A system and a method for fault detection for a liquid level sensing device are provided. The liquid level sensing device comprising a plurality of switches arranged to measure variance in a liquid level. A sensing signal comprising a plurality of measurements indicative of the liquid level is received from the liquid level sensing device. Each measurement is obtained in response to one or more of the plurality of switches being in a given position at a given liquid level. It is determined, based on the sensing signal, whether the liquid level changed according to one or more expected change patterns. A fault signal is output in response to determining that the liquid level changed according to an abnormal change pattern.

A boat has a battery located within an interior of a battery-housing, which includes a waste gas outlet that has a gas-permeable seal and a pressure relief valve. The battery housing is gastight and watertight with the exception of the waste gas outlet. The gas-permeable seal is water-impermeable and comprises a semi-permeable diaphragm that allows the passage of water vapor out from the interior of the battery housing, but prevents the passage of water vapor into the interior of the battery housing.

A reed for a reed switch and a reed switch are provided. The reed may include a first portion having a first thickness and a first length, a second portion having a second thickness and a second length, and a hinged portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the hinged portion having a third thickness and a third length, wherein the third length is less than 150% of the first thickness and the third thickness is less than each of the first thickness and the second thickness. The reed switch may include the reed disposed in an insulating housing with a reed deformer to deform the reed.

A boat having an electric motor coupled with an electrical store is disclosed. The electrical store includes a storage element, and positive and negative poles in current-conducting connection with the storage element. An isolating circuit element is operatively connected to a user activatable emergency stop switch. The isolating circuit element is configured to, upon activation of the emergency stop switch, isolate the current-conducting connection between the storage element and at least one of the poles.

An electronic device comprising a lens and a selector ring is disclosed. The selector ring is mounted for rotation about the lens and comprises a plurality of tabs projecting inwards towards the lens which engaging with and are held within a tab receiving groove comprising a plurality of spaced notches. Each of the notches is dimensioned to receive one of said tabs. A wave spring positioned between an annular ledge of the lens and the selector ring which biases the plurality of tabs against the groove and such that when each of the plurality of tabs is positioned adjacent a respective one of the notches, the tabs are biased into the notches thereby preventing said selector ring from being rotated. A user disengages the tabs from the notches by pressing said selector ring against the bias of the wave spring, thereby allowing the selector ring to be rotated.

An environmentally protected switch and water activated device using the switch is disclosed. The switch comprises an elongate housing having an open end and divided into a pair of chambers and into which a probe is inserted. When water infiltrates the housing an electrical circuit is completed between the two probes. There is also disclosed a lens/selector assembly comprising a selector ring encircling a lens and a wave spring which biases the selector ring into one of a number of predetermined positions around the lens. Illustratively, a magnet is placed within the selector ring a position of which can be detected by electronics within the lens.

An electronic control unit (1) or an electric actuator (2), respectively, have a switch-off device (4) which includes at least one reed switch (6, 18, 26) and at least one permanent magnet arranged outside the housing (3) and removable from the housing (3). If the permanent magnet (7) is removed from its position of usage at the housing (3), for example in order to perform maintenance of the electronic control unit (1) or of the actuator (2), respectively, the at least one reed switch (6, 18, 26) is opened, as result of which the supply link (8, 10) between the activating terminal (5) and the supply terminals (9, 11) of the control unit are interrupted in order to switch voltage-carrying functional elements of the control unit (1) and/or of the electric actuator (2) to be currentless and thus to effectively prevent an unwanted spark discharge.

A portable object including a near-field communication device. The communication device includes an antenna, the ends of which are configured to be connected electrically to an electronic chip, forming, together with the chip, an electrical circuit. In an original manner, the portable object includes a control element which is able to be displaced between two predefined positions, i.e. an active position wherein the communication device is activated and a passive position wherein the communication device is deactivated. The portable object includes, furthermore, a mechanical switch which is able to switch between an open state and a closed state in response to a displacement of the control element from one to the other of its predefined positions.

A method for charging an auxiliary voltage source that provides power for at least one additional component, the additional component being in addition to an electric drive that is powered by a main voltage, is described. The method includes electrically connecting a protection and/or control circuit to the main voltage source via a DC-to-DC converter configured for power supply, and to the auxiliary voltage source via a reverse blocking valve. The method further includes electrically connecting the main voltage source to the auxiliary voltage source via a charging device. The method still further includes charging the auxiliary voltage source via the main voltage source.

A method for charging an auxiliary voltage source of a boat having an electric drive that is powered by a main voltage source of the boat, the auxiliary voltage source providing power for at least one additional component, is described. A protection and/or control circuit is electrically connected to the main voltage source via a DC-to-DC converter configured for power supply, and to the auxiliary voltage source via a switch or a reverse blocking valve. The auxiliary voltage source is charged via the main voltage source.