Batteries
House and engine battery voltage. You see whether the charger is working and whether the battery holds its charge.
Smart Marine
Your boat on your phone while you are away
Sensors on board measure battery voltage, bilge water, position and shore power. If anything changes while the boat is moored, you know at once.
Free first meetingAcross Greece
Smart MarineSailing yacht at Alimos Marina
Within limits–
- House battery voltage
- Min, 60′
- –
- Max, 60′
- –
- Battery
- –
- Signal (RSSI)
- –
Sample data · one reading per minuteLast reading: now
Overview
Most problems happen when you are not there
A boat spends most of its time moored. If shore power fails, the battery drains and the bilge pump stops. If water gets in through a stern gland or a cracked hose, you find out when the boat is already listing.
We fit small sensors that send readings over LoRaWAN to a gateway at the marina or, where there is none, through a device on the mobile network. You see the boat's status on a dashboard and get an alert when a value goes out of range. For larger boats and commercial fleets, we can combine the system with a Starlink connection.
What you can monitor
Applications
Bilge water
A level sensor in the bilge and a pump run counter. A pump that starts often points to water coming in.
Position and geofence
GPS position on a map and an alert if the boat leaves a set zone. Useful against theft or for a boat dragging its anchor.
Shore power
An alert if power from the marina pedestal fails. You have time to act before the batteries run flat.
Doors and hatches
Contacts on the cabin entrance and lockers. An alert if they open while the boat is locked.
Temperature and humidity
Readings in the cabin and engine room. They help you spot the damp that causes mould in winter.
How it works
From the sensor to your phone
Each reading travels wirelessly over LoRaWAN, is stored and checked against the limits you set.
Sensor
Measures temperature, humidity, CO₂, level, voltage, vibration or whatever else you need. It usually runs on a battery and sends a reading at regular intervals or when something happens.
Measures temperature, humidity, CO₂, level, voltage, vibration or whatever else you need. It usually runs on a battery and sends a reading at regular intervals or when something happens.
LoRaWAN gateway
Receives the signals from all sensors in the area and forwards them to the internet over Ethernet, 4G or Starlink. One gateway usually covers a whole building or farm.
Receives the signals from all sensors in the area and forwards them to the internet over Ethernet, 4G or Starlink. One gateway usually covers a whole building or farm.
Network server
Manages the devices, decrypts the messages and delivers them to the platform. We use the Helium network or Actility's ThingPark, depending on coverage and project requirements.
Manages the devices, decrypts the messages and delivers them to the platform. We use the Helium network or Actility's ThingPark, depending on coverage and project requirements.
Dashboard
Readings appear as charts, maps and tables in Datacake, Tago.IO or platform.csdynamics.gr. There you set limits, view history and export reports.
Readings appear as charts, maps and tables in Datacake, Tago.IO or platform.csdynamics.gr. There you set limits, view history and export reports.
Alerts
When a value exceeds its limit or a sensor stops sending, the person in charge is told by email, SMS or push notification. You decide who is told, about what and at what times.
When a value exceeds its limit or a sensor stops sending, the person in charge is told by email, SMS or push notification. You decide who is told, about what and at what times.
Equipment
The sensors we install
Wireless and battery-powered, with no cabling. Battery life depends on how often they send readings.
SensorVoltage meter
MeasuresBattery DC voltage
Where it goesOn the terminals or busbar of the house batteryResting voltage gives a good picture of charge. The reading is always higher while the charger is running.
SensorWater level sensor
MeasuresPresence or level of water
Where it goesAt the lowest point of the bilge, above the pump's switch-on pointIt is placed so it alerts you when the water rises above the level the pump normally handles.
SensorGPS tracker
MeasuresPosition, movement and speed
Where it goesSomewhere with a view of the sky, under an open cover or on deckIt can send position more often automatically when the boat is moving.
SensorShore power detector
MeasuresWhether 230 V is present at the inlet
Where it goesAfter the shore power inlet, in the AC panelA marine electrician makes the AC connection.
SensorDoor contact
MeasuresDoor or hatch opening
Where it goesCabin entrance, lockers, storage hatchesFor the salty environment, we choose devices with a suitable waterproof rating.
Alerts
Know before damage is done
Battery voltage drops below 12 VA push notification and SMS go to the owner or skipper, so they can check the charger or shore power.
Bilge water rises above the normal levelAn immediate alert goes to the owner and, if you have set it up, to the marina office.
The boat leaves the harbour zoneAn alert with the position on a map, and the tracker switches to more frequent position reports.
Shore power failsThe owner gets an alert, along with the current battery voltage.
How we work
How we equip a boat
Discussion and visit
We learn about your boat, where it is moored and what worries you. We check the layout of the batteries, bilge and panel.
Coverage check
We check for LoRaWAN coverage at the marina. If there is none, we propose a gateway for the marina or devices on the mobile network.
Installation
We fit sensors with waterproof connections and tidy wiring. A licensed electrician makes the AC connections.
Dashboard and alerts
We set up the map, charts and limits. You decide who gets alerts: you, the skipper or the marina.
Pre- and post-season check
We check device batteries, calibration and waterproofing before summer and before winter.
Outcome
What you gain
Peace of mind while away
You know at any moment whether the boat has power, whether the bilge is dry and where it is.
Early response
A falling battery or rising water is spotted while there is still time for someone to act.
One dashboard for the whole fleet
Charter companies and marinas see every boat on one map with its status.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Call us or send us a message.
Do I need internet on the boat?
No. LoRaWAN sensors send to a gateway at the marina or nearby. Where there is no coverage, we use devices with a SIM card. At sea, far from the coast, communication is only possible with a satellite link such as Starlink.
Why is the alert limit 12 V?
A 12 V lead-acid battery at rest shows around 12.6 to 12.8 V when full. Below 12 V it is significantly discharged, and deep discharge shortens its life. For lithium batteries or 24 V systems, we set different limits.
How long do the sensor batteries last?
Many sensors on board run off the boat's batteries, so they need none of their own. Those with their own battery usually last from a few months to a few years, depending on how often they send, especially the GPS.
Can the devices cope with salt water?
We choose devices with a suitable IP rating and mount them in protected spots. Connections use waterproof connectors and heat-shrink. The pre-season check includes the condition of the connections.
Does the system suit a marina or charter company?
Yes. One gateway can cover the whole marina and all boats can appear on one map. Each owner can see only their own boat, while the office sees them all.
Can the system control the pump or switch something on remotely?
With a suitable relay, some functions can be controlled remotely, such as a heater or a light. We do not replace the bilge pump's automatic operation, which must work independently of the system.
Other IoT solutions
See also
Industries we serve
Want to know your boat is all right?
Tell us your boat and marina and we will suggest the right sensors.