Next message: (no name): "Re: lv-ab: ER Casualty Two Follow-up"
"For those unfamiliar with Detroit Diesels, they require a blower to blow
combustion air into the cylinders, they don't suck it in like other
diesels. This blower is a Roots blower consisting of two lobed
counter-rotating rotors in a housing, somewhat like a gear pump, which is
driven by a shaft connecting from the gear train that drives the cam
shafts. This is the shaft that shattered into two main pieces and two
other bits."
Norm,
This is actually a supercharger, that Detroit diesels get the extra power.
It is like a turbocharger but mechanically driven not by exhaust gases.
The power is at all range of RPM unlike turbochargers that need to rev-up
for the turbo to kick in and create about 7 psi boost.
Yanni Marinated
S/V Princess Thalia
Hamilton-Fifty Point @H3
www.yannismarine.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "Norm of Bandersnatch" <>
To: "A LiveAboardList" <>
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 9:31 AM
Subject: lv-ab: ER Casualty Two Follow-up
>
> All,
>
> The new blower shaft did arrive the next day ($89 + $20 Fedex overnight
> COD), we installed it and the engine was back up and running fine in
> minutes. An interesting point was that the new shaft is significantly
> thicker.
>
> For those unfamiliar with Detroit Diesels, they require a blower to blow
> combustion air into the cylinders, they don't suck it in like other
> diesels. This blower is a Roots blower consisting of two lobed
> counter-rotating rotors in a housing, somewhat like a gear pump, which is
> driven by a shaft connecting from the gear train that drives the cam
> shafts. This is the shaft that shattered into two main pieces and two
> other bits.
>
> After we were underway again I began seriously thinking about what I would
> have done if it had happened offshore. Towing with the dinghy would be
> almost impossible in the seaway, and at one mile per gallon we would not
> have enough fuel to get to port. (Although I have it on good authority
> that gas engines can be run on diesel fuel once started on gas!) Calling
> the CG to send a towboat would be very expensive, and there was always the
> probability the towing people would claim salvage and gouge me for a huge
> bill. Then I considered the possibility of repairing the shaft.
>
> The old shaft consists of a piece of hardened steel 6 1/2" long. The
> splined (48 splines) ends are 3/4" diameter, while the shaft itself is
> 7/16" diameter.
>
> I have TIG welding gear aboard and with the 8 KW genset can get about 120
> amps of welding power, not enough for my stock 1/4" aluminum, (because it
> soaks up heat so fast) but perhaps enough for a bit of steel. I would cut
> out the bad part, about two inches, and cut a high grade bolt (I have
> several for coupling bolts) to fit with tapered ends (I have lots of
> grinders), clamp the three pieces in a piece of angle with hose clamps and
> shims and have at it with the TIG welding just a bit at a time rotating
> the
> piece and welding more. It would be difficult rolling in the trough of a
> four to six foot seas, but given time and energy I think it would be
> do-able and the shaft might hold if I kept the rpm's down to idle, 750
> rpm,
> which in flat water gives us 3.5 mph.
>
>
> I cannot say too much positive about the River Forest Manor marina, the
> owner Axson Smith, and his staff.
>
> As he does to all visitors apparently, he loaned us a golf cart to go to
> the marine supply store where we got two bilge pump switches and a pump to
> complete a
> project, then cruised the half mile or so the center of town to visit the
> Wachovia bank and Ace hardware store while our laundry was in the dryer.
>
> We had given his front desk clerk cash for the Fedex COD, but cash is
> unacceptable to Fedex (probably to avoid being robbery targets), they only
> accept checks or money orders, but the staff covered it by cutting a check
> in lieu of my cash.
>
> We did have a memorable ($120, including $50 bar bill!) anniversary
> dinner,
> but we did not rent a room, nor did we rent dock space, yet the entire
> facilities were open to us and everyone was so hospitable. We were
> impressed!
>
> Another interesting point I missed in my first message is that the Manor
> House is actually a Sears kit house! The Magnolia model. Shipped in
> large
> crates, Sears kit houses were conventional, fully-found, houses. The
> crates contained everything required to build a house, doors and windows,
> all lumber, siding, shingles, electrical and plumbing, even the nails!
> The
> basic building was elaborately enhanced and added to over the years and is
> a wonder to tour.
>
> All in all it was a prime example of one of our basic principles: we
> cruise
> to allow serendipity a chance to happen!
>
>
>
>
> Norm
> S/V Bandersnatch
> Lying Norfolk VA
>
>
> ___________________________________________________________________________
> || The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request
> ||
> || in body of message to:
> ||
>
___________________________________________________________________________
|| The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request ||
|| in body of message to: ||
