Jaster help wanted

[oldbilbo]

Jester help wanted

Engine charging problem on 'Ella Trout III' presently at 40N 43W. Ideas wanted.....

Morning All,

Poppa/Dad/Roger is experiencing engine problems*** associated with the "glow plug" and "battery charging" warning lights.

Although the engine starts and runs and his batteries are charging efficiently (checked with a multimeter), the warning lights are coming on and off during engine running?!

A quick search on Google suggests wiring issues with the switch panel/relay/glow plug.

Roger has a Volvo MD2010 diesel engine.

Other than checking/cleaning the wiring/connections...

Can anyone suggest any possibilities for a cure at sea?

I have no means of contacting Roger, however clearly someone has a means of getting a message to Roger.

If you can help please do so!

Thank you,

Guy (assisting Eric and Sandra with Ocean Race Track).

Lookee here - http://www.oceanracetrack.com/raceplayer/raceplayer.aspx?event=36

***

I have a worry with the engine as I have to use it to charge the batteries in light conditions. Last night I noticed two warning lights on, the glow plug and the battery. Checking in the book suggested that the fan belt may need tightening, I did this and nothing changed so I fitted a new fan belt; warning lights still came on. So I started the engine, no problem, and watched carefully what happened:-

when I switch on the battery and oil lights come on.
switch on glow plug, panel light does not come on.
fire up engine it starts immediately.
all lights go out.
after one minute glow plug warning light comes on.
after about 5 minutes battery warning light comes on.
I checked voltage to batteries 13.5 volts being pumped in.
I continued to watch control panel and all lights go off.
a while later glow plug comes on followed shortly by battery warning light.
I think they go on and off all the while the engine is running.
I ran the engine for two hours batteries up to 12.7 volts from 11.8.
Does anybody know what the problem is and can I do anything about it out here?
The engine is a volvo 2010 diesel

 

[oldbilbo]

Idea One:

I am not at all certain but my system relies on the charging light bulb being intact and fully functional .It is possible the connections to the bulb socket or the bulb connections themselves are corroded dirty?

Any more?

 

[Seajet]

It doesn't quite fit but my first thought was ' alternator brushes ' as the charge light glowing dim at low revs ( still charging at revs ) then on as things worsen is a sign of that.

Worth a try as it's quite easy to check.

 

[Plevier]

I posted a few minutes ago then deleted as I realised I had mixed up Volvo 2010 and 2001 so some comments were wrong although basic conclusion the same.

This engine does not need the warning light bulb to feed the alternator, there is a bypass resistor.

My suspicion would be a failed alarm module, they are not the most reliable and can do very odd things. If the charging voltage is OK (should go up to about 14V when battery well charged, the reported 13.5V is rather low) I think all may be well.

The alarm module is peripheral, plays no part in operation, everything on the engine can work even if it's not present.

 

[co256]

This from Roger today...

Sunday 8th June

Sailed 2106 miles with another 1082 to Newport.

The winds were very strong during the night and I made little progess against them but I did manage to round the SE corner of the iceberg area and trying to get west.

A position report from Elaine shows that Paul, Independance, is sailing through the lower part of the Iceberg area; does he know something I don't? It has taken me nearly 6 days to get down and around the southern edge, if I'd sailed through I would be 2 or 300 miles further on, or sunk!!!

ENGINE

My advisers were right, water behind the control panel, I am currently drying out, taking remedial action and hoping.


Poppa/Dad/Roger