The Genset Works

1/4/2011

A happy day! I got the rest of the electrical stuff hooked up to the genset. I connected it to the computer and they communicated correctly. I ran the wire from the control panel into the engine room and wired its plug and the panel come on properly. That was my goal for today!

1/5/11

I got the fuel lines hooked up, and then Bill arrived. I didn't have the parts I needed to hook up the heat loop for the domestic hot water, and then discovered that the port I was supposed to use had the engine heat sensor in it. The final straw was that I didn't have enough hose, so getting the parts for the heat loop and installing it will be another project.

Bill and I got the holes marked on the plywood base for the mounting bolts. Then we lifted the engine to pull its plywood base out so we could drill the holes and coat it with epoxy. We put one of the heaters in the van with the epoxied base so it would cure more quickly. Then we got all the rest of the plumbing done for the genset; bled the fuel line, flushed out the coolant chanels, and rigged the anti siphon hoses. So we are ready for the mechanic to come tomorrow and get it started and tested. We will try and get the base under the genset before he arrives.

1/6/11

We got up bright and early and got the genset bolted down to its base and the base to the boat before Larry, the mechanic arrived for the “start up”. Then we started working on fastening down the other stuff until he arrived. He brought the antifreeze and oil and installed it. Then he bled the raw water into the pump and added soap to lubricate the impeller, and checked out all the basics of the installation. Then we were ready to start it up. It didn't run... and realized that one of the fuel valves was closed. Then it ran but seemed like it was starved for fuel, so Larry bypassed my fuel pump polishing system. (I suspected this might be the case when I simplified it.) Then it ran, but wouldn't produce any power. We called Richard at Polar Power. I attached the genset to the computer, and we discovered that the voltage was set too low. We changed the settings and it ran and produced power. Then we changed the units from metric to english, however the program didn't adjust the limits, so we had to go to all the settings and change the values – then it wouldn't start. We found more values that had to be changed and then it ran again. It produces way more power than the glacier bay genset. It can produce 40 amps and still maintain 170 volts. But it can't idle without a load. It keeps reving up and slowing down. Richard suggested some changes of the way it responds to its control feed back loops. That didn't help much. So we put the setting back and decided that the reving and slowing when there is no load is a reminder that you are wasting fuel and should turn it off.

Now it was time to take some sound readings. It didn't make much difference with the sound shield on or off. It is much louder than the glacier bay. I guess it is about as loud as a regular boat motor. This is very disappointing because running quiet with the genset on was a big benefit of this boat. Bill said it was just a tradeoff of having more power. I suspected this would be the case, and I was planning on lining the open spaces in the engine room with sound deadening coverings. I guess I will try that after the Bahamas trip if I still think it is too loud.

After the mechanic left we busied ourselves getting everything fastened down, and by 10:30 we had everything secured except for the plastic storage box. I modified and simplified the water maker plumbing. We had some trouble with the raw water, but that turned out to be a problem with the raw water hose in the sink and the pump not being primed – even though it is below water level. After we got the fuel set I primed the diesel heater, and it started right up. It heated the boat, and the newTomorrow we secure the last few things in the engine room and start getting the boat cleaned up and ready to sail.

10/7/11

The genset worked again today; so did the heat.  There was a minor wiring problem with some of the stuff that goes on with the genset, and I got that straightened out only to discover it still isn't quite right,  but may be OK.  We got the rigging ready to go; the crew overboard stuff mounted; and the "traveling" sail cover on after raising and lowering the sail to knock off the mud wasp nests.  We topped up the dingy with air and got it mounted at the stern.  I put on my wet suit and shoved a warm water hose in it and went under to clean the prop and shaft.  I had gloves and hood, but no booties.  My feet really froze.  They were painful and then numb.  I finally finished cleaning the prop and shaft which had about 4 inches of growth all around it.  When I got out I could barely walk, and got in the recirculating shower, and it all worked.  Bill measured the water temperature at 35 degrees F.

Then I started sorting out all the stuff that I don't want on the boat and Bill loaded it all in the van to take home.  Oops, forgot to bring the Glacier Bay genset home...

I think this ends the "Renovation"