Starting the engine on a seamaster

Little yogi

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Hi

A question to any Seamaster cruiser owners.

Having just bought a seamaster 30, I'm a bit confused about the correct way to start the perkins diesel engine.

There are different marks on the ignition switch, HS a plus sign and S, I think if the engine is cold then I move the key to the left in order to engage preheat, count to ten and move the key up to HS the engine then starts, the key then has to be moved to the the plus sign so the alternator charges the battery, if starting a hot engine then the key moves to the S sign , engine starts and key is moved the plus sign, is this correct ?

Want to make sure I'm starting her in the correct manner , I don't want to cause any harm to the electrics or engine

Many thanks
 
Last edited:
We have a Perkins 4108. Start from cold, summer time, turn on ignition, so the alternator light comes on.
Then turn the key against the resistance and count; if you can see the engine, you will see a smoke doughnut emerge from the air intake when it’s beginning to work. Depending on the engine I would guess that 10 seconds isn‘ enough, try 20 secs’ minimum, after the smoke appears. Winter try half a minute.
To start turn it further to the right.
 
We have a Perkins 4108. Start from cold, summer time, turn on ignition, so the alternator light comes on.
Then turn the key against the resistance and count; if you can see the engine, you will see a smoke doughnut emerge from the air intake when it’s beginning to work. Depending on the engine I would guess that 10 seconds isn‘ enough, try 20 secs’ minimum, after the smoke appears. Winter try half a minute.
To start turn it further to the right.
Hi

Thanks for your reply.

So do you have HS on your ignition switch, on mine it's on the far left and believe it' stands for heat start
 
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