Day 172 10/19/24 Engine monitoring module for Open Plotter, based on SensESP, Tachometer circuit Dry fit. Windlass foot buttons installation. 4 hours

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Engine instruments

I have designed Engine monitoring module. It is based on Opensource SensESP project .

More details  about open source project here:

https://signalk.org/SensESP/pages/getting_started/

https://github.com/SignalK/SensESP 

I have bought relatively cheap 4000 RPM tachometer with M16 sensor on AliExpress, for  my 2MQ20 engine, however it appeared, that sensor signal is not strong enough enough to get it work stably on RPM >1200. 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807066465803.html

At any case I planned to make engine monitor module and connect sensor to it, and then to tachometer.

What I had to do - add signal amplifier/filter circuit to monitor module to feed physical instrument with strong enough signal.

My engine monitor board design:

 

 What features implemented on the board?

  • Sensor - Starter battery Voltage
  • Sensor - Alternator output Voltage 
  • Sensor - Throttle position (potentiometer input)
  • Sensor - Fuel Tank "1" level (ADC input 0-12V)
  • Sensor - Fuel Tank "2" level (ADC input 0-12V) [optional, may be repurposed]
  • Sensor - Oil pressure to use with 5V output/power sensor (Sensor)
  • Alarm input - Engine overheat (coolant temp switch) 
  • Alarm input - Oil pressure low (Oil pressure switch)
  • Alarm input - Coolant level low (dry contact) [optional, may be repurposed]
  • Alarm input - Oil level low (dry contact) [optional, may be repurposed]
  • Sensor - Water in fuel (contact sensor in water separator) [optional, may be repurposed]
  • Sensor -Tachometer input (from inductive sensor)
  • Output - Normalized Tachometer output (3V) 
  • Sensors - 7 ports for  One wire temperature sensors. 
    • Coolant temperature
    • Engine compartment air temperature
    • Wet Exhaust temperature 
    • Transmission oil/case temperature
    • Packing gland temperature
    • Raw water out temperature
    • Oil temperature
  • Output - 5Amp  output for automatic engine stop [optional, may be repurposed]
  • Alarm control extension connector
    • 12V out
    • Alarm LED output out to 20mA (Switch to ground)
    • Buzzer Out 0.5A max (Switch to ground)
  • USB for Firmware update
     

All inputs protected against static discharge, lightning power surge (in some degree)  and over-voltage.

Board is made and tested, some small change was required. Conformal coating sprayed to protect it from elements.

Tachometer dry fit. 

Engine idle 800RPM as expected

Windlass

Installed custom made plastic battery cover over the Windlass battery.

Windlass

Windlass foot control buttons installed on the bow. I had to re-crimp control wires to solenoid and add one more in-line fuse.


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