Empathy List Archives

MB

Milt Baker

Sun, Feb 20, 2005 1:28 PM

In response to Jim McCrea's question, let me say I believe that in concept
flow detectors are a good idea, but in practice they have not served me
well--and the same goes for quite a few people I know. A water flow alarm
introduces more complexity and in my experience these alarms seem to sound
off too often when there's plenty of water flow. The weak point is usually
the reed value, and I've replaced enough reed valves that I've concluded
that they do not make good shipmates. We will not have a water flow alarm
aboard Bluewater, and having two separate raw water pickups on opposite
sides of the boat makes the decision much easier.

On the other hand, the wet exhaust temperature alarm, which I have never
tried, seems like a terrific idea and I will add one. Jim McCrea, whom
I've gotten to know because we own Nordic Tugs a few hull numbers apart, is
way ahead of me on stuff like this, and I think he has once more pointed me
towards a worthwhile addition. Thanks, Jim!

--Milt Baker

In response to Jim McCrea's question, let me say I believe that in concept flow detectors are a good idea, but in practice they have not served me well--and the same goes for quite a few people I know. A water flow alarm introduces more complexity and in my experience these alarms seem to sound off too often when there's plenty of water flow. The weak point is usually the reed value, and I've replaced enough reed valves that I've concluded that they do not make good shipmates. We will not have a water flow alarm aboard Bluewater, and having two separate raw water pickups on opposite sides of the boat makes the decision much easier. On the other hand, the wet exhaust temperature alarm, which I have never tried, seems like a terrific idea and I will add one. Jim McCrea, whom I've gotten to know because we own Nordic Tugs a few hull numbers apart, is way ahead of me on stuff like this, and I think he has once more pointed me towards a worthwhile addition. Thanks, Jim! --Milt Baker

K

Keith

Sun, Feb 20, 2005 8:31 PM

I have had the Aqualarm "save your engine kit" on mine for several years and
never had a false alarm. The one time I did start the engine without opening
the thru-hull, it sure let me know! You slide the sleeve along to calibrate
it, and unless that sleeve moves, it works perfectly as advertised.
http://www.aqualarm.net/ The one thing I changed was to get a louder alarm.
The little weenie buzzer that comes with the kit isn't loud enough IMHO. I
also have a high temp alarm on the exhaust elbow.

Keith
__
By the time you find greener pastures, you can't climb the fence!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Milt Baker" miltbaker@mindspring.com

In response to Jim McCrea's question, let me say I believe that in concept
flow detectors are a good idea, but in practice they have not served me
well--and the same goes for quite a few people I know. A water flow alarm
introduces more complexity and in my experience these alarms seem to sound
off too often when there's plenty of water flow.

I have had the Aqualarm "save your engine kit" on mine for several years and never had a false alarm. The one time I did start the engine without opening the thru-hull, it sure let me know! You slide the sleeve along to calibrate it, and unless that sleeve moves, it works perfectly as advertised. http://www.aqualarm.net/ The one thing I changed was to get a louder alarm. The little weenie buzzer that comes with the kit isn't loud enough IMHO. I also have a high temp alarm on the exhaust elbow. Keith __ By the time you find greener pastures, you can't climb the fence! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Milt Baker" <miltbaker@mindspring.com> > In response to Jim McCrea's question, let me say I believe that in concept > flow detectors are a good idea, but in practice they have not served me > well--and the same goes for quite a few people I know. A water flow alarm > introduces more complexity and in my experience these alarms seem to sound > off too often when there's plenty of water flow.

MM

Mike Maurice

Sun, Feb 20, 2005 10:12 PM

At 02:31 PM 2/20/05 -0600, you wrote:

I have had the Aqualarm "save your engine kit" on mine for several years and
never had a false alarm. The one time I did start the engine without opening

I know of at least one boat that had a similar or perhaps identical unit
that false alarmed. Had to disconnect the alarm.

Capt. Mike Maurice
Tualatin(Portland), Oregon

At 02:31 PM 2/20/05 -0600, you wrote: >I have had the Aqualarm "save your engine kit" on mine for several years and >never had a false alarm. The one time I did start the engine without opening I know of at least one boat that had a similar or perhaps identical unit that false alarmed. Had to disconnect the alarm. Capt. Mike Maurice Tualatin(Portland), Oregon

SD

Steven Dubnoff

Mon, Feb 21, 2005 4:37 AM

I know of at least one boat that had a similar or perhaps identical unit
that false alarmed. Had to disconnect the alarm.

I put one on each engine. One worked like a charm, the other was way too
sensitive. I just replaced the bad one under warranty and now both work
fine. I think they are a very good idea and I would much prefer occasional
falseing to a fried engine.

Best,

Steve

Steve Dubnoff
1966 Willard Pilothouse
www.mvnereid.com
sdubnoff@circlesys.com

> >I know of at least one boat that had a similar or perhaps identical unit >that false alarmed. Had to disconnect the alarm. I put one on each engine. One worked like a charm, the other was _way_ too sensitive. I just replaced the bad one under warranty and now both work fine. I think they are a very good idea and I would much prefer occasional falseing to a fried engine. Best, Steve Steve Dubnoff 1966 Willard Pilothouse www.mvnereid.com sdubnoff@circlesys.com

passagemaking@lists.trawlering.com

Re: [PUP] Wet versus dry exhaust - Milt Baker