Table of Contents
Advertisement
2.0 SYSTEM OVERVIEW
2.1 System Description
SeaStar i7X00 is an electromechanical system that replaces a
traditional cable-operated engine remote control with an electronic
control. Shift and throttle settings are sent over a serial data network
to electro-mechanical actuators, where they are converted to cable
motion. The elimination of mechanical cables to the control head
simplifies multi-station installations, especially when a station is
installed onto a flybridge or tower that is removed for shipping. The
system supports the installation of up to three control heads.
The i7X00 system consists of the major components listed below.
CAN Network
CAN (controller area network) is a serial network protocol that is
widely used in marine and automotive control systems. Each device
(node) on the network can send and receive data using specially
formatted messages. The ability to reliably communicate data between
devices is what enables the functionality of i7X00.
i7X00 implements the high-speed CAN protocol using DeviceNet
harnesses and connectors. We refer to the network as CAN2 in the
documentation to distinguish it from other CAN protocols used on
SeaStar products.
Control Head
The control head looks much like a conventional mechanical remote
control, but it is an electromechanical device that converts lever
position into digital messages that are sent over CAN2 to the shift
and throttle actuators. The control head features adjustable lever
feel, status lights, a synchronous trim switch (optional), and control
buttons for added functionality.
Shift and Throttle Actuator
The actuators are electromechanical devices that receive digital
commands on the CAN2 network and convert these commands into
movement of a mechanical cable for gear selection and throttle
control. The actuators are universal, and are easily setup for their
specific application using the CANtrak display tool. They can also
provide the start-in-gear protection required by the U.S. Coast Guard.
2-1
Advertisement
Table of Contents
