Diesel / GPS Advice for a Newbie

E

ex-Gladys

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 Aug 2003
Messages
5,252
Location
Colchester, Essex
Visit site
My wife and I are in the very last knockings of getting our first yacht - an Anderson 26 - after years of Tornado sailing and we are after a few bits of advice.

The boat has a Vetus M2.06 fitted (along with new tank) in 2002 which only has 26 hours on it, but the boat has only been used once since last September. Is it worth while putting a bottle of the diesel water absorbing jollop in the tank (I have to assume the tank is less than full) before we take to the seas (hopefully) this weekend? There is also some doubt as to whether the engine is direct cooled or fresh water cooled and the Vetus web site is not clear.

Also, the boat has an old Navstar 2000D Decca set and aerial which has a coax lead and BNC connection at the pushpit. Is it possible to use that lead for a new GPS to avoid feeding the new GPS antenna lead all the way through?

Thanks in advance

Larry Botheras

Essex

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
I would hope the new engine was installed with a water trap type pre-filter, if so is there any sign of water in this? If you can, drain off some diesel from the bottom of the tank to check. I would add one of the anti diesel bug biocides or Soltron as a precaution too.

Don't spoil your new GPS by poor installation, do the job properly and throw away the Navstar Decca stuff.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
GPS antenna cable

I've successfully used a run of old co-ax cable for the GA28 antenna with a Garmin 65 (also used by other Garmin GPS's). A BNC-F bulkhead connector was used at deck level to patch on the antenna: this connection needs to be carefully protected. So I think its possible provided the resistance rating of the Navstar antenna matches that of the GPS antenna. However, cutting the cable may void the warranty.

If you are thinking of getting a Garmin, you might try a question to their <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.garmin.com/contactUs/techSupport.jsp>TECHNICAL SUPPORT</A> first about this.
 
Be careful. My engine (BMC Commander) has a header tank and is also seawater cooled. If when you run the engine, water is pumping out of the exhaust then you can say it's seawater cooled. Make sure you've opened the inlet seacock if there is one.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Not really. Fresh water cooled engines also have seawater passing through the heat exchanger and exhaust for cooling purposes.

The best way to tell is to follow the water pipes through. From the raw water pump the water will either go through a heat exchanger, a cylindrical or box-shaped lump usually above the engine, or into the front of the engine somewhere near the bottom and out at the top. In the first case there will be another pump, probably belt driven as in a car. This will be fresh water cooled. The latter will be raw water cooled.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
I think you misunderstand the principle of "Indirect Cooling".
Sea water coming out of the exhaust doesn't prove it either way.
With indirect cooling, sea water is pumped in through the heat exchanger, through the water jacket around the exhaust manifold and then usually injected into the exhaust to keep the exhaust cooled and then passes out with the exhaust. Only fresh water is pumped around the engine.
The difference is that with direct cooling, instead of a heat exchanger, the sea water is pumped through the engine, then out through the exhaust.

<hr width=100% size=1>Brian
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brunyard
 
Thanks for all the responses so far. I am slightly confused by the Vetus site reference to keel cooling... Is that the old copper tube jobbie that generally runs the length of the keel? I'm not helped in this by the owner saying it's direct cooled and the surveyor saying it's not.

Thanks again

Larry

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
before taking to the boat to sea i would check the basics
1. drain of some fuel from tank drain and check for water etc.
2. remove fuel filter and inspect or renew,bleed fuel system.
3. does it need oil/filter change.
4. what condition is the battery in.
5. run the engine whist still moored in gear at near full power to check engine, cooling system,charger cct to be happy that when you need it the engine will be ok.


<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Thanks again for all the advice. I'll have another good nose around, and as the boat is for sail with a decent broker, I'll make sure we give it a whirl before we go out of the marina! We'll also make sure we can raise and lower the keel.

Larry Botheras

Essex

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
"I think you misunderstand the principle of "Indirect Cooling".
Sea water coming out of the exhaust doesn't prove it either way."

I was responding to your post which said:

"Should be obvious to the eye if it's direct or indirect cooled, if it has header tank it's indirect."

Very true but if all he looks for is a header tank as if it was a car engine and is not aware of any seawater cooling, he may not open the sea cock controlling the jacket cooling and cause damage.


<hr width=100% size=1>
 
My Perkins pumps water out the exhaust - but the real cooling is done by fresh water.

The sea water passes through the outer Heat exchanger taking the heat awau from the circulating fresh water. Therefore sea water never enters my engine ...... but it still exhausts ........

Indirect.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
 
Decent Broker ???

Should be at the average rates they charge !!!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top