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Volvo Penta EDC conversion

EDC computer TAMD73P-A

Volvo Penta EDC

Volvo Penta EDC stands for Electronic Diesel Control, various engine types between the years 1995-2005 are equipped with it; TAMD72P-A, TAMD73P-A, TAMD74P-A, TAMD75P-A, KAD44P-A, KAD44P-B, KAD300P.

It is the predecessor of the EVC system, and the control panels are also different. The first versions came with separate round buttons, from newer ones with a control panel.

  • EDC old type panel
  • EDC new type panel
  • EDC control
The EDC system works with an electronic control, which sends the throttle position to the ECU. The ECU then controls the fuel pump, gearbox (or sterndrive) and starter motor. Various sensors are also connected to the system for the self-diagnosis function and alarms. For various reasons, the ECUs from the EDC system can fail at some point and that is where the problems start, Volvo Penta could no longer supply them with the older types in mid-2021. This would mean that the boat cannot longer be used, as long as another control system is built on it..!

Conversion from EDC to J1939 ECU

Q2 2021 I realized a conversion to a double engine installation TAMD73P-A 24V with double steering station, by eliminating the complete EDC system and therefore no longer being dependent on the Volvo Penta ECU. What will be preserved are the control panels/buttons, instruments, alarms and throttles on the steering stations. Installation of another electronic controller on the fuel pump which works together with a J1939 ECU. The signals from the steering station are sent to a DCU (Diesel Control Unit), which controls the various alarms, circuits (including reverse gears) and the J1939 ECU via the CAN bus.

  • J1939 ECU
  • Installation new fuel pump
  • Installation new fuel pump governer
  • DCU box wiring
  • Flywheel sensor RPM
  • DCU controlbox
  • DCU configuration
  • EDC wiring connectors

After the installation of these components, which are mainly used in commercial seagoing and inland shipping, the customer is again assured of reliable control of the engines and gearboxes. Of course, the various circuits and adjustment still caused the necessary headaches, but in the end it works and runs excellent!

J1939 ECU tuning
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Application engineering and installation twin engine installation Volvo Penta D4-320 EVC2.0

This 11m Limo (Carbon)tender, delivered in Q3 2020, but preparations ongoing from 2019, was installed with a twin installation of Volvo Penta D4-320’s with Hamilton 292 waterjets. The drivetrain completed with a ZF68 reduction reverse gear, Aquadrive drive shaft and the EVC2.0 control system. Whole drive train installed and commissioned by me. Topspeed: 35 knopen.

  • Transom holes waterjets
  • Hull plate waterjet
  • engine installation
  • engine alignment
  • Dashboard
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EasyTrolling (Low speed) Volvo Penta D3

LowSpeed installed overview

1st ‘EasyTrolling’ unit for Volvo Penta D3 installed

This week I successfully installed the first ‘EasyTrolling’ unit on a Volvo Penta D3-EVC in combination with HS45A reverse gearbox.

lowspeed electrical unit

This electronic unit, which has been fully developed and tested in-house, makes it possible to sail at low speed ‘low speed’ with a Volvo Penta D3 from year 2010. The EasyTrolling unit is completely secondary to the Volvo Penta EVC system and thus ensures that the original wiring etc remains intact. The unit is supposedly plug-and-play to mount on the standard connectors. An additional button with LED indication can be mounted on the dashboard to activate the unit, if certain safety conditions are met, the unit will control the forward magnet valve with a configurable value. As a result, the reverse clutch (HS45) will switch forward, but allow a certain amount of slip, causing the propeller shaft to rotate at a lower rotational speed and therefore there will be less propulsion.

Safeties

To protect the components and always switch to the original operation in emergency situations, various safety devices have been installed:

  • The unit can not be switched on if the engine is not running
  • The unit can not be switched on if the original control is in forward or reverse
  • The unit can only be switched on if the original trade is in Neutral mode
  • If the unit is switched on and the original trade is switched forward or backward, it will switch off automatically and the original operation will be active

LowSpeed installed overview

Fault code free

The unit has been carefully tested and also takes into account the self-diagnosis functionality of the Volvo Penta EVC system. The unit, if it is active, will fool the original computer with a signal that is the same as in the original situation. For example, there will be no error messages on the display and you will be assured of proper operation if it is switched off again.

Availability

I am busy preparing for production of the product and expect to have sales ready within a few weeks. There is even a variant with NMEA2000 communication on the schedule, which can be adjusted at a fixed (GPS) speed. These and other nice electronic accessories for your marine diesel engine will soon be available at: dutchmarineelectronics.nl which is not currently live.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please let me know: info@ddr-projects.nl