Add beam sensor

The beam sensor detects when something crosses a beam between a paired sender and receiver. Useful for monitoring intrusion across a defined line — companionways, gangways, dock access, or any space that should remain clear.

Prerequisites

• Beam sensor sender + receiver pair

• 12–24 V DC unswitched power supply

• Marine-grade wiring if extending the supplied leads

• An available BRNKL Blue input channel

Wiring

• Red wire → 12–24 V DC supply (unswitched).

• Black wire → ground.

• White wire → available input channel on the BRNKL connector cable.

Mount sender and receiver

• Align the sender and receiver so they face each other directly with a clear line of sight.

• Maximum separation: 30 ft (≈ 9 m).

• Secure each unit to prevent misalignment from vibration or movement.

• During installation, monitor the LED on the sensor enclosure:

  • LED not blinking — beam is intact and aligned.

  • LED blinking — beam is broken (trigger condition).

Configure

In BRNKL Device Manager, go to Settings > Inputs, select the input channel the white wire is connected to, and set Input Type to Laser.

Recommended settings

• Alert When — set to High to alert when the beam is broken.

• Record on Alert — pair with a camera covering the same area for video context.

Test

1. With the beam unobstructed, confirm the LED is not blinking.

2. Pass an object or person through the beam path. The LED should blink and the BRNKL input channel should register the event.

3. If LED behaviour is inconsistent, fine-tune the alignment between sender and receiver.

Troubleshooting

• LED stays blinking constantly — check alignment and ensure no obstructions or reflective surfaces are interfering with the beam path.

• LED never blinks, even when obstructed — verify wiring (power, ground, input) and channel configuration in BRNKL Device Manager.

• Long-run installations — ensure wiring stays dry, clean, and sealed against corrosion.