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bertram31.com  Mechanical Section Feature Articles |
Bruce is Owner and Senior Mechanic of Southeast Marine Services, Inc. in the Palm Beach, Florida area. His extensive background, in Marine Mechanical Systems, encompasses both gasoline and diesel engines, air conditioning, and electrical and hydraulic systems.
"Bruce is one of the most 'In Demand' Systems Technicians we have in our area. His expertise is exceptional!"
(Capt Patrick McCrary, webmaster)
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GENERATORS - The Silent Heroes
July 27, 1998 While sitting in Puerto Isla Mujeres Mexico waiting for the weather to clear so we could head back to the states, a problem occurred that gave rise this article. Pierre the dockmaster, (master could stand for a higher education degree, as Pierre is not your average rope wrangler), came by the boat and told us to fire up the generator as the power was going to be out for 20 min. As soon as the generator fired, I heard that telltale hunting that only an Onan could produce. Once the power was switched over, the flickering lights confirmed my suspicions. I grabbed a flashlight and headed to the engine room. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the racor vacuum gauge at 10". Now a note, that was left for us when we arrived at the boat, told us that the oil and filters were changed 39 hours ago. I suspect it was the main engines and not the generator that was done. For an engine that when fully loaded burns maybe 1 gal/hr, this reading is high. But being it's hot and we didn't want the AC turned off; I'll wait to check the fuel filter after the power comes on. This brings me to the actual article. Here the engines were serviced just 39 hours ago, but it looked like the generator was overlooked. This is a very unusual situation for this vessel as the owner is very through. Unless it's a regular customer calling me to service their machinery, I always ask if they want the generator included. Most of the time I get "Oh, okay, sure I guess so, if you think it really needs it". Well it's an internally lubricated, fuel fed machine too!! Here are a few tips: 1. Run your generator when the engines are running. Not running it Will not lengthen its life, just the opposite. 2. Run your generator under a load. It was designed to run continuously at 70% loading. Running under no load is just as useless as starting and running engines at the dock. The engines if not loaded it will not come up to normal operating temperature so moisture in the crankcase will not be dissipated and fuel will not burn fully leading to carbon buildup in the cylinders. 3. Change oil and filters with your regular engine service. Oil and filters are cheap compared to the cost of an overhaul or new unit. 4. To those boat manufactures who insist on putting the generator under the back deck directly under a hatch or hatch hinge, please put plastic or rubber under any hinges or seams to keep water from running down on top of it. Rust will be the death of a generator in this case. To many diehard fisherman, a generator is just more weight to slow him down, and if you're on the back deck waiting for that trophy fish to appear, who needs AC anyway. But lets face it, the majority of boaters are cruisers who want comfort away from the dock. A generator can only achieve this. And gentlemen, let the generator quit, in August, while cruising or on the hook, and see how fast our wonderful wives or girlfriends, or both remind us, "When was the last time the generator was serviced?" Not only will it be a hot night, but a lonely one as well! Smooth Running (generators too), Bruce |
Mechanical Feature Articles Mechanical Equipment Reviews Mechanical Service
mechanical section / Saturday, February 21, 1998
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