bertram31.com

Bertram31.com Mechanical Section

Mechanical Section
equipment reviews








SMXOnline® Series Control PanelsSMXOnline® Series Control Systems


SMX® Series Control Systems  Tuesday, March 09, 1999



The Industry's First Networkable Air Conditioning Control


SMXOnline® is designed for use with direct expansion and tempered-water cooling and heating systems. This advanced system opens unprecedented new opportunities for comfort control, with features never before available in any yacht air conditioning system. With SMXOnline®, for instance, you can:
1. Control the air conditioning system In any of your yacht's cabins from any SMXOnline® display/ control panel, Just as if you were using its local control unit.

2. Control two or more condensing units from a single display/control panel by "slaving" one or more units to a single master unit and control.

3. Use the optional Convenience Panel for single-keystroke control over many of the most commonly used functions, such as on/off cycling, entering the remote control mode, engaging the automatic dehumidification routine and selecting preset day and night settings.
With the addition of the optional data modem, one can control the yacht's air conditioning systems from a car or home telephone.  In addition, SMXOnline® has all of the advanced programming functions and comfort control features pioneered by Cruisair in the SMX® series products.

SMXOnline® control systems are available in four different levels:

1. A stand-alone switch assembly incorporating all the functions available in the original SMX® and field upgradable with networking software by adding a micro chip and interconnecting cables.

2. All the above, plus the networking software and cabling, permitting you to link all SMXOnline® display control panels Into an integrated network.

3. All the above, plus the optional Convenience panel, providing easy one-button control over many functions.

4. All the above, plus the optional data modem, permitting control over the SMXOnline® network from a remote telephone.
Level 1. The Basic SMXOnline®.
The Level 1 product consists of a stand-alone SMXOnline® system with discreet, positive-feel buttons on the keypad.  The switch assembly includes a single printed circuit board which controls the display. A separate power logic board is located in a box, mounted on or next to the condensing unit.   A four-conductor cable, with pre-wired plugs, connects the display/control panel and power/logic box.  Standard switch plates are made of non-corrosive ABS plastic.  Cruisair also offers custom switch plates a variety of different materials, such as brushed or chromed metal, fabric or polished wood, to match the yacht's interior decor.

The basic SMXOnline® system incorporates all of the features available in the SMX® series controls, including:
1. Manual or automatic switch over for cooling and heating

2. Continuous or intermittent fan operation

3. Manual or automatic fan speed control

4. Non-volatile memory

5. Continuous monitoring of pressures and voltage

6. Dehumidification routine

7. AC line voltage calibration

8. Temperature sensor calibration

9. Compressor restart time delay

10. Compressor response differential

11. Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature selection
It also offers a number of important new features not available in the SMX® II including
1. Outside temperature display

2. Two-speed and variable-speed fan control

3. Auxiliary heat control

The stand-alone switch assembly can easily be upgraded by adding the networking software chip in the power/logic box and network cabling.
Level 2. The SMXOnline® Network.
With the addition of networking software chips and network cables, you can link multiple SMXOnline® systems into a seamless integrated comfort control network.  The SMXOnline® Network permits you to:
1. Operate the air conditioning system in remote cabins from any keypad

2. "slave" multiple units together

3. Observe consistent readings of outside temperature at all display/control panels from a single thermistor
In an SMXOnline® network, you can operate any dis-play/control panel in either a local or remote mode. In the local mode, each display/control panel functions just like a stand-alone switch assembly, each one controlling its own condensing unit.   In the remote mode, you can take control over a distant unit from any display/control panel, just as though you were at the remote location.  Your local switch panel LED will display the same readout as the remote one.  While operating in the remote mode, your own control unit continues to operate your local air conditioning system transparently. You can perform all of the control functions for the remote systems such as:
1. Displaying current cabin temperature

2. Switching the unit on or off

3. Adjusting the set point

4. Selecting automatic or manual fan operation

5. Starting or stopping the dehumidification routine

6. Controlling auxiliary heat

7. Selecting cooling, heating or automatic switch over

8. Change any of the programable functions
The SMXOnline® Network also permits multiple units to be "slaved" together so that all of them are operated from a single master control.  This is often desirable when more than one air conditioning unit is in stalled in one large cabin, such as a spacious main salon.   It is not necessary for the "slave" unit to have separate display/control panel, but if one is present, it can function as a duplicate control panel or be reassigned to another remote unit.  The "slave" receive operating commands from the master control unit an uses the set point and inside temperature sensor from the master.  A "slave" is created by programming the master's ID into it.  You can easily de-couple a "slave" unit from its master by changing ID designators, returning it to local control over its condensing unit.
Level 3. The SMXOnline® Convenience Panel.
Cruisair offers an optional convenience panel with the SMXOnline® Network.  This separate keypad can be programmed to provide single-button control over many of the most commonly used functions, thus eliminating the multi-button sequences needed to access these programming functions. From the convenience panel, you can easily take control of any remote unit and adjust its settings with minimal keystrokes. Convenience panel functions include:
1. Locking and unlocking pre-selected remote systems

2. Switching remote units off or on entering the remote mode to adjust set point, fan operation, cooling/heating modes and other settings for remote units

3. Selecting pre-set day or night settings for remote units

4. Setting automatic de-humidification routines for remote units

5. Setting all units to a pre-determined "absent" mode when leaving the boat, and restoring to the normal operating mode when you return.
The convenience panel is connected via a ribbon cable to any SMXOnline® display/control panel.   Like the SMXOnline® switch assemblies, the convenience panel is available with standard ABS plastic switch plate or custom materials, such as metal or wood.
Level 4. The Telephone Modem.
Cruisair offers an optional data modem, which permits you to access the system and perform control functions from any remote telephone with a touch-tone keypad.  This, you can "call" the boat's air conditioning system from your home, office or mobile phone.   The modem consists of a small printed circuit board which is installed in the power/logic box of one of the SMXOnline® systems.  It is connected into the yacht's telephone system with a standard RJ11 jack.



Past Articles and Equipment Reviews









Mechanical Feature Articles     Mechanical Equipment Reviews



|| Southeast Marine Sales & Services, Inc. ||













mechanical section / Saturday, February 21, 1998
bertram31.com© 1997,1998  webmaster@bertram31.com
Home Page: www.bertram31.com
DISCLAIMER