On a fire vehicle the pump, foam system, tank levels, outriggers, leveling, intercom and boom all have to work together. EHR Elektronik brings these functions into one CAN-based control architecture: we design the control system, commission it and prepare its technical documentation. Below are the jobs we have done and the projects behind them.
If you build or equip the vehicle
You can leave the control side to us.
- Pump, CAFS, lighting and engine control are developed to your requirements
- We design and commission the control system and prepare its technical documentation; we are not the machine manufacturer
- User documentation is delivered in English and Turkish
If you are renewing an existing vehicle
We can rebuild the old control system.
- Controls of ladders and platforms whose manufacturer support or spare parts are gone can be renewed
- A similar system can also be applied to existing vehicles after a preliminary assessment
Pump, engine and lighting automation
In a fire pump automation we developed for a customer, two 7″ touch screens, one in the cabin and one at the pump position, and one automotive class control unit do the work. The system handles four jobs: engine information display and throttle control, lighting, pump functions, and display of CAFS information. The 10 lighting projectors on the vehicle are controlled from the same system. Details: fire pump and pumper automation.
Foam towers and boom systems
On a folding boom foam tower the pump, tank, valve and boom controls were brought into one system: activating CAFS and hydraulic PTOs, automatic water pressure control, level control of four tanks, water-foam ratio, a Canbus boom monitor, automatic leveling with the outriggers, video transfer from 250 m and RF remote control. On the 32 m tower boom system the monitor’s right/left, up/down and jet/fog functions run from the tower joystick or wireless remote; the radio remote and the tower cabin cannot operate simultaneously. Pump and engine status, tank levels and system pressure appear on the display at the operator seat.
Tank level, leveling, outriggers and intercom
- Tank level: the EFC39 control unit monitors two tanks with a single controller; the level is shown with five LEDs per tank and calibration needs no computer. The CAN-based option uses the MRS Micro PLC CAN 4 ANA, an MConn Mini CAN display and two pressure sensors.
- Vehicle leveling: EFD23-LEVEL shows inclination in two axes while the outriggers are set, with 10°, 5° and 1° step LEDs. It can take the inclination from CANopen sensors such as the Baumer GIM140R or GIM600R.
- Outrigger console: R-CONSOLE01 shows the truck leveling angle, the lateral extension percentage of the outriggers and the status of the chassis switches; it comes in left and right models.
- In-vehicle communication: CANcom: we acquired the production rights for the CANtalk intercom system and the product will be produced under our own electroforce® brand. CANtalk is an IP65 intercom and more than one device can be installed on one line.
- Wind: the PA2 cup anemometer measures 0..60 m/s; a 4..20 mA version, the PA2-C, is also available.
Aerial ladder and platform vehicles
Here the job is often to return a machine to service after its manufacturer stopped supporting it. In Portugal the entire control architecture of an aerial ladder platform whose manufacturer is no longer active was redesigned: MPC113 and MSC113 units across truck, turret and cage, GDC800 displays and an LMI with 10 dynamic geometric tables. On a European-made 62 m ladder that suffered spare-part shortages and a lack of technical support, the controls and software were renewed from scratch. On the 55 m articulated folding platform geometric limitation by main boom length, 10 working tables, 4 (8) swing zones, 3 basket load limits and 5-step outrigger spread are controlled; the software has three intercommunicating yet independently operating sections: chassis, tower and basket.
In a retrofit EHR Elektronik is not the machine manufacturer: the party making the substantial modification takes on the manufacturer’s obligations (CE conformity, technical file). We usually work with the company making the substantial modification; in projects where we work directly with the end user, the end user takes responsibility for the modification and this is stated in writing in the quotation. Our scope is the control system: structural risks such as metal fatigue, structural inspection and the patented active oscillation damping systems of some manufacturers are outside it. See revamping and retrofit, aerial ladder and platform retrofit and Magirus turntable ladders for the process; the fire-fighting ladders and access platforms category lists the products, and our fire vehicle retrofit article covers the topic too.
Main controller
On ladder and platform applications our main controller is the MOBA MPC113, programmed with CODESYS 3.5: two application processors and a separate watchdog processor, EN ISO 13849-1 Category 3 internal architecture, IP67 and an operating range of -40 to +85 °C. EHR Elektronik develops the application software.
Process
- Vehicle and requirements. We collect the vehicle type, the chassis engine and the functions you want. For pump and engine control the chassis must have a CAN J1939 engine; the model, engine and J1939 technical information are provided by you.
- Architecture, software and commissioning. We specify controller, display and sensors in writing, develop the application software and commission the functions on the vehicle.
- Documentation and support. User documentation is delivered in English and Turkish. We offer delivery from stock in Türkiye and local technical support.
Frequently asked questions
What must the vehicle have for pump automation?
The vehicle must have a CAN J1939 engine. Control runs through the engine ECU using throttle up, throttle down, idle, engine start, engine stop and engine running (D+) signals; the vehicle manufacturer provides these signal terminals.
Can a tank level system be added to an existing vehicle?
A similar system can be applied to existing vehicles after a preliminary assessment. The EFC39 monitors two tanks with one controller; one digital output per tank switches when the level drops below 10% or rises above 105%, and an audible warning can be connected to it.
Do you also handle the water monitor on a foam tower?
Yes. In the foam tower project the water monitor control is also handled by EHR Elektronik.
Can I get the software and source code?
Source code is not supplied or sold. With our service tools and the compiled software several machines of the same type and model can be commissioned; the software carries a licence number.
Do you support vehicles abroad?
Yes. We have provided field service in Türkiye, Portugal, South Africa, Egypt, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran and Russia, and carried out field work in 13 countries including Türkiye. Support is provided in Turkish and English.
Tell us about your vehicle and requirements
Send the vehicle type, chassis engine and the functions you need; we will assess it after a preliminary review.
Request a pre-assessment →Message on WhatsApp
E-mail: info@ehrelektronik.com · Phone: +90 850 220 3 381
Brand names on this page are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are used descriptively only. Electroforce is a registered trademark of EHR Elektronik.