MasterVolt – Essential information when setting up an electrical system in either a New Vessel / RV or perhaps your completing a major refit
Information in this Blog was gathered from the Mastervolt website in order to offer a guide and explination into the world of Mastervolt and their MasterBus network system
The MasterBus revolution
Mastervolt is your ideal system supplier. The products we supply fit seamlessly together and communicate easily to ensure a top system performance. Optimal operation is also provided by Mastervolt’s in-house developed communication and network platform: MasterBus.
The masterful MasterBus:
- Complete system integration.
- Simple to operate.
- Easy installation.
- Save on installation time and costs.
- Easily expandable.
- Perfect to monitor.
- Ready for the future.
MasterBus is unique for the way a wide range of products, recognisable by the MasterBus symbol, are fitted with the same communication port. This results in a mine of information on all connected components. Everything becomes clear and easy to operate via one central touchscreen panel. Operation from multiple locations is also possible, for example via PC/laptop or SMS. Installation is also incredibly simple and the minimal amount of cabling significantly reduces the chance of failures.
Reliable
Thanks to galvanic isolation, nearly all Mastervolt devices can supply power to the MasterBus, ensuring a safe and stable network. Each MasterBus product has an ‘intelligence’ of its own and can function independently. This feature reduces the dependency of individual products and enhances the overall reliability of your system.
Flexible
New equipment can easily be added to your existing MasterBus network by simply extending the network. This means the MasterBus network has an enormous degree of flexibility, not just today but also in the future. Moreover, Mastervolt supplies various interfaces with which you can also connect equipment that does not have a MasterBus link. For example, we supply the MasterBus NMEA 2000 Interface for the integration of navigation equipment.
Complete system
MasterBus is a network that makes use of CANbus technology, which already has a proven track record in the automotive and maritime markets. MasterBus controls the supply for all connected equipment, including the inverter, battery charger, generator and much more besides. This makes an intelligent system performance possible.
- A practical example: The generator is instructed to start automatically when the batteries are almost empty.
Easy to install
MasterBus makes an electrical installation far less complex by reducing the number of cables. Each system component has two MasterBus communication ports. As soon as two or more devices are connected to each other via these communication ports they form a local data network - what we call a MasterBus network. As this requires very few communication cables you enjoy considerable savings in space, material costs and installation time.
Using your PC
The MasterBus USB Interface allows you to monitor, control and configure the entire MasterBus network from a Windows PC or laptop. The galvanic isolation of the interface ensures you safe operation in all situations. The required MasterAdjust software can be easily downloaded here.
Central operation
Mastervolt offers various control panels (touchscreen and otherwise) for the display and operation of the connected equipment, giving you a complete overview of the status of your electrical system. Control is at your fingertips and the full colour EasyView 5 panel allows you to read all information on one central panel. All control panels are suitable for the display, operation and configuration of all connected MasterBus devices.
Remote control
Communicating via your cell phone is no longer a pipe-dream. Using MasterBus you can request information and control onboard equipment via SMS. If desired you can even set the interface to inform your cell phone when an alarm goes off onboard.
How to create a MasterBus network
All devices that are suitable for the MasterBus network are equipped with two communication ports. As soon as two or more devices are connected with each other via these ports, they form a local data network. When creating a MasterBus network, follow the guidelines given here:
Connections between your devices can be made by using the Mastervolt UTP cables. The electricity needed for the network is supplied by the connected devices. At least one in every four devices in each network must be able to supply power to the MasterBus. For eight devices there must be two power suppliers, etc.
The remarkable simplicity of MasterBus events
Every MasterBus system can be set to your requirements - in essence, it’s like welcoming your own personal butler onboard. And MasterBus ‘events’ are how you train the butler. For example, you can set the generator to start automatically when the batteries are almost empty. Use MasterBus events to configure your system so that each component can activate another. MasterBus: At your service!
Example of an event
In the given example you set the following event: The batteries/battery monitor tell(s) the generator to start.
Say that you use the MasterShunt as a battery monitor within the MasterBus network. In this scenario the MasterShunt is the initiator or the ‘source’ and the generator is the ‘target’. The commando = start or autostart. The data = on. By setting multiple events (source, target, commando + data) you can program the entire MasterBus network.
Digital switching with MasterBus
Another example of a MasterBus event is the use of Digital Switching. The pressing of a light switch, for instance, activates the lighting. The source is the switch, the target the lamp. One source can also be used to control multiple targets, such as the lamps in this example.
Endless possibilities
Thanks to the underlying communication between all the equipment connected to the MasterBus network, the configuration of events offers you endless possibilities. If you wish, the switch in the example can, for instance, activate not only the lights but also the inverter that provides power to your TV.
All this and much more is available without the installation of extra components.
Summary
Within every MasterBus network all available sources for your connected products can be linked to all available targets. The manuals of the products concerned provide a clear overview of available sources and targets and simplify the configuration of events.
System Application Example:
Sailing profile
You normally go sailing for a weekend or midweek, sometimes anchored without access to shore power so you need enough power to cruise for two days. You also desire a range of comforts onboard, including a large refrigerator, microwave/oven combination and high-end coffee/espresso machine. Internet and email facilities are on your wish list as is (partial) navigation using your laptop, a good sound system and occasionally watching your favourite TV show.
Energy consumption
The basics
- Your navigation station includes a GPS, plotter, speedometer and depth gauge.
- Your yacht has several pumps for water, shower, toilet and bilges.
- You require optimum ease of operation; not only centrally located but also next to your bed or in the engine room.
System choice
One of the advantages of using a Mass Combi is the ability to power loads even when mains supply is limited by using energy from your batteries. For example, a 10 A load can be powered from a 4 A shore connection. In addition, the design of the Mass Combi is both unique and characteristic of Mastervolt. Rather than installing heavy transformers, our lightweight, high-frequency technology offers major benefits regarding size, weight and sound (no hum!). The technology also ensures an exceptionally high efficiency with a minimal conversion loss and a low no-load consumption. The included battery temperature sensor will make sure the batteries receive the best possible charge. The Mass Combi meets all your requirements and more!
The total of AC and DC consumers requires around 1 kWh per day (2 kWh in total). Totally discharging the batteries is not advisable so opt for a maximum of 50 % discharge = 4 kWh. Taking into account the various appliances and required peak loads we suggest a 12 V system. The required battery capacity is 4 kWh/12 V = ± 330 Ah.
Charger/inverter: Mass Combi 12/1600-60
280 Ah needs at least 25 % of the battery capacity for charging power, so in this case we chose for a 60 A charging power via the Mass Combi. The Mass Combi has a battery charger that allows you to safely, quickly and completely charge two battery banks; starter and service batteries can be separately charged. Additionally the Mass Combi can be used to convert the power for your AC applications, so using everything simultaneously is also possible.
This touchscreen control panel is easy to read and operate. The grey button turns the display on or off or locks it, while all other functions can be controlled using the touchscreen.
Digital distribution
The products in this system communicate with each other via MasterBus. This brilliantly simple platform for communication and connections ensures that all components ‘speak’ the same language. The result is a single communication protocol with high-speed CANbus technology.
MasterBus integrated battery monitor, with detailed information on the status of your batteries for an optimised charging process, incl. voltage, current, time remaining and consumption capacity in percentage.
2 x DC Distribution 500 with 4 fuses
This distribution model connects up to four DC devices to the DC groups, such as a battery charger, inverter, alternators and solar panels.
Other system components
- 1 x AGM 12/130 starter battery.
- 1 x Mass GI 3.5 kVA/16 A; lightweight isolation transformer for safely using shore power, vital for steel or aluminium vessels to avoid electrolysis and corrosion.
- 1 x Charge Mate Pro; the ultimate solution for charging several batteries simultaneously, compatible with any type of alternator/charger.
- 4 x Shore Fix, 16A/30mA earth leakage switches.
- 1 x shore power cable 16 A, 25 m.
- 1 x shore power inlet 2+PE, 16A/230V.
- 2 x battery switches for switching on and off the consumers attached to the battery.
- 1 x Spotlight Chrome; the most versatile, durable, consistent and easy-to-use spotlight on the market.
System drawing
