The multi-station control system (MSCS) provides control of the engine and transmission for a single engine or a dual engine application. These applications have a maximum of eight control stations for each vessel. The MSCS can be connected to the following Caterpillar marine engines that are electronically controlled:
- C12
- C18
- C30
- C32
- C7
- C9
- C15
- 3196
- 3126B
- 3406E
- 3412E
The MSCS has the capability of the following functions:
- Monitoring control functions of the operator
- Performing control functions of the operator
- Identifying and reporting critical control parameters of the vessel
- Reporting failure conditions
- Self-diagnostics
The MSCS contains a fully redundant backup system. This system will ensure the operation of the propulsion system in the event of a failure of the primary control system.
Power Train Control Processor (PCP)
The PCP is the main control processor of the Multi-Station Control System (MSCS). The PCP is responsible for the interface between the control stations, the engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and the transmission solenoids.
The master station and control station CAN data links are used to communicate with the control stations, either Integrated Control Head or Control Station Processor utilizing the proprietary communication data link. There may be only one control station on the master control station data link. There may be up to seven control stations on the control station data link. MSCS II may have only one control station on the control station data link. The control stations will communicate with the PCP, the throttle position (0 – 100 percent), gear select (ahead, neutral, astern), and button states, via the proprietary CAN data link.
There are five buttons available at the control station:
- Station Active
- Throttle Sync
- Slow Vessel Mode
- Gear Lockout
- Troll
The Troll feature is an optional feature depending upon the presence of an Electronic Troll Processor (ETP). Each button has a corresponding indicator lamp. The PCP will turn on each lamp via the proprietary data link when the button function is active.
The port and starboard SAE J1939 communication links are the public data links used for serial data communications with:
- The engine ECU
- Marine Power Displays
- Electronic Troll Processor
- Cat® ET
- WinFlash
Each data link is separate and independent from the other.
Engine speed is controlled via a PWM signal from the PCP to the ECU throttle input. Speed is controlled linearly from low idle at 0 percent throttle to max engine speed or Wide Open Throttle (WOT) at 100 percent throttle.
The "Backup System Active" is a digital signal from the backup processor that indicates throttle and gear shift control by the PCP is no longer active. When the backup system is active, a diagnostic alarm will be activated. The alarm can be acknowledged and silenced by pressing the Marine Power Display (MPD) alarm silence button.
Each control station provides engine throttle control and transmission gear control by using a mechanical lever. The lever may be separate throttle and gear levers or a combined throttle/gear lever. Additional operator control/feedback is accomplished via input buttons and indicator lamps for station activation, engine throttle sync, slow vessel mode, troll activation (optional), and gear lockout. This data is transmitted to the PCP by the active station via either of the following:
- The master control station CAN data link
- The control station CAN data link
Electronic Troll Processor (ETP)
When the transmission is equipped with an optional electronic troll valve, the ETP will act as the interface between the PCP and the electronic transmission. The ETP receives the troll command (percent slip) from the PCP over the J1939 data link and converts the message into a current/voltage and controls the transmission troll valves accordingly. The ETP also measures the shaft speed and transmits the speed on the J1939 data link to be displayed on the MPD.
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