganda, but
this ranked in
> the almost too good to be true category. Check their websites for
confirmation of
> anything that I suggest. This power multiplexing technology seems
to be catching on
> across the boatbuilding industry, why not proas too.
>
> To be fair, two of the other big players are Moritz Aerospace for
Octoplex systems.
> http://www.moritzae
>
> and Paneltronics for Powersign systems.
> http://www.paneltro
>
> All have advantages and unique capabilities specific to their
hardware and system
> execution. Please check all. Paneltronics seemed reluctant to help
me, as they were too
> busy with large volume builders.
>
>
> JT
>
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