Project Background & Client Profile
Hagar Distribution, the authorised agents for Deep Sea Electronics, was engaged as a specialist sub-contractor by Cummins on a twin-engine marine vessel project for the end-client, Transnet. Cummins acted as the engine supplier and overall system integrator, while Hagar Distribution was responsible for the supply, integration support, and commissioning of the engine control and monitoring systems.
Operating within the Marine and Industrial Power sector, the key engineering challenge was to deliver a reliable, fully integrated remote control and monitoring solution that would allow the vessel operator to seamlessly control and monitor both engines from the wheelhouse.
The Challenge
The specific need was to provide the vessel operator with full remote control, monitoring, and alarm annunciation for both engines from the main control station (the wheelhouse). Relying on manual checks in the engine room was inefficient, slowed down operational checks, and posed a safety risk. A complex, custom SCADA or external PLC system would have been significantly more expensive and difficult to integrate than a standardised DSE solution.
Project Requirements
The primary objective was to provide the vessel operator with full Start/Stop control and a complete, real-time diagnostic mimic of both engines from the wheelhouse. Special technical requirements included rugged hardware (DSEM840 MKII is rated IP67/NEMA 6) and a highly reliable data link using the Configurable CAN feature to accurately mirror the two engine controllers (DSE E400) to the two remote displays (DSE M840).
The Solution
The solution uses 2 x DSE E400 controllers (engine room) and 2 x DSE M840 MKII programmable displays (wheelhouse).
The key engineering method was programming the E400’s Configurable CAN to transmit custom data messages, which the M840 MKII displays were programmed (using Raw CAN/CODESYS 3.5) to receive and interpret, creating the bi-directional control and mimic functionality. We were chosen due to our expertise as DSE agents and programmers, specifically our ability to configure the sophisticated CAN communication layers required for this type of mimic system.
Implementation
The project involved installing the DSE E400 controllers near the engines and mounting the DSE M840 MKII displays in the operator’s dash. The major technical hurdle was reliably transmitting the full data set (alarms, speed, temperature) and receiving control commands (Start/Stop) across the CANbus. This was solved by utilising the DSEE400 Configuration Suite to program the custom data output (Configurable CAN), which was then mapped in the M840 displays to act as a perfect, bi-directional mimic of the engine controllers. Collaboration with Cummins was focused on ensuring the E400 correctly interfaced with the specific electronic engines (J1939) while simultaneously managing the custom mimic communication.
Results & Impact
We saw immediate results in Enhanced Operational Efficiency as the driver gained full Start/Stop and monitoring control from one location. This resulted in Improved Safety through immediate alarm annunciation on the M840 display. The system’s robustness is ensured by the M840‘s IP67 protection. An unexpected benefit is the E400’s on-board event logging, which provides valuable data for Transnet’s preventative maintenance planning.
Client Experience
“The overall experience was excellent, defined by technical problem-solving and seamless integration, we highly recommend Hagar Distribution. What stood out was the use of the E400’s Configurable CAN to avoid complex external gateways, making the system reliable and cost-effective. The driver experience is excellent, and the M840 display’s clarity and flawless mimic functionality instill full operational confidence.”
Would you recommend Hagar? – “We recommend the services of Hagar, particularly for complex remote-control packages, as the ability to customise DSE communication links is invaluable.”
Future Plans
Transnet, through Cummins, plans to use this E400-to-M840 architecture as a standard template for other vessels in its marine fleet. Long-term, the solution provides enhanced data logging and the potential for greater vessel management integration, with the next step being to potentially use the E400‘s RS485 interface to link the control data to a wider vessel telemetry system.
