Posted on

California Underwater Mapping Vessel: STAR Digital Switching Delivers Professional Results at Half the Budget

Underwater reseach vessel fits star controllers integrated with victron digital switching

An underwater mapping vessel in California refitted by Woopert Marine needed a new electrical system. The owner wanted professional digital switching integrated fully with the Victron Energy power system. But they didn’t want the high cost or complex installation that usually comes with it.

The answer? Two STAR-Power units and one STAR-Light controller. The system exceeded expectations. And it cost less than half the original budget.

STAR Controllers save hours of installation time

The Challenge

Underwater mapping vessels work in tough conditions. They need reliable electronics. The vessel required:

  • Strong switching for high-power loads
  • Multiple pumps and navigation equipment
  • Precise lighting control
  • Clean, professional appearance at the helm
  • Fast installation to reduce downtime

Old-style marine switching would need many fuse panels. It would need complex wiring. It would take a lot of installation time.

The STAR Solution

No Fuses = Faster Installation

STAR Controllers have advanced fuseless protection built in. No fuse panels to mount. No fuse holders to wire. No spare fuses to carry.

The result? Much faster installation. Cleaner wiring. A more organized electrical system.

Perfect Power for Every Load

The two STAR-Power units gave them exactly what they needed:

  • 10A channels for lights and smaller loads
  • 30A channels for all the bigger equipment

Every load got the right size channel. No oversized wiring. No external relays needed.

 

Wireless Switches Save Major Time

Four sets of wireless switches went in the back of the boat. Each set has 4 buttons for lighting control.

The old way: Run control wires from the helm to the back. Go through walls. Add waterproof connections. Hours of work. High material costs.

The STAR way: Mount wireless switches where you need them. Done.

The time savings was huge.

 

Custom Helm Switches Look Factory-Perfect

The helm uses STAR’s CAN switches with custom engraved buttons. The result looks like it came from the boat factory.

No generic labels. No temporary solutions. Just clean, professional switches.

The complete digital switching system cost less than half the planned budget.

What they got:

  • ✅ Professional digital switching
  • ✅ No-fuse protection
  • ✅ Wireless control
  • ✅ Factory-quality look
  • ✅ Faster installation
  • ✅ Easy maintenance
  • ✅ Money left for other upgrades

The owner said it best: “Big savings for big smiles.”

 

Victron Energy integrated safiery star controllers for digital switching

Why This Installation Matters

This California install shows what makes STAR Controllers different:

Faster to Install – No fuses and wireless options cut installation time way down.

Right-Sized Channels – Mix 10A and 30A channels to fit every load perfectly.

Professional Look – Custom switches and clean design rival factory installations.

Better Price – Professional features without the premium cost.

Proven Reliable – Working great in a demanding commercial vessel.

What Was Installed

  • 2x STAR-Power – 16 channels total (10A and 30A options)
  • 1x STAR-Light – Extra lighting control
  • 4 sets of wireless switches – Back deck control (4 buttons each)
  • Custom engraved CAN switches – Helm control

Professional Marine Made Easy

This installation proves something important. You can get professional digital switching without compromise. You don’t have to choose between performance and budget.

The underwater mapping vessel now has an electrical system that’s simple to use. It’s easy to maintain. It was fast to install. That’s exactly what professional marine work needs.

Want STAR digital switching for your vessel?

Contact Safiery to learn how STAR Controllers can make your next installation easier and more affordable.

STAR Controllers – Smart Marine Electronics

Posted on

Revolutionize Your Cold Chain: This 400V DC Refrigeration System Slashes Operating Costs by $12,400 Annually

save $12,700 pa with no idling and no AC plug in with 400V DC refrigeration and 48V-400V DC DC

For decades, the refrigerated transport industry has relied on a standard piece of equipment: the standalone diesel generator (genset) mounted to the truck or trailer. It’s a simple, albeit noisy and inefficient, solution to a complex problem. But what if that “simple” solution is quietly costing your business a fortune?

The numbers don’t lie. The constant drone of that small diesel engine is the sound of money being burned—in fuel, in maintenance, and in eventual replacement. We’ve done the math, and the results are staggering.

It’s time for a smarter, more efficient, and vastly more profitable solution.
 

The Problem: The Hidden Cost of Your Refrigeration Genset

 
Let’s break down the typical costs of running a standard 15kW diesel genset for a refrigerated truck.

Based on industry-average data, a genset operating 10 hours a day for 250 days a year will consume around 6,600 liters of diesel. At today’s prices (e.g., $1.90/L), that’s $12,540 annually in fuel alone.

But the costs don’t stop there. These engines require constant service. Factoring in oil changes, filters, and labor, you can add another $2,000 per year in maintenance costs.

Total Annual Cost (Traditional Genset): $14,540

This is a significant operating expense for a single truck. For a fleet of ten, it’s nearly $150,000 every year, simply disappearing into fuel exhaust and engine parts.
 

The Solution: The Safiery Hybrid Electric System

 
At Safiery, we knew there had to be a better way. We’ve developed a fully integrated Hybrid Electric System that replaces the wasteful genset, leverages the power of your truck’s main engine, and slashes operating costs.

Our system is built on four key components working in perfect harmony:

    1. A High-Efficiency 400V DC Refrigeration Unit: We start with a 30%+ more efficient 400V DC Mitsubishi refrigeration system. This DC-native unit eliminates the energy-wasting conversion from AC power that plagues traditional systems.
    2. A 10kW Belt Motor Generator (BMG): This is the powerhouse of the system. The BMG replaces the truck’s standard alternator and generates a massive 10,000W of power, running directly from the main truck engine.
    3. 48V Solid State LFP Lithium Batteries: This rugged, 10,000-cycle battery bank acts as the system’s energy buffer. It stores the power generated by the BMG and delivers it smoothly to the refrigeration unit, ensuring the cold chain is never broken—even when the truck is off.
    4. “Scotty AI” System Brain: The Scotty AI controller is the “brains behind it all”. It intelligently manages the flow of power, drives the BMG at its peak efficiency, and communicates with the lithium battery’s BMS to optimize charging and protect the system.

     

    How It Works: The “Secret Sauce” of Efficiency

     
    Here is where the real magic happens. Our system doesn’t just generate power; it makes your entire truck more fuel-efficient.

    A truck’s engine has an optimal efficiency range (its Brake Specific Fuel Consumption, or BSFC). When cruising, the engine is often operating below this optimal point, wasting potential energy.

    Our Scotty AI and BMG system detects this. It strategically “loads” the engine by using its excess torque to generate electrical energy and charge the 48V batteries. This small, additional load pushes the main engine into a far more efficient BSFC range. In one example, we see the engine efficiency improve from a poor 455 g/kWh to an excellent 320 g/kWh.

    You are literally getting more from every drop of diesel you’re already burning to move the truck. Instead of running a second diesel engine (the genset) at a terrible efficiency (280 g/kWh) , you’re using your primary engine at its peak efficiency (a system BSFC of just 67 g/kWh).

     

    The Proof: The Numbers Don’t Lie

     

    So, what does this revolutionary efficiency mean for your bottom line?

    Let’s look at the costs for the exact same truck fitted with the Safiery Hybrid Electric System.

    The system’s high efficiency means it consumes a fraction of the fuel. Our calculations show an annual fuel consumption of just 700 liters. At the same $1.90/L, that’s only $1,330 per year in fuel.

    And maintenance? The BMG is a brushless, IP67-rated, low-maintenance component. The solid-state batteries are rated for 10,000 cycles. We estimate the annual maintenance cost at a minimal $500.

    Total Annual Cost (Safiery Hybrid System): $1,830

    Annual Savings Per Truck: $12,710
     

    Built for the Real World

     
    This isn’t just a concept. It’s a robust, road-ready solution. The Safiery BMG is purpose-built for this task, offering 85% efficiency (hot), dual redundancy for safety, and AI auto-tuning.

    We’ve even engineered an intelligent recovery system. In the unlikely event the 48V battery bank is fully drained, the system uses the truck’s standard factory alternator to charge a small 24V recovery battery, which then safely wakes up the Scotty AI, starts the BMG, and brings the entire system back online—all just by starting the truck.

  1.  

    Stop Burning Money. Start Saving.

     
    For every truck in your fleet still running a diesel genset, you are missing out on over $12,700 in pure profit every year.

    The Safiery Hybrid Electric System is more than just an upgrade. It’s a fundamental shift in how refrigerated transport is powered. It’s quieter, cleaner, far more reliable, and dramatically more profitable.

    Stop feeding the genset. It’s time to invest in efficiency.

Refrigeration 400V DC with 48V DC Battery bank Summar eBook…