Albatross AlbaCombi User manual
The AlbaCombi has been certified to comply with the European directive for
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EN60945) and is appropriately CE marked. Operation
of the unit should be in conjunction with appropriate CE approved shielded
connectors and cabling used in accordance with the CE directive EN60945. Any EMC
related issues should be reported to Emmi Network S.L. immediately to allow the
company to rectify or resolve EMC related problems in accordance with its obligations
under EN60945.
Product Disposal
Please dispose of this product in accordance with the WEEE Directive. The product should be
taken to a registered establishment for the disposal of electronic
INDEX
1.PRODUCT OVERVIEW.............................................................................................................1
1.1 Specifications ............................................................................................................2
1.2 PGNs Supported ........................................................................................................3
1.3 Din Rail Mounting......................................................................................................4
1.4 NMEA2000 Cable Connection ....................................................................................5
1.5 NMEA2000 Networks ................................................................................................8
1.6 Power Supply input of AlbaCombi..............................................................................9
1.7 NME2000 Minimum Network Requirements .............................................................9
2. Installation & Configuration ..................................................................................................9
2.1 First Start and IP Configuration and AlbaCombi Web-Interface......................................10
2.1.1 For Windows ..........................................................................................................10
2.1.2 For Mac ..................................................................................................................14
3. AlbaCombi Web Interface ...................................................................................................16
3.1 “GENERAL” Option ........................................................................................................16
3.2 “BACKUP” Option..........................................................................................................17
3.3 “CHANNELS” Option......................................................................................................17
3.3.1 RPM Inputs.............................................................................................................18
3.3.2 PTC1000 Input ........................................................................................................20
3.3.3 Voltage or Resistive Inputs......................................................................................22
Calibration Curve Example ..................................................................................................26
3.3.4 Shunt Input.............................................................................................................30
3.3.5 Voltage Inputs ........................................................................................................32
3.4 “OUTPUT” Option..........................................................................................................33
3.5 “N2K” Option ................................................................................................................34
3.5.1 PGN127488 Engine Rapide Update .........................................................................35
3.5.2 PGN127489 Engine Parameter Dynamic .................................................................36
3.5.3 PGN127508 Battery Status......................................................................................37
3.5.4 PGN127505 Fluid Level ...........................................................................................38
3.5.5 PGN130312 Temperature .......................................................................................39
3.5.6 PGN130314 Pressure ..............................................................................................40
Configure AlbaCombi N2K into your Plotter.........................................................................40
3.6 “DISPLAYS” Option ........................................................................................................47
3.7 “FULLVIEW” Option.......................................................................................................49
4. Tacho Inputs .......................................................................................................................51
4.1 Ignition Coil...................................................................................................................51
4.2 Alternator .....................................................................................................................51
4.3 Hall Effect and Electronic Pulse Senders ........................................................................51
5. Sensor 4 to 20mA sensors ...................................................................................................52
6. Hardware Test Mode and Setup mode ................................................................................53
7. Firmware Update ................................................................................................................56
8. Connecting two or more AlbaCombi units ...........................................................................57
9. How to visualize AlbaCombi to your Tablet or Smartphone .................................................57
10. Basic Configurations..........................................................................................................59
11. Troubleshooting................................................................................................................60
12. Company Information .......................................................................................................61
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1.PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The new AlbaCombi is a second-generation device, built following our successful Alba line of
converters, that translate analogue signals from all over the boat to an NMEA2000 BUS.
The unit has been designed to connect in parallel to an existing gauge, so existing instruments
can still be used.
The AlbaCombi can be used to get engine data, tank levels, alarm status, generic pressure, and
temperature indications from any 4-20mA sensor.
You get twelve 0V to 32V inputs that can be used for anything from reading voltages of batteries
to interfacing with any analogue gauges. Six channels can be configured to measure resistance
from any industry standard engine sensor.
Also, there are two RPM inputs, one PTC temperature input, one shunt and two relay outputs.
All twelve resistance and voltage channels have comprehensive calibration that allow you to
create an 8-point calibration table or select a predefined industry standard calibration table for
most common sensors and gauges.
The AlbaCombi has an Ethernet port that will allow web-based calibration. Just connect your
laptop to the Alba-Combi via Ethernet and you will get to the calibration and testing page. No
calibration tools or special interfaces required. This device is future proof and can be upgraded
in the field via its ethernet port.
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1.1 Specifications
IMPORTANT: In older versions of AlbaCombi maximum Voltage allowed to power supply the
AlbaCombi was 9-18V DC. If you have any doubts to know which version, do you have, please
contact us
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1.2 PGNs Supported
The Alba-Combi will convert all those channels to temperature, pressure, voltage, tank levels,
current, engine status, etc. You will be able to use that information to populate all the available
15 NMEA2000 PGNs.
PGN 127488 –Engine Parameters, Rapid Update (2)
PGN 127489 –Engine Parameters, Dynamic (2)
PGN 127493 –Transmission Parameters, Dynamic (2)
PGN 127508 –Battery Status (3)
PGN 127505 –Fluid Level (4)
PGN 130316 –Temperature, Extended Range (4)
PGN 130314 –Pressure (1)
PGN 130576 –Trim Tab Status (1)
Screenshot from web-interface (N2K Option)
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1.3 Din Rail Mounting
Requirements:
A top hat rail, type EN 50 022 or a G section rail, type EN 50 035.
Mounting using a different rail type or an alternative mounting kit may breach the terms and
conditions of the guarantee.
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1.4 NMEA2000 Cable Connection
Protective braid
Data:
Blue: NET-H (CAN-H)
White: NET-L (CAN-L)
Feed:
Red: NET-S. Positive Feed +V
Black: NET-C. Common Feed -V
External protective braiding
Normal connection with a NMEA2000 Spur Cable
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For Raymarine SeatalkNG Network you can use the following:
Connection with a stripped cable SeatalkNG Cable (Raymarine N2K cable).
You can use the SeatalkNG Spur Cable (ref: A06043), sold separately . With you can connect
directly
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Connection alternatives for NMEA Networks
Reference Actisense A2K-PMW-M (sold separately) Spur Connector NMEA2000 Male
Connection with the accessory A2K-PMW-M (sold separately), easier to connect.
8
1.5 NMEA2000 Networks
NMEA 2000 devices will only communicate with each other when connected to a powered and
correctly terminated NMEA 2000 network.
All networks need to be powered and terminated correctly to allow data to be reliably
transmitted on the network. T-Pieces are needed to connect each device to the network.
Additional cable lengths can be used between any of the connectors to extend the length of the
network. Ensure the NMEA 2000 rules for cable length are adhered to.
Cable Type
Max Length
Per drop cable
6 m
Sum of all drop cables
72 m
Micro Backbone (terminator to terminator)
100 m
Mini Backbone (terminator to terminator)
200 m
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1.6 Power Supply input of AlbaCombi
To switch the unit on you should connect the 17 and 18 inputs to 9-32Vdc. These inputs are the
same as NMEA supply, thus if you supplied the NMEA bus, you don’t need to add extra power
to the module works.
1.7 NME2000 Minimum Network Requirements
All NMEA2000 networks require a 12v DC supply.
In addition, a correctly functioning network will require the following components:
-1 x Power-T
-2 x Terminating Resistors
-2 x T-Pieces (one per connected device)
-1 x NMEA2000 compatible display
We can supply all these parts, but are sold separately.
2. Installation & Configuration
1. Select mounting location: Ensure the AlbaCombi can be mounted in a suitable and dry
location relative to the NMEA2000 bus and the senders or gauges.
2. Connect to the NMEA2000 network
3. Connect the Gauge inputs
4. Connect the Power to the AlbaCombi
5. Configure the AlbaCombi
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2.1 First Start and IP Configuration and AlbaCombi Web-Interface
2.1.1 For Windows
AlbaCombi must be configurated in the AlbaCombi Web-Interface. To get inside the AlbaCombi
Web-Interface you must be well configured your computer IP address and check that the
computer and the AlbaCombi are working in the same network.
First of all, you will have to configure a static IP on the PC
1) Access the Control Panel
In the Windows search bar, type in “ncpa.cpl” and then press enter.
If you are not using Windows 10, follow the steps below instead.
On your keyboard, press the “Windows” and “R” keys at the same time.
Enter “ncpa.cpl” in the window that pops up.
Note: Network connections will display the network adapters that are currently connected to
your computer.
2) Select the Network Adapter
Right click on the network adapter that is currently connected to the device that you are trying
to configure. Usually, it will be the adapter with the word “Ethernet” in the name.
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3) Select Properties
Select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
4) Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
Double-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”.
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5) Manually enter IP address and subnet mask
Select “Use the following IP Address” and then input the following information in the
corresponding fields:
IP address: The first three sets of digits should match. For this tutorial, we will use for example,
IP address 192.168.0.10, but it will valid other IPs as long as the first three digits are
192.168.0.XXX. The third value could any from 0 to 255, excluding the value 50 which is the IP
of the AlbaCombi.
AlbaCombi works by default in the IP 192.168.0.50
Subnet mask: The subnet mask between the device that you are trying to connect to needs to
be the same as your PC. We will use subnet mask 255.255.255.0
6) Save Settings
Click the OK button on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window, and also
click the OK button on “Ethernet Properties” window.
Note: The OK buttons must be clicked in both instances or your settings will not be saved.
7) Check if it has been configured correctly
Next to the Start button in Windows, press the Search button (or use the Windows + R shortcut)
Type cmd or Command Prompt, then press Enter.
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In the black window of the command prompt, type the command ipconfig and press Enter.
You will see something like this, and you will see your computer IP address in the IPv4. In our
case 192.168.0.10
Now, with power supply in the AlbaCombi, connect the Ethernet cable between the AlbaCombi
and your computer. You will need a standard RJ45 cable.
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Go to your favorite browser (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari) we recommend Firefox and type the
IP 192.168.0.50
Press Enter and you will see the AlbaCombi Web-Interface
2.1.2 For Mac
1) Launch System Preferences from the Apple menu
2) Click on “Network”
3) Click on the protocol you are using, let’s say we’re using Wi-Fi with a wireless connection
so click on “Wi-Fi” so that the network interface is selected, and then click on the
“Advanced” button in the lower right corner
4) Click on the “TCP/IP” tab
5) You now have multiple options for manual IP address assignment. For the sake of this
exercise, let’s assume you want to maintain DHCP but set a manual static IP address, so
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click on the drop-down menu next to “Configure IPv4” and select “Using DHCP with
manual address”, but you can also use full manual mode by choosing “Manually”
6) Select a static IP that will not conflict with anything else on the network.
7) IPv4 address: The first three sets of digits should match. For this tutorial, we will use for
example, IP address 192.168.0.75, but it will valid other IPs if the first three digits are
192.168.0.XXX. The third value could any from 0 to 255, excluding the value 50 which is
the IP of the AlbaCombi.
AlbaCombi works by default in the IP 192.168.0.50, you can’t use this IP.
Subnet mask: The subnet mask between the device that you are trying to connect to
needs to be the same as your PC. We will use subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Router: 192.168.0.1
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3. AlbaCombi Web Interface
3.1 “GENERAL” Option
In this option you can change the Ethernet configuration from the AlbaCombi, enable/disable
the DHCP server and configure the IP address.
The default configuration is DHCP server disabled and IP address 192.168.0.50.
The default NMEA address is 9.
Note that if you connect two or more AlbaCombi, you must change the NMEA address, for
example: you have two AlbaCombi connected on your NMEA network. One will have the NMEA
Address 9 and other will be configured with NMEA Address 10.
If you make any change, press “Save” button and then press “Reset”
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