Deep Sea continues product expansion; eight new products include additional J1939 modules; markets expand to include pumps sets, chippers, shredders

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Oct, 2004 by Mike Osenga

Continuing what has been a very, aggressive product development and introduction strategy since setting up operations in North America in late 2001, Deep Sea Electronics Inc. has introduced another array of engine and generator set controls. Further, the Rockford, Ill.-based company has recently moved into a dedicated facility that will include an engine and generator set control demonstration and test center. Deep Sea is the U.S. subsidiary of Deep Sea Electronics PLC in North Yorkshire, England.

This new launch of eight new products is significant to volume alone, but also breaks new ground for Deep Sea in that it includes the introduction of an additional two families of J1939 enabled controls.

The first of tire new J1939 control families, tire models 4210 and 4220, not only expand Deep Sea's line into the electronic engine world, but also may open up new markets beyond gen-sets, with pump sets as well, as off-highway equipment such as chippers and shredders being application possibilities, said Paul Apsey, vice president of Deep Sea. These two modules are strictly J1939 modules that cannot read analog instrumentation.

The model 4210 is a J1939-enabled auto-start module that can be used to automatically start a generator set or other types of equipment, via a remote signal or manually by pressing the start button located on tire front of the control. The key, of course, is the ability to link to J1939 engine management electronics providing engine protection and instrumentation without requiring additional senders.

The 4210 has a 16-bit microprocessor control and a collection of timers and pre-configured sequences. Tire module is also designed to provide indications of operational status and fault conditions, automatically shutting down the gen-set and indicating failures by means of an LCD display.

The test based LCD display provides "at a glance" diagnosis of fault conditions. The LCD displays engine rpm, oil pressure, coolant temperature, engine hours, auxiliary charging voltage, plant battery volts and engine ECU diagnostics. The engine ECU error codes are displayed in text and numerical format.

Apsey said the 4210 provides comprehensive PC configuration and status monitoring using 42xx PC software. Alterations to the system are done using the 42xx PC configuration in conjunction with an 810 interface. The module also features PIN number protected front panel programming for selected trip points and timers, and allows field changes to be made to module setting.

The 4210 also has a "sleep" mode to save on battery life when the control is off. Multiple LCD languages, English, French, Spanish and German, are now available.

The second of Deep Sea's J1939-enabled modules is the model 4220 auto mains failure module that includes many of the same features as the 4210, but adds integral utility mains monitoring and load switch control capability. Thus, the 4220 typically is used to automatically start standby generator sets.

The second J1939-enabled control family is the 5310 auto-start module and 5320 auto mains failure module. Following Deep Sea's platform module design concept, these two controls mirror the 4210 and 4220, but can read both J1939 and analog allowing its use on a wide range of engines.

While gen-sets are the primary market for the 5000 series, Apsey said these modules are also targeted for use on other types of equipment with analog or J1939 inputs. The 5310 and 5320 feature remote communication capabilities via an optional RS232 port that provides a link to a personal computer via either a PSTN line or GSM network. The module can also signal operators via cell phone using the GSM SMS messaging system.

The 5000 series modules also include an optional RS485 Modbus output that Apsey said allows the units to be integrated into both new or existing building management and control schemes.

Other newly introduced Deep Sea products in North America include the 4120 auto mains failure module and the 4130 auto transfer switch controller. Upgrades of Deep Sea's 703 line, the 4120 has transfer switch logic and can monitor single-phase or three-phase utility grids. The module includes monitoring capabilities, as well as protection and start features with an integral LCD tamperproof engine hours run counter.

The 4130 module is for transfer switch control only. It is designed to monitor the incoming ac utility mains supply and should a failure occur, the 4130 instructs the gen-set to start and take load. When utility mains supply returns, the module after a configurable stabilization period, transfer loads back to the mains. The engine is allowed to cool down before stopping.

Also new is the model 4110 auto-start module that Apsey said is more powerful than the company's 703 model and features two-part connectors, a feature designed for manufacturing ease as the OEM can make its own wiring harnesses and provides more "plug and play" capabilities than single part connectors.

Also designed for power generation and other stationary uses, the 4110 can start a pump or generator set, warm the engine and then add load. The 4110 also features an integral hour meter.