1. Scope

Czone integration provides remote access to CZone circuit states, option to control the circuits remotely and access to some or all CZone alarms*. 

Remote access to circuits requires reconfiguration of the CZone system. It is basically a two step process, first remote switches have to be enabled and second, remote switches need to be inserted into the circuits that require remote switching.


* depends on CZone add-on license type



2. Prequisites

  • At least one CZone interface that supports Binary switch banks (SI, COI, OI, C6 or C1 unit currently support this functionality). For the purpose of this document we will call this unit a "Gateway".
  • Sentinel Boat monitor
  • Basic knowledege in CZone configuration (CZone config tool and programator) 
  • License to use switching in the Sentinel system



3. Connection

Sentinel Boat monitor must be connected according to NMEA 2000 specifications into the network where it can communicate with CZone gateway. 

When multiple networks are used on the boat, it is recommended to place Sentinel into the CZone network to enable switching when instruments are off.


4. Remote switching Configuration


4.1 CZone


IMPORTANT! Before proceeding, please update CZone configuration tool and CZone firmware to the latest release (release 15, fw version >= 6.15.8.0)! 

INTEGRATION WILL NOT WORK UNLESS CZONE FW IS UP TO DATE!


CZone Configuration requires 2 steps to enable remote switching:

a) The first step requires enabling the remote switching for third party applications. Remote switches have to be enabled on at least one supported interface. Each interface enables 28 "virtual" remote switches that can be used to control circuits. See paragraph 4.1.a for details.

b) After remote or virtual switches are created, these swiches need to be added to every circuit that you want to control remotely. See paragraph 4.1.b for details. 


Details:

4.1.a) Enabling remote switches


In the first step a CZone module needs to be selected to act as a gateway between the CZone system and a third party device coexisting on the same network. This is done by adding an entry into the Third Party Switch bank PGN control. Each configuration contains a name that will be displayed later in the circuit control section, a CZone module selector and the instance number which should be unique in case of multiple Switch Bank PGN Control entries. 

NOTE: When selecting the instance number, make sure that there are no other devices in the network transmitting PGN 127501 with the same instance number. 


Procedure:

  • Go to Third party devices tab and add Switch Bank PGN Control
  • Select one of the modules available and select a Switch bank instance that is not in use in your system
  • Enter the name for the configuration. This name will be shown in the circuit control selection.
  • DO NOT ENABLE advanced CZone remote control switch functions for Sentinel integration.
  • After you click OK, you will have 28 remote switches available to use in existing circuits.


Example above enables Remote switch bank PGN on SI 01 unit. This will create 28 remote switches that can be used to control circuits remotely. Note that this remote switch group was named SI-Gateway. Remote switches in the next step use this name for identification.




      

4.1.b) Adding remote switches to existing circuits


In the section 4.1.a we have created 28 virtual remote switches that can be used to control different circuits, however, these switches are not assigned to the circuits automatically. For each circuit that you want to control remotely a Remote switch needs to be added to the Circuit control section following the procedure below:


- in the configured circuits section, select the circuit that you want to control remotely (be visible in the Sentinel app).

- under circuit controls section, click on the Add button. 

- select the same control interface that was configured in the section 4.1.b (SI 01 in our case)

- this will display all available remote switches under the "Input" selector. Pick one and click OK

- repeat the procedure above for all circuits that you want to control through the app. 


 Example above adds remote switch SI-Gateway:2 to control Navigation lights remotely

    

After you have configured every circuit that you want to control remotely, apply the settings and upload the configuration to the CZone system. 


4.2. Sentinel

Make sure that you have the one of the two available CZone integration Licences which allows switching, otherwise, please contact Sentinel support (support@sentinelmarine.net).


If everything is configured correctly on CZone side, switches should automatically appear in your switches tab. It may take up to a minute for the device to download the configuration and switch names. 

Only configured switches are shown in Sentinel app, others are hidden and can be shown by using edit on the Switches tab. 


Configuration update

For retrofit installations whenever CZone is reconfigured, select "Refresh switching configuration" from the switches tab->edit->... (menu)

OEM installers have to contact support to reapply the boat profile. 


Note: Switching is only supported in Sentinel mobile apps (web app does not have switching support).


5. NOTE

 Whenever CZone configuration is modified use the Refresh switching configuration function (see paragraph 4.2 for more details).