12 Volt Wheelhouse Power
New Vessel Wheelhouse Console is powered by independent 12 volt system.
New build vessels starting with the recently delivered M/V CAPT JACK HIGMAN are equipped with a 12 volt power supply system for the Wheelhouse Console. This system supplies power to all critical navigation and communications systems during normal operations and for up to 4 hours in the event of a generator failure.
The system independently supplies the port and the stbd portions of the console and can be paralleled through a crossfeed switch if necessary.
The 12 volt system begins below the wheelhouse 2 - 25 amp Newman PT-25 battery chargers - one for the Port side, one for the Stbd side.
- each charger supplies a bank of 2 -AGM, 12 volt batteries, wired in parallel.
- the 2 paralleled AGM batteries supply a 12 volt distribution buss located below the wheelhouse console. Port side buss is accessible below the Port console and the Stbd buss is accessible below the Stbd console.
The independent Port and Stbd busses supply equipment as follows:
Port 12 volt DC Distribution Buss:
- AIS display
- PA system
- Console VHF Radio
- Port Radar Scanner
- Port Radar RPU
- AIS Processor
- Port 12 volt Outlet
- Windshield Wiper
- Sounder
- Aux Switch Feed
Stbd 12 volt DC Distribution Buss:
- Stbd Radar Scanner
- Overhead VHF Radio
- Stbd radar RPU
- Dome Light
- Stbd 12 volt Outlet
- SC 50 Satellite Compass
- Console VHF Radio
125 volt AC equipment located on the console, such as the radar flat screen monitors and the swing meter can be powered during a generator failure through the AUX POWER switches located on the Port console. A 1500 watt inverter, located beneath the Port console is supplied with 12 volt DC form the Port buss when the INVERTER switch is contacted. It converts the 12 volt DC to 125 volt AC for the outlets located on the back side of the port/stbd consoles. The OUTLET switch isolates these outlets from the main vessel 125 volt line and must be contacted to supply the AUX POWER to the outlets.
A Crossfeed Switch is located in beneath the Stbd console to allow the Port and Stbd systems to work off either/both sets of batteries.
AGM Batteries - Absorbed Glass Matt batteries require no maintenance and should give years of service if properly charged. The units are sealed and do not require water to be added to them. they deliver the best life performance if they are recharged before the battery drops below 50% discharge rate. If a AGM battery was discharged 100%, the cycle life would be 300 plus cycles.
The PT Battery Charger Remote Panel is located on the back side of both consoles to indicate condition of the AGM battery charge cycle. During normal operation, a green light will show in the "float" position. This means that the batteries are being recharged at the rate being used.
A series of Fuses should be located and confirmed as spares for the system:
- 50 amp - supply to each port/stbd busses - located beneath consoles
- 3 amp - sounder - in power line under console.
- 6 amp - supply to Console VHF radios -in power line under console.
- 7 amp- supply to PA system - in power line under console.
- 10 amp - supply to each 12v power outlet - in power line under console.
- 16 amp - windshield wiper
- 1 1/2 amp - overhead VHF radio -located in line at unit.
Mississippi River Valley.
