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Brannstrom BilgMon 488 Calibration Kit
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Calibration Check Kit BilgMon 488
The Calibration Check Kit allows crews to perform quick and reliable calibration checks on the BilgMon 488 directly on board. Since these checks may be required more frequently than the calibration certificate’s validity period, the kit provides an easy way to verify accuracy and ensure ongoing compliance at sea.
If you need a new version or have lost the BilgMon 488 software, please contact us for support.
Advantages for you:
- Easy to operate
- Stocked at Insatech warehouse
- Cost friendly
We deliver directly and globally to end-users, agents, and resellers.
Contact us at quotes@insatech.com.
Calibrating your Bilgmon 488
The maintenance schedule for the Bilgmon 488 must address two items on the monitor:
- The sensor unit’s calibration certificate, which expires after 5 years
- A ‘calibration check’ on a regular basis.
Let’s dive into these two items in specific.
First, the calibration certificate validity is five years and the certificates expiration means that the sensor unit has to be replaced, which easily can be done by the crew onboard within five minutes. The replacement of the Bilgmon 488 sensor unit does not necessitate any modifications of the master unit.
More importantly, all new sensor units are accompanied with a new calibration certificate.
Second, there is certain requirements to the calibration check of the Bilgmon 488 monitor, which might be performed occasionally on the ship. This calibration check may be taking place within shorter intervals than the validity period of the calibration certificate. The calibration check of the Bilgmon 488 can take place in two of the following ways:
- Using the ‘Calibration Check Kit” to check the calibration (see explanation below).
- If the calibration check fails, it is recommended to thoroughly clean your sensor and go through your installation to check that no air bubbles or particles are measured. If the fault remains, there is high chance you must change the measuring cell.
Help to perform the calibration check
To perform the calibration check of your Bilgmon 488 you must follow the next steps:
- Enter the ‘Check 40NTU cal’ submenu of the cleaning & test menu.
- Press enter to start the calibration test. However, the clean water valve won’t open.
- Close the clean water supply.
- Drain the sensor and fill it with 40NTU calibration fluid.
- On the display it has to show a value between 80% and 100% - if it does, then an ‘OK’ will be shown over the RETURN button.
- Press the RETURN button to set the ‘Cal checked’ date as shown in the ‘Sensor info’ submenu.
When you buy the kit, it contains the following items:
- Cleaning brush
- Syringe
- Bottle 500 ml with lid
- Bottle 50 ml, calibration check liquid.
- Instructions
- Cleaning cap
Understanding the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm Functionality
Effective bilge water management is crucial for environmental compliance and operational efficiency on ships, ensuring that discharged water meets regulatory standards. A 15ppm Bilge Alarm, such as the BilgMon 488, operates on the working principle of continuous oil content analysis using advanced sensor technology. It monitors and analyzes bilge water, automatically stopping discharge if oil levels exceed 15ppm.
Type-approved under IMO MEPC.107(49), it’s suitable for various applications and easy to retrofit.
Additionally, it is cost-effective to replace, readily available, and supports simple onboard calibration and maintenance.
Spare part list for the Bilgmon488
We deliver all the necessary spares for the Bilgmon488 quickly and cost effective using below product code:
- Sensor unit: BM201001A-1
- Master Unit: BM201001A-2
- Magnetic valve assembly: BM201001A-3
- Calibration check kit: BM201001A-4
If you need a new versions or have lost the Bilgmon 488 software, please contact us for support.
How Do You Maintain the BilgMon 488?
We have already addressed the maintenance schedule above concerning the calibration certificate of the sensor (5 years) and a regularly calibration check (see the paragraph: "Calibrating your Bilgmon 488".
So, always include a verification of the expiry date of the factory-issued calibration certificate in your maintenance of the BilgMon 488.
The BilgMon488 can be configured to autoflush. This function causes the sensor tube to be flushed with clean water at specified intervals set in the settings menu. Autoflush operates only when the device is in the main menu and not actively monitoring or doing an analysis.
For cleaning the measurement unit, use a soft bottle brush and mild detergent. Be cautious with the glass tube inside the SENSOR unit - avoid any tools or substances that could scratch or damage the glass, such as metal objects. If the glass tube is coated with rust or similar deposits, use a low-concentration acid like hydrochloric acid, ensuring proper rinsing and protection for your eyes, skin, and airways when handling acidic substances.
Rules and Regulations for the 15 ppm Bilge Alarms
According to MARPOL Annex I, ships of 400 gross tonnage and above must be fitted with a bilge water separator, and on ships of 10.000 gross tonnage and above the bilge water separator must additionally be fitted with a 15 ppm bilge alarm.
However, ships between 400 and 10.000 gross tonnage are also required to have the 15ppm alarm in order to be allowed to operate the bilge water separator, when the ship is in one of the following "Special Areas" as defined by MARPOL:
- The Mediterranean Sea
- The Black Sea
- The Baltic Sea and the North West European waters
- The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
- The Arabian Gulf
- The Oman area of the Arabian Sea.
For details see Reg.14 & 15 of MARPOL Annex I (Consolidated Edition 2006).
Compliance with IMO MEPC.107(49) Regulations
Ships built before 2005 may operate with equipment meeting the requirements of older IMO Rules, but ships built in 2005 and later must be fitted with bilge separators and 15ppm bilge alarms type approved According to MEPC.107(49).
For details see paragraph 1.3 of MEPC.107(49).
AMSA PSC procedure
AMSA’s (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) inspect oily-water separators, filtering equipment, and alarms per Resolution A.1185(33). Testing ensures that effluent samples flow correctly to the 15ppm bilge alarm and that the automatic stopping device activates when oil content exceeds 15ppm. Failure to meet MEPC.107(49) can result in non-compliance and vessel detention.
Do You want to learn more? Read more here.
How is The Construction of the BilgMon 488?
The BilgMon488 comprises two primary components:
- The MASTER unit (enclosure with LCD, buttons, and LEDs)
- The SENSOR unit (enclosure with pipe fittings).
The MASTER unit houses all electronics for controlling and storing data for the bilge alarm. The main memory, which logs bilge alarm events, is mounted in the lid of the MASTER housing.
The SENSOR unit contains electronics for measuring the sample stream and holds the measurement calibration data. Communication with the MASTER unit is wireless, so the SENSOR unit is hermetically sealed and should not be opened.
Bilge Monitoring - 15ppm Bilge Alarm
A 15ppm Bilge Alarm operates on the working principle, where the oil content of the separated/filtered water is monitored and stops the discharge into the sea if the oil content exceeds 15ppm (parts per million). Thus, a 15ppm Bilge Alarm, linked to a ship's oil separator, stops discharge if oil content exceeds 15ppm, ensuring compliance through constant analysis. This technology, thus, is normally used in connection to a ship's oil filtering equipment, also known as "bilge water separator" a OWS-system.
The 15 ppm bilge alarm type "BilgMon 488" is type approved for this purpose according to the IMO Rules MEPC.107(49), demonstrating its reliable technology and compliance with industry standards.
Furthermore, the 15ppm bilge alarm can, in principle, be utilized as a simple oil content monitoring system for other applications, provided the water is free from solids or substances that may interfere with its operation.
Cheaper to Replace than Repair
When a complete new bilge water separator is delivered to an existing ship, or to a new building, the separator already contains a 15 ppm bilge alarm. However, when the 15ppm bilge alarm on an existing ship is broken beyond repair, or repairing the bilge alarm would be almost as expensive as a new one, the best solution is to replace the old alarm with a new one.
If your old model comes with the RTC failure alarm you can contact us directly, so we can give you support, or you can try to solve the problem yourself as it might has to do with the battery replacement of the unit.
The RTC failure means the real time clock (RTC) has stopped, if your Bilgmon 488 is of a newer type you can change the battery yourself. Thus, the Bilgmon 488 battery replacement is relatively simple to do.
The RTC backup battery is coupled in parallel with a backup capacitor. This means that the Bilgemon488 can keep its RTC running for a couple of hours without the battery present.
The RTC battery (type CR1225) is located on the backside of the master unit lid.
Looking for a different model? See all our Bilge Monitors here
Get in Touch with Our Experts
For commercial inquiries
Our team of Sales Specialists
Tel.: +45 5537 2095
Email: quotes@insatech.com
We Deliver Directly to End Customers, Resellers, and Agents – Globally
At Insatech, we are proud to offer our high-quality products to all customers worldwide. Whether you’re an end customer, a reseller, or an agent, you can purchase directly from us.
By choosing us, you gain direct access to all our products, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Our global distribution possibilities ensure fast and reliable delivery to your doorstep, wherever you are.
We strive to make it easy for you as an end consumer to find the products you are looking for while supporting agents and resellers looking to grow their business. Whether you’re buying for your use or resale, we’re here to meet your needs.
Discover how simple it is to work directly with a trusted global distributor – shop with confidence at Insatech today!
Why We Offer Brannstrom Products
Insatech offers Brannstrom solutions for their engineering precision, durability, and proven compliance with strict environmental standards. With full in-house design and manufacturing, Brannstrom delivers monitoring systems tailored to specific operational needs - for example the 15ppm bilge alarm type BILGMON 488
These solutions enable reliable performance and regulatory compliance across marine and industrial applications.
Bilge Alarm Tailored to Your Application
Brannstrom has a long tradition of developing application-specific systems, engineered in close collaboration with clients and tailored to their exact requirements - drawing on decades of design and development experience.
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| Range | 0...30 ppm |
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| Resolution | 0.1 ppm |
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| Accuracy | According to IMO MEPC.107(49) |
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| Response time | < 3 sec |
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| Alarms |
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| Data storage and retrieval |
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| Output |
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| Communications | USB serial communication (separate cable and software) |
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Product Specification and manuals
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Data Sheet - BilgMon488 Bilge Monitor - Brannstrom
English | pdf -
Owners Manual - BilgMon488 Bilge Monitor - Brannstrom
English | pdf -
Article - BilgMon488 Bilge Monitor - Brannstrom
English | pdf -
Article - BilgMon488 Bilge Monitor- replacing old master units - Brannstrom
English | pdf -
Data Sheet- BilgMon488 flow switch - Brannstrom
English | pdf -
Brochure - BilgMon488 flow switch - Brannstrom
English | pdf
Instruction manuals: Older versions
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BilgMon488 Instruction Manual vT
English | pdf
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