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TRAWLERS & TRAWLERING LIST

Barnacle Buster

Milt Baker

Tue, Jun 2, 2020 4:44 PM

Richard,

Barnacle Buster's marketing information online says this: "Barnacle Buster™
is a safe, non-toxic and biodegradable marine growth remover specifically
formulated to meet an industry wide need for fast, safe, cost effective
alternatives to mechanical cleaning of seawater cooled equipment. With
minimal dismantling required, Barnacle Buster™ can be safely re-circulated
through seawater cooling systems, dissolving barnacles, zebra mussels,
calcium, rust, lime & all other mineral deposits. Most applications can be
completed within 4 hours!"

Personally, I've had a very good experience with Barnacle Buster. I hired
a professional to run it through the Cummins QSB 5.9 (380 HP) common rail
engine in my American Tug 34 last year. That meant the solution flushed
the heat exchanger, transmission gear cooler, aftercooler, and all other
raw water passages. He used a five-gallon bucket (with about four gallons
of Barnacle Buster) and a 120VAC pump, and backflushed the entire raw
water system for two hours. The solution quickly went from medium blue and
clear to brown and cloudy. Prior to the treatment, the engine overheated
at WOT in 80-degree water after 10 minutes; following the treatment, it
never overheated, even after 30 minutes at WOT in the same 80-degree water.

After learning from the professional, I backflushed my boat's two air
conditioning systems using the same techniques. The result was much more
efficient cooling and shorter run time for the AC units.

So I'm a Barnacle Buster fan, and I like that the solution (mainly 10%
phosphoric acid) has essentially no odor and is said to be non-toxic and
biodegradable.

No connection with Barnacle Buster or its manufacturer, Trac Ecological,
other than as a very satisfied user. I note that of 26 Amazon reviews 88%
rated on Barnacle Buster at five stars. Of course, YMMV.

More information:
https://trac-online.com/product/barnacle-buster-concentrate/

Milt Baker, American Tug 34 Bluewater IV and Nordhavn 47 Bluewater

Richard, Barnacle Buster's marketing information online says this: "Barnacle Buster™ is a safe, non-toxic and biodegradable marine growth remover specifically formulated to meet an industry wide need for fast, safe, cost effective alternatives to mechanical cleaning of seawater cooled equipment. With minimal dismantling required, Barnacle Buster™ can be safely re-circulated through seawater cooling systems, dissolving barnacles, zebra mussels, calcium, rust, lime & all other mineral deposits. Most applications can be completed within 4 hours!" Personally, I've had a very good experience with Barnacle Buster. I hired a professional to run it through the Cummins QSB 5.9 (380 HP) common rail engine in my American Tug 34 last year. That meant the solution flushed the heat exchanger, transmission gear cooler, aftercooler, and all other raw water passages. He used a five-gallon bucket (with about four gallons of Barnacle Buster) and a 120VAC pump, and backflushed the entire raw water system for two hours. The solution quickly went from medium blue and clear to brown and cloudy. Prior to the treatment, the engine overheated at WOT in 80-degree water after 10 minutes; following the treatment, it never overheated, even after 30 minutes at WOT in the same 80-degree water. After learning from the professional, I backflushed my boat's two air conditioning systems using the same techniques. The result was much more efficient cooling and shorter run time for the AC units. So I'm a Barnacle Buster fan, and I like that the solution (mainly 10% phosphoric acid) has essentially no odor and is said to be non-toxic and biodegradable. No connection with Barnacle Buster or its manufacturer, Trac Ecological, other than as a very satisfied user. I note that of 26 Amazon reviews 88% rated on Barnacle Buster at five stars. Of course, YMMV. More information: https://trac-online.com/product/barnacle-buster-concentrate/ Milt Baker, American Tug 34 Bluewater IV and Nordhavn 47 Bluewater

LAL

Wed, Jun 3, 2020 1:42 PM

I buy Citric acid by the kilogram and use 200 grams in my sea strainer to
get to all my "stuff."

I run the water until the color starts to change at the outlet and then let
it sit.

I hour later, flush and observe dirty water come out.

Then place in fresh water layup.

Come spring, all is well.

Citric acid is a powder and the version I get is food safe. It gets the
rust, scale, and whatever other crusty junk happens to be on whatever I
using it on. Also, great for cleaning the innards of my expresso machine,
dishwasher, and the heating element in the washer. Also cleans the taps and
screens and stuff from your faucets. Keeps the hot water heater shiny and
clean. Same for shower heads.

This past refit I drained my keel coolers. The engine one I poured in a
kilogram into the engine and ran the engine until it got up to temp.
Waited an hour and starting draining out water that was ANYTHING but clean
coolant water. Did the same for my generator cooler but this one was being
replaced, used about 250 grams and due to year problems, stayed in 2+
weeks. The water that came out was slightly cleaner than the engine room
coolant.

I also replaced my shaft, seals, bearings and transmission coupler. As I
was routining cleaning the sea water hoses to the shaft seal, I was not
surprised that all of that was clean, but the mechanics were.

I only offer this as my experience. YMMV.

I buy Citric acid by the kilogram and use 200 grams in my sea strainer to get to all my "stuff." I run the water until the color starts to change at the outlet and then let it sit. I hour later, flush and observe dirty water come out. Then place in fresh water layup. Come spring, all is well. Citric acid is a powder and the version I get is food safe. It gets the rust, scale, and whatever other crusty junk happens to be on whatever I using it on. Also, great for cleaning the innards of my expresso machine, dishwasher, and the heating element in the washer. Also cleans the taps and screens and stuff from your faucets. Keeps the hot water heater shiny and clean. Same for shower heads. This past refit I drained my keel coolers. The engine one I poured in a kilogram into the engine and ran the engine until it got up to temp. Waited an hour and starting draining out water that was ANYTHING but clean coolant water. Did the same for my generator cooler but this one was being replaced, used about 250 grams and due to year problems, stayed in 2+ weeks. The water that came out was slightly cleaner than the engine room coolant. I also replaced my shaft, seals, bearings and transmission coupler. As I was routining cleaning the sea water hoses to the shaft seal, I was not surprised that all of that was clean, but the mechanics were. I only offer this as my experience. YMMV.