Q: How do I choose between a LCI-90 and a LCI-100?
A: The LCI-100 is the larger of the two units, so if panel space is a premium consider the LCI-90. The same ¼ VGA display is used in both units. However, the main difference between the two units is that the LCI-100 is the full feature I/O platform. If you require more than four channels of analog input, two channels of analog output and four channels of digital output alarms then your selection should be the LCI-100. Also, the LCI-90 is only capable of handling 18-36 VDC input power. Any AC input requirements should be directed to the LCI-100, which is designed to accept both AC or DC power sources.

Q: What kinds of enclosures or packaging options do I have with the LCI Series?
A: All units have a waterproof stainless steel front panel with sealed membrane pushbuttons (no pushbuttons on the LCI-90R remote device). The standard configuration for each unit is an open frame rear enclosure constructed of anodized black aluminum. These units can only be panel mounted. If desired, MTNW can provide a sealed, waterproof stainless steel rear enclosure that will provide environmental protection for the rear electronics and also provide a structure in which the unit can be gimbal bracket mounted. The LCI-90 and 90R also have an optional on-deck console.

Q: My mounting requirements do not allow me to panel the displays. What are my options?
A: All three displays in the LCI product line have the ability to be gimbal bracket mounted. (Each display has an optional stainless steel rear enclosure and bracket assembly that will allow it to be bracket mounted either from the top or the bottom). The brackets allow the displays to be rotated and locked in place with knurled knobs on each side. These enclosures are waterproof.

Q: Is there a remote device in the LCI Series of displays?
A: MTNW offers the LCI-90R for remote display of line parameters. It will interface to a local LCI Series display via a two wire RS-485 serial network. It is less expensive than a local display, although local displays can be configured through the menu structure to act as a remote device. This is useful in keeping shipboard spare parts to a minimum. If the local unit ever fails, then a local display configured to act as a remote device can easily be reconfigured and used to replace the failed local unit.

Q: How do I calibrate the line tension of my configuration?
A: One of the strengths of the LCI-100 and LCI-90 displays is their ability to calibrate each winch configuration. Three methods are available to facilitate line tension calibration. The first is just to enter into the calibration submenu the scale and offset of the system (for example, 5000 lbs with 0 lbs offset). This can be refined further still because each display has a wrap angle correction factor in the calibration submenu. Second, these instruments will allow the operator to do a live two point calibration. This is the most accurate method to calibrate line tension. It removes all the misalignments of the system. The third and last method is to download (up to five) look-up tables into the device. This is most applicable for non-linear systems or behaviors. Refer to the operating manuals for more detail.

Unlike competitive systems, all calibration can be done via the front panel pushbuttons - there is no need to access the rear enclosure!

Q: When should I use an encoder to generate speed and count as opposed to a dual proximity sensor application?
A: Encoders generally provide many more counts per revolution than a proximity or Hall Effect sensor configuration. For precise applications where line payout and speed are critical, encoders provide an excellent solution. Mounting the encoder is more complicated, as most encoders are not sealed and require an additional j-box or gear box. Care should be taken to keep the load away from the shaft of the encoder.

Q: Will the speed display be jumpy at slow speeds and accurate at high sheave revolutions?
A: MTNW has spent a great deal of effort to generate a self-tuning speed algorithm. It will behave smoothly at slow speeds and be a very accurate display of speed at high sheave revolutions. Check the specification sheets for bandwidth limitations.

Q: What kind of load pin can I use if my wrap angle is varying?
A: It depends on how the wrap angle varies. Divide the wrap into two angles, entry and exit. If both angles vary then more equipment needs to be installed (such as a tensionmeter) to get an accurate line tension reading. If only one angle is varying then a dual angle load pin is applicable. Pin alignment is critical but the LCI Series display can accommodate for errors generated by misaligned dual axis load pins. Refer to the operating manuals for more detail. Dual axis load pins are tricky to install and calibrate. If one of the angles varies only slightly, then another possible approach is to use a single axis load pin and calibrate at an intermediate wrap angle (middle of the wrap angle variation). The operators must then assume the tension system will have errors at the angle variation extremes.

Q: What if my load pin does not have a built-in amplifier, only a standard 4 wire output?
A: Both the LCI-100 and LCI-90 can interface to "raw" strain gage signals. MTNW uses Analog Devices 5B modules to provide bridge sensor excitation, signal amplification and analog signal isolation.

Q: Can different types of proximity sensors interface to the local LCI displays?
A: Both the LCI-100 and LCI-90 have "on-board" pull up or pull down 1000 ohm resistors that are used to interface to NPN and PNP (respectively) proximity sensors. On the LCI-90 it is just a matter of setting the DIP switches properly, and on the LCI-100 all that is required is to apply a shunt to the proper jumpers.

Q: How do I specify an LCI product for my application?
A: Download the LCI specification sheet, complete, and fax it to:

Measurement Technology NW
Attention: LCI Sales
Fax: (206) 634-1309

Q: Can Measurement Technology provide complete winch instrumentation systems including count and tension sensors, instrumented sheaves and cabling?
A: Yes, please provide your requirements on the LCI specification sheet (LCI_spec.pdf) and we will be happy to provide a complete quotation. MTNW has developed turnkey solutions for many of our clients. We can provide both force and count sensors, specifying equipment that we have used and feel confident will integrate with our systems and perform to your specifications.

Q: Can the LCI be used on a multi-drop network?
A: All LCI series local displays can send data to any number of remote displays and shipboard computers via a RS-485 network. Each LCI display has two serial ports available for serial communications. Each display has an RS-485 serial port that is dedicated to communications with other LCI Series displays. MTNW developed a custom robust serial protocol for this application. Each LCI Series display also has an auxiliary RS-232 serial port that can be used as an interface for any external data acquisition system. Several protocols have been written and custom applications are welcome.

Q: Can the LCI local displays monitor more than one winch at a time?
A: Yes, the LCI-100 and LCI-90 can monitor two winches simultaneously when equipped with our new dual-tension firmware, a modification which allows two real-time independent points of tension measurement to be displayed at the same time. For most users, multi-winch monitoring is best accomplished with our full-featured WinchDAC_ software package. The WinchDAC_ software communicates with up to eight LCI units to provide continuous monitoring of your entire winch system, easily viewed and accessed through a single PC.

Q: Do either the LCI local displays or the WinchDAC software have data logging capabilities?
A: As a standard product, neither the LCI-100 nor the LCI-90 have internal data logging capabilities. Previous users have utilized the auxiliary RS-232 serial port to interface to a computer for data logging, and for others we have modified the firmware on each local display to provide internal data logging, saved to battery backed RAM. However, our new WinchDAC software package has the ability to provide both a graphical interface and data logging functions. WinchDAC will install on any PC that has a serial communications port and will monitor the RS-485 data output on the local LCI display. The user can select sample rates for data logging and store all setup and calibration data from the local display. The software will not only provide a saved data file but also a printable report at the end of each cast.