MAN B&W 1685337-9 Bearing Temp Display Module

Description

Product Introduction

The MAN B&W 1685337-9 (also cataloged under COMI.0103.175) is a specialized Bearing Temperature Display (BTD) module engineered for MAN B&W marine main engines and auxiliary diesel generator local control panels. It interfaces directly with RTD or thermocouple sensor networks embedded in main bearings, crosshead bearings, and alternator end-bells. By providing real-time local digital readout and relay trips, it acts as the front-line protection against catastrophic bearing wipe during heavy engine operation.

Unlike generic panel meters that lack ruggedization for marine engine rooms, the 1685337-9 handles continuous low-frequency hull vibration and severe thermal cycling. It processes sensor signals locally before handshaking with the ship’s Alarm Monitoring System (AMS) or safety system over serial or contact channels. This prevents false trips from long wiring runs while maintaining instant local visibility for watch-keeping engineers during rounds.

Key Technical Specifications

Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience

Picture this: You are on a container vessel four days out at sea. The alarm horn blasts on the bridge. A high-high bearing temperature alarm trips diesel generator #2 off the board, leaving the ship running on a single generator during a storm. You race down to the engine control room and discover the generator’s local control panel BTD display went dark, throwing corrupt sensor values to the main AMS. It wasn’t an actual wiped bearing—the monitoring module board failed internally due to power supply ripple and heat aging. Replacing the dead display module with a verified unit gets the auxiliary power plant back into full redundant operation before the remaining generator gets overloaded.

• Container Vessels & Tankers – Auxiliary Diesel Generators – Continuously measures main journal and big-end bearing temperatures across 6-cylinder to 9-cylinder auxiliary engines to prevent crankcase explosions.
• Commercial Marine Propulsion – Main Engine LCP Racks – Provides localized crosshead and crankpin temperature readouts right at the engine side platform.
• Power Generation Plants – Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) Engines – Drives trip interlocks to trip fuel racks instantly if main bearing babbit metal approaches thermal deformation thresholds.

Field Case Study

A 5,000 TEU vessel experienced an intermittent ground fault on the 24V DC safety loop of its starboard main generator. The fault traced back to an aging 1685337-9 BTD card that suffered potted insulation breakdown. Sourcing a new module through standard OEM marine channels was quoted with a 3-week factory backlog—unacceptable for a ship facing port state inspection. The vessel manager sourced a fully bench-tested surplus 1685337-9 card, flown into the next port of call. Chief engineers swapped the card in 20 minutes, verified sensor calibration across all channels, and cleared the class survey without sailing delays.

1685337-9

1685337-9

Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing

We test these marine control modules on physical bench rigs before sending them out to port or plant sites.

1. Inbound Visual & Structural Inspection: Physical check of the module housing, edge connectors, terminal blocks, and identification labels (confirming 1685337-9 / COMI.0103.175 revisions).
2. 24V DC Power Conditioning Check: Powering up on bench DC power supplies while monitoring current draw and thermal profile across internal power regulators.
3. Multi-Channel RTD Simulation: Hooking precision resistance decade boxes to the sensor input terminals to verify exact temperature scaling across all bearing channels (e.g., testing 0°C to 150°C spans).
4. Alarm & Trip Relay Handshake Test: Driving simulated high-temperature resistance to force trip logic, verifying that dry contacts close and open within specified millisecond thresholds.
5. Vibration & Thermal Burn-In: Running 4-hour burn-in cycles to confirm display segments don’t fade or flicker under sustained operating heat.
6. ESD Protection & Packaging: Final cleaning of contact points, static-shielding bag encapsulation, and heavy-duty foam casing for rugged international dispatch.

The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)

• ⚠️ Match the Part Numbers Carefully: MAN B&W uses multiple revision codes for these cards. Cross-reference the base board number (1685337-9), the COMI number (COMI.0103.175), and the drawing reference (50935-03H-147). While they often swap directly, mismatched sub-revisions can have different relay contact assignments.
• ❗ Disconnect 24V DC Power Before Servicing: Never pull or plug this module while the local control panel is live. Spikes on the 24V DC bus during live removal can damage the input analog-to-digital converter chips on the card.
• ⚠️ Verify RTD Shielding Grounds: If the new module shows jumpy or sporadic temperature readings immediately after installation, check your cable shields. The PT100 sensor shields must ground at the panel entry busbar, NOT at both ends, to avoid ground loops from the engine block.
• ❗ Check DIP Switch Calibration Settings: Take a photo of the original module’s rear DIP switches or jumper blocks before you unmount it. These set channel enable/disable states and sensor curve compensations. Match the settings on the replacement unit exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ for Conversion)

Q: Is the MAN B&W 1685337-9 module plug-and-play, or does it require software flashing?

A: It is primarily hardware-configured via onboard DIP switches and pot adjustments. You do not need dedicated OEM software to flash firmware; set your hardware jumpers to match the original card configuration and calibrate your zero/span if needed.

Q: Can this card replace other COMI series BTD modules?

A: Only if the terminal mapping and board revision match. Specifically check if your drawing specifies COMI.0103.175 or 1685337-9. Installing a different COMI variant can lead to false channel open-circuit faults.

Q: Why buy new surplus or tested stock over ordering directly from the engine builder?

A: Original MAN B&W electronic assemblies for older engine series are frequently marked obsolete or carry long lead times (6 to 12 weeks). Ready-to-ship surplus stock gets your vessel or generator back into class compliance immediately at a fraction of the cost.

Q: What happens if a temperature sensor channel is unused on my engine configuration?

A: Unused RTD channels must be bridged with dummy resistors (typically 100-ohm resistors simulating 0°C) or disabled via rear selector switches. Leaving a channel open-circuit will trigger a continuous wire-break alarm on the panel.

Q: What warranty comes with these marine surplus cards?

A: All units are backed by a 12-month functional replacement warranty. If the card fails bench checks or trips fault codes upon installation, we ship a replacement unit or process an immediate credit.