What I learned today in Marine Systems Class

[davesbrain]

Water

• some larger systems have a heater pass through from engine, to provide warm water at tap
• some larger systems have an expansion/accumulator tank so pump doesn;t have to run every time
• all tanks should have a venting system
• all tanks should be easily cleanable
• what type of pump do I have? electric? hand pump?
• even in Great Lakes, many greywater systems drain overboard
• in most places, it is illegal to have a blackwater dump, but still legal for a greywater dump
• not in G.L. even greywater dump is illegal
• in fact, any system whereby blackwater can be dumped overboardf (and that includes a porta-potty) is illegal (this is why the super-inconvenient vacuum system is used!)
• Y-valves can be used offshore (bluewater, > 7 miles)
• generally, do not trust tank water for drinking

Head

• don't use any solvents or cleaner in head - will degrade pipes
• use baking soda, vinegar, marine grade antifreeze
• Head cocktail: 1/2 L vinegar, flush, 1/2L vegetable oil, flush (lubricates O-rings, coats walls)
• be gentle with hand pump , don't use full up/down strokes - it'll last longer

Bilge Pump

• wise to place manual bilge pump in cockpit so can be on-deck and still pumping
• elec. bilge pump should bypass panel
• when chartering, don't assume pump works - dump  a few buckets in bilge, test outflow
• check how effective elec. pump is re:
• leak inflow rate
• battery capacity
• check how effective manual pump is re:
• outflow rate
• manual capacity
• most sinking (80%) is via through hull leaks, and most (80%) is after bilge pump runs down battery
• check: water in bilge? empty to form bsaseline, strainer clear? bilge free of debris? fittings secure? do hard test w/ water

Heater

• solid fuel, diesel, propane - none use electricity
• A/C
• electrical are usually too consumptive to be effective unless on shore power
• other types are seawater

Batteries

• I have 0/A/B/A+B switcher
• good method: start engine on A, run for 5 minutes to recharge, then switch to B, run all house power off B
• better to switch only when running at low idle
• deep cycle battery is meant for house, std. battery has high cranking amps for engine
• other optinos are GEL batteries - safer, sealed, but more $$
• AGMs are even safer, very efficent and last much longer
• however, sholdn't mix type - chargers prefer onny one type - amnd a smart charger will allow you toprogram which type
• solar panels are a great option for keeping batteries charged, but efficiency is greatly reduced with shade or poor angle to sun
• wise to keep battery top clean - discourages trickle discharge

Lighting

• industry switching over to LEDs, much more efficient
• conversion is easy

120V

• should have its own panel
• 55% of boat fires are electrical (shorts, overloads), 24% engine, 5% fuel leaks, only 1% alcohol stoves

Stove

• alcohol stove do not normally explode (unless somehow contained)
• alcohol fire is invisible
• unlike others, alcohol fire can be doused with water
• keep a pot of water handy when cooking w/ alcohol

Anchor

• mark rode, chain with zip ties at depths

Dinghy

• use floating line for painter so as not to foul prop
• good engines: gas engine w/ integral tank, or TORQEDO (electric)
• small electric motor is not recommended
• at night, secure dinghy so it does not bump hull
• tie to rode so it can swing freely
• tie to boom, tie off boom 90 degrees
• raft securely alongside hull or on dock
• in Caribbean, dinghy theft is #1 crime - use a lock for boat and motor or haul aboard

Engine

• make a hush box