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From: Bob (no email)
Date: Fri Aug 01 2003 - 22:14:55 EDT
Quoting :
> Well, you could install Flowscan meters on each engine but that would cost
> quite a few bucks more than wooden dip sticks. If a fuel consumption reading
>
> with a probable error within 10% would do, you might consider putting engine
> hour
> meters on each engine. This takes advantage of the fact that most trawler
> owners spend approximately 80% of the engine on time at "cruising" speed.
> Generators too operate within a narrow speed range. A simple chart relating
> fuel
> consumption to hours of engine useage would give you a reasonably accurate
> measure.
>
We have engine hour meters on each engine. Running an inlet against the tide,
running up to 2200 rpm's just to maintain way at times, and stay on the range,
is far different than running offshore at a constant 1800 rpms.
Also, the "engine hour meters" start counting when the "ignition key" is in the
on position, whether or not the engine is actually running; something I also
need to fix even if this behaviour is not "broken".
I have OFTEN forgotten to turn off the "KEY" while at anchor for several days as
well; cranking up the engine hours while the engine was off!! :-((
Also, the only way to get the pilothouse wipers to function is to turn on the
KEY, cranking the engine hours up. I have found that engine houre are a totally
mythical number, and has given me no end of grief. I use those hours to do oil
changes ONLY! This is another "fault" I need to fix on Tamara B! Engine hours
should be driven from the output of the alternator, and not from the battery as
they are currently. This is something I am designing, as it is not as simple as
it seems. The engine kill-solenoide is also tied into the "key" switch and this
should be off the battery system, and not off the alternator only......
It was a riot once.... after purging air from the main engine I scream...
admiral shut it off!!! shut it off!!!! (after I got it started) she turned off
the key.... engine would not shut down!!!! I ran to the bridge and the "OFF"
would not shut it down; so I stuffed pillows into the air intake, and killed the
thing, only to find that the "key" WAS OFF!!! This should NOT be!!! Whoever
wired this boat was not operating with a full deck of cards!!!
> On my Willard, there is no factory installed fuel measurement system. Even
> the manual suggests using a dip stick. Still, by keeping track of engine
> hours,
> we can estimate the fuel useage within a 10% range without trouble.
>
I have been fooled by dip-stick readings.... we carry 250 gallons of fresh water
on Tamara B; all on the port side. Water consumption affects the boats list, and
thereby alters the dip-stick readings on the fuel tanks.
We are planning a trip to Ireland next summer, it will be critical to know
exactly how much fuel I have onboard, and 10% will be the safety margin... this
is why I am leaning towards a seperate fuel meter on both engine feeds and both
returns.... 10% ain't good enough; I need to know exactly how much deisel I
have, and where it is. My trouble is in finding an accurate MECHANICAL flow
meter. I will look at flowscan, hopefully it is a mechanical meter, if so, and
if the specs guarentee a reasonable accuracy, this is what I may install on all
4 lines.
I ain't had this much fun since I was a kid, but this dock-life is BOREING!!! :-)))
Regards
Bob
--
-------------------------
Bob & Kelly
M/V Tamara B
http://www.tamara-b.org
--------------------------
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