OUR EXPERTISE
The core of our expertise lies in the following fields; Yacht- and Shipbuilding, IT and Ship Electrics. It’s Lotronics ability to integrate these disciplines that makes us a unique partner that can offer the best solutions ranging from all ship systems between the top of the mast and the bulb of the keel.
Our work covers the complete process, from engineering, systems testing, installing and commissioning. Doing the engineering and systems testing up front results in a much more efficient installation process and a well thought trough system. Also, all our systems and installations are built under class such as Lloyds Register, Bureau Veritas, CCS, etc.
Our expertise can be utilized both on refit and new built projects. Whether we work for a private customer (yacht owner) or a shipyard. If necessary and/or required, we employ subcontractors from our selected partners and do project management to alleviate the client’s workload.
Navigation & Communication
An important part of Lotronics specialization lies in the field of Navigation and Communication. Needless to say these systems are essential to every ship whether big, small, commercial or yacht. For safety and reliability reasons the components are carefully selected and systems are thoroughly tested.
The following systems comprise a conventional set up; Radar, Chart plotter, Autopilot, Speed & distance log, Wind instruments, Echo sounder & forward scanner, GPS, AIS, Navigational lights, VHF DCS Radio, Satellite, EPIRB. These Nav / Com systems can be fully integrated in the bridge design. For yachts we like to recommend a Glassbridge to integrate the bridge with the brand and design of the yacht while creating a clean and tasteful styling with an optimal user interface.
Monitoring & Control
Monitoring and control of the ships propulsion and power is essential for its efficiency and safety and there are many systems and parameters to consider like: fuel consumption, combustion temperature, engine temperature, diesel engine safety and start/stop, generator voltage and frequency control, generator load in KW and %, load control, torque, heavy consumers logic, control of diesel electric propulsion, thrusters monitoring and control etc..
Auxiliary machinery monitoring and control covers several systems like: main sea & fresh water cooling system – pumps, system pressure, temp. etc., Potable and fresh water control, Air compressors, Bilge & sludge control – Tank level, pumps, Fuel oil system – Tank levels, temp., viscosity, flow, purifiers, heaters etc., Other cooling systems, Boiler/steam system – pumps, valves, pressure temp. etc., Air Conditioning, ballast water treatment, exhaust gas treatment equipment.
- Systems logging
- Remote monitoring
- Remote yard diagnostics
- CCTV – alarming
Engine management
Engine management allows the owner/captain to have complete control over the ship’s engines. We enable the engines to communicate, send and receive data to allow monitoring and control from the bridge. This allows for readings such as rpm’s, temperature, oil, fuel, alarming, etc. Also (preventive) maintenance is much more convenient now. Lotronics can even outfit old and conventional engines with sensors and communications protocols to allow for engine management as if the engines were equipped with the latest technology.
Power management
The ship’s circuitry is essential for optimal operation of all ship’s systems. Besides power management and monitoring from the bridge, Lotronics also ensures a durable and capable systems of 12 volt, 24 volt and 230/400 volts, redundancy and backup systems, calculating a load list, installing the complete power infrastructure with cables, wiring and junction boxes conforming with the client’s specifications and build under class.
Entertainment
Especially on a yacht, entertainment is an important element to experience comfort and luxury of the ship. It is therefore important to equip the yacht with high end audio and video systems with optimal user interface and multi-room control for various decks, cabins and living spaces. Nowadays, entertainment goes hand in hand with smart devices and media streaming. Lotronics ensures seamless smart device control. Optionally a media server can be added for an extensive library of the best films and music when making offshore passages with no internet connection.
TV screens are HD / 4K. When not in use the screens gracefully disappear behind the carpentry using a TV lift. Another tasteful solution is applying a TV-mirror combination. When not in use, the TV (behind the mirror) is not visible while the mirror is like any other. When the TV is turned on, the display becomes visible through the mirror which gives a noticeable ‘wow effect’ among friend and guests alike.
Also the audio systems, while filling the room with rich and crisp clear sound, are elegantly integrated in the interior and carpentry.
Internet & Connectivity
Nowadays, being digitally connected with the outside world is an important part of our life. Whether it is for streaming the new episode of your favorite series, sending your friends a status update on Facebook or for the need of downloading gribfiles and gathering information about the next passages and destinations. Ideally a large ship is equipped with Wi-Fi access point in every room to ensure full coverage of the network anywhere, at all times. In turn, the local ship’s network is connected with a Wi-Fi antenna and amplifier to ensure and optimize a solid internet connection from shore using either a Wi-Fi of 4G signal. When offshore, and thus out of reach of conventional internet sources, the system automatically switches to the satellite dome. Or even better; a flat panel satellite receiver with no moving parts. If desired, bandwidth and data usage can be managed for different user profiles such as crew, captain, owner and guests while connected to satellite.
Lotronics is well versed in designing and installing such systems and has extensive experience on various projects realizing reliable internet and connectivity on board.
NMEA & CANbus
CANbus was originally developed for the automotive industry. By now it’s also replacing conventional electric marine systems to enable real-time communication between ship systems.
This leads to some very convenient new capabilities. For example, a single button marked “Sail – Night” will set the masthead light to red-green-white, turn off the cabin white lights, turn on the cabin and instrument red lights, and switch off the steaming light. Pressing the “Anchored – Away” button will shut off everything except for the bilge pumps, high-water alarm, dragging alarm, and white all-round light. Every circuit has its own ammeter and voltmeter, the readings from which can be used in automated power drain and time remaining calculations. It’s even possible for the controller to automatically shut off heavy loads such as water heaters and refrigerators when the generator, inverter or shore-power connection is at risk of being overloaded.
Additionally, CANbus has a number of significant advantages over conventional systems;
- Speed; CAN data transfer speeds far outstrip traditional analog wiring harnesses since multiple messages can be sent simultaneously to all connected devices, sensors or actuators.
- Flexibility; Because of its paired-down, single cable, two-wire structure, CAN bus offers enhanced installation and maintenance flexibility. CAN-connected systems not only contain significantly less wire, making them easier to install, but adding new components to a system requires far less development while also greatly reducing complications in diagnosing and addressing signal problems.
- Reliability; In addition to being far less sensitive to magnetic interference than analog wiring, CAN communication also requires fewer cables and connectors, drastically cutting down on points of failure and extremely fault and noise tolerant due to the fact that it’s a differential signal.
- Cost; The lower hardware costs and minimal signal processing requirements make CAN an ideal solution for embedded applications requiring multi-processor communication on a budget.
- Simplicity; Less wiring, Easy fault tracking & diagnostics, No more unmanageable ‘spaghetti’.
Part of Lotronics’ expertise lies in the field of digital switching using a central CANbus infrastructure and NMEA protocols. Through a series of smart configurations of digital modules and PLC programming the vessel can be automated up to any desired / required level.
Smart Yacht
Lotronics’ specialization lies in electronics and automation. We take pride in the fact that we offer our own unique in-house developed system. Based on our expertise in digital switching automation and programming, this is a flexible and hassle-free system bringing together the latest ITech allowing to realize the yacht’s potential in the fields of monitoring & control, domotics, motor management, navigation and communication, all integrated in a state of the art user interface. Making life easier with an optimal user experience. The conventional yacht becomes a ‘smart yacht’ making the yacht’s systems and instrument truly come to life.
Electric / Hybrid propulsion
Conventional diesel propulsion is no longer the only option and neither necessarily the best choice. Nowadays, hybrid and electric propulsion is for many situation a viable and preferable option providing several significant benefits over diesel propulsion;
- Less maintenance and running costs
- More energy efficient
- Quiet and vibration-free operation
- Direct Control
- Sustainable and clean
- No diesel fumes
- No hassle with fuel and oil filters
- No risks regarding polluted diesel
- Clean engine room
An electric motor is far more efficient than an internal combustion engine. Some of the power of a conventional inboard is diverted to run equipment such as pumps and alternators. This means that an inboard rated at 30 horsepower isn’t delivering all the horsepower to the prop shaft. Electric motors don’t have similar power draws from auxiliary equipment. In general, you can get essentially the same boat speed from an electric motor as you would from an internal combustion engine rated at twice the horsepower.
Electric propulsion brings motorsailing a completely new experience. With the soft, almost unnoticeable hum of the electric drive, the yacht can be pointed much closer to the wind while still enjoying the quiet peaceful sailing that we enjoy so much.
There are many yachts with dated diesel engines that are in need of either overhaul or replacement. This is an excellent opportunity to electrify the ship by making a conversion. Removing and replacing the old diesel is recommended. The new electric drive can be mounted on the existing engine brackets and propeller shaft. As for power sources, a combination of solar, wind and shore is ideal. To extend the range of the ship the ‘standard’ battery bank’s (equivalent to diesel tank range) capacity can be increased (lithium Ion) or a quiet, clean and efficient generator can be added.
In case the diesel engine is to be maintained, a smaller electric drive can be added to create a hybrid system with the benefits of a silent, direct and odorless operation during short distances such as docking, entering and exiting marina’s, etc.
Working together with our specialized partner we join forces and combine the best of both worlds from our respective disciplines. The electric / hybrid propulsion systems are calculated based on the ship’s characteristics such as displacement, tonnage, size; 30ft / 40ft / 50ft / 60ft, as well as the type of usage; day sailingand cruising, weekends, holidays, long passages and blue water cruising.
Engineering
Before making installations on board, on elaborate systems it is strongly recommended (necessary) to do engineering beforehand. Especially concerning large projects, up front engineering not only significantly increases a smooth and efficient installation on board during the new build or refit phase but also enables the required integration with other shipbuilding disciplines so that potential problems are fixed before the arise on the work floor. Typically the engineering process consists of the following stages; Concept Design, Basic Design, Detailed Design and finally Production Design.
Based on a GA (General Arrangement), and I/O list and load list can be drafted in which all ship systems and components can be calculated on capacities, quantities, cable lengths and man-hours. These calculations allow for accurate planning, cost and budgeting.
The end result is clear; our installations are cost-effective and highly dependable. Engineering and a professional way of working enable our clients to reach the required high-quality and modern products the high demanding customers in the yachting world are expecting nowadays.
