Intro
New Zealand based Southern Spars have been utilising our T24 wireless instrumentation system. They are a world leader in the development and manufacturer of carbon spars and rigging for superyachts.
Southern Spars used custom load cells to measure multi-directional connection forces between their sophisticated sail rolling track system and the sail. However, by incorporating the T24 wireless telemetry system it was possible to relay real-time data whilst under sail.
Photo: (c) Ian Roman – www.ianroman.com
The Method
Initially, we interfaced the load cells with the T24-SA strain gauge acquisition module. Then, the system streamed data to a T24-SO serial output logger located on a nearby spreader. Southern Spar fitted the T24-SA modules into slender sail battens equipped with long, custom-made antennas. These modules transmit data from each channel at 50 samples per second.
“This has been an exciting and rewarding application for us,” said Jonathan Purdue, Business Development Manager. “This project really does highlight the innovation that wireless instrumentation is enabling; the collection of real-time high speed load data from a mast that is more than 50 metres high, whilst at sea and under sail, is quite a feat, and we are very proud of the contribution that our T24 system has made to this project.”
The wireless benefits of the T24-SA system meant that lead wires over 50 metres in length were no longer required. These wires could easily be fouled by by the sail furling structures or suffer from damage from the corrosive marine environment. System channels were powered on and off over a period of 3 months using the T24-HA hand-held controller’s sleep/wake command. This permitted all project objectives to be achieved and real-time sailing loads to be viewed for instant feedback. However, this sleep/wake command function also conserved battery life when not in use. In conclusion, the T24 wireless load system delivered a discrete and unobtrusive method of recording data, once highly difficult to obtain.
Southern Spars and Mantracourt Collaboration
Southern Spars’ spar and rig packages feature on many award winning racing and luxury superyachts. Likewise, in 2013 the company was previously selected as a finalist in two categories for the Auckland Export Awards.
“We really appreciated Mantracourt’s support on this project, their engineers were highly responsive to the issues we faced and committed to helping at all times,” said Carrick Hill at Southern Spars. “It made all the difference in solving the problems we faced, and I’m sure contributed to their product development also.”