Boat Sensor Technology

[buellwinkle]

These days, everyting is accessible through my smart phone. I can check and set my home thermostat, check security cameras, be alerted if there's an intruder, turn lights on/off and read this forum.

Is there anything made for boats that can tell you if your taking on water, battery levels, water temps have dropped below a treshhold, someone started the boat or moved the boat or any other serious issues that may happen on my boat while it's 100 miles away from home sitting in our dock? It would have to be battery operated because there's no 110VAC on the dock.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Boat Sensor Technology

yes, there are products for that. They aren't cheap, and obviously require a cell account also. Personally I'd say that the money is better spent on maintenance issues to make sure it doesn't happen. A warning system like one of these just tells you that you have a sunken boat to recover.

(not endorsing or advertising for a specific product, this is just a good example and the first to show up in google)

Boat Alarms - Boat Security Systems - The BoatNanny

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Boat Sensor Technology

I have a guy named Brian who calls me if my boat sinks or has similar mishap. . .

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: Boat Sensor Technology

OK, we can call the system Brian, works for me. There's actually free 4G service available, not in every area but expanding. They work off the concept that they give you some service for free and then you can upgrade if you need more. It's 500MB/mo free, plenty to send me a text telling me my boat has sunk, maybe even GPS coordinates so i can find it and a picture of the person with the drill that made it sink.

Their website is Free Wireless Internet | Free Internet | 4G Wireless Internet - FreedomPop and you have to buy the device, they run $49-99. Ran into them at CES a week or so ago. They have service in L.A. and I was excited as everyone in So Cal knows, L.A. stands for Lake Arrowhead, only to disspointed that they meant the other L.A.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Boat Sensor Technology

OK, we can call the system Brian, works for me. There's actually free 4G service available, not in every area but expanding. They work off the concept that they give you some service for free and then you can upgrade if you need more. It's 500MB/mo free, plenty to send me a text telling me my boat has sunk, maybe even GPS coordinates so i can find it and a picture of the person with the drill that made it sink.

Its a little more complicated than that. If you read their fine print, you are required to install their software on your PC for it to function. It isn't just a simple SIM card to plug in, it has its own modem (and pc). In other words, running it off a 12v battery for a month at a time isn't an option. Although if you have shore power, this would be perfect!

 

[tazrig]

Re: Boat Sensor Technology

I have a guy named Brian who calls me if my boat sinks or has similar mishap. . .

I need a Rabbi and Paramedics to notify me if anything happens to my boat... :laugh:

 

[tazrig]

Re: Boat Sensor Technology

These days, everyting is accessible through my smart phone. I can check and set my home thermostat, check security cameras, be alerted if there's an intruder, turn lights on/off and read this forum.

Is there anything made for boats that can tell you if your taking on water, battery levels, water temps have dropped below a treshhold, someone started the boat or moved the boat or any other serious issues that may happen on my boat while it's 100 miles away from home sitting in our dock? It would have to be battery operated because there's no 110VAC on the dock.

If you really want to go crazy you can go with these guys:

NT Evolution 2.0 : Boat Alarms & Yacht Alarm, GPS Marine Security Systems,Global Ocean Security Technologies - Products

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: Boat Sensor Technology

They have a WiFi gizmo that you can connect 8 devices to, runs on batteries, but you need to keep it charged, may not be that much power. The software is probably to use the USB dongle, hate those things, you are at the airport, some bumps into you and you drop your laptop and they break off.

I don't have shore power, maybe a solar panel can keep it charged. No software has to be installed as it's just WiFi, can use it surveillance cameras, tablets. Ordered one to play with, the price was right, no montly fee and $99 deposit, if you return the gizmo, you get your money back. I researched it and by next year they will move from the Clearwire network to the Sprint LTE network and coverage will be much better.

I like that tracking system, not sure it buys me much on a lake that is 2 miles end to end at it's widest point . I'm looking more for a water sensor, like say for example, something you may use in your house to notify you if your water heater sprung a leak or your basement got flooded, that sort of alert but on a boat. Maybe a GPS that tracks if you boat moves away from the dock for whatever reason, not to track it for theft, more to see if it broke lose.

Speaking of shore power, for those that are shore power challenged, do you keep a solar charger to keep the batteries topped off? Is there a brand that seems to work well, good price? Costco had some small camping panels on a road show thing, but they looked to small to be charging a pair of marine batteries.