Download - SOLID POWER FOR LIFE · Defibrillators—Beating the Odds of Sudden Cardiac Arrest,” teaches boaters how to use portable defibrillators to save lives on the water. The American

ampedSOLID POWER FOR LIFE


PRESIDENT AND CEO JOE CHARLES

GENERAL MANAGERLYLE ST. ROMAIN

OPERATIONS MANAGERJEAN MIKA

ENGINEERING MANAGERJEFF KAISER

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANTSUZANNE HAWLEY

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHERDOUGLAS LEIK

EDITORIAL DIRECTORRANDY HESS

SENIOR EDITORJENNIFER CHESAK

ASSOCIATE EDITOREMILY FORD

ASSOCIATE EDITORLIZZIE CARLSON

EDITORIAL INTERN AMY WEINFURTER

ART DIRECTORRUSSELL DUNCAN

ART DIRECTORHAIYEN CHIN

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ANNIE ETHRIDGE

WWW.DINOPUBLISHING.COM

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

DOUGLAS LEIK

Amped is published two times a year forCharles Industries by Dino Publishing LLC.

Any correspondence should be directed to:

Dino Publishing 350 W. Hubbard St. Suite 400

Chicago, IL 60610

Tel: 312.822.9266 Fax: 312.822.9268 email: [email protected]

The opinions expressed in this magazineare not to be considered official

expressions of Dino Publishing or CharlesIndustries. The publisher reserves theright to accept or reject all editorial or

advertising matter. The publisher assumesno responsibility for unsolicited

manuscripts, photographs or artwork.Reproduction in whole or in part of anytext, photograph or illustration without

prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in

U.S.A. Copyright © 2007

P U B L I S H I N G

I’d like to welcome you to the premiereissue of Amped, our new magazine/cat-alog hybrid dedicated to showing you

how Charles Industries can power your life.We think this innovative “magalog” package,with the magazine on one side and the catalogon the other, will more fully capture all of thepossibilities that Charles products represent.

On the catalog side, I’m proud that we cantruly be your one-stop source for marine elec-trical system needs and industrial solutions.On the magazine side, we take deeper looks atour new offerings and show Charles productsin action right where you’ll use them.

It’s no secret that I’m an avid boater. Over the course of a year, my wifeand I navigate the Great Lakes, eastern seaboard and Florida coasts. Sowhen you choose a Charles product, remember that they’re not only testedin the lab, but also on the water. I would never sell a product I wouldn’t beproud to have servicing my own boat. That’s why for more than 35 years,the Charles Industries Marine Group has worked hard to provide sport,commercial and recreational boaters with the highest quality AC and DCpower systems, shore-power cabling and onboard communications systems.

As a boater myself, the last thing I want to think about is whether every-thing will work when I’m offshore. In the magazine portion of Amped, weexplore how Charles products enable your onboard lifestyle. Dr. KeithDeGreen, a radio talk show host, embarked on a journey around the worldonboard his Nordhavn 55, broadcasting the entire time thanks to reliablepower (page 14). But Charles Industries isn’t only on the water—we alsocharge up Chicago’s Sears Tower, keeping the aircraft warning lights steadi-ly blinking (page 26). Lastly, find out how we create all of these productsand ensure quality with a tour of our factory (page 18).

A cause that has always been important to me is helping individuals withdisabilities, which is why Barb and I donated two boats to help some ofthese individuals become involved in the sport of sailing (page 30). There isnothing more satisfying than a day on the water, and I am proud to haveshared that experience with such an inspiring group of people.

Whatever your inspiration may be, I hope that you enjoy this issue ofAmped and that you’ll find even more ways we can help power your life.

All the best,

Joe CharlesPresident and CEO

President’s Letter

WELCOME TO AMPED!

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4 PLUGGED INCharles hangs out in your backyard, helps Cinderella and

goes to Hong Kong. • Boaters get heart smart with Charles

seminars. • Store your boat in Charles’ safe haven.

8 CHARGED UPParties on your boat are fun, safe and fully charged with

Charles Marine.

10 KEEPING CURRENTCharles Marine gives you the low-down on caring for all

of your onboard AC/DC needs so that you never lack for

adequate power.

12 B-SAFEIsolation transformers from Charles Industries ensure

you’ve always got the power to play on the water.

FEATURES

14 GLOBE TROTTERA radio talk-show host embarks on a global voyage,

broadcasting his show from his ship along the way.

18 MADE IN THE U.S.A.Charles fosters a sense of family, purpose and American

pride at its five Midwestern manufacturing plants.

22 REPOWERING NEW ORLEANSCharles takes commerce to the Big Easy with

a product demo following Katrina.

26 TOWER ABOVECharles Industries supplies the transformers for the

air-traffic safety lights on top of the Sears Tower.

30 LAUNCHING BOATS AND DREAMSCharles Industries supplies power that goes way beyond

electricity.

(Above, left) Charles Industries hangs out in your backyard in the form of a Network Interface Device.

IN THE ’HOODIt’s a beautiful day in the neigh-borhood with Charles Industriesin your backyard. Didn’t knowCharles was there? Look at yourNID. A Network Interface Device is a device installed by yourphone company to connect yourindoor wiring to the telephonenetwork, and it’s usually mountednear your electrical meter. Checkyours—Charles just might behelping you reach out and touchsomeone each time you pick upthe phone. Charles even goesbeyond your boat and yourbackyard. To find out how CharlesIndustries plays a role in air trafficsafety, turn to page 26.

With the increasing demand foronboard marine electronics, it canbe difficult to keep nautical toolsand toys powered up. That’swhere SmartBoost, CharlesIndustries’ new universal AC

voltage booster, comes in.Whenever dockside power falls

below 210 VAC, SmartBoost adds a 15 percent AC voltage boost to any

existing 50-amp transformer. Designed toincrease incoming AC shore power voltage, itensures that the equipment you and your boatdepend on has enough juice to do its job.

This power-enhancer fits neatly into anypower management system. Designed as a separate boost control unit, it works with any 12Kva or 15Kva (50 amp) isolation

transformer, even those made by other manufacturers.

Additionally, terminal blocks facilitate easycustomer connections. Once installed, thisproduct is simple and straightforward to use: A fully automatic operation, manual 1:1 override and low-voltage Boost & Power LED indicators keep the consumer informed and in control. With an optional remote indicator panel, users can also monitor its status fromany location, making the SmartBoost as versatile as it is powerful.

The only transformer made especially forthe marine industry and to fit ABYC andNMMA standards, it also has CE certificationfor European use. No matter how large yourelectronic collection grows, SmartBoost ensuresyou’ll always be able to power up safely.

DO YOU NEED A BOOST?

As much as he searched, JoeCharles couldn’t find a suitable place to store hisFlorida-based yacht duringthe summer. He wanted tobe confident it would be protected from the elements—especially if ahurricane rolled in.

After failing to find theideal solution, he developedone of his own. His RiverForest Yachting Center inStuart now provides a safehaven for not only his own boat, but fordozens of other discriminating ownersof large yachts. “We’re not a boatyard,”says Joe, the president and CEO ofCharles Industries. “We’re a long-termsummer boat storage facility.”

The key difference is climate control.The facility protects boats from theravages of sun, extreme weather,humidity and mold. “It’s like giving yourboat another birthday,” Charles says.

Launched in 2004 at a 9-acre facili-ty in Stuart, Florida, with room for 150boats, the concept caught on fast.

Charles is already expanding to theother side of Lake Okeechobee, servingthe west coast of Florida with anOrtona location that will be open nextspring. There’s also a site in GrandHaven, Michigan.

A successful offshoot of the yachtingcenter is the Hurricane Club, whichguarantees its customers a safe spotwhenever a named storm approaches.“Come hurricane time,” Joe says, “theycome flooding through the St. LucieLock like crazy.” For more information,call (772) 287-4131.

YACHT STORAGE GALORAGE

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IT KEEPSGOING &GOINGTHE INVINCIBLE INCHARGER Every parent knows to stock up on extra batter-ies at Christmas time. The last thing you wantis for little Timmy’s excitement about his newgadget to turn into a tantrum when the thingwon’t blink and bleep. Industrial engineers seemto feel the same way about their gadgets. Denythem an uninterrupted supply of DC powerwhere they need it, and the tantrum may bemore subdued, but the emotions will run just as deep.

Like a prescient parent on Christmas morn,Charles Industries offers those engineers thenew InCharger, a rugged industrial batterycharger that combines ground-breaking designwith high-tech features. Charles Industries hasprovided reliable DC-power solutions to themarine and industrial markets for decades, andthe new InCharger builds on that legacy withenhanced ease of use and a rugged constitution.Constructed from industrial grade anodizedaluminum, the InCharger is specificallydesigned to perform in the most demandingenvironments. The unit’s universal AC inputand configuration for gel, flooded lead acid,AGM or NiCAD batteries with 12- or 24-VDCselectable output makes the InCharger a one-stop purchasing decision for industrial customers.That flexibility of output is delivered throughan elegant soft-touch interface that will makeany engineer smile, with a fully customizablesetup for all industrial settings.

“Our engineering team has developed themost innovative battery charger system to enter the marketplace,” says Lyle St. Romain, managing director of the Charles Marine & Industrial Group. “The InCharger has revolutionized the use of battery chargers in an industrial setting to surpass all customer expectations.”

Numbers, nomenclature and news for the thoroughly plugged in.PLUGGED IN

Rugged and elegant, the InCharger stakes its claim on greatness.

(Above, right) DeFever Cruisers pull into port to have a heart-to-heart with Charles Marine about safety.

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HEART SMARTDeFever Cruisers, a worldwide

group of enthusiastic boaters,have been getting more than justa little R & R on their rendezvouslately. They’ve also been pickingup the necessary skills to ensurethat everyone makes it safely totheir final ports of call. CharlesMarine’s seminar, “LifesavingDefibrillators—Beating the Oddsof Sudden Cardiac Arrest,”teaches boaters how to useportable defibrillators to savelives on the water.

The American HeartAssociation estimates that coro-nary heart disease kills between225,000 to 300,000 people eachyear, most before they everreach a hospital. Since the rate ofsurvival decreases by seven to10 percent with every minutebetween the onset of cardiacarrest and defibrillation, findingimmediate care is crucial.

Charles Marine’s seminar aimsto train boaters in usingHeartSine’s new PAD (PersonalAccess Defibrillator). PAD’s audioprompts and illustrated icons can

HONG KONGCONNECTION

You may have thought it wasPrince Charming, but it’s actual-ly Charles Industries that lightsup the lives of Cinderella, SnowWhite and Sleeping Beauty.Charles supplies light to movietheaters at Disney Hong Kong,rescuing all those damsels indistress from the dark andbringing big-screen adventureto Far East viewers. Charles isalso a superstar on Hong Kong’sfamous Star Ferry—the passen-ger ferries that run acrossVictoria Harbour between theisland of Hong Kong andKowloon use the new CharlesHQ ABS Battery Chargers.

guide even infrequent users todeliver life-saving care. Compact,shockproof, water-resistant andextremely lightweight (it weighsless than two pounds), the defib-rillator is easy to carry and store.The Samaritan PAD includes acarrying case, prep kit and twoPad-Paks (each has a set ofdefibrillator pads with a 6-hourbattery capable of deliveringmore than 30 shocks).

With these seminars, CharlesMarine hopes to ensure thathearts keep beating out therhythm of many trips to come.For more information about the Samaritan® PAD, visitwww.charlesindustries.com.

PLUGGED IN

For as long as boats have been built, boatershave tried to bring the best of the onshoreworld—which increasingly includes electronicequipment and energy—to the sea. They havelong relied on isolation transformers to bridgethis shore-to-sea gap and provide clean and safepower to marine vehicles.Since Charles Industriestransformers make it possi-ble to fully isolate a boat’selectrical system from theshore, they reduce the riskof in-water shock andeliminate the need for gal-vanic isolators and polarityalarms. They also protectonboard electronics fromdangers such as reversepolarity, voltage transients, spikes and noise.The new Charles ISO-G2 upgrades theseadvantages into a sleek and improved model,available at the same cost as previous models.

The ISO-G2’s reconceived design fosters

versatility, allowing it to more easily fit into avariety of boats and spaces. A new lightweight60-pound model increases maneuverability andmakes installation simple. Terminal blocks havewiring options to match both vertical and hori-zontal installation, so owners can choose the

orientation that worksbest for them.

Additionally, the 30-amp ISO-G2 comes inboth 3.6kVA and 3.8kVAversions, offering solu-tions for smaller vessels inboth North America andabroad. Built with a fullcurrent-carrying shield,Charles isolation trans-formers are the only

transformers created specifically for the marineindustry. They meet all ABYC and NMMAstandards and are certified for European use.Mix the best of the electronic and marineworlds with ISO-G2.

SLEEK, SAFE & ISOLATED

GENTLEMEN,START YOURENGINESYou’ve got a full fishbox and are ready to head home to cook your catch, butthere’s one problem: Your engine won’t start.

Electric trolling motors, bilge pumps,stereos and lights can all be the cause of a zapped engine battery. Avoid thefrustration with StartNow, CharlesMarine’s innovative new product thatkeeps batteries and boats up and runningso you can get to the fish and back.

StartNow provides automatic startingassurance for vessels

from 15 to 29feet, helpingboaters travelmore safely and with greaterpeace of mind.

Its microprocessorallows the main

battery to drainwithout depletingthe reserve battery,

ensuring that the reservebattery will always be ready if needed.The device’s computer monitors themain engine, draws additional energyfrom the reserve battery when the engine shows signs of trouble and then automatically recharges itself.

This ingenious product’s exteriormatches its dazzling interior features.Enclosed in a high-quality, ABS-plasticsealed case, it uses stainless steel connec-tions and rubber caps to enhance safety.StartNow is waterproof, maintenance-free and designed to last the life of yourboat. It can be conveniently mountedclose to the battery, and with minimumwiring it’s a snap to install.

StartNow’s intelligent and durabledesign will get you home in time for dinner everytime.

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(Above, left) Charles Marine keeps boaters on smaller vessels safe, confident and secure with StartNow.

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Charles is making waves every-where, helping out with homelandsecurity as well as all your marinepower needs. To learn moreabout Charles Industries, visitwww.charlesindustries.com. You’llfind press releases, as well as a listof upcoming marine aftermarketproduct shows.

Also, flip this magazine over andcheck out the catalog section for acomplete listing of our marineelectrical products.

We want to hear your Charlesstories. Do you have a favorite

product or a picture of your boatin a fabulous port of call?

Send to [email protected] or Amped Magazine,350 W. Hubbard St., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60610.

you’ll enjoy a dependable, secure connectionbetween your onboard electrical system and the marina’s shore outlet. Charles Industriesboasts more than 35 years of in-house moldingand metal stamping capabilities to offer a widerange of corrosion-resistant shore-power cablesthat ensure the safety and reliability of your ship-to-shore connections. However, just beinghooked up to shore isn’t enough. AC power fromyour ship-to-shore connection will run allthe electronics on your boat that you wouldusually use at home with a regular wall outlet,from blenders to refrigerators to air conditioningto speakers for playing your iPod’s summer partymix. But, hooking up to shore power also carriessome risks. The main problem with marinashore-power systems is grounding, but corrodingjunction boxes or outlets can also cause a short.This kind of fault can fail to push enough juiceback up the line to trip a breaker. If the breakerdoesn’t trip, it could heat up the fault area andcause a fire, or it could force the current flowinginto the boat to seek another route back toland—most likely through the boat’s DC groundand into the water. While posing numerous risksto the boat and its passengers, this is especiallydangerous to any party-goers who may end up inthe water, as even minimal amounts of electricalcurrent can cause injuries or worse.

The safest solution to this potential problemis an isolation transformer. Charles Marine’s lineof C-Power Isolation Transformers electricallyisolate the AC shore power from the boat’s ACpower system, preventing issues with groundingand potential dangers for swimmers. In addition,this isolation also means that your AC power willbe cleaner and unaffected by possible interferencefrom neighbors’ electrically noisy chargers or otherissues. The units also prevent galvanic actionbetween your vessel and others, eliminating theneed for a dedicated galvanic isolator.

Charles Marine isolation transformers are theonly isolation transformers that are approved byMarine UL, an independent lab that tests marineequipment for temperature, shock, vibration,corrosion and safety considerations specific tothe marine environment. C-Power IsolationTransformers are also unique in that they have afull current-carrying shield, which means even alightning strike won’t have an adverse effect onthe boat’s electrical system.

The technical details for all of these CharlesMarine products are important, but moreimportant is the peace of mind and good timesthey deliver. Charles has you covered. And whatbetter to toast than that?

It may not be the holiday season, butsummer is a sort of season-long holidayin itself. From backyard barbecues to

pool-side parties, there’s a nation-wide shift tothe outdoors—and to any activity that allows usto be outside as much as possible. This craving forsun and sea is what makes boating the quintessen-tial way to celebrate the summer season. But,outdoors or not, you’ll still need one incrediblyimportant ingredient to make those dock-sideparties and summer night cruises really sizzle:power, and lots of it. The engineers at CharlesMarine make it their duty to provide boaterswith every gadget they could possibly need tosafely and easily power their boat and anynecessary appliances during all their summeron-water celebrations, whether a full day out onthe lake, or a full night docked in the marina.

When you take the fun on the run away fromthe marina and its shore-power source, you’ll

need a new arsenal of products to keep the good times rolling. When the engines are running, theywill take care of charging the batteries; however, your boat’s batteries produce DC power, and manyof your boat’s party-friendly electronics need AC power to run. Charles Marine’s DC-to-AC PowerInverters come to the rescue. Inverters convert 12V and 24V DC battery power into 110V/60Hz or 220V/50Hz of AC power that can be used to operate onboard equipment and appliances while underway. Inverters can be a viable alternative to turning on a generator, as they produce less noiseand no fumes and require less power to run.

Back at the marina with your boat’s engines shut down, shore power will handle your AC needs,but you’ll also use it to charge your boat’s batteries and keep your DC system cranking. CharlesMarine’s SP Series Electronic Battery Chargers work with all three types of batteries—lead acid, gelcell and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). The new 5000 SP and 2000 SP Battery Chargers feature abattery-type selector switch that enables boaters to use the charger with any of the three batterytypes. Charles Marine batteries also feature three-stage charging, automatic recharging, resistance toharsh marine environments and the ability to simultaneously function as a battery charger and apower supply.

Parties in the marina definitely have their perks. The captain can more comfortably stray from thehelm to have a little fun, revelers can come and go on their own schedule and neighbors down thedock can join the festivities. But even better, the marina has all the power you could possibly need,just a shore outlet away.

Once hooked up to shore power with one of Charles Industries’ C-Cable Marine power products,

Put Charles in charge of all your power needs so you can stay in charge of the festivities. Kerry O’Hare finds AC bliss with a frozen margarita fresh from her galley blender.

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POWER TO PLAYGood times on your boat are fun, safe and fully charged with Charles MarineBY LIZZIE CARLSON

AC power from your ship-to-shore connection will run all the electronics on yourboat that you would usually use at home…

There’s nothing quite like taking along cruise and waking up in a dif-ferent port every morning ready to

explore. With the steam wafting from yourespresso machine and a podcast piping throughyour MP3 player, it’s easy to take the electrictypowering all the comforts you’ve brought fromhome for granted. The folks at CharlesIndustries hope you will. They make worry-free,hassle-free products to power all of youronboard needs, so you can sit back, relax andenjoy your cruise or port of call. But if you’relooking for the skinny on juicing up, here arethe basics. On boats, power stems from twosources: AC power, which comes from genera-tors, shore power or inverters; and DC power,which comes from batteries.

AC (Alternating Current) power sustainsanything you would connect to a typical homeoutlet, such as hair dryers, blenders, microwaveovens or coffee makers. The new Charles MarinePM3 Modular AC Power Management Systemmakes it possible to operate the maximum ratedamount of AC electrical equipment without

danger of exceeding load capacity. Built for vessels 50 feet or longer, the PM3 harnesses a minimumof 50 amps and a maximum of 100 amps of shore power into the vessel’s main distribution point. Itsunique three-piece modular design enables boat builders to distribute its weight and size as requiredonboard the ship. The microprocessor, controlled by customizable software, also helps you tailor thesystem to better fit into your boat.

DC (Direct Current) power is for battery-operated equipment like lighting, bilge pumps, radiosor bow thrusters. For marine DC power, three types of batteries are commonly used: lead-acid, gel celland AGM. When choosing a battery for your boat, consider cost, level of care and your specific powerneeds. Lead acid is the most common, most economical and requires the most maintenance. Lead acidbatteries must be refilled, usually on a monthly basis. Gel cell batteries are also common and a bitmore expensive, but they require less maintenance than the lead acid variety. AGM (Absorbed GlassMat) are the newest technology and the most expensive, but they require very little maintenance.

Once the batteries are in place, the next step is to keep them powered up. While the boat is under-way, the boat engines keep the batteries charged. When the boat is hooked up to shore, however, battery chargers do this work. Chargers like the Charles 5000 SP Series charge all three battery types,so you can upgrade to a different kind of battery without purchasing a new battery charger. They alsoprovide the constant voltage needed by some of the DC equipment and multiple-stage charging tomultiple battery banks. When first turned on, they send a strong charge into the batteries. As the batteries near full charge, the charging diminishes. In the final stage, they put out a “trickle” or maintenance charge, essential for items that automatically turn on and off, such as bilgepumps and lighting. If these items continue to operate without a small charge going to the batteries,you could find yourself with dead batteries that cannot be recovered.

Charles Industries takes care of your AC and DC power needs, so you can enjoy your espresso,your air conditioning and your favorite songs for many summers to come.

(At right) Galley ho! With Charles Marine products, your boat is in ship shape for your home-away-from-home appliances.

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IT’S ELECTRIC!Charles Marine gives you the low-down on powering upBY AMY WEINFURTER

that onboard appliances always get thevoltage they need to operate properly.In the past, a boat in an unlucky spot(like the last slip on the dock or rightbeside a large, power-hungry yacht)might struggle to get enough power.This common hitch leads to dimmedlights, overheated motors and slow-heating stoves. Since motor-drivenappliances like refrigerators and air con-ditioners require a full 240V to workproperly, this is also problematic if youwant to kick back in cool comfort orenjoy a frozen treat. The Iso-Boost letsyou leave such worries behind, so thatthe only thing you have to stress aboutis whether to choose a popsicle or an icecream sandwich.

Transformers also prevent galvaniccorrosion, a dockside threat thatdegrades metals electrochemically. Itcauses corrosion that eats away pro-pellers and any zinc onboard, threaten-ing the health of your vessel. Thetransformer eliminates this damageand the need to invest in a dedicatedgalvanic isolator, saving you moneyand extraneous equipment.

The benefits of isolation transform-ers extend beyond the immediate protection they provide from powersurges, galvanic corrosion and noiseand polarity glitches. Cost-effectivesafety precautions mean more timespent on the water and fewerheadaches. One device safeguards yourentire array of vital, and expensive,

electronic equipment onboard the vessel, provid-ing peace of mind and smooth stopovers at anyport. Isolation transformers also protect you andyour guests from in-water electric shock.

The Charles Marine unit’s heavy-duty encap-sulation resists shock, vibration and fluctuationsin temperature, so your transformer is low-main-tenance and lasts the life of your boat. It’s also theonly Marine UL-approved isolation transformer,guaranteeing users an unprecedented level of safety. Isolation transformers provide the bestprotection from potential shore-side hazards, giving you peace of mind as you start your nextadventure.

The added features of Charles’ productsmean that all you’ll have to worry about the nexttime you pull into dock is how to keep the musicand refreshments in safe hands.

After a long day of cruising andentertaining on your boat, thethought of getting back to the

dock—to finally crack open some cold beveragesor heat up some of your famous paella for din-ner—can be music to happy, wind-blown ears.

You expertly pull into port, envisioning the warm shower that awaits you after the night is over andlistening to your guests good-naturedly argue over who gets to play DJ for the night. As you trail yourCharles Marine cables over to connect to shore power, your breath catches for an instant and you lookwith trepidation at the lights and music coming from the large yacht next door. In all the commotion,you nearly forgot that without a good power connection, the party might just end early.

Hooking up to shore power can be a tricky and sometimes risky business. There’s often no way to check on a connection’s reliability or predict the way marina power will affect a boat’selectrical system. Fortunately, isolation transformers take the worry out of plugging in, put-ting an end to anxious guessing games upon arrival at port. By electrically isolating boatsfrom shore, transformers protect them from power nemeses such as galvanic corrosion,fluctuations in power and noise and polarity problems.

Isolation transformers work by isolating the AC shore power from the boat’s AC powersystem, making your boat impervious to power surges and interruptions, and reducing firehazards. Additionally, Charles Marine transformers come with a unique full current-carry-ing shield, which makes them capable of withstanding up to a 3,000- to 5,000-amp surge. In the most extreme case, even a lightning strike won’t adversely affect the boat’s elec-tronic system.

In addition to protecting your electronics, Charles Marine’s Iso-Boost function ensures

The ladies and gentlemen of F Dock in Chicago’s Burnham Harbor like their fun well-powered. It’s easy to toast the good times when the tunes are cranking and the champagne is flowing nice and cold.

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SHIP TO SHORECharles Marine isolation transformers take the worry out of plugging in so you can hook up to good timesBY AMY WEINFURTER

One device safeguards your entire array ofvital, and expensive, electronic equipmentonboard the vessel...

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FEATURE / ADVENTURE

GLOBE TROTTERFINANCIAL ADVISOR KEITH DEGREEN EMBARKS ON ANAROUND-THE-WORLD JOURNEY ON HIS NORDHAVN 55 BY JENNIFER CHESAK / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THE GLOBAL ADVENTURE

account coordinator at Gordon C. James PublicRelations, the company that helps the crew findcontacts in each port of call and handles mediainquiries.

Keith, who recently sold his estate-planninglaw firm and registered investment advisory firmso he could plan and embark on his adventure,made history with his first broadcast from theNordhavn, which took place in Mexican waters15 miles southeast of San Diego on January 25,2007. It was the first offshore regularly scheduledbroadcast from a private ship. Since then he’sbroadcast from places like theRepublic of Palau, Hong Kongand on the North Pacific about200 miles west of Pohnpei,Micronesia.

He broadcasts from the fly-bridge of the Nordhavn 55. AComrex Access codec convertsKeith’s analog voice signal to adigitally encoded version thatis broadcast to a satellite via aFleet 77 KVH domed trans-mitter. The transmitter ismounted on a gyroscope so it can lock onto different satel-lites to produce broadcast-quality audio and video signals.An internet frequency picks upthe signal so it can be decodedby another Comrex codeclocated at the radio station.“It’s basically pinging digitalsignals,” says Matt, “and itcomes out as if he’s right therein the studio.”

“It’s so clear,” adds Keith, “Isometimes wonder if peoplemight think I’m really still inPhoenix and making up thewhole trip!” The website, the-globaladventure.com, providesevidence that they’re really outthere, cruising from port toport. The crew updates a blog, photo gallery,video section and message board with detailedinformation on the economic and political situa-tions of interesting countries. Sometimes websurfers can even chat with Keith.

Keith and the crew—which includes CaptainWolfgang Petrasko, ship engineer Brian Wallace,and Alida Christianson, coastal captain and theship’s cook—put a lot of thought into their voy-age before embarking. Their goal of not onlykeeping in touch but also keeping peopleinformed of every detail along the way requiredbringing a heap of communications equipment

onboard that would be compact enough to trav-el with.

The Global Adventure has 11 fixed and twohandheld video cameras, a broadcast mixer withstudio outlets, a VHF radio, a shortwave radioand an iridium satellite phone. All data is sent viathe KVH transmitter, which has two modes oftransmitting and receiving: ISDN and MPDS.The first is used for broadcasting the show orcommunicating by phone and the second forsending documents or for streaming video.

With a strict broadcasting schedule and a lot

of information to transmit, The GlobalAdventure crew doesn’t have time to waste wait-ing for power. Luckily, if input voltage is low, an80-amp Charles C-Charger can simultaneouslyrecharge and supply. The C-Charger automati-cally boosts the 12V and 24V circuit to fullcapacity when needed. Also, Charles batterychargers will not cause interference with onboardelectrical equipment. No matter where Keith andcrew are, his listeners and readers are guaranteedinsightful information via his radio show andwebsite.

Amidst all of this high-tech equipment it is a

surprise then when Keith’s son, Sam (13), can-not access his MySpace account while visitinghis father in Hangzhou, China. Turns out this isnot because of a technological snafu, however.Keith writes in his blog about his son’s inabilityto access his 30,000 or so cyber friends as anexample of how China’s government expects tomaintain political control over a country thathas economic freedom by limiting the flow ofnon-economic information.

“How do you control the economic interestsof 1.3 billion people?” he writes in his blog. “You

don’t. John Maynard Keyneswould have loved the spirit ofenlightened self-interest thatdrives the Chinese. But intheir robust growth-at-all-costs economy (according tothe World Bank, air and waterpollution kill 750,000Chinese each year), the free-market here is as muchDarwinian as Keynesian. Yousee the intense competitionamong the Chinese every-where. They are very polite toeach other, but whether com-peting for a cab or a job, thecompetition is beyond fierce.”

Amidst foreign policy andforeign currency, not to men-tion the breathtaking sceneryof these distant lands, Keithstill fields financial questionsfrom folks listening at homeor posting questions on thewebsite on revocable livingtrusts, splitting divorce assetsand property swaps.

“He’s a financial guy,” saysMatt. “He takes the time foreveryone and he knows otherfinancial advisors and willrecommend someone in yourarea. He really wanted to

make the trip about that. It’s not just a joyride.”But, of course, Keith is having a blast, too.

You can’t beat taking a swim in depths of 25,000feet of water en route to Hawaii, embarking on aleisurely stroll through the Nan Madol ruins inPohnpei or engaging in a two-hour fishfight witha 180-pound marlin caught by CaptainWolfgang. That’s the beauty of the trip. Not onlydo Keith’s listeners get uninterrupted financialadvice, but they also get a free tour of the world,one that’s rich with knowledge of economic andpolitical situations to boot—and that’s truewealth.

There are those who say they’ve trav-eled the globe: New Agers who’veparticipated in yoga retreats in Goa,

jet setters who’ve red-eyed to every majorEuropean city and Peace Corps vets who’ve livedin yurts while teaching English in Mongolia.They’ve certainly been around. But then thereare those who’ve really been around: the rare fewwho’ve actually circled Earth. In a little morethan a year, Keith DeGreen, a nationally knownfinancial advisor, and the crew aboard hisNordhavn 55 will be able to say they’ve doneit—toured the world. But for many peopleacquainted with Keith and his renowned finan-cial advice, it will be as if he never left home.

Arizona is home for Keith, where listeners inthe Phoenix area tune in to NewsTalk 550 KFYIeach Sunday morning to hear his suggestions oneverything from Roth IRAs to stock investmentsto mortgage payment plans. Though Keith won’tbe anywhere near home this year (except for theoccasional flight back to visit his family inScottsdale), his listeners won’t have to miss himor his tips.

“It had always been a dream of mine to trav-el by private ship around the globe,” says Keith.“But I love to write, and I enjoy broadcasting myradio show at KFYI—sharing investment adviceand economic and political perspectives alongthe way. So, I was at the office one day when Ithought, why can’t I bring it all with me? And

that was the start of The Global Adventure.”Outfitted with state-of-the art communica-

tions systems and gear, Keith’s Nordhavn 55 isserving as a “floating communications beacon.”He and his crew are dedicated to exploring theeconomical, political and cultural aspects as wellas investment opportunities of interesting portsof call and reporting their discoveries through avariety of media channels.

All of that getting around and sendingaround requires some serious power. TheNordhavn’s engines keep batteries charged whileen route, but battery juice requires a chargerwhen the ship takes to shore. A Charles MarineC-Charger 80-amp Battery Charger provides

multiple-stage charging and the constant voltageneeded by most DC-powered communicationsequipment. The final stage of the battery charg-er puts out an important maintenance chargewhen the battery is fully charged. If any equip-ment continues to operate without a “trickle”charge to the battery from the charger, it coulddrain a battery.

All systems on The Global Adventure mustwork like clockwork for Keith and his crew, notonly because they are traveling open waters, butbecause they are traveling airwaves, as well, andoften simultaneously. “Whenever the Sundaymorning time comes up, whether in port or onthe open sea, he goes on air,” says Matt Dutile,

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All systems must work like clockworkbecause they are traveling open watersand airwaves simultaneously.

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The Global Adventure cruises by SokehsRock, also known as the “Diamond Head” of Micronesia.

PREMIERE ISSUE / amped

FEATURE / MANUFACTURING

BORN IN THE USACHARLES INDUSTRIES FOSTERS A SENSE OF FAMILY,PURPOSE AND AMERICAN PRIDE AT ITS FIVE MIDWESTERNMANUFACTURING PLANTSBY JOHN JANOWIAK

When Joe Charles pilots his 80-footBerger yacht, you won’t see himfly an offshore flag. For Joe, the

president and CEO of Charles Industries, it’s red,white and blue all the way. “I’m just big onAmerica,” he says with a shrug. Not coincidental-ly, Old Glory is proudly displayed at each of hisfive Midwestern manufacturing plants. From theearliest days of the company, Joe has believed inmaking his products in the United States and sup-porting small local communities along the way.

And what a long way the company has come.Pioneered by Joe out of his Mount Prospect,Illinois, basement in 1968, Charles Industriesnow employs about 700 people. With headquar-ters in Rolling Meadows, Illinois—not far fromits basement origins—the company also has anengineering facility in Pleasanton, California, anda transformer facility in Jasonville, Indiana. Butthe core of the manufacturing is accomplished bygood old-fashioned American labor at small-townplants in Canton, Missouri; Rantoul, Illinois;Casey, Illinois (two locations); and Marshall,Illinois.

Whenever Joe sets up a new plant in a small community, he sees an interesting transformation.First, the local bank starts to remodel. Then, in short order, the furniture store gets a new front, andthen the grocery store and the church repave their parking lots. “I mean, you can watch it,” he says.“In a small community like that, figure for about every 50 employees, it probably puts three quartersof a million dollars into the local economy. If you put $2 million worth of revenue into a small community, it’s amazing what that does. You start building homes. You have a tremendous impact.”

That impact goes beyond the purely economical benefits. Charles Industries uplifts these commu-nities in myriad ways, sponsoring little league teams, holding company picnics and offering collegescholarships to outstanding high school students. The company will pay for any education an employee decides to pursue, covering 100 percent of tuition costs as long as the student maintainspassing grades. For good attendance, employees are rewarded with grocery store coupons, which feedmouths and local retail business.

Why does Joe care so much about supporting small U.S. communities? Partly because that’s theway he is; he’s someone who likes to give back, and he gets great personal satisfaction from his role as small-town benefactor. “You feel like you have a real obligation to take care of these people in smallcommunities,” he says. Joe enjoys visiting his plants and knows almost all his employees by name.

And ultimately, helping these communities is good for business. “Joe is really big on the Charlesfamily,” says Lyle St. Romain, general manager of the company’s Marine and Industrial group. “Hisemployees are his family.” That atmosphere is the engine that drives employee morale. It inspires themto work hard, and they tend to stick around. When employees work for the company for five years,they become part of the Anniversary Club. They’re rewarded with luncheons and gifts. It isn’t uncommon for employees to be recognized for 10, 20 or even 30 years with the company.

Daughters work alongside their mothers and even grandmothers. In some cases, a mother willtake the summer off and her daughter will take over her job during summer break. “We’ve had

18


start seeing the degradation of the specification.”If someone has an idea for improving a productor enhancing it with a new feature, it can be slowand costly to implement those changes at anoverseas plant. “The ideal situation is being ableto engineer your own product, market your ownproduct and manufacture your own product, allwhile having total control,” Lyle says.

Total control is exactly what CharlesIndustries has over its manufacturing. Joe and hismanagement team make frequent visits to theirplants. They’re intimately involved with the day-to-day operations, and plant employees can seetheir impact on the company’s output. At eachplant, up-to-the-minute information is postedabout product orders in each company division.Everyone knows what’s being shipped each day.They’re aware of annual volume, and if there’s anissue with a customer, they know about that, too;they’ll invite customers directly to the plant towork out a problem.

“These people all know the company mis-sion, and the quality is reflected in that type ofculture,” Joe says. “Our culture has a sense of

urgency. Our culture is filling a need. Puttingout a quality product is really the reward. That’swhat helps the business grow.”

Employees aren’t just punching the clock.They’re part of a process, and that gives thempride in the work they do and the products theymanufacture. That’s rare in the manufacturingbusiness, where workers often assemble productswithout knowing what they’re used for or whothe customer is. “We try to get our peopleinvolved,” Joe says. “As long as you keep theminvolved, they know what they do and why theydo it. They have a much different attitude aboutthe pride that they take in creating the product.”

Customers can see this attitude firsthand.When they open a battery charger box, they’llfind a note from the person who actually inspect-ed it. Clearly, this is a product that came fromthe corn belt, not from the other side of theworld. And in case there’s any doubt, it comes ina white box marked “Made in the U.S.A.” andemblazoned with an American flag.

Joe exudes enthusiasm about his company.This enthusiasm—as well as pride in his countryand in his employees—shows up in everythingthat Charles Industries manufactures. “We’re justexcited about what we do,” Joe says. “It’s conta-gious. If you’re excited, you get people excited.And if you get the product out the door, and theproduct is good, you get customers back andbusiness grows. It just has that domino effect oneverybody.”

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people who have retired at 80 years old,” Joesays. “Better than 60 percent of our employeeshave been with the company for more than fiveyears. It’s a unique thing. We don’t run it like afamily business, but it’s a family business in theway we treat people.”

Not that Joe’s motives are entirely altruistic.For a manufacturer, there’s much to be gainedfrom a presence in small-town America. A plantin downstate Illinois is less expensive to operatethan a plant in Chicago, and as a big fish in a little pond, it carries more clout. “We couldbuild a plant in downtown New York orChicago, and no one would even know we’rethere,” Joe says. “We could come and go and noone would even miss us.”

In small towns, there’s less red tape to cutthrough and few political battles to fight. WhenCharles Industries needs something—a road infront of the plant, say, or a sprinkler system forinsurance purposes—it’s usually just a matter of asking. “You go to the community, and thenext thing you know, the community gets an

industrial revenue bond and puts up a watertower,” Joe says. “Those are the kinds of thingsthat happen.”

In these days of widespread corporate out-sourcing, it takes a special kind of company tokeep its manufacturing within U.S. borders.Among manufacturers of marine battery charg-ers, Charles Industries is unique in this sense,

and it’s a source of great pride for the company.Granted, Charles’ products incorporate somecomponents made offshore, things like capaci-tors and resistors that just aren’t made in theUnited States anymore. “You can’t do muchabout that,” Joe says. “But we do make our owntransformers locally. We do our own fabrica-tion.” That in itself sets Charles Industries apartfrom the competition.

It’s tempting to think a manufacturer canonly compete nowadays by jumping on the out-sourcing bandwagon. As a savvy businessman,Joe wouldn’t rule it out if he felt it was the bestway to deliver a quality product at a competitiveprice. In fact, he did give it a whirl, but he wasunsatisfied with the results. At times, he has hadplants in the Philippines, Haiti and Mexico, buteventually he brought everything back to theUnited States. The “Made in the U.S.A.” credofits better with his personal conviction of sup-porting small local communities, and he likessmall-town America’s work ethic. Moreover, itmakes good business sense. There’s something tobe said for keeping operations close to home.

“From a productivity standpoint, if you auto-mate, and you set your lines up right, you can becompetitive,” Joe says. “You might be amazed tocome through some of our plants and see howautomated we are. That’s where you make up thedifference.” When he moved operations fromMexico to Casey, Illinois, for example, Joe paidhigher wages, but he had two people doing whatsix workers were doing before. “It’s all about productivity, laying lines out, automating,” he explains. “The trick in the manufacturingbusiness it to get from point A to point B as fast as you can. Not to see how many people youcan hire.”

For the end consumer, it adds up to a betterquality product, Lyle explains. “Typically, ifyou’re dealing with an overseas company, they’llgive you a great price, and they’ll probably giveyou a great product for six months. Then you

“Our culture has a sense of urgency. Our culture is filling a need. Putting out a qualityproduct is really the reward.”

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FEATURE / NEW ORLEANS

REPOWERING NEW ORLEANSA THRIVING HOST FOR CONVENTIONS BEFORE KATRINA HIT, NEW ORLEANS IS ONCE AGAIN ASKING BUSINESS PEOPLE TO COMEENJOY ITS HOSPITALITY. CHARLES MARINE ANSWERED THE CALL BY EMILY HAUSER

In August 2005, the Gulf Coast wasoverwhelmed by the destructive powerof Hurricane Katrina. Horrifying days

followed, as people scrambled desperately tosave their own lives and those of loved ones. Thearea’s infrastructure collapsed, entire neighbor-hoods were wiped off the map, and many thou-sands lost everything they had. The famouslyresilient nature of the area’s residents wasstrained to its limit, but within days, the peopleof New Orleans and all along the coast returnedto what remained of their homes, businesses andschools, and tried to rebuild a life once markedby music and good food, historical resonanceand welcoming neighbors.

This great city continues to rebuild, with thehelp of many across the nation for whom thestruggles of their fellow citizens felt like a call toarms. Among the most complicated issues for thecity of New Orleans has been the question oftourism. One-third of the city’s operating budgetcomes from the tourism industry—how couldstreets be re-paved or hospitals rebuilt if tourismcame to a complete halt?

There is, then, a palpable gratitude among New Orleanians toward those who have recognized thatneed, and then spread the word: The Big Easy is open for business.

Lyle St. Romain, general manager of the Charles Marine and Industrial group, currently works outside Chicago, but is a New Orleans native. Like many, he watched the August 2005 news reportswith horror; in fact, his own parents’ home was flooded out in the storm surge.

“It was tough to see,” he recalled. “You grow up somewhere, and places that you loved are devastat-ed. People know it was bad, but then when you go down there, it’s like a small nuclear bomb went off.”

Charles Industries’ first efforts at helping the region came immediately after the hurricane. Withelectrical outages across much of the Gulf Coast, Charles stepped up to the plate and provided powerpedestals to bring electricity to the area. But beyond initial recovery, Lyle realized that he had a perfect opportunity to make a lasting difference in his childhood city.

With the International Workboat Show returning to New Orleans last fall, Lyle hatched a plan todo good for New Orleans while introducing new Charles Industries products.

Charles invited 15 recreational boating editors down to the show to be wined and dined and showna new product demo out on Lake Pontchartrain from November 30 to December 1, 2006.Overwhelmingly, the editors jumped at the chance for a night’s stay at the luxe Omni Royal Orleanshotel, and to get their hands on some fancy new gear, while enjoying the hospitality for which NewOrleans has always been known. “These editors know that, pretty quickly, whatever’s happening incommercial boating works its way down to recreational boats,” Lyle said.

The weekend began with an elegant dinner at Antoine’s. Established in 1840, the restaurant is theoriginal home of Oysters Rockefeller, with which the group started their evening, ending it with flaming Baked Alaska as the grand finale.

The guests were greeted by Mary Beth Romig, director of communications and public relations atthe New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, who was moved by Charles’ efforts.

“The famously resilient nature of the area’s residents was strained to its absolute limit in that terrible time, but within days,the people of New Orleans and all along the coast were back at what remained of their homes, businesses and schools.”

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David, the entire event met a need that was bothmunicipal and personal.

“Charles took the leap of faith and investedtime and money to bring people here,” she said.“It goes to so many levels, so many layers whereone event spreads out and helps in so many ways.As a local, I won’t forget that. It was a very stand-up thing to do.”

Of course, the irony is that, after all the loss,the commercial marine business is actually nowbooming in the Gulf region. Donovan Marine,Charles’ distributor in the area and the secondlargest marine products distributor in the coun-try, is experiencing a rise in business as recoverycontinues. Big supply vessels are being built, andthe Workboat Show has made a commitment toreturn to New Orleans every year. Charles willalso return, and whenever they have somethingnew to debut, Lyle said, they will certainly con-sider adding another full-scale presentation.

Anne Giovingo for one is quite pleased withthat plan. “We are all very sensitive now to whosticks with us,” she said. “And conventions, as ageneral rule, bring in high caliber people—thekind that any city would want to have visit.”

Bill Parlatore, publisher and editor ofPassageMaker Magazine, was also among Charles’guests that weekend, and he says that his hostswent out of their way to showcase New Orleansat its best. “This was a story I needed to write,”he said.

Lyle is thrilled to be part of the greater storyof recovery in New Orleans. “The people wereblown away by everything,” Lyle said, “by theresiliency of the people of New Orleans, by thenew products and by the show we put on.”

Like all those who have helped with therecovery efforts, Charles Industries is a testamentto the true power of people.

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“Every single meeting and event in the citybrings so many things,” she said. “First, it’s aboost to the economy. The people who come,offer a vote of confidence in the city. And there’sjust such a deep sense of appreciation for everyvisitor. The New Orleans experience is verymuch alive!”

The next day, Charles teamed with the city’sown Mayer Yachts, which provided a gorgeous31 Luhrs Sportfish Hardtop for a tour of thelake. Though Mayer suffered its own damage atthe hands of the storm, the company is now fullyup and running, a part of the boating communi-ty’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and restart.

The group launched from the historicSouthern Yacht Club where, in spite of losingtheir facilities in the hurricane, the staff welcomed Charles Industries and their guestsgraciously, providing a location for breakfast,lunch and meetings in the lovely modular unitthat houses the club while it’s being rebuilt. Thegroup enjoyed local delights such as turtle soup,muffuletta and fried shrimp po’ boys.

After filling their tanks, all set out for a cold,

clear day on Lake Pontchartrain. “It was one ofthe roughest days I’ve ever seen on the lake,”Lyle reported, but the ride was smooth and thedemos were a great success.

Ben Ellison, editor of Power & Motoryacht,was impressed by the quality of the presentation,as well as by the products on display. “They obvi-ously really care about New Orleans and reallywanted us to see the city,” he said. Having spenta winter in the Big Easy in 1972 working on oilfield supply boats, Ben was happy to join theCharles outing. “I really love this city,” he said.He was stirred by the dramatic contrast betweenthose businesses that have managed to get ontheir feet, such as the Yacht Club, and thedestruction still surrounding them.

Among the products Charles brought out forthe event was SmartBoost, a new AC voltagebooster that adds boosting capability to any existing 50-amp marine transformer. When dock-side power drops below 210 VAC, SmartBoostprovides a 15 percent AC voltage boost. Easy toinstall and use, SmartBoost provides fully auto-matic operation with manual 1:1 override.

Also ready for its close-up was StartNow,Charles’ microprocessor-controlled back-upstarter unit. StartNow is designed to provideguaranteed back-up battery charging while theboat’s engine is turned off, allowing electronicsto run off the main battery system, and automat-ically switching batteries if it detects a lack ofcranking power.

What grabbed Ben’s eye most, though, wasthe new isolation transformer, the ISO-G2, adeceptively simple-looking plain white box thatserves to protect boats from shore-power prob-lems. “You’ll never know it’s on your boat,” hereviewed, “except perhaps because of all the badthings that don’t happen.”

The ISO-G2 allows a shore ground to terminate to a shield between the transformer’swindings, separated from the yacht’s AC ground.“It makes a boat into a bird on a wire,” says LarryBudd, an engineer at Charles Industries, refer-ring to the same kind of electrical isolation thatallows birds to land safely on high-voltage wires.

For Anne Giovingo, a Charles Industries salesrepresentative based in New Orleans’ Waters &

Lyle St. Romain (in white) takes questionsfrom reporters about new Charles Industriesproducts while touring Lake Pontchartrain.

“Every single meeting and event in thecity brings so many things… there’s justsuch a deep sense of appreciation for everyvisitor who comes.”

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FEATURE / SEARS TOWER

TOWER ABOVEIN THE TOWERS ABOVE THE EARTH, WE SCRAPE THE SKY, WRITE CURSIVE NOTES IN THE CLOUDS AND LIGHT THE HEAVENS.IN THE TOWERS ABOVE THE EARTH, WE ARE HUGEBY RANDY HESS

Lofty buildings and spindly spiresboldly proclaim our competence andnerve. On the shoulders of architects,

financiers and builders, we stand tall, buzzing onour own hubris. And when we get that elevated,up there at the highest points, we shine ourbrightest lights. At that altitude, why be shy?“Here we are,” we seem to say. “We’ve arrived.”

It certainly feels that way in Chicago.Chicago’s skyline is one of the world’s most cele-brated, a true classic for both its breadth anddrama. Historic gems rub shoulders with thethoroughly modern; stately reserve complementsfierce ambition. And standing sentry over it all isSears Tower, broad of shoulder and topping out110 stories above the street. The tower has goodcompany, of course, not least its 100-story oldersibling, the John Hancock Building. But since1973, the Sears Tower has been top dog inChicago and, for much of that time, the world.

As such, the tower has always drawn a lot ofattention, both a blessing and a challenge that thebuilding’s management treats as a sacred trust.And the group whose attention they are perhaps

most interested in capturing? Pilots, of course, because at 1,454 feet, Sears Tower is not only awe-inspir-ing, it’s a hazard. That’s why if you watch the tower’s radio and television broadcast antennas closely,you’ll see the telltale strobe of the building’s aviation obstruction lighting system sending out its warn-ing both day and night.

“You have to have FAA approval of the lighting on any towers more than 200 feet tall, and thereare different requirements at different heights,” explains Rick Sullivan, president and owner of Skytec,Inc. His company specializes in the high-intensity aviation obstruction lighting required for anythingthat reaches more than 500 feet into the sky, and Sears Tower was one of Skytec’s highest altitude con-tracts. “It’s quite thrilling to be up on top of Sears Tower,” Rick continues, “perhaps more so becauseany servicing has to be done late, late at night after the broadcasters have shut down so you don’t getbombarded with R.F. (radio frequency).”

Skytec’s main product is a strobe system that bursts out 1,000 volts to fire xenon gas-dischargetubes. The resulting flash can be seen for at least three miles day and night and often much fartherdepending upon visibility. The strobes fire 40 times per minute…forever. The FAA allows almost nomargin for error, and they must be notified within 30 minutes when a light goes down so they canwarn pilots in the area. It’s crucial functionality, and when Skytec needs transformers to handle theload, they turn to Charles Industries.

“We started using Charles transformers around 1980, giving us 27 years of exposure to them,” Ricksays. “It really comes down to reliability. Getting access to these installations can be quite difficult. SearsTower isn’t that bad because you ride an elevator most of the way and then climb 200 feet, but manyof our setups are ladder climbs the whole way. These transformers typically weigh 20 pounds or more,and you don’t want to carry one up an 800-foot ladder very often. We might have to replace two orthree a year out of the 10,000 that we’ve put in. The lifespan on them is supposed to be 15 to 20 years,but truly the failure rate is so small that they don’t really have a definable lifespan.”

26


Western Forum in Los Angeles.Typical setup is a single multi-tap, feroreso-

nance constant current transformer poweringseveral lamps. The transformers have to take arelatively constant 480-volt input and spike it upto 1,000 volts every second and a half to fire thelamp. The high-output xenon tubes used onmost installations produce 270,000 candela (orroughly the light of 270,000 candles) with eachflash during the day. They are turned down to amere 2,000 candelas at night when they are eas-ier to see and might annoy neighbors. Skytec’ssystems also incorporate louvers to reduce“ground scatter” and further spare the neighbors.

The FAA requires that all systems earn the ETLtesting mark from Intertek Laboratories. Amongother tests, the Charles Industries transformers andthe rest of the system’s components must provetheir endurance at plus- and minus-50 degreescentigrade, in driving rain, in a blanketing salt fogand at extreme humidity. On top of this, in thefield the units are constantly struck by lightning.

“I think it’s just amazing that these things canpass these really stringent tests and hold up sowell for so long,” Rick says. “Over the years we’vefound that the transformers were able to with-stand even a lot more than we thought. We usedto put way too many fuses on them to protectthem because nobody wants to climb the towerwith a 20-pound transformer to replace a bustedone. But we realized that we kept having toreplace fuses, instead. So we worked with Charlesto make some minor changes to the units, andnow we’ve found that they can take the abuseeven without all that excess protection.”

And that’s performance taken to another level.Nearly 1,500 feet above the earth, that’s huge.

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Rick’s accent announces that he’s from Maineeven before he tells you Skytec is based there. “It’skind of a specialized field,” he says of the aviationobstruction lighting business. “There are reallyjust three primary U.S. manufacturers. I got intoit in 1975. It’s easy to remember because I’m anavid Red Sox fan and in ’75 they were in theWorld Series. When they got to game 7, I tried tofind scalped tickets, but there was no way, so Iended up climbing up on top of the center field

wall to watch the game. My brother saw me upthere on TV and said, ‘If you’re going to do some-thing that stupid, you might as well get paid forit.’ And now here I am, 30-some years in thebusiness.” Other notable Skytec clients haveincluded the Kennedy Space Center at CapeCanaveral, the Omega global navigation stationsin Liberia, communications towers at the end ofthe Trans-Alaska Pipeline in Prudhoe Bay, theIDS Tower in Minneapolis and the Great

The rugged reliability that makes Charles the right

choice at 1,500 feet in a crackling thunderstorm is the

same bulletproof performance that makes it right for a

tank charging across the desert or a Coast Guard patrol

boat fighting the surf off Cape Disappointment.

Whether the power needs are AC or DC, Charles has the

technology and fortitude

to deliver the goods in the

harshest environments.

When the U.S. Coast

Guard and the U.S. Army

requisition equipment for

their fleets they don’t do it

blindly; their testing proto-

cols ensure that crucial

components won’t fail at

the wrong time leaving

their people in trouble.

Charles Industries is

proud to be the exclusive

battery charger onboard

the Army’s M1 Abrams

Tank and the Coast

Guard’s 87’ Coastal Patrol

Boat. “It’s an honor to

have these agencies that

are so crucial to our nation’s safety and well-being

place their trust in our chargers,” says Lyle St. Romain,

general manager of the Charles Marine and Industrial

group. “It is mission-critical equipment for them. We

take that responsibility very seriously, just as we do for

all of our customers.”

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT

The Charles transformers have to take a relatively constant 480-volt input and spike it up to 1,000 volts every second and a half to fire the lamp...and do it forever.

M1 ABRAMS TANK

USCG 87’ CPB(Previous page) Sears Tower twinkles aboveChicago’s skyline. (Here) Rick Sullivan (mid-climb,at left) has built Skytec around reliability, countingon Charles Industries transformers, whether lighting buildings, communications towers orKennedy Space Center towers.

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FEATURE / SHAKE-A-LEG

LAUNCHING BOATSAND DREAMSJOE CHARLES OF CHARLES INDUSTRIES GIVES A BOAT AND HIS TIME TO THE INSPIRATIONAL SHAKE-A-LEG MIAMI WATERSPORTS COMMUNITY CENTERSTORY AND PHOTOS BY SUZANNE HAWLEY

We come across thousands ofpeople and places throughoutour lives, and yet, there are

certain ones that linger in our minds, long afterthey’ve left our sight. One of these places isShake-A-Leg Miami (SALM), a watersportscommunity center serving children and adultswith physical, developmental and economicchallenges. Located in Coconut Grove, approx-imately 15 miles north of Miami, SALM isoften described as the ‘gateway to BiscayneBay.’ Universally accessible, the facility offersrecreational sailing and instruction, kayaking,canoeing, power boating and more to peoplefrom 8 to 80 years plus. Operating in partner-ship with the City of Miami ParksDepartment, the organization has successfullycreated an inspirational haven, where people ofall backgrounds and abilities find commonground or, perhaps, common water.

The cornerstone and founder of this experi-ential learning facility is Harry Horgan, a man

with piercing blue eyes and a kind smile. The roots of Shake-A-Leg Miami go back to 1982, whenHorgan founded Shake-A-Leg in Newport, Rhode Island. Paralyzed after an accident in 1980,Horgan discovered during his own rehabilitation that the physically challenged need a place wherethey can build confidence and strengthen their bodies after traditional hospital-based rehabilitation.Dr. Barth Green, neurosurgeon and director of the applied research programs of The MiamiProject to Cure Paralysis, recognized this pioneering work and convinced Shake-A-Leg to expandits operation to Miami, where he co-founded the new facility in 1990. “At Shake-A-Leg Miami,we don’t believe in walls; we believe in water,” says Harry. “Our motto has always been ‘LaunchingBoats and Dreams.’”

During my visit to the grand opening of Shake-A-Leg’s world-class watersports center, I hadthe pleasure of meeting some of the kids who were learning to sail on a gloriously sunny southFlorida day. To witness a child who has never been on a boat before get into a Shake-A-Leg sailboat and become an active participant of the crew is a sight that will remain one of my life’smost inspiring memories. Wheelchairs were eagerly traded for the helm of the sailboat as the windeffortlessly carried them across the surface of the water. Standing at the dock, I was overcome bythe strength of their spirit and what it must mean to them to feel this kind of physical freedom.

In support of Horgan’s mission of healing broken spirits and restoring a measure of independence to broken bodies, more than 100 successful partnerships have been created withcommunity organizations, both public and private. One of SALM’s ardent and passionate sup-porters is Joe Charles, president and owner of Charles Industries in Rolling Meadows, Illinois,and founder of River Forest Yachting Centers located in Stuart and Ortona, Florida. A lifelongboater and active participant in the marine industry, Joe donated a 20-foot Catalina Freedom

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Independence sailboat to Shake-A-Leg Miami,and a second boat to its sister organization inChicago, the Judd Goldman Adaptive SailingFoundation (JGASF). Liberator is one of nineFreedom Independence sailboats at Shake-A-Leg Miami’s watersports center that weredesigned and built by Everett Pearson, presi-dent of Tillotson Pearson Inc. Designed to beuniversally accessible, this unique sailboat hastwo swivel seats, and all lines come to thecockpit to give wheelchair-bound individualsmaximum safety and control. Liberator is awell-loved and popular vessel used as part ofthe organization’s extensive sailing instructionand sailboat racing program. Joe has remaineda consistent supporter of SALM and hasrecently hosted some of the SALM children atRiver Forest Yachting Center in Stuart.

I keep a photo of the Shake-A-Leg Miamicrew on my desk at home as a constantreminder of the amazing accomplishmentsthat are possible even in the most difficult of

circumstances. Perhaps Winston Churchillsaid it best: “A pessimist sees the difficulty inevery opportunity, but an optimist sees theopportunity in every difficulty.” Harry and therest of his crew at Shake-A-Leg Miami, it

seems, have chosen to take the optimist’s perspective, and have helped hundreds ofphysically, developmentally and economically challenged men, women and children to seethe opportunities in their own hardships.

The Charles family is pleased to sponsor the Shake-A-Leg Miami foundation and to support their mission of making dreamscome true and enabling people to achievetheir goals.

Charles Industries President and CEO Joe Charles(back row, in hat) poses with Shake-A-Leg Miamiguests and crew, including SALM founder HarryHorgan (front row, far right), in front of the CatalinaFreedom 20 sailboat Joe donated.

Download - SOLID POWER FOR LIFE · Defibrillators—Beating the Odds of Sudden Cardiac Arrest,” teaches boaters how to use portable defibrillators to save lives on the water. The American

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