ZOLLNER SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S Type B Horn Controller

ZOLLNER SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S Type B Marine Horn Controller Panel (BSH/4615/6021289/09)

The ZOLLNER SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S Type B is an acoustic signaling unit engineered for automated and manual operation of marine whistles and ship horns in compliance with COLREG 1972 (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), Annex III. Designed for bridge console flush mounting, this control panel governs restricted-visibility fog signal intervals, maneuvering signals, and general alarm interfaces on commercial ocean-going vessels.

Engineered around a 24V DC primary supply architecture with galvanic isolation between logic circuits and high-current solenoid outputs, the 6+S Type B interfaces directly with ZOLLNER ZETFON piston horns and MAKROFON compressed-air diaphragm whistles. The front fascia integrates membrane-sealed tactile pushbuttons, a rotary signal-mode selector switch, an integrated dimmer potentiometer for night-watch bridge compliance, and acoustic/visual fault monitoring for heater and solenoid circuits.

Model Details

• Manufacturer: ZOLLNER Kiel GmbH (Germany)
• Model Series: SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S
• Configuration Variant: Type B (Flush Console Mount / Bridge Wing Slave Ready)
• Type Approval / BSH Number: BSH/4615/6021289/09
• Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 6+S-TYP-B / 4615-6021289-09 (Verify specific PCB revision sticker on rear housing)

Rear Terminal Block Pinout Allocation (X1 / X2 Plug-in Connectors)

• X1.1 / X1.2: Main 24V DC Power Supply (+24V / 0V GND)
• X1.3 / X1.4: Emergency 24V DC Battery Supply (+24V EM / 0V GND)
• X1.5 / X1.6: Whistle 1 Solenoid Valve Output (+24V Switched / Return)
• X1.7 / X1.8: Whistle 2 / Forward Horn Output (+24V Switched / Return)
• X1.9 / X1.10: External Manual Pushbutton Loop (Bridge Wing Port / Starboard)
• X2.1 / X2.2: General Emergency Alarm (GEA) Trigger Input (24V DC active high)
• X2.3 / X2.4: VDR (Voyage Data Recorder) Status Output (Dry Contact NO / COM)
• X2.5 / X2.6: Whistle Heater / Solenoid Fault Alarm Output (Dry Contact NC / COM)
• X2.7 / X2.8: External Dimmer Bus / RS-422 Sync (Master-Slave dual-panel synchronization)

Features

1. COLREG 1972 Annex III Automated Signal Generation: Pre-programmed rotary selector covers all mandatory restricted-visibility patterns, including underway making way (one prolonged blast every 2 minutes), underway stopped (two prolonged blasts), vessels constrained by draft/towing (one prolonged, two short), and vessels at anchor (rapid bell/gong simulation or dedicated anchor blast).
2. Dual-Supply Failover Architecture: Integrated Schottky diode auctioneering switches seamlessly between main 24V DC bridge distribution and emergency GMDSS battery bus without resetting active timer cycles.
3. Master-Slave Synchronization Ready: Supports synchronized operation on vessels exceeding 100 meters in length where forward and aft whistles must sound simultaneously or selectively without acoustic phase cancellation.
4. VDR & BNWAS Dry-Contact Telemetry: Dedicated isolated relay outputs transmit real-time whistle activation events directly to the ship’s Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) for Port State Control (PSC) and accident investigation compliance.
5. Stepless Night-Vision Backlighting Dimmer: Front-mounted rotary potentiometer adjusts green/amber LED legend illumination down to 0% luminance to prevent night-vision impairment on darkened navigation bridges.

Compatible ZOLLNER Horn Series:

• ZETFON Electric Piston Horns: ZETFON 130/220, ZETFON 150/190, ZETFON 200/140 (interfaced via ZOLLNER motor contactor box).
• MAKROFON Compressed-Air Whistles: MAKROFON M75/260, M75/330, M125/140, M125/200, M200/90 (direct 24V DC solenoid actuation).
• MALFON / ELEKTROFON Systems: Compatible via intermediate 24V DC control relay interface.

Part Number Cross-References:

• BSH Approval Reference: BSH/4615/6021289/09 (Replaces earlier BSH/4615/6021289/04 and /06 hardware revisions with identical DIN 144 cutout).
• Legacy ZOLLNER Equivalents: Functional replacement for SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S Type A (when configured for single-whistle output) and older 5+S relay-logic panels (requires adapter wiring harness for rear pluggable terminals).

Applications

• Deep-Sea Merchant Vessels: Container ships, VLCCs, bulk carriers, and LNG tankers requiring IMO-mandated automated fog signaling.
• Offshore Support & Dynamic Positioning (DP) Vessels: Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs), AHTS, and drillships operating in North Sea and Arctic low-visibility zones.
• Passenger Ferries & Ro-Ro Vessels: High-traffic coastal navigation requiring rapid manual override and dual-bridge-wing pushbutton integration.
• Naval & Coast Guard Patrol Craft: Ruggedized bridge console installations requiring IEC 60945 vibration and EMC immunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the ZOLLNER SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S Type A and Type B?

The Type B variant is engineered specifically for flush console mounting with integrated master-slave synchronization and dual-whistle control capability, making it standard on vessels exceeding 100 meters in length that operate both forward and aft whistles. Type A is typically configured for single-whistle small-to-medium vessels or standalone bulkhead box enclosures.

Is the BSH/4615/6021289/09 unit a direct drop-in replacement for older SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S panels?

Yes. All panels carrying the BSH/4615/6021289/09 approval share the identical 138 mm x 138 mm DIN 144 panel cutout and pluggable terminal block layout as earlier /04 and /06 hardware revisions. You can transfer the pre-wired green pluggable connectors directly onto the replacement unit without re-terminating individual bridge cables.

Can this controller operate both electric ZETFON piston horns and pneumatic MAKROFON whistles?

Yes. For pneumatic MAKROFON whistles, the SIGNAL-AUTOMAT 6+S Type B drives the 24V DC solenoid valve directly (up to 5A inductive). For three-phase AC electric ZETFON piston horns, the controller output energizes the 24V DC coil of the ZETFON motor starter contactor located in the horn’s control cabinet.

How do I connect external bridge wing horn pushbuttons to the 6+S Type B?

External waterproof bridge wing pushbuttons (Port and Starboard) wire in parallel across the dedicated external manual trigger terminals (X1.9 and X1.10). Pressing any external pushbutton overrides the automatic fog timer immediately to sound a manual blast, then resets the interval countdown upon release.

What happens if the main 24V DC power supply fails during restricted visibility?

The unit features internal diode-isolated dual power inputs (Main 24V DC and Emergency Battery 24V DC). If the primary bridge distribution bus drops below 18V DC, the controller seamlessly draws power from the emergency GMDSS battery bank without interrupting the active fog signal sequence.