A lesson to learn

[chrisr]

well

we have a little built-in 6 KvA diesel generator. always runs like clockwork...push button and away we go

so today has been quite cloudy, and solar is not really topping batteries up...plus all the christmas lights...plus it's shower night n she-who-must-be obeyed wants hot water, so decided to run the gennie for a while

started her up and back to the BBQ for another charcoal feast

little while later...hmmm...gennie sounds a bit funny...look over side...NO COOLING WATER ! @#$%^ !

rush below n switch off...shock...gennie never plays up...hmmm...what could it be ?

gave it a few minutes...gennie started fine and we have water again !

look overside and heaps of jellyfish around so fairly confident a jellyfish got up close n personal with our SW intake

lesson 1...always keep an eye on exhaust water, no matter how reliable the machinery usually is
lesson 2...murphy was an optimist

cheers,

[MV Wanderlust]

A good reminder for all. Thanks.

[tkeithlu]

I. You got in a hurry with something mechanical, distracted by a juicy steak. You failed to pay homage to the mechanical gods. It's still up for discussion, but those gods either take offense when ignored or have a very twisted sense of humor.

2. Not just check to see the cooling water coming out, but put the back of your hand in the stream if possible. It should be warm/hot, and you'll learn what is the right temperature for each engine/Genny.

3. Consider adding gauges (if you will scan them) or sensors and alarms (if you will not) for oil pressure and water temperature on every engine. They are cheap (auto parts store stuff) and good insurance against your first awareness, causing you to choke on that great barby, being a burning smell and a horrible noise from your genset.

4. Right on Mr. Murphy, although he is usually referred to as a "Flaming optimist."

5. Just think about all those sweet, innocent little jellyfish dying to keep us human beings in line.

[Jim Cate]

Just think about all those sweet, innocent little jellyfish dying to keep us human beings in line.

Nah, nothing "sweet" about those damn jellies. In the waters where Chris sails they can become a near solid mass at times, causing blockages to one and all and causing funny bumps in the dinghy as the prop chews through a dozen or two. Nasty creatures IMO, and while not in the league of Box jellies for anguish, a good brush against one will get your attention.

Down with them I say!

Jim

[tarian]

standard procedure and a must for every boater to check their outflow of water on engine and generator, by not doing this as a proper check every time you turn your engines on your asking for trouble .
A no brainer IMHO

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Nah, nothing "sweet" about those damn jellies. In the waters where Chris sails they can become a near solid mass at times, causing blockages to one and all and causing funny bumps in the dinghy as the prop chews through a dozen or two. Nasty creatures IMO, and while not in the league of Box jellies for anguish, a good brush against one will get your attention.

Down with them I say!

Jim

Couldn't agree more Jim. I wish they'd all just blob back onto their space ship and return to their home planet

[tkeithlu]

Day sailing in the Chesapeake in the 1960s we used to scoop up the jellies and throw them at other sailors. We also had to wear long sleaves and trousers to water ski.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by chrisr

well

we have a little built-in 6 KvA diesel generator. always runs like clockwork...push button and away we go

so today has been quite cloudy, and solar is not really topping batteries up...plus all the christmas lights...plus it's shower night n she-who-must-be obeyed wants hot water, so decided to run the gennie for a while

started her up and back to the BBQ for another charcoal feast

little while later...hmmm...gennie sounds a bit funny...look over side...NO COOLING WATER ! @#$%^ !

rush below n switch off...shock...gennie never plays up...hmmm...what could it be ?

gave it a few minutes...gennie started fine and we have water again !

look overside and heaps of jellyfish around so fairly confident a jellyfish got up close n personal with our SW intake

lesson 1...always keep an eye on exhaust water, no matter how reliable the machinery usually is
lesson 2...murphy was an optimist

cheers,

While going the college I oiled summers on a 90 tug. That said I got everything fired up prior to the other 6 crew arriving. I was a cardinal rule to check the overboard discharge no matter what the gauges said. Then I got the coffee on. The second most important duty.

[basssears]

Might consider one of these:
ENGINE WATCHDOG Audible Engine Overheating Alarm, Gauge & Sensor


I have it on my main engine, although honestly when motoring along I'm usually keeping a pretty close eye on the temp gauge, but generators are more of a "set and forget" kind of tool and a simple overheat alarm can save a lot of headache.


-- Bass

[smac999]

You can buy Water flow sensors.

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by basssears

Might consider one of these:
ENGINE WATCHDOG Audible Engine Overheating Alarm, Gauge & Sensor


I have it on my main engine, although honestly when motoring along I'm usually keeping a pretty close eye on the temp gauge, but generators are more of a "set and forget" kind of tool and a simple overheat alarm can save a lot of headache.


-- Bass

yes, i fitted these to my previous boat - good stuff, but not necessary for main engines on this one (full sensors built in)

however it would be a good idea for the gennie - thanks

cheers,