Remote Monitoring

I had the MTC with the optional N2K dongle, and was very disappointed. It provides very limited data from N2K. I was never able to get the tank senders to show up properly. It basically felt like a kludge. I don't know if the new one with integrated N2K is any better, but I have some doubts because its the same software.

@SKybolt I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around being able to use N2KView with the IPG100, without a license key. The manual doesn't make any mention of the ability to upload pages to the device. It reads like a simple N2K to Ethernet bridge.
 
Last edited:
bobeast said:
I had the MTC with the optional N2K dongle, and was very disappointed. It provides very limited data from N2K. I was never able to get the tank senders to show up properly. It basically felt like a kludge. I don't know if the new one with integrated N2K is any better, but I have some doubts because its the same software.

@SKybolt I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around being able to use N2KView with the IPG100, without a license key. The manual doesn't make any mention of the ability to upload pages to the device. It reads like a simple N2K to Ethernet bridge.
Click to expand...

Ah ha! I knew I wasn’t crazy about N2k on the MTC!

It seems the the Pro 3 N2k integration is much better than the MTC. I read some articles that Actisense helped them build it, and also a number of boat builders are including the Siren in their builds and integrating the Pro 3 with their N2k networks for systems monitoring.
 
bobeast said:
... I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around being able to use N2KView with the IPG100, without a license key. The manual doesn't make any mention of the ability to upload pages to the device. It reads like a simple N2K to Ethernet bridge.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the IPG100 manual as I have never read it, never really had too. Perhaps review the manual for the N2KView Mobile app. that's some 495 pages, I did read that one. But in short running N2KView locally on a PC will allow you to edit any screen and connect to an IPG100 to download the screen set configuration to the IPG100 and that's it, it will not allow you run as a licensed N2KView client. That requires a licensed N2K Server to achieve that.

EDIT: Added the transfer SS of N2KView at the bottom, notice the "Connect for configuration transfer only" button in the lower right corner. And are from version 6.0.6 the newer version 6.0.14 may not work that way but there 6.3.0 beta version works great. But directly from the load/save screens and not from the connection screen. That version can be obtained from tech support.

Settings screen on the N2K Mobile app on my Samsung Note:
ss-1.jpg ss-2.jpg ss-3.jpg

From PC N2KView:
N2K-Transfer.png
 
Last edited:
b_arrington said:
Ah ha! I knew I wasn’t crazy about N2k on the MTC! ...
Click to expand...

Nice! - but like you, I can't find that dongle on their site? Maybe it's not offered any more? Or maybe you need the Actsense USB adapter?
 
Last edited:
SKybolt said:
I can't speak to the IPG100 manual as I have never read it, never really had too. Perhaps review the manual for the N2KView Mobile app. that's some 495 pages, I did read that one. But in short running N2KView locally on a PC will allow you to edit any screen and connect to an IPG100 to download the screen set configuration to the IPG100 and that's it, it will not allow you run as a licensed N2KView client. That requires a licensed N2K Server to achieve that.

EDIT: Added the transfer SS of N2KView at the bottom, notice the "Connect for configuration transfer only" button in the lower right corner. And are from version 6.0.6 the newer version 6.0.14 may not work that way but there 6.3.0 beta version works great. But directly from the load/save screens and not from the connection screen. That version can be obtained from tech support.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. thanks for the additional context! I think what's happening, is that you are actually uploading the SS to the cloud, as opposed to the device itself. The device is just a means to get the data from N2K, which has its own connection to the cloud. That would also explain why you should be able to run a mobile app outside of your on-boat wifi and see both the data and the SS's
 
Last edited:
bobeast said:
Gotcha. thanks for the additional context! I think what's happening, is that you are actually uploading the SS to the cloud, as opposed to the device itself. The device is just a means to get the data from N2K, which has its own connection to the cloud. That would also explain why you should be able to run a mobile app outside of your on-boat wifi and see both the data and the SS's
Click to expand...

Not exactly, What is happening is I am talking to the device itself and does not have to be connected to the cloud at all to do so. The cloud is essentially a relay service for the most part, much like a DDNS service. Uploading and downloading is done to and from the IPG100 and not a cloud server holding the data.

Not quite sure where your going with all this and why?

EDIT: For clarification, I did try using a DDNS address and I still could not connect to it. I found their cloud service was the only way to get off the boat connections.
 
Last edited:
SKybolt said:
Not exactly, What is happening is I am talking to the device itself and does not have to be connected to the cloud at all to do so. The cloud is essentially a relay service for the most part, much like a DDNS service. Uploading and downloading is done to and from the IPG100 and not a cloud server holding the data.

Not quite sure where your going with all this and why?
Click to expand...

Thanks again. Just trying to figure out which of the many options to go with. I have a Garmin 8612 which has their new OneHelm HTML integration. I know using the Maretron black box, I can stream directly to my Garmin, but am also looking for a way to simultaneously display data on N2kView mobile, without having to buy multiple licenses.

I did some more poking around, and you're right, the IPG100, is indeed more than it first appears.
 
bobeast said:
Thanks again. Just trying to figure out which of the many options to go with. I have a Garmin 8612 which has their new OneHelm HTML integration. I know using the Maretron black box, I can stream directly to my Garmin, but am also looking for a way to simultaneously display data on N2kView mobile, without having to buy multiple licenses.

I did some more poking around, and you're right, the IPG100, is indeed more than it first appears.
Click to expand...

Got it. So no need for any license and it will also support any PGN that is on the N2K bus, not just Maretron's. You just have to assign it in the screen your designing. The temp's being displayed on the pervious set of SS's are from the Yacht Devices temp probes.

One thing to keep in mind is instance numbers. You would think (at least I did at first) that all temp probes are the same and report the same. Nope, there are temp locations as well. So all of the temps are set to instance 0 and have a location or type that defines the "instance". For example, you would need to set instance 0 and 1 if you had two engine room temp probes reporting on the same bus.
 
Very cool write up.

Last year I went with a couple of Wyze cams, that pan/tilt/zoom, via a cellular wifi hotspot on board, to check in when I'm not onboard.

This year I'm adding "Fox Marine Gateways", hooked to the N2k network, with more data available via bluetooth, to capture detailed engine data while underway.
 
SKybolt said:
Dam, that was buried pretty deep. Nice find.

EDIT: I found the link to the dongle (sort of), it is an Actisense NGT-1, that they call an NGT1-MTC. but the link to the converter is dead. If you download the guide it shows a picture of the converter.
Click to expand...
So talked to Sire tech support and got info. They have one left and it goes for $399. I thought about it and called spoke with Andrew and while that would work to spend $400 for it to use on the older MTC does not make a lot of sense. The new Siren 3 alarm comes with N2K built in so it is not like I would need it if I upgrade this thing which will probably happen soon. He did tell me that they were going to expand on what the N2K can monitor and do real soon which makes sense as more stuff keeps coming out. So for now I am just going to install the MTC and get the boat all wired so it works as an alarm for now. Future upgrade to Siren 3 at some point.
 
Very nice Grant, thanks for the info. I am considering the Siren 3 Pro as an alarm system which is why I mentioned it in the first place. I find their snap sensor to be intriguing. I am first going to try and adopt some of their sensors to the RIM100 or DCR100 and see if I can get anything to "alarm".
 
Last edited:
firecadet613 said:
Very cool write up.

Last year I went with a couple of Wyze cams, that pan/tilt/zoom, via a cellular wifi hotspot on board, to check in when I'm not onboard.

This year I'm adding "Fox Marine Gateways", hooked to the N2k network, with more data available via bluetooth, to capture detailed engine data while underway.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I like the Foscam cams because I have had good luck with them at home. They have outlasted others I have tried. Also with there app all the cams are in one place boat and all. I mounted the cockpit cam underneath the arch in the middle. Works great.
 
So here is another part to the Maretron puzzle of devices. If you are using a Maretron display like the DSM410 you can define alarms that trigger on any NMEA 2000 parameter. The alarm sounder on that display is pretty much worthless, I think they did that on purpose. So you will need one of their other devices typically an ALM100 basically the size of a typical wall plate for a house light switch and is only a single instance. Setting alarms in the DSM410 allow you to set not only the priority of the alarm but also the instance of the sounder as well. Most people will only have one maybe two alarm sounders and pretty much set to the same instance. So that also means warnings as well as alarms will trigger the sounder.

Bare with me, I know I am stating the obvious, but that also means if you set a warning for low fresh water it will trigger the sounder and the high water alarm will also trigger the same alarm. Crazy right? Maretron also has another device the DCR100. That device is a digital switching type of device that has 6 relays that can be used for digital switching, but also act as individual ALM100's, there is a config item that can be set to make a relay an alarm responder. That means you can have a blinking led/light for warnings and a sounder for alarms. And still have 4 more relays for digital switching or have six alarms all together.

The reason I went through all of that is the ALM100 and the DCR100 cost that same amount. Except the DCR100 is far more useful. Currently Boe marine has the lowest price and just happens to be our sponsor as well. Thought I would give Jim a plug.
 
So installed the MTC, set up account, paid the $$$... boots and gets GPS but no cell service. Got to call support Monday this this point. Already guessing I am going to be told need 4G in my area so probably going to have to upgrade to siren 3... not that I am complaining...I want the N2K anyway.
 
Talked to Andrew @ Siren Marine and in 10 minutes he reset my ESN that was inactive on my unit and my phone was blowing up with alerts. He walked me through the basic set up and Wa-La I am armed and working... Love it so far. Now I can finish adding my sensors and wiring in my bilge pumps. I have to say this is a pretty cool set up.

Shout out to Andrew at Siren for the great customer service....
 
Awesome Grant, post some pics when you get it all going the way you like it.
 
SKybolt said:
So all of the temps are set to instance 0 and have a location or type that defines the "instance". For example, you would need to set instance 0 and 1 if you had two engine room temp probes reporting on the same bus.
Click to expand...
Ya lost me on this one....
I have a pretty strict protocol on instance settings (it's bit me in the past); 0 is port engine, 1 is starboard engine, 2 is generator (J2K100). 3 and up are for other boat systems but still structured and I don't mix them up even if the PGN's are different. Instance 3, for example, is dedicated to the RIM100 that I use for the systems monitor. If I had two RIM100's then different instances would be required but then I would I would structurally assign it as a separate system. Redundant sensors might be a challenge but I'd have to configure to have multiple instances dedicated to a system. Regardless, this keeps my system design documentation simple.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,100
Messages
1,425,924
Members
61,018
Latest member
IslandGirls1020
Back
Top