Does a log work when the boat is out of the water?

[RIN]

Our log never worked last season. I think it was because I was too liberal with the antifouling and managed to get it above the paddle wheel on the log and onto the workings of the log (is there a sensor in there counting the teeth on the paddle wheel?) Anyway I am going to try and scrape the stuff off but my question is can I then check it is working by spinning the wheel when the boat is still out of the water? Or do I have to wait for it to go back in again (and then find out it is still not working?)

Anyone ever tried this or think it will work?

 

[leomagill]

They usually have magnets in the paddlewheel and a coil in the sensor, clean the AF off and blast a hose across to spin it, should work ok.

 

[trying]

If you can free off the wheel you can check if it is working by blowing compressed air accross it.

Ideally with an airline and blowgun so that you can vary the air flow and check you are getting a reading in the cockpit.

 

[jfm]

Yep it works out of the water

Remeber tho, once the boat is in the water you can still (with most models) remove the paddlewheel sensor from inside the boat. Seawater gushes in as you do it but you quickly screw the blanking cap on (which should be attached close by). This allows you to clean the log is it gets gunged up mid season

 

[RIN]

Eeek! I don't think I would be bold enough to do that in the water, but I'll certainly have a look to see if I can remove it when the boat comes out

 

[nimbusgb]

[ QUOTE ]
Eeek! I don't think I would be bold enough to do that in the water, but I'll certainly have a look to see if I can remove it when the boat comes out

[/ QUOTE ]

Try it, you'll be surprised how LITTLE water comes in. Whip out the paddlewheel, hand over fitting. locate blanking cap, hand off, cap on. No problem! Quick clean off of the paddlewheel and reverse the process.

 

[jfm]

everyone does it, all the time, to clean the paddlewheel. It's normal, honestly!

 

[dombuckley]

Top tip: Keep the blanking plug tied to the log cable. Then it's immediately available and if you drop it at the crucial moment, it's not going to go rolling out of reach.

 

[alandee]

As said above, you can take it out when the boat is in the water, as long as you have the correct blank screw fitting to replace it with. On our trip through the French Canal system we had to do it two or three times a week due to all the silt and weed etc. It may look as though a lot of water is coming in but it is only a pint or so if you do it quickly. The secret is not to panic! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[David_Jersey]

[ QUOTE ]
They usually have magnets in the paddlewheel and a coil in the sensor, clean the AF off and blast a hose across to spin it, should work ok.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wouldn't use a jet washer on it though - not meant to spin at 1,000,000 miles an hour........how do I know that? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Poignard]

All you need to do is to get your crew to hold the palm of his/her hand over the hole while you clean the paddle with a toothbrush. It only takes a minute to do it.

 

[MapisM]

Possibly, not even that. Proper transducers have a rubber self-closing valve.
RIN might see just a few drops of water, without doing anything at all, after removing the paddlewheel insert.

 

[ms1]

you dont need an air gun or a jet wash.
Just clean off the gunk and get someone to twidle/flick the paddle wheel and you can see it registering ... you dont need a 250 knot jet wash to tell you that it works.

 

[mjf]

I agree with others.

A hand flick spins the wheel enough to register on the gauge.

I always have SHMBO at the helm to confirm its fixed before re-installing throu the hull.

It amazes me how little water comes in actually - there is a rubber sort of non return v/v thingy that prevents a gush....

 

[jfm]

[ QUOTE ]
French Canal system ...water ... coming in

[/ QUOTE ]

Only it's not really water, much. It's mostly, er, oh never mind

 

[Liselle]

Again spinning the wheel by hand, should be enough to register. When we first got our boat the log wasnt working, turns out the little magnet in the paddle was missing. Bonded a new one in works fine ever since.

 

[mcframe]

[ QUOTE ]
Top tip: Keep the blanking plug tied to the log cable. Then it's immediately available and if you drop it at the crucial moment, it's not going to go rolling out of reach.

[/ QUOTE ]

Top-Tip #2: Do the, err, screwing-up with your dominant hand. i.e. if right-handed, remove log with with left hand and screw the blanking plug in with your right hand.

As the Haynes manual says, "reverse the above process to refit".

 

[RIN]

Thanks guys - will do this. Was down at the boat last night and did find the transponder in a void under the bed in the berth under the cockpit sole.
But as boat will come out soon I will wait until on dry land