Ozone

Robski97

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2007
1,828
North Bellmore, NY
Boat Info
44DA
Engines
Cummins QSC 8.3's
Guys,
Im being told my hose cracking issues are due to ozone being created by my generator. Im waiting for the hard copy of this but has any one heard this before ?? What would be the corrective measure ?

Rob
 
Well it could be Ozone, but then again it could just be age or ER heat.

Ozone can be made by electrical arcing of worn commutator brushes. Ozone has a distinctive metallic odor that can be smelled while the genny is running. Ozone is very reactive with its environment and yes it can cause corrosion, but other items would be better targets than nearly inert rubber hoses.

Hoses would be inspected every three months with a bright light. Check hard bends closely as failure will occur at these stress points first. Any bias cracking indicates its time to replace.

On another note on hoses while you're down there! There is a common practice for manufacturers to use these clear plastic hoses re inforced with nylon thread for use on underwater line applications like raw water airconditioning and generator feeds. These hoses are not suitable for underwater line use, no matter who tells you different, these hoses sink boats and with age will collapse easily restricting flow and burn up generators and compressors. These crap hoses should be repleced with proper underwater line reinforced rubber hose installed and double clamped with 316 stainless clamps. And, don't get sucked in by lower price to use lightly reinforced waste water hose as it is not rated for below waterline applications either. Get rubber exhaust hose rated for underwater line use.

The proper below waterline hose will cost several bucks a foot, but is too critical a application to scrimp.
 
Rob- I run an ozone generator on my boat 24/7. Sometimes I move it to the bilge for a period of time. While my hoses show signs of cracking, it's time. I'll be replacing mine in Jan/Feb. I've been running ozone all over the boat for years and I've not had any issues.
 
Chad,
Cummins came down did a Genset inspection. Found nothing wrong. Not that they knew what they were looking for. The hose rep states ozone as the failure of my hoses. The same hose thats in my bilge is in perfect condition once it pass's the bulkhead and enters the cabin. So what ever the issue is its limited to the ER BILGE. Hoses that were chnaged in sept already are cracking. I thought if the genset was the issue hoses closest to it would be in worse shape. This is not the case. Either is height in the bilge. ( lowest point or highest point all effected equally . )


Rob
 

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