Aquafax has been successfully distributing high quality marine equipment for nearly 25 years and continues to grow to maintain excellent service, delivery and technical support.

With five depots at key locations based in Luton, Hamble, Plymouth, Wroxham and Middlewich, and a team of dedicated staff with specialists in steering, electrics, plumbing systems, anodes, and bow thrusters, Aquafax is dedicated to providing an excellent service to the marine industry.

With an ongoing mission to continuously introduce new innovative products to the industry, this year Aquafax has launched many exciting products to suit many applications across its full product range.

New from Victron is the 2000VA MultiPlus Compact incorporating a 30 amp relay to cope with generators up to 7kVA, PowerAssist technology and a powerful four stage battery charger function. With a high peak power output, the PowerAssist can supplement the generator to support peak handling loads.

The 2500VA Phoenix MultiPlus has now been upgraded to 3000VA with a peak power of 6000 watts providing better capacity to run more household products aboard. This unit also benefits from the Victron PowerAssist and four stage charger technology.

From Blue Sea, Aquafax has introduced the Dual Circuit Auto Charge System. Combining the high spec E-Series battery switch and auto charge relay in one kit, the system will connect starter and house batteries together under a charge cycle and disconnect under discharge. There is also a link override to connect both battery banks together in an emergency.

Blue Sea’s WeatherDeckTM range of waterproof circuit protected panels are designed for flybridge or open cockpit applications. With an IP67 temporary immersion rating and LED circuit illumination, the WeatherDeckTM range is available either with integrated fuses or circuit breakers.
Aquafax Ltd

EmpirBus cuts wire in a boat by 30%
Atlantis Marine Power Ltd was one of the first to spot the need for distributed electrical systems and adopted the Swedish EmpirBus system two years ago.

Known as either digital switching or multiplex these systems can cut the volume of wire in a boat by 30% and massively reduce the electrical hardware through software driven applications.

Developed over six years in conjunction with the Swedish rescue society and now used on all their boats from 20m cruisers to 8m RIBs EmpirBus is solely focussed on distributed electrical systems with Atlantis Marine Power providing support from configuration writing to final commissioning.

The system is being adopted by boatbuilders of all varieties, including world girdling yachts, RIBs, high speed powerboats and MCA coded workboats which are all discovering the many benefits of EmpirBus.

The biggest take up is with the ever expanding RIB market which particularly like the removal of fiddly fuses and the ability to electrically lock out the engine start system via the keypad.

With the addition of the optional GPS and GSM devices a complete monitoring and tracking system can be added to the boat at any stage in its life.

For sailboats such as the Hallberg Rassy 54 and Southerly 46 the weight and space savings offer possibilities to improve the lighting and control systems to levels normally found in much larger vessels and for custom vessels to accommodate the numerous changes made throughout the design and build process.

For further information on how EmpirBus can enhance a boat call Atlantis Marine Power Ltd.
Atlantis Marine Power

E-T-A’s new distributed power management system
E-T-A Circuit Breakers has introduced an advanced distributed electrical power management system. Called E-T-A PowerPlex, the user configurable system uses CAN-Bus technology to dramatically reduce the amount of conventional wiring and provide extensive control and diagnostic capabilities.

At the same time, the boat owner benefits from greatly improved reliability, functionality and convenience.

E-T-A PowerPlex comprises two types of module - power modules, distributed around the boat close to the equipment to which they provide power, and a panel module.

Each power module has eight DC outputs which are switched electronically by input signals from a central switch panel or touch screen via a CAN-Bus connection. The outputs can be programmed up to 6A or 25A.

In the event of an electrical fault, the output will be switched off electronically and a status signal sent back to the switch panel. As an optional feature wire breakage can also be reported in the same way.

Each output is also additionally protected by an E-T-A circuit breaker, which provides unique failsafe protection and a manual override feature: in the unlikely event of a systems failure the circuit breaker can be readily plugged into an alternative socket to allow the continued use of critical circuits such as navigation lights, navigation equipment and communications systems, ensuring that users have a safe ‘get home’ solution.

The programming software is Windows-based and facilitates full programming of the system on a PC. Any configuration can be saved and installed in other boats of a similar type. Functions such as dimming of lighting circuits and three speed window wipers are easily achieved.

Special features can also be programmed such as the use of a mains isolator to switch off designated loads when leaving the boat.
ETA Circuit Breakers Ltd

Index increases sales, profits and products
Index Marine Equipment Ltd is pleased to report another good year’s trading with sales and profits up.

The company has increased its product range while maintaining its speciality in marine electrics. New products this year include Shore Power Leads, LED Navigation Lights, Waterproof Switches, Heavy Duty Tinned Cable (16 – 95mmsq) and Fuses Boxes.

Visit the company website for the full product range.
Index Marine Equipment

Continuous evolution of products and techniques
Taplin International has been on the marine electrical scene for more than 100 years. Granted the requirements of vessels today are vastly different, but with all the experience gained over time Taplin has kept abreast of change by the continuous evolution of products and techniques.

One of the biggest challenges today for any boatbuilder is the shortage of skilled labour. Taplin can design and manufacture a complete electrical system, from the looms all the way through to the ergonomically designed control and helm panels.

With the advent of Can-bus systems it is clear that a hybrid system of installation is the wisest and most economical choice. Using the best of conventional and two wire signalling systems will give the least cost solution, with state of the art control and feed back.

Many of the largest and most famous names in the industry already use Taplin’s services, from simple control devices all the way through to a complete, ready to install system. One off build or refurbishment projects can still be dealt with in the same way, giving a really up to date and professional looking system both visually and behind the panelling.

In the world of panel decoration a brand new concept is just being unleashed. Briefly this new 3D system will allow any digital image to be transposed in to the surface of a suitable substrate.

Taplin is pleased to announce it is just about to take delivery of what is the largest machine in the world at this time, capable of producing this process.

The new process is protected by worldwide patents and Switchcraft Taplin Ltd has the exclusive rights for the process in the marine industry.
Switchcraft Taplin