For the past few weeks I have been bench testing a whole slew of Masterbus devices and learning the capabilities of this fairly new distributed power system. Masterbus operates on the CANbus (Controller Area Network bus) system as opposed to others that use NMEA 2000 for the network. Masterbus does have an interface that allows NMEA 2000 data to be displayed on the network but I have yet to test that device and its capabilities. So far I REALLy like the info that the shunt can display, and you can have multiple shunts on the boat and have Masterbus do all the calculating. How cool is that? controlling the charger is something else that I could really get into. You can really get specific on the voltages that the battery sees while charging. Although I still have not figured out how the State Of Charge stays at 98% with a battery voltage of 12.2 volts. I will have to work on that anomaly.
The pods, as I call them, that each device connects to has 10 outputs each with a 10amp ATM fuse. There are 2 slots in which the fuses can be inserted, 1 slot is controlled by the network and the other slot is a forced on position. Mastervolt has really thought about the "what if the program fails" scenario. you just pull out the fuse and insert it into the other slot and bam..... the device is powered on, manually!
Programming of the system seems to be straight forward. Connect the 2 wires of the device into the pods, go to that pod on the configuration screen and tell it what you want it to do. Simple huh? Well, not THAT easy. but it is pretty simple after you learn a little about the program.
I do feel that this type of system will be beneficial in saving the amount of wiring in the boat. I have read reports of other companies saving some 800lbs of wiring in a 42 ft boat ! WOW that seems like alot, but after playing with this system for a week I can honestly say that I think it is possible.
I have not attempted to start playing with Masterbus controlling the 120 volt A.C. yet. Stay tuned for more reviews as the weeks go by.
Clint
Thanks, Clint, and sorry this took a while to post. It was not approved automatically because of the picture links (which I downloaded), and I didn't see it in the cue. If you want to write a further review, maybe it can go on the main blog; please contact me (ben.ellison at panbo.com).