Clear polycarbonate cover raw water pump

miha90

miha90

Active Member
Joined
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Location
S. France
www.vesselpal.com
An idea that I have been toying with; would it be possible to replace the original metal cover on an inboard engine raw water pump ie. Jabsco with a thick clear polycarbonate plate? This would enable you to see the state of the impeller thus preventing any cooling issues.
 
My first thought was also concern for wear rate, since even metal covers wear appreciably and the pump becomes less efficient in the process. It seems that polycarbonate is highly wear-resistant, although plastics evidently respond to friction & wear in quite different ways than do metals. As Vyv writes, no harm trying it if you have an original one to hand.
 
Thanks for your feedback folks, I will try to put something together and see. Not much that can go wrong actually. It feels like companies have stopped innovating when it comes to small details like this. I would personally love to se a product like this on the market. Something that makes your like easier.
 
miha90 said:
Thanks for your feedback folks, I will try to put something together and see. Not much that can go wrong actually. It feels like companies have stopped innovating when it comes to small details like this. I would personally love to se a product like this on the market. Something that makes your like easier.
Click to expand...

The seawater pump product that achieved that aim in spades was Speedseal Life but the business has now closed, sadly. :(

http://www.speedseal.com/saferboatindex.html

Richard
 
“I like the way you’re thinking” ��
A transparent cover would be great.
Unfortunately polycarbonate, while almost unbreakable, is actually soft and easily scratched. So as others have said, I am not optimistic about the practicalities.
Mind you, it would be so useful, maybe I’d be prepared to replace it frequently as it scratched.
 
I have seen this done, but only in one instance. The result was actually quite impressive, as although the inner surface of the polycarbonate had worn to a matt finish the end profiles of the vanes were clearly visible pressing against it. The guy who had modified his pump said that the wear rate was surprisingly low and had had the plastic cover in use for more than two seasons. At that time, some seven years ago, I resolved to embody the idea on my boat, but somehow never quite got round to it. I will though. Tomorrow!
Mike.
 
miha90 said:
An idea that I have been toying with; would it be possible to replace the original metal cover on an inboard engine raw water pump ie. Jabsco with a thick clear polycarbonate plate? This would enable you to see the state of the impeller thus preventing any cooling issues.
Click to expand...

You may find that acrylic (eg perspex) will wear slower than polycarbonate.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
wouldn't tempered glass be the solution?
or simply a 10mm piece of glass?
cutting and drilling will be "interesting" though

V.
 
miha90 said:
Thanks for your feedback folks, I will try to put something together and see. Not much that can go wrong actually. It feels like companies have stopped innovating when it comes to small details like this. I would personally love to se a product like this on the market. Something that makes your like easier.
Click to expand...
Most manufacturing companies stop innovating when they have a product that is cheap to make and has a very low failure rate.

My raw water pump is in the engine compartment under the companion way steps. In order to check the pump is working I check that water is being ejected with the exhaust. In order to check that you invention was working I'd need to go down to the saloon and remove the steps.
 
Sandy said:
Most manufacturing companies stop innovating when they have a product that is cheap to make and has a very low failure rate.

My raw water pump is in the engine compartment under the companion way steps. In order to check the pump is working I check that water is being ejected with the exhaust. In order to check that you invention was working I'd need to go down to the saloon and remove the steps.
Click to expand...

just cos the vanes are turning does not mean the water is circulating through your engine ......
 
simonfraser said:
just cos the vanes are turning does not mean the water is circulating through your engine ......
Click to expand...

+1

what you really need is a seawater pressure sensor after the pump and a suitable display/warning/whatever which is what I did a couple of weeks ago for the main engines :D
But just checking the exhaust outlet for water flow is much easier...
 
vas said:
+1

what you really need is a seawater pressure sensor after the pump and a suitable display/warning/whatever which is what I did a couple of weeks ago for the main engines :D
But just checking the exhaust outlet for water flow is much easier...
Click to expand...

A water flow switch on the inlet is also an option as is an exhaust temperature switch/display.

These have been discussed before. I do have a flow switch with indicator next to oil pressure and engine temperature indicators.

I still keep a check om the water coming out of the exhaust.
 
I doubt you can tell much it would all be a bit of a blur. Maybe useful to see the vanes when not turning but on my engine it would be impossible as the pump plate faced backwards (yanmar gm)
 
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