Mastervolt - Marine Copyright (c) 2010 http://http://www.mastervolt.com.au// au Mastervolt AU RSS 2012-05-18 NEW Australian built Voyager V1040 “HYBRID Explorer” - Powered by Mastervolt & Steyr http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/new-australian-built-voyager-v1040-hybrid-explorer-powered-by-mastervolt-steyr1/ ]]><p>The new Voyager <strong>&lsquo;</strong>V1040 Hybrid Explorer&rsquo; is a semi-displacement 10.4m Sedan Cruiser suited to those in low clearance areas, or who prefer an economical single level Cruiser. It&rsquo;s versatile open layout is perfect for family or fishing, and with twin Steyr Hybrid propulsion engine accompanied with 7kW electric drive motors, this vessel can cruise at 13-18 knots, reaching up to 21 knots at top speed.</p> <p>Steyr Motors&#160; are the first engine manufacturer to develop and introduce the STEYR HDS&trade; Hybrid Drive System for boats of all kinds in the marine market. The &#34zero emission&#34 electric drive mode allows a speed of 5 knots using solely electric propulsion and switches to the combustion engine with an easy turn of the ignition key. The ingenious propulsion then gets &#34boosted&#34 by the electric drive and enables quicker acceleration, lowering fuel consumption, improving response and dynamics.</p> <p>Andrew Wilson, Business Development Manager for Power Protection Solutions, Mastervolts Australian distributor was contacted by Steyr Motors Australia to help formulate an energy package that would suit the Steyr electric drives and vessel design.</p> <p>Voyager Catamarans were wanting to make maximum use of the propulsion batteries as part of the vessels main DC loads. Generally the propulsion batteries are kept separate from the house loads as the demand on the batteries is very high when in electric drive mode. This presented a challenge for Mastervolt and the electrical designer/installer, Brad Stack from Edge Marine Electrical on the Gold Coast.</p> <p>After much deliberation, and with space &#38; weight a crucial factor, a Mastervolt Lithium-Ion Battery Package was the only option to use for such a demanding setup. Four 24v 160Ah Li-Ion batteries were used to create a 48v 320Ah (17.2kWh) capacity. The Li-Ion batteries were then connected to the &#34emergency 12v start batteries&#34 of the Steyr engines via Mastervolt 48v DC-DC converters to supply a reasonably portion of Lithium Ion power to the vessels DC circuits.</p> <p>Andrew stated, &#34As the 144hp Steyr diesel engines start from the 48v hybrid drive, the 12v batteries are rarely used; by slightly increasing their capacity and connecting the Li-Ion batteries via DC converters, we have created a very powerful and reliable battery system for house loads and propulsion &#34.</p> <p>Andrew also mentioned, &#34This setup potentially gives the owner over 1000Ah @ 12v of house bank capacity, with full digital touch screen monitoring, control and safety backup&#34 &#34Along with a 48v 5kW Mass Combi Inverter/Charger suppling the AC power for the vessel and electric galley, we could not have been happier with the outcome&#34</p> <p>Voyager also wanted to take the Hybrid theme to the next level and installed 1.5kW of solar panels to the vessel. Figures recorded on sea trial were an average of 21amps charge going into the 48v Lithium propulsion batteries; With this amount of solar charge the vessel was capable of producing a speed of 2.1 knots just on solar power alone, a very impressive figure indeed.</p> <p>Also on sea trial, the vessel achieved an electric drive speed of over 6 knots with a comfortable cruising speed of 4-5 knots on 70% Hybrid drive load. With these figures, the owner can expect to see around 2-2.5 hours of quiet electric cruising before the batteries require recharging. Once the diesel engines are engaged, the charging time of the batteries is expected to take under 2 hours to achieve full capacity.&#160;&#160;</p> <p>Power Protection Solutions &#38; Mastervolt are proud to be involved in the first production built Hybrid vessel of this type in Australia and look forward to the next Hybrid project involving Voyager Catamarans, Steyr Motors and Edge Marine Electrical.</p> <p><a href="http://www.powersolutions.com.au/">www.powersolutions.com.au</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<a href="http://www.mastervolt.com.au/"> www.mastervolt.com.au</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="http://www.voyagercats.com.au/">www.voyagercats.com.au</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="http://www.steyr-motors.com.au/">www.steyr-motors.com.au</a></p> Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:03:09 +0100 MasterBus and CZone come together http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/masterbus-and-czone-come-together/ ]]><p>Since the integration of Mastervolt into the Marine division of Actuant Electrical the engineers at Mastervolt headquarters inAmsterdamand the BEP engineering team inNew Zealandhave been busy working together to provide a seamless connection between the two companies networked technologies into one system.&#160;</p> <p>Both companies have extensive CAN based networked systems made up of Digital Switching, Systems Monitoring and Power Conversion devices. &#34Bringing the CZone and MasterBus systems together has been a relatively easy task&#34, says Jarrod Sagar, Global Product manager for Digital Switching at BEP, &#34as both companies had the same original philosophy for these systems, which was to bring all the points of control and monitoring of the on board systems onto one intuitive display, a central point and seamless automation simplifies boat use for the user.&#34</p> <p>The engineering teams have developed &lsquo;CZoneMasterBusBridge&rsquo; as the link between the MasterBus and CZone systems. The Bridge is a simple plug-in unit that reads both protocols and allows units from each manufacturer, and others such as Simrad that use BEP&rsquo;s NMEA2000, to become fully compatible. This means that components such as pumps, alarms, battery chargers and monitors can be controlled from a single touch screen.</p> <p>&#34The popular MasterShunt battery monitor and ChargeMaster battery charger can now be connected to a BEP marine network, which is based on NMEA2000,&#34 explained Marc Persoon, Mastervolt&rsquo;s marketing manager. &#34As a result, the monitoring and control of the battery charger can now be done via the CZone display or other compatible display such as the multi-function marine navigation screens from Simrad and B&#38;G. TheCZoneMasterBusBridgehas been developed to connect two great systems together, and bring you the best of both worlds.&#34</p> <p>As with all Mastervolt products, the Bridge is made from robust, corrosion resistant materials. The compact unit has strategically-placed screw holes allowing it to be attached to any convenient surface. Two simple 5-pin universal sockets facilitate the quick and simple connection of the two network cables, and an LED indicator shows the network status.</p> <p>&#34By connecting the Bridge into an existing system, it will allow a boat owner to expand a boat&rsquo;s systems without having to stick with just one manufacturer,&#34 Persoon stated. &#34This is just one example of the benefits of becoming part of an organization such as Actuant, where the pooling of expertise reaps huge benefits for the customer. Furthermore, the Bridge gives our OEMS a complete simple package: a networked system made up of the worlds best power conversion and digital switching products.&#34</p> <p>&#34The inclusion of the Mastervolt product range and the integration highlights the BEP marine division strategy to be become a leading global supplier of integrated electrical system solutions and electrical components,&#34 says BEP&rsquo;s Jarrod Sagar.</p> <p>TheCZoneMasterBusBridgewill be on display at IBEX and METS, and is due for release in the first quarter of 2012. The bridge will include all the necessary connector cables and have a 2-year warranty.</p> <p><a href="http://files.mastervolt.com/files/content/mastervolt_-_czone_masterbus_bridge_-_uk.doc" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT</a></p> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:34:48 +0100 Australasian Oil & Gas Expo http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/fairs-shows/australasian-oil-gas-expo-feb-22-24-2012/ <p><strong>Australasian Oil &#38; Gas Expo,</strong></p> <p><strong><em>22-24 February 2012, Perth Convention &#38; Exhibition Centre, Western Australia</em></strong><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>With over 450 exhibitors from across 16 countries, AOG is the largest oil&#160;and&#160;gas event of&#160;its kind.</strong></p> <p>In 2011 over 11,000 people decided to visit <strong>Australia's Oil and Gas Expo</strong> which was a 15% increase on the attendance of the previous year. Don't hesitate; register now to secure your place at the <strong>Australasian Oil and Gas Exhibition</strong>.</p> <p>See the very latest in subsea, asset management, flow control, safety and engineering from the world's leading EPC companies, operators, contractors and service and supply companies.</p> <p>If you're a senior manager, engineer, consultant or procurement professional from an exploration and production company, engineering firm, consultancy, or a contractor and from the service and supply industry, then this is a must attend event.</p> <p>Mastervolt Australia will be exhibiting with its West Australian Commercial Distributor, EJ Electrical.</p> <p>Come see them on stand U2.</p> <p>http://www.aogexpo.com.au/</p> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:20:16 +0100 Complete portfolio of stylish shore connections http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/complete-portfolio-of-stylish-shore-connections/ ]]><p>Mastervolt developed a complete range of shore connection cables and all required accessories. The new range is based on the popular CE connector, which is a so-called pin and sleeve connection. This new range is an extension of the existing Mastervolt twist and lock range.</p> <p>The new range of shore connections comes in power ratings of 16A and 32A and different lengths of cables. In addition converter cables are available as well as extension cables and Y-splitters. All connections cables have moulded waterproof connection designed to survive the harsh marine environment. No salt water will corrode the connection and cause unreliable shore connections. A power indication LED will give you instant feedback on the availability of shore power.</p> <p>The yacht mounted inlets are manufactured from high grade stainless steel (316) and polished. The quick lock mechanism allows opening even by cold hands after a winter trip. The inlet can be easily mounted by one person, which helps to speed up installation for the aftermarket and for OEM boatyards.</p> <p>The specially designed power cable is ribbed to prevent it from rolling around on the deck or pontoon. This further enhances the safety features of the shore power connections as it reduces the risk of a person falling over if the cable is stood on as it does not roll around whilst laying on the deck,. Furthermore, the design makes it easier to butterfly the cable after use, and the ribs mean that cable stays cleaner due to the smaller direct contact area.</p> <p>&#34The shore power cable is critical to a comfortable experience on board when in a harbour with AC power available,&#34 said Marc Persoon, Mastervolt&rsquo;s Marketing Manager. &#34As with every other product we have listened carefully to our customers and based on that feedback we started a new development. We made improvements in many areas from installation, ease of use to durability. On top of all that we made this a real Mastervolt product by look and feel.&#34</p> <p>Available in 16A and 32A versions, prices for Shore Power Connections start at: &euro;119 ex vat for 16A cables, and &euro;229 ex vat for 32A cables.</p> <p><a href="http://files.mastervolt.nl/files/content/mastervolt_-_shore_power_connections_press_release.doc" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD WORD DOCUMENT</a></p> Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:09:16 +0200 Ideal performance onboard Camper Volvo Open 70 http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/ideal-performance-onboard-camper-volvo-open-70/ ]]><p align="center">Following the announcement of the exciting partnership between Mastervolt, the Dutch-based manufacturer of premium electrical systems, and Emirates Team New Zealand, one of the strongest sailing teams in the world, Mastervolt has been working alongside the team in their position as Exclusive Team Supplier of batteries for the CAMPER project for the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race to ensure the yacht is race ready and fully equipped with the best battery and electrical systems for the gruelling round the world challenge beginning in October.&#160;&#160;</p> <p>Prior to the Volvo Ocean Race start, Emirates Team NewZealandand the crew of CAMPER have completed more than 8000 nautical miles onboard the Volvo Open 70, including their 2000 mile race qualifying sail. This time and mileage on the water was invaluable for testing all the equipment onboard in preparation for the race. Mastervolt supplied CAMPER with a wide range of its technical products, including Mastervolt Li-Ion 24/160 batteries, MasterShunt 500, MasterView Monitor, a ChargeMaster 24/30 battery charger and Alpha Pro 24V regulator, amongst other alternator controllers and other system components.</p> <p>Commenting on the performance of the Mastervolt kit, Greg Lewis, the CAMPER with Emirates Team NewZealandelectronics engineer, said; &#34A lot of the distance sailed so far has been in extreme weather and conditions &ndash; and our bank of Mastervolt Lithium-Ion batteries performs very well. The bank of five 160ah batteries can run the yacht&rsquo;s onboard systems for nearly four full days before charging is required. The MasterBus system with the MasterView display is very easy to use. We can monitor the entire system from the navigation station. It gives us the Amp/Hours remaining and percent of battery charge.&#34</p> <p>Mastervolt is also proving to be an integral part of the team when it comes to speed and performance onboard CAMPER, as Mastervolt batteries, fitted in a watertight box and strapped with webbing and Spectra lashing, power the key DC hydraulic system for fine tuning the canting keel.</p> <p>Marketing Manager of Mastervolt, Marc Persoon, commented, &#34Mastervolt has always been renowned for its state of the art technology. Our top of the range Lithium-Ion batteries are no exception. Emirates Team NewZealandselected these to save on battery weight for obvious reasons, and will furthermore enjoy their durable qualities and safety aspects in the coming months. Mastervolt is proud to partner with one of the world&rsquo;s leading sailing teams as the exclusive battery supplier.&#34&#160;</p> <p>Since theAmerica&rsquo;s Cup in 2007, Emirates Team NewZealandhas been running three exciting projects to keep the team active and diversified. The team campaigned a TP52 in the 2009 and 2010 Audi MedCup Series, winning the season championship in both years. The team partnered with Camper, a Spanish international footwear brand, to design, build and campaign an entry in the Volvo Ocean Race.</p> <p>For further Mastervolt product information, please visit <a href="http://www.mastervolt.com/">www.mastervolt.com</a> and to stay up to date with CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand&rsquo;s progress in the Volvo Ocean Race, click <a href="http://www.camper.com/en/volvo-ocean-race">www.camper.com/en/volvo-ocean-race</a>.&#160;</p> <p><strong><a href="http://files.mastervolt.nl/files/content/mastervolt_-_providing_ideal_performance_onboard_the_camper_volvo_open_70_ready_for_the_volvo_ocean_race.doc" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD WORD DOCUMENT</a></strong></p> Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:01:34 +0200 Mastervolt becomes a team supplier to CAMPER with Team New Zealand http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/mastervolt-becomes-a-team-supplier-to-camper-with-team-new-zealand/ ]]><p>Mastervolt, the Dutch-based manufacturer of premium electrical systems, is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Team New Zealand (with Enertec Marine Systems), one of the strongest sailing teams in the world. Mastervolt has been appointed as Exclusive Team Supplier of batteries for the CAMPER project for the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race.</p> <p>Since the America&rsquo;s Cup in 2007, Team New Zealand has been running three exciting projects to keep the team active and diversified. The team campaigned a TP52 in the 2009 and 2010 Audi MedCup Series, winning the season championship in both years.</p> <p>The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series was created by the team in 2009, a match race event, which proved so popular it was expanded to four events as the Louis Vuitton Trophy. &#160;Team New Zealand won the 2009 regatta and three of the four LVT events. Most recently, the team partnered with Camper, a Spanish international footwear brand, to design, build and campaign an entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, which starts in late October.</p> <p>As part of its investment, Mastervolt will be supplying a range of its technical products for the race team, including Mastervolt Li-Ion 24/160 batteries, MasterShunt 500, MasterView Monitor, a ChargeMaster 24/30 battery charger and Alpha Pro 24V regulator, amongst other alternator controllers and other system components. All these items will be on board the Camper Volvo Ocean Racing Boat.</p> <p>Team New Zealand Managing Director Grant Dalton said he is pleased to welcome Mastervolt to the team. &#34The partnership brings together Team New Zealand and Mastervolt, an acknowledged world leader in research, design and production of high quality onboard electrical systems.&#34</p> <p>Marketing Manager of Mastervolt, Marc Persoon, commented, &#34We have been developing high end low weight onboard systems for tough environments that are encountered in the Volvo Ocean Race, and this partnership offers a great opportunity to have Mastervolt on the water with a fabulous team which are at the absolute pinnacle of performance sailing.&#34&#160;</p> <p>Image (from L &ndash; R): Greg Lewis (Chief Electronics Engineer), Jeremy Peacock (Enertec Marine Systems/Mastervolt distributor for New Zealand) &#38; Chris Nicholson (Skipper of Camper Volvo Ocean Race).</p> <p><strong>-ENDS-</strong></p> <h2>Notes for editors</h2> <p>Mastervolt is world leader in the supply of electrical power solutions to marine, mobile, and solar markets and has a worldwide presence in more than 80 countries.</p> <p>Established in 1991, Mastervolt International employs 115 full-time staff in seven countries and has its headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Mastervolt is owned by Actuant Corporation based in Wisconsin, USA. &#160;For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.mastervolt.com/">www.mastervolt.com</a>.</p> <p><strong>For further information on Mastervolt, please contact:</strong></p> <p>Mastervolt International BV, Snijdersbergweg 93, 1105 AN Amsterdam, The Netherlands</p> <p>Telephone: +31 (0)20 34 22 100.&#160; Fax: +31 (0)20 69 71 006</p> <p>Email: <a href="mailto:mpersoon@mastervolt.com">mpersoon@mastervolt.com</a>&#160;&#160;</p> <p><a href="http://www.mastervolt.com/">www.mastervolt.com</a></p> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:52:39 +0200 Mastervolt launches new 12-volt Lithium-Ion battery http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/mastervolt-launches-new-12-volt-lithium-ion-battery/ ]]><p>Leading electrical specialist, Mastervolt, is proud to announce the launch of a 12-volt Lithium-Ion marine battery, packaging the lightweight cells into the same case as its popular 24-volt sister.</p> <p>The new battery has been in development for some time as part of Mastervolt&rsquo;s ongoing research within the EU&rsquo;s HYMAR (Hybrid Marine) initiative. Lithium-Ion technology has long been the material of choice for portable electronic items due to its light weight (a third that of water) combined with long life, no memory effect and deep cycle capabilities. Mastervolt was the first company to bring a full size 24-volt version to the marine market, and due to this Award-winning battery&rsquo;s success, a 12-volt version has now also been released. This allows boat owners to have the option of 12-volt or 24-volt Lithium-Ion performance with the same footprint, which is a third of the size and weight of an equivalent lead-acid battery for the same 4.3 kWh of power.</p> <p>The steady rise in demand for Lithium-Ion, most notably in hybrid propulsion systems, has also led to a steady lowering of prices, now down 20% from the original launch price. For ease of installation, the new 12-volt battery is the same ergonomically designed case, which safely packages the advanced cell balancing technology and allows the battery to be seamlessly connected to Mastervolt&rsquo;s intelligent battery charging system.</p> <p>The stylish and robust case, in distinctive green Mastervolt livery, also has large carrying handles, and sophisticated electronics to allow ultra-fast charging and discharging. The real beauty of Lithium-Ion, apart from its light weight, is that it can be deep cycled by 80% capacity for up to 2,000 cycles without harming its long lifespan.</p> <p>&#34We have had a huge amount of interest in Lithium-Ion since it was launched in 2008,&#34 said Marketing Manager Marc Persoon. &#34The new 12-volt version was originally in a smaller casing during the prototyping, but we decided to keep the footprint the same as the 24-volt model and double the capacity. This makes it easier for production builders to make provision for Lithium- Ion systems in new builds. The price is also coming down due to increased demand. Even so, we are seeing a great take up for these ultra-safe batteries, especially in blue water yachts that need regular deep cycling for hotel loads, but with three times the lifespan of ordinary lead-acid batteries. The connectivity with the rest of the yacht&rsquo;s systems, through the MasterBus network which includes the MasterView monitoring screens, is also a huge selling point. We are convinced that Lithium-Ion is the future for battery technology, especially with the deep-cycle needs of propulsion.&#34</p> <p><strong>Technical specifications:</strong></p> <p>Model: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; MLI 12/320</p> <p>Nominal voltage: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; 13.25 V</p> <p>Capacity: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; 320 Ah/ 4.3 kWh</p> <p>Size: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; 623mm x 199mm x 345mm</p> <p>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; (24.5in x 7.8in x 13.6in)</p> <p>Weight: &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Approx 55kg (121lbs)</p> <p><strong>&#160;</strong></p> <p><strong>-ENDS-</strong></p> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:48:26 +0200 Gulf Craft uses Digital Switching system for Oryx 36 http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/gulf-craft-uses-digital-switching-system-for-oryx-36/ ]]><p>The Middle East&rsquo;s and Asia&rsquo;s leading producer of luxury fiberglass motoryachts, Gulf Craft, has appointed Mastervolt, the market leader in onboard power supply systems to provide the Digital Switching control system for the Oryx 36 sport cruiser, which is on display at the Dubai International Boat Show.</p> <p>Mastervolt&rsquo;s Digital Switching system enables the owner of the boat to control the entire electrical system, including all lights, pumps, fridges, sound systems, generators and so on, from anywhere on board. They can even send the boat an SMS text message or access the system from their laptop at home to turn equipment on or off remotely. The Digital Switching system makes use of Mastervolt&rsquo;s MasterBus one cable system to reduce required wiring to a minimum and to make connectivity and setting up particularly easy. This in turn produces significant savings in both weight and cost.</p> <p>The iconic Oryx 36 from Gulf Craft is a 36&rsquo;10&#34 (11.23m) motor boat that fully benefits from the Mastervolt Digital Switching as power can be controlled from any position on the boat, as well as from a central control console, making the Oryx 36 even more luxurious for all on board. The Digital Switching provides full power information at a glance and can operate &lsquo;smart alarm&rsquo; functions if required. A full system integration and energy management, ensuring the best balance between power generation, storage and consumption is also offered. For example, the generator can be set to start automatically if it&rsquo;s needed when the air conditioning is turned on. Light levels can also be adjusted without the need for individual dimmer controls, making life aboard that much more convenient.</p> <p>Speaking of the new agreement with Mastervolt, Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer for Gulf Craft, said: &#34This is an excellent arrangement for our two companies. We share a desire to provide our customers with the ultimate in quality and reliability and Mastervolt&rsquo;s equipment fulfils that requirement perfectly.&#34</p> <p>Mastervolt&rsquo;s representative in the United Arab Emirates, John Paul, General Manager of Exalto Emirates said: &#34Gulf Craft are leaders in the world of luxury motoryachts and leisure craft and Mastervolt leads the market in electrical systems for such boats &ndash; it&rsquo;s a perfect match.&#34</p> <p><strong>&#160;- ENDS -</strong></p> <p><strong>&#160;Notes for Editors:</strong></p> <p><strong></strong>Gulf Craft Inc ranks as one of the world leading manufacturers and exporters of fiberglass leisure craft, one of a handful of boatbuilders in the world with the capability to produce yachts of more than 100 feet in overall length.</p> <p>Gulf Craft is the Middle East&rsquo;s and Asia&rsquo;s largest and leading producer of fiberglass boats and yachts, exporting over 70% of its production to 40 countries through the Majesty Yachts, Oryx and Silvercraft brands. Founded in The United Arab Emirates in 1982, Gulf Craft today produces vessels ranging from 20 feet runabouts and sport fishing boats, to 135 feet luxury motor yachts, with an annual production capacity of about 500 boats.</p> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:44:13 +0200 Series Hybrid is the future http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/series-hybrid-is-the-future/ ]]><p>Mastervolt, the Dutch-based electrical specialist, is continuing its mission to develop the most efficient and powerful range of marine electric and hybrid drives available, with new &lsquo;series&rsquo; systems at the forefront of ongoing research.</p> <p>&lsquo;Series&rsquo; hybrids use a battery bank topped up by a small, remote generator to provide power to an electric motor. The motor can be mounted either in an underwater pod (PodMaster) installed on a saildrive (SailMaster) or connected directly to a drive shaft (DriveMaster).</p> <p>Because the generator can be housed almost anywhere on board, this allows a huge range of design and installation opportunities. The real advantage of a series hybrid is that it overcomes the &lsquo;range anxiety&rsquo; associated with battery-powered boats. You can cruise silently all day, knowing that if your batteries run too low, you can fire up the generator to extend the range. The batteries can then be fully replenished from shore power when the boat is berthed.</p> <p>Mastervolt has always been a complete &lsquo;one stop shop&rsquo; for self-sufficient power systems. Since acquiring the leading propulsion experts, Bellmann, in November 2009, the company has made giant strides in the entire field of hybrid and full electrical drives.</p> <p>Key to the latest developments is the increasing ability to recharge the batteries from the prop shaft, either when under power from an inboard combustion engine, or from a freewheeling propeller when under sail. In fact, under ideal sailing conditions, it is quite possible for a yacht to regenerate all of its propulsive and hotel loads from its propeller alone. Currently Mastervolt&rsquo;s e-power applications fall into three main categories: full electric, parallel hybrid and series hybrid.</p> <p>Full Electric installations rely entirely on battery power, which include anything from Mastervolt&rsquo;s slim-case AGM types, or gel right through to its unique deep-cycle Lithium Ion. The motors themselves typically range in power from 2.0kW (3hp) to 20kW (30hp), with customer specific motors up to 65kW (97.5hp). Mastervolt&rsquo;s intelligent control, monitoring and recharging systems ensure that every amp is used as efficiently as possible.</p> <p>In parallel hybrid installations, the main engine is the primary source of propulsion, yet a belt also connects an electric motor to the propeller shaft. Due to the high torque of the electric motor and a reduction ratio to suit the propeller, these systems are primarily in applications for a few hours of silent cruising with a high degree of manoeuvrability. They also double as an emergency drive if the main engine fails.</p> <p>Recent developments include new additions to the HybridMaster Ultra range, providing a 5-model line up from 3.5kW (5.2hp) to 20kW (30hp). The brushless 48V or 96V synchronous motors require virtually no maintenance, and when being spun by the main engine can silently generate between 60A to 200A to quickly replenish the batteries.</p> <p>The most exciting developments, however, are in the series hybrid range, where Mastervolt&rsquo;s complimentary technology is providing a wide range of options. For example, power can come from a variable-speed diesel generator, an inverter and an intelligent battery charger, all of which work together to optimise and distribute the available energy.</p> <p>Mastervolt is currently expanding the size range at which full electric and hybrid installations will be effective, making hybrid available for much larger craft. The PodMaster drives are being increased into the 13.5 &ndash; 17m (45-56ft) sailboat range, with the SailMaster models expanded to straddle 5.4m &ndash; 11.4m (18ft to 38ft) sector. Meanwhile, the new series hybrids are being targeted at the 8.4m-17m (28ft &ndash; 56ft) range for yachts, and the 8.4m-14.4m (28ft &ndash; 48ft) range for motor cruisers.</p> <p>&#34For some larger yachts, hybrid is definitely the way forward,&#34 said Marc Persoon, Mastervolt&rsquo;s Marketing Manager. &#34For example, the HybridMaster Ultra allows you to benefit from both worlds, electric propulsion for short to medium distances, and Diesel for extended distances. For sailing yachts, regeneration from a freewheeling propeller is zero-emission energy, which is intelligently harnessed by the Mastervolt control systems. At the other side our series hybrids solutions are gaining a lot of interest from boat designers, as they enhance the interior design by allowing greater flexibility in power component locations.</p> <p>Looking to the future, CEO Paul Kenninck remarked, &#34It is fair to say that in a few years, rather than decades, electric boats will have transformed the marine industry. There is already a lot of government legislation promoting environmentally friendly boating. Electric boats are very cost effective to run, particularly with the price of oil increasing. There is no doubt that, just like hybrid cars, electric boats will take off. The stakes are high for the marine industry.&#34</p> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:40:20 +0200 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/fairs-shows/sanctuary-cove-international-boat-show/ <div>From May 19 2011</div> <div>To May 22 2011</div> <div>9am-5pm everyday</div> <div>Sanctuary Cove</div> <div>Masthead Way<br />Sanctuary Cove, Queensland 4212<br />Australia</div> <div>Situated in Australia's leading leisure boat building region, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracts buyer and marine industry executives from around the world</div> Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:34:10 +0200 Mastervolt – Helping to save lives with NRMA CareFlight http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/mastervolt-helping-to-save-lives-with-nrma-careflight/ ]]><p>NRMA CareFlight recently required power electronics for its helicopter training simulator based at the Westmead Hospital in Sydney. This simulator is designed to help train and teach trauma specialists and senior registrars the skills needed to perform critical care duties while attending a rapid response emergency medical retrieval.</p> <p>NRMA CareFlight was in the need of specific equipment to operate it&rsquo;s simulator in &#34real life&#34 situations. After meetings with several electronics manufactures in this field the CareFlight team decided that the Mastervolt Power Electronics package was best suited for its requirements.</p> <p>The package consists of Mastervolt AGM deep cycle batteries, ChargeMaster battery chargers, Mass Sine inverters and digital battery monitoring systems for the simulator.</p> <p>Cameron Wade from CareFlight said &#34The CareFlight rescue winch simulator allows the doctors and aircrew to practise winching and patient care scenarios as a team; we require a strong, well developed and reliable electrical system so we can move the simulator into remote areas for training seminars at a moments notice. Mastervolt has been able to supply us with such a system&#34.</p> <p>NRMA CareFlight has a strong focus on teaching and medical research. They play a major role in the evolution of critical care transport in Australia, having been a leader in research and development of both systems and equipment employed in retrieval medicine.</p> <p class="NormalWeb1">Their mission is to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community. Over the years, their purpose and philosophy have remained constant: to be a world class rapid response emergency medical retrieval service, accessible to all members of the community.</p> <p class="NormalWeb1">Mastervolt Australia is very proud to be involved with this fantastic organization and look forward to a long and happy association with NRMA CareFlight.</p> <p class="NormalWeb1">For donations to NRMA CareFlight Ph: 02 9891-6144</p> <p class="NormalWeb1">Email: info@careflight.org or visit: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.careflight.org/">www.careflight.org</a></span></p> Wed, 30 Mar 2011 02:15:08 +0200 Bavaria Sets Sail with Mastervolt http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/press-releases/bavaria-sets-sail-with-mastervolt/ ]]><p>Bavaria Yachts Australia has joined forces with Mastervolt as its supplier of Power Electronics on all of their yachts bought into Australia.</p> <p>Bob Mulkearns, Managing Director of Bavaria Yachts Australia, has selected Mastervolt products as the ideal solution for power management equipment on Bavaria Yachts.</p> <p>In consultation with his electrical contractor Paul Magee from Boatworks Australia, and with assistance from Mastervolt&rsquo;s Business Development Manager Andrew Wilson, the decision was made to sign with Mastervolt, the premium brand of equipment in this field.</p> <p>&#34Building over 3,000 yachts per year, Bavaria has developed a line of yachts that stand out for their solid and lasting value. Our customers are looking for high quality and value for money with their vessels, and I believe with Mastervolt now as our inverter/charger supplier we can continue to offer our quality yachts with premium inclusions that our customers demand&#34.</p> <p>&#34We see the Mastervolt product with its reliability and rugged performance as a major asset to our vessels and with the extensive service network across the country we are assured of fast and reliable service for our clients&#34.&#160;&#160;</p> <p>Mastervolt Australia is very excited with the acquisition of Bavaria as a major client and look forward to a long association with the brand for many years to come.</p> Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:47:03 +0200 Norberto Ferretti http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/norberto-ferretti/ <p>&#34We are extremely satisfied to have signed this contract with Mastervolt, an ideal partner with which we share common values&#34 declared Norberto Ferretti, Ferretti Group Chairman and Founder. &#34For over eight years, we have been strengthening our profitable collaboration and achieved important results. I believe this agreement will enable us to combine the unique style and tradition of Italian-made products which is so typical of the Ferretti Group with Mastervolt&rsquo;s leadership in the supply of electrical power solutions to the international marine market&#34.</p> <p>Norberto Ferretti, Chairman, Ferretti Group, Italy</p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100 Sailing Today on Digital Switching http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/sailing-today/ ]]><p>"Digital DC is tidy, simple to install, efficient and infinitely programmable...(and) potentially much more reliable than an analogue system, as endless long runs of small-diameter wire become a thing of the past."</p> <p><a href="http://www.sailingtoday.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sailing Today</a></p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100 Ben Meakins of Practical Boat Owner on PodMaster http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/ben-meakins/ ]]><p>"One major advantage (of the PodMaster) is that the system frees up space inside that would normally be occupied by an inboard diesel engine leaving room for the increased battery capacity you'll need to power it. An interesting feature with the larger PODMaster units is a regeneration option so that when you're under sail, the torque from the free-wheeling propeller can recharge your batteries."</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><em>Ben Meakins, </em><a href="http://www.pbo.co.uk/" target="_blank"><em>Practical Boat Owner</em></a></p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100 Tom Hasker of European Boatbuilder on GPX-5 http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/tom-hasker/ ]]><p>"At first glance, Mastervolt's GPX-5 may look like a conventional encapsulated marine genset. But it isn't. In fact, it represents a whole new approach to the provision of AC power on recreational craft. At its heart is a brand new, very compact 5kW genset which works in conjunction with Mastervolt's MasterShunt System and an inbuilt inverter to manage and integrate a boat's entire DC and AC requirements. Think of it as an electrical supply and management system box."</p> <p><em>Tom Hasker, </em><a href="http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/ebb/home.html" target="_blank"><em>European Boatbuilder</em></a></p> <p>&#160;</p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100 Toby Hodges of Yachting World on Li-Ion http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/toby-hodges/ ]]><p>&#34Mastervolt could be said to be leading the way in lithium-ion batteries for the marine consumer, as they offer fully integrated electronic packages... Mastervolt&rsquo;s li-ion batteries are marketed by the power of 3: 1/3 the weight, 1/3 the footprint, 3x the cycle life, 3x quicker to install...&#34</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><em>Toby Hodges, <a href="http://www.yachtingworld.com/" target="_blank">Yachting World</a></em></p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100 Greg Copp of Motor Boats & Yachting on GPX-5 http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/greg-copp/ ]]><p>&#34The GPX-5 Hybrid Power System combines a small variable-speed generator with an inverter and a battery charger in a single compact unit. The really clever bit is the electronic brain that controls the whole system, mixing and matching the power sources automatically to provide exactly the right amount of power needed at any one time. No longer do you have to consider whether you need to start the generator before switching on high-start-up power devices such as air-conditioning, or high loads such as an electric cooker. The GPX-5 does the thinking for you.&#34</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><em>Greg Copp, <a href="http://www.mby.com/" target="_blank">Motor Boats &#38; Yachting</a></em></p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100 Stefan Frauscher http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/stefan-frauscher/ ]]><p>"The&#160;<a href="http://www.frauscherboats.com/" target="_blank">Frauscher</a> shipyard applies Mastervolt <a href="http://www.mastervolt.com/marine/products/li-ion1/">Li-Ion</a> batteries in its electric yachts, because at the moment there is no better and more innovative partner when it comes to the point of safety and performance.</p> <p><br />This technical leading position results effectively in an electric yacht with improved cruising range, faster charging, high life endurance and shorter charging time."</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>Stefan Frauscher, Managing Director, Head of&#160; Sales, Frauscher Bootswerft GmbH &#38; Co KG, Austria</p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100 Jose Juan Vázquez http://www.mastervolt.com.au/marine/references/jose-juan-vzquez/ ]]><p>&#34We use Mastervolt electronic battery isolators to charge the service and starter battery sets in our alternator systems. We experienced a tremendous improvement in charge performance since we started using the Battery Mate range. Batteries get fully charged within a short navigation time, which allows our customers to go without shore power for longer periods at a time and allows them a more independent on board life.&#34<br /><br /><em>Jose Juan V&#225;quez, Electricity Systems Manager, Rodman Yachts, Spain</em></p> Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0100