Maretron Cloud Services

[ttmott]

Has anyone installed the Maretron IP Gateway (IPG100) and signed up to their cloud services for remote monitoring?
I have pretty much all of the boat's safety, operation, and monitoring on the NMEA 2000 network now locally but not remotely --- Yet.
I know there are others out there, but I need integration with my existing network which Maretron will do.

 

[Skybolt]

I use the IPG100 and the cloud service, I posted about it here: http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/remote-monitoring.102913/

I have been using it for over five years now and absolutely love it. Maretrons system is only limited by what you have on the boat.

 

[ttmott]

Oh, I remember that thread; forgot about that it started with your experience with the IPG100.
I already have a Lorex camera system on the boat and completely accessible remotely, but I'd like to have remote access to the data on the NEMA network.
Can you send switching commands back to the boat like to a Maretron DCR100?
My irritation is a lot of the NMEA 2000 data on my boat originates on the Smartcraft network (fuel tank levels for example) that is not available unless the engine ignition is on.

 

[dtfeld]

If you want a preconfigured commercially available package, I’m a fan of Maretron.

If you are looking for a DIY option, there was an article on Panbo.com about how to get your data off the boat via cellular network.. The basics are you can not just dial in a IP address and query the data like a land based network. You need to upload the data to a remote databases, and then you can access the data. This can be done with a raspberry Pi.

https://panbo.com/geek-alert-ngrok-remote-tunnels-make-connecting-to-devices-on-the-boat-easy/

 

[Skybolt]

... Can you send switching commands back to the boat like to a Maretron DCR100? ...

And there's the rub, You can use it for digital switching, and it works great, but not with the DCR100. That device does not support the digital switching PGN's and is why I use it as an alarm module. I first bought it for digital switching and found it would not respond to Garmin's (the NMEA Standard) PGN's. Spoke with Maretron and they promised the next FW release it would support the Garmin PGN's, well they moved to FL and lost most of their crew and that request got lost and then they came out with their switching module line and now they won't fix the DCR.

I use Yacht Devices NMEA 2000 Digitial Switch - YDCC-04 as written up on Panbo by Ben Stein, Ben is also the primary contact for the US Yacht Devices site and is quite helpful in a pinch. I went with this because it was affordable compared to CZone, which uses proprietary PGN's. The only issue I have with the YD switch is the wiring, they did not take the complete picture in to account and is quite the mess to wire. Once you make the cable harness up with the proper connectors it's fine, but a whole lot of work.

If you don't have any DS setup yet, I would take a hard look at what Maretron (Carling) has done. Very well thought out.

 

[ttmott]

@SKybolt You lost me on inserting the Garmin PGN's. I don't have a DCR100 but I assumed it's relays can be activated for any DC voltage switching through the Maretron interface devices. Am I wrong?

 

[Skybolt]

If you want a preconfigured commercially available package, I’m a fan of Maretron.

If you are looking for a DIY option, there was an article on Panbo.com about how to get your data off the boat via cellular network.. The basics are you can not just dial in a IP address and query the data like a land based network. You need to upload the data to a remote databases, and then you can access the data. This can be done with a raspberry Pi.

https://panbo.com/geek-alert-ngrok-remote-tunnels-make-connecting-to-devices-on-the-boat-easy/

The issue there is the data is not live and there is no way to access the boat for digital switching. The IPG100 and the Cloud Service provides just that, well worth the outlay.

 

[ttmott]

The issue there is the data is not live and there is no way to access the boat for digital switching. The IPG100 and the Cloud Service provides just that, well worth the outlay.

Plus for me it is adding one device in the existing network and paying for a cloud service...

 

[ttmott]

From Maretron's web site -

Maretron's DCR100 contains 6 Direct Current (DC) relays, each capable of switching up to 10 amps. The DCR100 connects directly to an NMEA 2000® network and the associated loads can be switched while onboard using Maretron’s dedicated NMEA 2000® displays (DSM250 or DSM410) or Maretron’s N2KView® or N2KView Mobile software.

Loads can also be switched remotely using Maretron’s Real Time Cloud Service.

The DCR100 easily handles resistive DC loads like lights, or inductive DC loads like pumps and motors. The DCR100 can also be used to switch AC circuits using external relays.

An added benefit of the DCR100 is that it reports the current through each of the six channels. This allows you to determine if loads are drawing too little electrical current such as burnt out bulbs, or if the loads are starting to draw too much electrical current.

 

[Skybolt]

You lost me on inserting the Garmin PGN's.

Digital Switching uses a standard set of PGN's, Garmin follows those guide lines. Companies like CZone and Maretron initially did not follow those guide lines exactly and used proprietary PGN's. Maretron has since followed those guide lines with their new line of digital switching.

I don't have a DCR100 but I assumed it's relays can be activated for any DC voltage switching through the Maretron interface devices. Am I wrong?

The DCR100 can be controlled by any NMEA2000 device that supports the proprietary PGN, right now it only seems to Maretron. So the IPG100 with cloud service and the N2K app would be able to turn on/off any of the six replays. And the display line like the DSM410 as well, albeit it's very kludgy to operate in that fashion. The issue is nothing else would be able to control it and no digital monitoring unless you add a RIM100 into the mix. If you add a normal switch to turn the same device on/off, it will by pass the digital operation and defeat the whole purpose of using it. Maretron even states that use case on there site, which makes no sense at all. Basically what I am getting at is the DCR100 is completely useless for anything else other then it's alternate mode as an alarm relay box.

 

[ttmott]

Digital Switching uses a standard set of PGN's, Garmin follows those guide lines. Companies like CZone and Maretron initially did not follow those guide lines exactly and used proprietary PGN's. Maretron has since followed those guide lines with their new line of digital switching.



The DCR100 can be controlled by any NMEA2000 device that supports the proprietary PGN, right now it only seems to Maretron. So the IPG100 with cloud service and the N2K app would be able to turn on/off any of the six replays. And the display line like the DSM410 as well, albeit it's very kludgy to operate in that fashion. The issue is nothing else would be able to control it and no digital monitoring unless you add a RIM100 into the mix. If you add a normal switch to turn the same device on/off, it will by pass the digital operation and defeat the whole purpose of using it. Maretron even states that use case on there site, which makes no sense at all. Basically what I am getting at is the DCR100 is completely useless for anything else other then it's alternate mode as an alarm relay box.

So you are saying, hypothetically, that I have a bilge pump and in a parallel configuration I have the float switch, a switch at the helm then add the DCR100 all wired in parallel it will not work, right? Why again does this not work?

 

[Skybolt]

From Maretron's web site -

Maretron's DCR100 contains 6 Direct Current (DC) relays, each capable of switching up to 10 amps. The DCR100 connects directly to an NMEA 2000® network and the associated loads can be switched while onboard using Maretron’s dedicated NMEA 2000® displays (DSM250 or DSM410) or Maretron’s N2KView® or N2KView Mobile software.

Loads can also be switched remotely using Maretron’s Real Time Cloud Service.

The DCR100 easily handles resistive DC loads like lights, or inductive DC loads like pumps and motors. The DCR100 can also be used to switch AC circuits using external relays.

An added benefit of the DCR100 is that it reports the current through each of the six channels. This allows you to determine if loads are drawing too little electrical current such as burnt out bulbs, or if the loads are starting to draw too much electrical current.

And that is 100% correct. The issue is controlling it and monitoring it from anything other then a Maretron display or remote service. Using digital switching at the same price gives you all of the above as well as the ability for external control (momentary switch) and also on other manufacturers MFD's as well.

 

[Skybolt]

So you are saying, hypothetically, that I have a bilge pump and in a parallel configuration I have the float switch, a switch at the helm then add the DCR100 all wired in parallel it will not work, right? Why again does this not work?

No I am saying it make no sense to use it that way when there are other devices that allow that ability and no need to wonder what state is the relay in.

It's like having an improperly wired 3 way switch in your house and having to turn the other switch on or off to be able to use the first switch.

 

[ttmott]

No I am saying it make no sense to use it that way when there are other devices that allow that ability and no need to wonder what state is the relay in.

It's like having an improperly wired 3 way switch in your house and having to turn the other switch on or off to be able to use the first switch.

Ok got it; it is about flexibility and being able to control (like switch) outside of Maretron.
You would agree from a monitoring aspect, monitoring anything on the NMEA network that the IPG100 and their cloud service is rock solid.
So, for switching again - what about the Maretron/Carling MPower devices with the bypass feature. They require much more rewiring on the boat but???

 

[Skybolt]

Ok got it; it is about flexibility and being able to control (like switch) outside of Maretron.
You would agree from a monitoring aspect, monitoring anything on the NMEA network that the IPG100 and their cloud service is rock solid. ...

100% agree with that and double on the rock solid part. In fact being able to design your own screens and as many as you like is an amazing feature of the IPG100.

Any digital switching system has a bulk of wiring to it, almost double of what is needed for normal switches. The part that makes Maretrons new system attractive from a wiring aspect is they have a pigtail harnesses ready to go. Saves so much time making the deutsch connectors up and such. The rest of there system looks to be nicely done in both support and connections, including there physical switch options.

 

[Skybolt]

... So, for switching again - what about the Maretron/Carling MPower devices with the bypass feature. They require much more rewiring on the boat but???

The problem with the Digital switching wiring is that you have on/off control of say, the arch lights (2-3 wires), now you also need to wire a separate momentary switch to control those lights (2 wires) back to the module and then you need the status of the switch (2-3 wires) from the module so there is some sort of on indicator. I say 2-3 wires because of how the lights are used and may require a ground to operate. The other issue you will run into is Carling doesn't have a momentary switch with two independent back lights. Only their hard on/off has that. But for the momentary needed for DS, one light is needed for on/off status and the other for back lighting when the dash lights are on. I had to make one switch out of two to get this functionality.

What is nice about the Maretron setup is they have devices, including switch panels to support all of that already. Much better way to go.

 

[ttmott]

The problem with the Digital switching wiring is that you have on/off control of say, the arch lights (2-3 wires), now you also need to wire a separate momentary switch to control those lights (2 wires) back to the module and then you need the status of the switch (2-3 wires) from the module so there is some sort of on indicator. I say 2-3 wires because of how the lights are used and may require a ground to operate. The other issue you will run into is Carling doesn't have a momentary switch with two independent back lights. Only their hard on/off has that. But for the momentary needed for DS, one light is needed for on/off status and the other for back lighting when the dash lights are on. I had to make one switch out of two to get this functionality.

What is nice about the Maretron setup is they have devices, including switch panels to support all of that already. Much better way to go.

Agree. It's not lighting that I'm so interested in but rather generator start and stop, power transfer, and HVAC control. I'm getting there with the generator and transfer via Victron GX controls however that is again not through a standard universal remote interface such as what Maretron provides. HVAC is another level of discussion but there is hope as the MPower can host PCM control.
Thanks Orlando!

 

[Skybolt]

... HVAC is another level of discussion but there is hope as the MPower can host PCM control.
Thanks Orlando!

https://www.maretron.com/support/knowledgebase/phpkbv7/article.php?id=662