In this edition we will share an interesting success story applied on a boat by the Brazilian company Central de Sistemas – Pojectos Integrados Ltda., using Panamax technology.
By María Cecilia Hernández
Enjoying the best quality in audio and video playback, watching a movie or listening to high-bill music while you are crossing the sea, enjoying the sound of the waves, and sunbathing, is possible. And if you add to this the proper and efficient handling of lighting and air conditioning, the competitive advantages exceed expectations.
This was the integrative project executed by the Brazilian company Central de Sistemas – Pojectos Integrados Ltda. Who used Panamax equipment, among other brands, to complete an automation project on a Phanton 500 Schaeffer vessel. The proposal, which cost $150,000, was executed simultaneously with the construction of the vessel.
"Our goal was to please the client, who wanted to be able to exercise control over all the functions of the ship that were sensitive to automate, such as audio, video, lighting and air conditioning, in addition to managing them in a simple and intuitive way, because the use that would be given to the construction would be more of entertainment and pleasure, than of work", commented for AVI LATINOAMÉRICA Paulo Sgambatti, owner of the company.
According to the entrepreneur, the control panel of this facility has an easy-to-use touch screen and all the technology used for the project are ideal equipment for an audience that identifies itself as technology enthusiasts but without the operational concerns that usually occur in this type of integrations.
A very well equipped boat
Sgambatti, indicated that the proposal is very complete and to give a better example of this statement explains the step by step of the installation: "The system consists of a control center, and equipment distributed in the areas of the boat, all integrated into the plant. The different spaces of the ship are equipped with audio, video, control and power, which operate as a home theater system located behind the living room seats and are composed of a TV, 05X speakers and an active subwoofer. The audio and video sources are a DVD, a Sky satellite TV receiver, an iPod audio receiver, an iPod AV dock, and an Apple Airport Express. The two adjacent areas, stern and bow, function as distinct audio spaces integrated with HT. In the cabin there is a television and a DVD player and a second Sky satellite television receiver."
The expert went on to describe the components of the integration to give a better view of the case: "The starboard and port cabins, along with the aft cabin, also feature a DVD player and share the video signal of the Sky Lounge. The sailor's cabin has television, DVD and shares the Sky signal. In all ship environments we arranged touchscreen control panels with the aim of providing greater control of all systems, including cabin lighting and air conditioning throughout the ship. The power of the entire system is generated by a converter and an integrated system of UPS 220V>120V@3 kVA, which powers two power protectors for Panamax brand audio and video systems (a Panamax 5100PM and a Panamax 4300PM), which supply all the equipment of this system. "
No mistakes, an advantage
Other similar proposals on vessels do not meet the unified control specifications that were taken into account in this project. These other facilities have several remote controls, the audio and video systems that are installed are usually of low quality and there is no integration between equipment. All this makes the management more complex, leaving the doors open to human error.
"This type of process must be carried out by professionals, since the electrical environment in ships is very hostile, and usually presents large variations in energy by the internal generator or by the energy of the dock. It is common to find errors in the facilities, one of the ones that worries me the most is when they use two types of tension for the same project, or in the same enclosure, "said Paulo Sgambatti.
To anticipate this type of error, the experts of Central de Sistemas – Pojectos Integrados Ltda. used an integrated set of 3KVA UPS and two Panamax protective filters, they created a single line of 120V of power for all the equipment of the system, of good size, clean, stable and safe. The owner of the company indicated that "when the power is cut off for some reason or there is an electric shock, all the panels show that the touch screen is integrated into the UPS and a self-shutdown process is initiated, the system also detects and reports when the battery is about to discharge."
As far as equipment costs are concerned, Sgambatti assures that a good quality, reliable and safe equipment "will always have a higher value than the average".
Demanding but effective
One of the fundamental steps that determined the success of the integration was the structural design of it. However, nothing was more important than the definition of power supply based on a large single-phase system, as this prevents the occurrence of problems in this area such as external interference. According to the businessman, "in Brazil it is unusual to comply with this requirement, but it is vital."
Sgambatti explained that "in the case of the boat, my concern regarding the issue of electrical distribution was with the soil because I did not know if there was land on the boats. Later I learned that this ship has a solid ground system, which was perfect for distributing the power lines of Panamax equipment according to its powers, connecting and ready. The rest was easy!"
The success of the power design was largely due to the installation of this project occurring parallel to the construction of the ship. "We were fortunate to start from scratch, which allowed us to pre-distribute all the power, audio, video and control wiring. In the case of boats that are already finished without having previously conceived this type of process it is very difficult and very expensive to move the cables between area and area, and when it is carried out, the result at a technical or aesthetic level, is not always the desired one, "warned the expert.
Paulo Sgambatti concluded by making some recommendations for companies in the sector: "In my opinion, each project is a great set of details. Paying attention, even to the smallest, is critical to the success of these projects. Listen to what the client wants, propose improvements when possible, accept simplicity in their case (many times less is more), be firm in the demand and in the application of the requirements difficult to accept by other professionals involved in the project, choose a team of proven quality, safe, reliable and suitable for each situation. Each case is unique, each with has its own needs. Identifying and properly caring for these details ensures the success of a work like this."
