Danfoss PVREL alternative
The MWC Hydraulic Controller is a dedicated, marine-grade electronic control station designed to drive the same Danfoss PVG 32 and PVG 120 proportional valves as the PVREL - chosen by skippers and engineers who want a single-purpose control surface in place of a generic multi-axis joystick.
The case for an alternative
The Danfoss PVREL is a capable, generic multi-axis joystick. It does the job a joystick is supposed to do - across a huge range of mobile-equipment applications. But there is a better solution…
Skippers and engineers running commercial fishing gear often want something narrower in scope and broader in durability - a control surface designed only for the job they're doing, in a housing built for spray, salt and the deck.
The MWC Hydraulic Controller is that alternative. Two product lines, both driving the same Danfoss PVG 32 and PVG 120 valves the PVREL drives, both built in Tura Beach for the operating environment Australian fishing boats actually live in.
Side by side
| Attribute | MWC Hydraulic Controller | Danfoss PVREL Joystick |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Dedicated control station - handheld or panel mount | Generic multi-axis joystick |
| Speed control | Rotary dial (Type 1) or continuous 300° rotary (Type 2) | Joystick deflection |
| Direction control | 3-position switch (Type 1) or built into rotary arc (Type 2) | Joystick axis |
| Compatible valves | Danfoss PVG 32 / PVG 120 | Danfoss PVG 32 / PVG 120 |
| Danfoss Plus 1 PLC | Yes (Type 2) | Varies by model |
| Enclosure | Alloy, IP65 rated | Plastic joystick housing |
| Voltage | 12 - 28 V DC | 12 - 24 V DC (varies) |
| Mounting | Handheld with cable, or panel mount with gland | Panel mount |
| Origin | Australian made - Tura Beach, NSW | European manufacture (Danfoss) |
| Support | Direct from Matthew at MWC | Via authorised distributor |
General comparison only. Danfoss PVREL specifications vary by model and revision. For a precise comparison against your current PVREL setup, call Matthew on 0427 260 443.
Why operators switch
01
IP65 alloy enclosure stands up to spray, salt and grit. The MWC isn't a joystick repurposed for marine - it's purpose-built for it from day one.
02
A dedicated rotary dial gives finer, more repeatable speed control on a longline drum or winch than a deflection-style joystick - no thumb-fatigue, no over-travel.
03
The MWC Hydraulic Controller has been in continuous service on Australian fishing boats for over twenty years - proven, not theoretical.
04
Talk to Matthew, the engineer who builds them. No distributor layer, no chatbot - direct technical support, custom cable lengths and mounting on request.
05
Designed, built and tested in Tura Beach, NSW. Stocked locally - no offshore lead times, parts and warranty handled at home.
→
The original Type 1 with rotary speed dial + 3-position direction switch, or the newer Type 2 with a single 300° rotary control surface.
Compare both controllers →Best for
Longline drums: Fine speed control during shoot-away and winch-in is the difference between a clean haul and a tangled drum. A rotary dial is hard to beat on this job.
Winches and pot haulers: Repeatable speed adjustment for stop / slow / haul cycles. The 3-position switch or 300° rotary handles direction change without taking your eyes off the rail.
Cranes and deck gear: Where a generic joystick lives in a wheelhouse panel, the MWC can be handheld at the working position with a custom cable run.
Refit and replacement: Drop-in replacement for an existing PVREL or other Danfoss-input device. Same valves, different (and arguably better-suited) control surface.
Pick the right model
Type 1 - Original
The proven design - twenty years on commercial boats. Best for direct PVG 32 / PVG 120 control.
See Type 1 →
Type 2 - Newer
Speed and direction in one motion. Adds Danfoss Plus 1 PLC support - best for newer integrations.
See Type 2 →Frequently asked
Replacing a PVREL?
A 5-minute phone call sorts which MWC controller is the right swap for your existing Danfoss PVREL setup - cable runs, mounting, and PVG generation included.