Am I being lied to ?

N

Nick2

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 Nov 2002
Messages
1,174
Location
Gerrards Cross
Visit site
Fired up engines today so that I could hear and smell them one last time before April (I understand boat diesels don't run too well out of water) and noticed that whilst they seemed to run evenly and well the rev counters were telling me that they were turning at quite differant rates - about 1000rpm and 1500rpm. I am sure that they were not so can rev counters lie or have I got another great expense to look forward to ?

My boat is here in time for winter....
 
I take it you've not got two pairs, ie inner and outer helm instruments? cos then you could check both pairs.

They can vary but not normally by 500rpm, I take it these are idling revs, take the one that reads 1000 up to 1500 to match the other and see if they still sound the same, might be your imagination.

"The Med has got me" (no not the Medway the other Med)
 
I am aware that I have a vivid imagination but they did sound the same even though the needles told me otherwise. Good idea about checking upper helm and I should have thought of that - now too late !

Boat should be lifted in the morning so prob have to wait until April for answers.... seems such a desperate long time off ....

Thanks

Nick

My boat is here in time for winter....
 
Well a couple of things come to mind here Nick.

Had a similar problem on our Mirage for a while. First off did you try tapping them gently? Then giving them a good thwack? That worked for me for a few times. Then I got into the habit that if the rev counters were obviously reading wrong. Turn the offending engine off, then start it again and it always then read OK.

Only had this for a monthor so back end of last season, then this year they worked fine. Over the winter I sprayed behind the dashboard with WD40 and the gauges never played up again. I put it down to the engines wanting to hibernate for the winter.

Or it could be something horrendously expensive. So try the WD 40 and banging trick first eh? Or wait till April and think again?
 
The rev counters are driven by the alternators.
You could just have a slipping belt.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>
 
Two boats. Four revcounters.Well! they all say well anything. all I know is boat goes faster from upstairs cos rev counters dont look as scarry figgures as down stairs. Does that make sence!!

<font color=blue>
No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer<font color=blue>




Haydn
 
It sounds as if I may after all be able to sleep before we use boat next season .

Always thinking whats this one going to cost ?

Am going to do diesel engine course so can bore instructor with my questions !

Nick


My boat is here in time for winter....
 
Just looked at your profile. What part of thames are you based in??

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>
 
Just wondered if you have Volvo instruments? My local V-P engineer hints that they are not really as reliable as VDO. I have one 'lazy' rev counter at the lower helm that joins the party about 15 minutes after the other three! The hour meter on this Volvo rev counter has also recently ceased to function. Allegedly, the hour meter and the rev counter are totally independent units, albeit in the same case, so I might just have poor connections somewhere. The upshot was that I was advised to take the sickly rev counter home over the winter and store it in the airing cupboard. Otherwise, my friendly V-P engineer reports that a replacement item is EXPENSIVE. When he says that, I'm worried!

Revolvingly,
Nigel

Medway Motor Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mmyc.co.uk>http://www.mmyc.co.uk</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by njennings on 24/11/2002 23:56 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
Yes i think they are Volvo instruments.

On this one I am going to bury my head and try to forget it until next year although the airing cup trick can do no harm and I will spray everything with WD40

Nick

My boat is here in time for winter....
 
I've had the same problem with Volvo rev counters all this season. One reads 500 rpm high on tickover, this then seems to correct itself as the revs increase, and at around 2500 both engines are reading the same and the throttle levers are in line.
Also when I tweak the trim tab controls the tachos co-incide for a brief second - so I guess its the WD40 and connection check over the winter.


Trev
 
You will also find the new rev counters from Volvo are a different size than the old ones. If you have a walnut or wood dash, like mine, it creates a problem.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top