CONTROLS
New CANbus Engine
Control Panels Introduced
One of two new engine panels introduced by LOFA Industries is the CANplus 750 (left). The panel is a universal automatic start/stop plat-
form, which can be used for both electronically and mechanically governed engines. The other new panel, the CANplus 600 (right), is
designed to provide quad-gauge viewing with a choice of up to 16 gauge readings.
LOFA Industries Inc., Atlanta,
Ga., has announced two new
electronically controlled engine
panels utilizing J1939 CANbus protocol. The panels are targeted for a wide
range of off-highway and industrial
equipment applications, including
OEM-built distributor-packaged equipment. The new CANplus 600 and
CANplus 750 panels began production
at the end of August.
Billed by LOFA as “user-friendly,
easy-to-operate, plug-n-play” control
panels, each features a large LCD display. The displays can be custom configured in the field to show pertinent
information in the form of analog gauge
instruments or digital readouts. Both
panels provide specific flexibility options, including telemetry, via the wireless remote monitoring capabilities.
The CANplus 600 provides quad-gauge viewing with a choice of up to
16 gauge readings. This panel features a heavy-duty IP64 key switch
and an IP67 rocker-type throttle
switch, housed in a NEMA 4X poly-carbonate enclosure with a clear,
lockable door.
The CANplus 750 has the same features as the CANplus 600, plus other
options. The panel is a universal automatic start/stop platform, which can be
used for both electronically and mechanically governed engines. This auto
start/stop platform utilizes simultaneous float and/or transducer inputs, providing redundant start/stop capabilities.
The CANplus 750 also has several
different throttle options, the most
unique being LOFA’s rotary digital
throttle control with push-to-set speed
limits. The panel offers optional built-in wireless telemetry communication
via LOFA’s Messenger module.
The embedded Messenger allows
the equipment owner to remotely monitor engine-specific parameters, alarm
conditions, as well as GPS mapping
information. In the event of equipment
malfunctions, equipment owners and
end users can be quickly notified from
the web via computer-generated voice-prompted phone messages, text messages and/or e-mail, sent to a list of
pre-determined phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
“These products were developed in
response to customer feedback in
order to meet the future needs of Tier
2 and Tier 3 electronically governed
engine requirements,” said Peter
Herbrand, founder and president of
LOFA Industries. dp
