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From: A Jensen (no email)
Date: Sun Aug 01 2004 - 16:54:01 EDT
I have to share this story even if it isn't directly boat related.
Keep in mind that thsi could happen to any computer controlled engine.
I went to the country store to get gas for the lawn mower tractor.
It happens to be located righ wher the railway and road intersects.
On the rail tracks a supervisors truck was stopped. He asked me if I could
give him a boost to get the engine started.
Sure! Only trouble being, as soon as we disconnected the booster cables his
engine stopped again.
Several tries later I determiend he problem was the batery would not hold a
charge, it required the extra capacity of my dual Group 29 baterries to hold
his voltage supply up above the minimum threshold to keep the computer
going.
This was a one year old GMC truck with all the goodies, a Vortec engine and
full acessories etc.
Plus the truck is equipped with the hydraulic operated carriage
modifications for railroad track running.
In round nnumbes a $100,000 truck, almost as much as a small used trawler.
Only solution was to get a replacement battery. The driver calls the
supervisor, reports the situation, and the next train due in about 30
minutes is stopped. Something about the safety regulations I guess.
So here we have a situation where a whole train is going to be held up
because a stupid little $50 maintenance free battery croaks and the "battery
maintainer alternator isn't powerful enough to bring the battery back up to
snuff so the computer won't shut dowen the electronic Vortec engine.
Even a cursory glance showed me extensive electrical modifications under the
hood, including a Blue Seas breaker on the alternator, an additional power
bus bar and heavy wires to accomodate all the railroad required extra
equipment for the truck.
The comment has often been made on this list that with a car you simply pull
over to the side and walk away to get help.
This incident has got me revising my thinking on the subject.
The fact is you might see a similar situation on boats powered by the newer
computer controlled engines.
This is equally applicable to repowers and new-builds.
Unfortunately, many yards and even equipment suppliers are simply not aware
of the full implications this new technology has.
Cheers
Arild
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