Maintaining and servicing the Marex OS II remote control system
Battery replacement
Keep in mind the danger of a “load dump”. Batteries may only be replaced after the
devices have been disconnected from power supply. Otherwise the devices may be
destroyed. Switch the devices off and disconnect the supply lines before replacing the
batteries.
Checking the cover foils
Check the cover foils of the control head's display area for intactness. Even minor
damages may result in salt water penetrating the housing and affecting the electronics or
causing short-circuits. When a foil is damaged, the control head must not get in contact
with water spray and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Introduction
3
The manual
3.1
This manual describes the operation of the Marex OS II remote control. The individual operating and indication elements,
as provided in case of a system with standard functions, are explained. Components, which are applied for a Marex OS II
remote control with an extended functional range, are not described in this manual. For remote control systems with an
extended functional range separate descriptions exist.
As the main operating element of the Marex OS II remote control for propulsions with reversing gears a control head is
provided for each engine, by means of which the engine speed as well as the gear directions ahead, neutral or astern
are set. One or in case of multiple-engine propulsions several control heads with additional operating and indication
elements forms the so-called control station. In total, up to 6 control stations can exist on a vessel. The engine speed and
gear direction can always be set only from one control station, the so-called active control station.
By means of buttons functions like e. g. the change of the active control station, the activation and deactivation of the
speed synchronization of several engines as well as other functions can be activated. With the help of lamps e. g. the
active control station, the status of the speed synchronization as well as other functions are indicated. For a detailed
indication a multiple-line alphanumeric display is provided. Should an error arise in the system, detailed information
about the error's location and cause can be displayed so that a rapid removal of the error is possible.
The history of development
3.2
AVENTICS has been developing remote controls for ship propulsions since 1953. Under the name of WABCO
Westinghouse at first only pneumatic controls were developed. Since 1976 electro-pneumatic and electric controls based
on relay technology as well as freely programmable controls (PLC) have been added. The first microprocessors were
applied in 1984. Since that time the development of the electric systems up to the high-performance processors applied
today has advanced rapidly. Different bus systems were a further step in the development. These effect a considerable
reduction of the wiring work and at the same time an increase of the systems' safety. Today the electric systems have
long reached the safety standard of the pneumatic systems. With the Marex OS II remote control, based on a CAN-bus
system, it has become possible to set up remote controls in a modular way. By simply adding hardware components and
adapting the remote control software, controls of any size can be composed. Bus systems entail cost reduction, flexibility
and safety.
The design
3.3
Appearance is a matter of taste. Functionality and handling are of enormous importance. Materials must withstand the
rough environmental conditions at sea. To consider all requirements we charged the University of Hanover with the
designing. From a multitude of design proposals a system was created that turns out to be modern, functional and
robust: Marex OS II.
The future
3.4
With Marex OS II
OS stands for open system
future advancements can be integrated. Components of older
technologies, like Marex OS, can be replaced by components with the latest technology. New components can be
added. Systems can be adapted flexibly to the changing requirements of propulsion systems.
Marex OS II – open for the future.
