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The Hardware ProjectsNMEA BufferCurrent GPS devices are limited in the number of devices they can interface with because their output power is limited (this is known as limited fan-out). Thus if you try to interface a plotter running on a laptop, radar, DSC radio and autopilot, your GPS might shrug and give up. A number of companies now sell buffers (aka digital amplifiers) to boost the signals and increase the fan-out. Typically, these are tens of pounds in cost but really should not be, the signals are carried on a standard RS232/RS422 serial data stream (like the serial port in a computer) so there are a number of chips that can be used as buffers. This little project shows how a cheap but rugged NMEA Buffer can be built. Propane/Butane Gas AlarmYou may be worried about making your own Gas Alarm and I don't want to mislead you, it is important to get it right. However, it's better to have a home constructed unit than none at all, and this project uses calibrated sensors from RS and a kit from Maplins. Battery to battery trickle chargerThe more electrical equipment we add to our boats, the bigger the battery bank has to grow. We added a spare backup battery to ours and then worried about keeping it maintained but preventing it discharging if there was a fault elsewhere - a one way trickle charger. This little project is easy to construct on a tag strip and uses just a few components from Maplins Galvanic isolatorIf you habitually plug into the mains in marinas you may be unlucky enough to pick up stray electrical currents in the earth connection of your mains cable. These can cause problems such as accelerated erosion of anodes or skin fittings. The solution is to fit a galvanic isolator in the earth wire of your mains connection. Commercial ones cost a lot but ours is less than a tenner. |
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The downloads provide a description of the project as we installed it in our own boat. The circuit is provided and a description of how the circuit results in an increased fan-out (the number of devices that can be driven from one source). It also includes suggestions for modifying the circuit to suit your own requirements.
The downloads provide a description of the project; how to modify the Velleman kit and connect it to the calibrated gas sensor. The description includes a parts list and sources for the parts, and a note on testing. A siren is suggested, but the output from the kit is an independent relay so any load up to 24v d.c. and 3A is possible.
Here are description and circuit of this simple project. The components are readily available from Maplin and are constructed on a tag strip. Please be aware that the circuit runs hot when charging a low charge battery, and make sure you do not mount the circuit near heat sensitive material.
This is the description and circuit for the project. It is the simplest project imaginable but please realise that the safety of you and your boat depends or your understanding and skill since you are required to cut the earth connection of the mains cable in this project.