Volvo Penta introduces e-Key Remote control

Start your engines with a remote key from 100m away, press a button and switch on a pile of onboard DC services and functions, then step aboard, cast the lines, take the helm, and go...

Welcome to Volvo Penta's new e-Key remote boat control!

At the recent media gathering in Gothenberg, Sweden, that we just attended, Volvo Penta revealed its new e-Key to the world. With a press of the button, the beep signalling activation could be heard emanating from the boats parked outside of our conference room at the high security diesel-engine test facilities at Krossholmen.

The new remote is the latest addition to Volvo Penta's strategy of "Easy Boating" and designed to create a more auto-like integrated leisure boating experience from the word get go.

Using the e-Key Remote hooked into Volvo Penta’s new Battery Management Solution, which was also released at the presser, unlocking and starting your boat is similar to your car.

The e-Key performs a pre-selected group of functions on the 12V or 24V DC side of your boat with the press of a key. There are 1 and 2 buttons on the key, allowing you to preset two groups of functions, let's say, all the things you need for cruising on your boat or, conversely, the stuff you want to turn off (and leave on) when putting your boat to bed at the marina. No more defrosted fridges or cold beer.

START  YOUR ENGINES
Volvo Penta has designed the system so the whole driveline can be controlled with just one key used remotely. This is the first key on the market that is connected and integrated into the
boat’s entire driveline. That means there's no need to search for ignition keys and
circuit breakers, boasts the Swedish engine maker, as both are easily
controlled remotely from as far away as 100 metres.

With the e-Key in your hand, you can start and stop your engines, via Start and Stop buttons, while standing at the dock or in the waterfront restaurant, as well as via the swipe function using the keyless start on the dash and the e-Key's internal fob.

Should your e-Key remote fall in the water, it’s rated to handle that —albeit briefly to IP7 immersion standard to one-metre —  and because the key will sink "slowly" we would add a float. But it's nice to know even with a flat battery or defective e-Key, the inbuilt ignition swipe function still allows you to start and stop your engines.

Volvo Penta says it's possible to connect a wide range of electrical equipment to the same remote key, such as lights, gangway or windlass – which can then be switched on before you even step foot onboard.

The e-Key Remote also provides effective theft protection since every e-Key is connected to the vessel with a unique identifier. Only a valid key can be used to operate the system, and a vessel can be paired with up to four e-Keys. Boat alarm systems can be included in the e-Key, we were told in response to our question.

"The e-Key Remote offers much greater ease and convenience when it comes to unlocking and starting a boat, as well as much greater security from theft," says Petter Andolf, Chief Project Manager for the Battery Management Solution and e-Key Remote.

BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOLUTION
The new e-Key is integrated into Volvo Penta's trick new Battery Management Solution that includes a number of smart features for enabling more of that easy boating.

For example, if the start battery is weak, the Start Aid function will automatically borrow energy from the auxiliary battery like an auto parallel function.

The new system also provides alerts on battery health and statuses, as well as all diagnostic information so that potential issues can be handled pre-emptively, Volvo Penta says.

The new Battery Management Solution eliminates need multiple voltage meters for today’s many onboard batteries, which are often located in different places. That in itself was the impetus to develop an easy owner accessible system.

All the status information and more can be accessed in one display in the boat’s cockpit at any time including voltage, current flows, time to full/empty and battery health.

"When you’re out on your boat, you do not want to spend your time searching for faults or dealing with small issues," says Andolf.

"By giving you a complete overview of your boat’s batteries, the Battery Management Display allows you to be more proactive in maintaining healthy batteries, and when faults do occur, it is far easier to locate the source."

Volvo Penta’s says it's committed to make owning and operating a boat simpler and, increasingly, more of an auto-like seamless experience. The Swdish company is a real believer in pleasure boating's future.

The new remote and battery systems also enable a reduction in the number of components, wiring harnesses and connection points. More at Volvo Penta Australia.