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With the vital input of EC Electronics, a custom- designed solution was supplied
that more than met B & G’s expectations.
With over 45 years’ experience in marine electronics, Romsey based B& G is world renowned within yachting communities for its constant commitment to innovation. As a global leader in instruments and auto pilots, B & G ‘s products have been specified on boats that have endured the world’s toughest events, such as the BT global challenge and the Vendee Globe. During the latter, Ellen MacArthur had B & G equipment on board her yacht when she became the fastest woman to single handedly circumnavigate the world last year.
As part of its ongoing product development initiative., B & G’s designers recently came up with the h1000, a sophisticated and accurate yet highly functional and easy to use system.
‘ The philosophy behind the h1000 is to bring top range capability to the mid range market ‘ says Jim Totczyk, B & G’s manufacturing manager. ‘ In order to achieve this , we have re-invented and redesigned the standard mid range product currently found on the market – its processing power, its user interfaces and its capabilities. The h100 has a processing capability unsurpassed in this market sector and, as such, could be described as a completely new product grouping. It really has redefined what comprises a mid range system ‘
The revolutionary h1000 is based around the concept that , while out on the water a yachtsman not only needs accurate navigational readings such as speed and heading, but also needs to be able to access this data quickly. He needs to be totally in control and able to read the required information at the touch of a button. Utilising a large, clear digital LCD readout and with just three controls, the h1000 is focused firmly on achieving these targets.
Operation is incredibly simple and intuitive using a series of drop down menus activated by ‘ up ‘, ‘down’ and ‘ enter ‘ buttons on the display to access different functions. Indeed, B & G makes the claim that the user will be able to make his way around the functions almost without the need to look at the manual.
Officially launched at the London Boat show at the beginning of the year, the h1000 can be customised to meet each boat’s precise needs, as Totczyk explains :
‘ Designed as a modular system, it can be supplied as a fully- integrated system of pilots, instruments, sensors and chart plotters, or as upgradeable stand –alone units. Information can be accessed from any display unit anywhere on the boat. ‘
Connecting each of the system’s sensors , instruments and readouts within the confined spaces of a sailboat or powerboat is a challenging task.
‘ Cabling is a major consideration when designing a navigation system for a boat ‘says Totczyk. ‘ Having runs of multiple power and data cables trailing throughout the boat and hidden behind bulkheads is simply not an option. Cables and connectors need to be small enough to be hidden away from places they may cause problems, but also functional enough to be accessed easily. This means that working with a cable manufacturing specialist with detailed knowledge of such issues is a key requirement. ‘
For over ten years, B & G has entrusted Basingstoke - based EC Electronics with its cabling requirements, in a relationship that has grown to the extent that Totcyzk now describes EC as a ' key vendor '.
EC is a contract electronics manufacturer devoted to cable assembly, PCB and electronic product assembly and supplies B & G with complete cable assembly solutions.
‘ As well as the usual cabling issues we face when developing a new system, in order to allow the h1000 to function as its designers intended, a further and somewhat unique problem arose ‘, says Totczyk.
The h1000 employs a new, high speed data link called FastNet 2 to achieve the all important processing power that the product is based around. Utilising the new bus system requires an extra cable to be added to the existing four – cable run. This in turn required a new connector, as standard connectors are designed for four cables not five. However, when the cabling specification was drawn up , B & G discovered that such a connector did not exist. It was at this point that the company turned to EC Electronics for help.
‘ We didn’t want something bulky and cumbersome like many of the connectors on the market ‘, explains Totczyk. ‘ The application meant that we needed a solution to the problem that was easy to locate on a boat, easy to use and, obviously, able to cope with five pins. Equally importantly, it had to match up the exacting quality standards that B & G insists upon. Giving the complexity of the problem, we decided to tender it to several different companies. However, once again it was EC that came up with the goods ‘.
EC’s own engineers looked into the specifics of the problem and approached Deutsch, a world leader in the design and manufacture of electrical and fibre- optic connectors, for assistance. Deutsch’s products have been used in many high profile and demanding applications including Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars and the Traffic Master motor navigation system.
The resultant ‘ partnership ‘ produced a totally new, custom designed connector that, along with cable manufactured by EC, approaches true ‘ plug & play ‘ technology. As the hub of this three-way consortium, EC managed the whole operation.
‘ We had no previous working relationship with Deutsch ‘, comments Totczyk, ‘ and this proactive approach and highly productive move was instigated by EC ‘.
The solution offered and later completely integrated into the h1000 platform utilises a cable small enough to fit through almost all conduits and around bulkheads on a boat. The FastNet data network cable runs data and power throughout the boat and allows sensors and displays to be ‘ daisy chained ‘ together in one continuous, easy – to – install and easy-to operate system. The unique and specially designed five pin over-moulded connectors used to piece runs of cable together are equally small, allowing the slim nature of the cabling to be fully utilised. Matching exactly B & G’s specifications for size and functionality , the connectors use a positive ‘ bayonet ‘ locking system that enables runs to be joined and disconnected easily and quickly in hard –to-reach places.
The connector itself is constructed of moulded acrylic and sealed to the IPC67 rating. The entire EC/Deutsch- devised solution allows the h1000 to operate at speeds and functionality normally only associated with top-end systems, and well within the extreme environmental parameters required at sea.
Totczyk is extremely impressed with the way EC pulled together two large companies to combat what, at first, seemed like an insurmountable problem.
‘ The way in which EC listened carefully to our requirements, formulated an idea and solution and then approached Deutsch to help them fulfil it so perfectly is typical of the way they approach all of their dealings with us. The people at EC are always willing to share their substantial expertise and knowledge with us and, with that in mind, are more than simply a ‘ supplier ‘. It would be true to say that EC helps us to develop many of our market-leading products, the h1000 included. ‘
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