Remote control Seacock

[reelnauti]

Having had a few issues with running the boat with the generator seacock open, and not wanting to have to open the hatch every time I wish to use the generator so that I can open the seacock, does anyone have experience or advice regarding installing a remote controlled seacock that can be controlled from the dash. Thanks

 

[Pyrojodge]

What kind of issues are you having running. With it open... sounds like somethings amiss to me?

 

[copb8tx]

I NEVER close my seacocks unless cleaning them out or maintaining something else down stream. If running your boat with the seacock open while not running the generator is causing an issue then something is amiss with your boat and, since it's so new, the dealer should take care of it.

 

[reelnauti]

Thanks for the reply. My generator ran fine until I was told by the marina that I could run with the seacock left open as you both suggest. I did this, both while running with the gen on and with it off. Immediately afterwards the gen began to act up, resulting in a service call and the need to replace the impeller. I only had 14 hours on the gen. It is my uncertainty if this condition was caused by having the seacock open and running either with the gen on or off, that led me to the question. Additional thoughts appreciated.

 

[Bucit]

It's possible that while on plane and the genny running that it lost it's prime and the impeller ran dry thus causing damage to it. You should be able to run the genny on plane but some have said that they lose prime. The seacock can be left open (on plane) while the genny is NOT running without an issue.

 

[dpmulvey]

Are you sure you did not run the gennie with the seacock closed? That will burn up an impeller in a matter of seconds. I (and I venture to guess most here) only close their seacocks for maintenance and winterization.

To answer your question, they have actuators to open and close seacocks remotely. They are expensive.

What type of through hull do you have for your gennie. it should be a mushroom, NOT a scoop.

 

[Alex F]

Thanks for the reply. My generator ran fine until I was told by the marina that I could run with the seacock left open as you both suggest. I did this, both while running with the gen on and with it off. Immediately afterwards the gen began to act up, resulting in a service call and the need to replace the impeller. I only had 14 hours on the gen. It is my uncertainty if this condition was caused by having the seacock open and running either with the gen on or off, that led me to the question. Additional thoughts appreciated.

The proper way to do it is run the boat with generator seacock closed anytime the generator is off. This applies more to gas generators, but it's recommended for all. However, in reality most people just keep the seacocks open on eaither application (gas or diesel). But, as with anything this can be done with no issues providing that you properly maintain your generator and use proper starting/stopping procedure.

An example of necessary maintenance would include changing impeller annually or at the most every other year. Hours don't mean much, the age does. As other folks have mentioned, you can burn a brand new impeller if you miss important step during the startup, like don't open the seacock (if it's closed).

In regards to proper operation, this is where you need to understand that the reason why manufactures advise to keep seacocks closed when genny is not running when a boat is underway, is to avoid sea water getting in to the system while being under pressure. While underway there's much greater pressure, which adds a risk of water intrusion. I'm like most people and also keep my genny seacock open all the time. However, when I want to startup genny (while underway) I never do it while the boat is on plane. I come off plane and go at idle speed. When genny fires up I jump back on plane. The same applies when I want to shot off the genny. I came up with this "preventive measure step" to avoid flooding the block and it worked for many years. Other folks may claim that they always startup their generators while on plane with no issues, but the following statement (this is from Kohler operation manual) keeps me from learning the hard way:

Note: Close seacock if engine fails to start. If the
engine fails to start after the first attempt, close
the seacock before the next starting attempt.
Failure to close the seacockmay cause seawater
to enter the exhaust piping, silencer, and/or
engine. A water-filled exhaust piping and
silencer may further hinder generator starting
and cause seawater entry into the engine
cylinders through the exhaust valve. Water
ingested into the engine may cause major engine
damage that the Kohler Co. warranty does not
cover.

 

[Loneranger]

http://www.speedseal.com/SpeedsealLife/SpeedsealLife.html

Put one of these on the generator water pump. Let me know if it works as advertised. Just kidding. If no one else does I will probably TOFTT next year.

I asked about these earlier but no one has any experience with them allowing the impeller to run dry inadvertantly for a bit longer then the typical cover.

John

 

[cod]

Having to close the seacock is just looking for trouble.... And a PITA..... Inevitably, you will forget to open it and burn out the impeller. Your best defense against having a problem is to run the genny whenever you are cruising..... Generators sip fuel so there is absolutely no downside to running it......only upside as it's not good for it to sit unused for any length of time.....

 

[Dancin Dave]

I'm with you Cod, gen runs when boat is running.

 

[Loneranger]

Your best defense against having a problem is to run the genny whenever you are cruising..... Generators sip fuel so there is absolutely no downside to running it......only upside as it's not good for it to sit unused for any length of time.....

On a larger boat this may be true but on a smaller boat, the generator sips a bigger percentage of fuel especially considering you are likely not using it to supply much power while underway (thus running the generator at much less that ideal load). It also contributes to noise on a smaller boat that may be unacceptable.

BTW, I never close the seacock unless I need to stop water flow for some reason - leak, repair, winterization, etc.

John

 

[mainstream]

Having had a few issues with running the boat with the generator seacock open, and not wanting to have to open the hatch every time I wish to use the generator so that I can open the seacock, does anyone have experience or advice regarding installing a remote controlled seacock that can be controlled from the dash. Thanks

Hello I have your same set up except an 09 I had trouble with my geni to untiL I read the directions on the kohler you need to take the load off geni an run it four a few minutes before you shut it down after I started doing that haven't thorn another impeller yet and it's at 35 hrs since the last impeller a lost one at 14 and 26 so now I'm at 61 and no issue hope this helps I also keep sea cock open and only start at stop or idle speed never on plane

 

[cod]

On a larger boat this may be true but on a smaller boat, the generator sips a bigger percentage of fuel especially considering you are likely not using it to supply much power while underway (thus running the generator at much less that ideal load). It also contributes to noise on a smaller boat that may be unacceptable.

BTW, I never close the seacock unless I need to stop water flow for some reason - leak, repair, winterization, etc.

John

How does a smaller generator use more fuel than a larger one on a larger vessel? I'm suggesting running the generator during cruising. If you cruise for an hour with the gennny under a load, it will use maybe .5 gallons. Cheap insurance for not having to replace an impeller or getting water forced into cylinders. How is noise a factor when you are cruising? Certainly not a factor In my book. Also, Don't run the generator at less than ideal load...... Use it for its intended purpose. When you get to your destination, then you can turn it off.....

 

[Loneranger]

How does a smaller generator use more fuel than a larger one on a larger vessel? I'm suggesting running the generator during cruising. If you cruise for an hour with the gennny under a load, it will use maybe .5 gallons. Cheap insurance for not having to replace an impeller or getting water forced into cylinders. How is noise a factor when you are cruising? Certainly not a factor In my book. Also, Don't run the generator at less than ideal load...... Use it for its intended purpose. When you get to your destination, then you can turn it off.....

0.5 gallons from a 70 gallon tank versus 0.5 gallons from a 400 gallon tank is a much different percentage. Maybe not much if you are not running very far but clearly a different percentage. Although I suppose a larger boat has a larger gen-set that may burn more than 0.5 gallon of fuel. Still this probably does not matter too much either way.

The gen-set on my boat does add to the noise level even when cruising - different environment. (I am currently in the process of systematically quietening the boat and the gen-set is much quieter now than 2 years ago, so it may not be an issue for me anymore either.)

On my boat when I am cruising I have no AC loads in use. The biggest one is the Air conditioner and next is galley appliances - microwave and cooktop. So if I used the gen-set while underway it would be idle.

This said, I do use my gen-set some when cruising. If I have more than myself on board and one of us is using the AC or cooking then sure I use the gen-set.

 

[cod]

0.5 gallons from a 70 gallon tank versus 0.5 gallons from a 400 gallon tank is a much different percentage. Maybe not much if you are not running very far but clearly a different percentage. Although I suppose a larger boat has a larger gen-set that may burn more than 0.5 gallon of fuel. Still this probably does not matter too much either way.

We can agree to disagree but percentages mean nothing in regards to the real issue. If it cost you $2.25/ hr of running for you, maybe it wil cost me $3.00 whats the difference? Like I said small price for insurance. I,along with a friend both had water intrusion into the cylinders due to not running genny while cruising. This was with a previous boat. After that, I always ran the genny and never had a problem again. A/C alone is enough load on the genny. I would think the regrig. is 110 volt also. Just my 2 cents.

 

[reelnauti]

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. While I am pretty sure that I never started the gen with the seacock closed, I do believe that I may have burned up the impeller when running with the gen on, as someone above suggested, that it can lose its prime. The gen had shut down while I was runnng and that is when my problems began.

From this thread I am going to assume that running with the seacock open and the gen off is ok, but I should avoid running with the gen on as it may lose its prime again. I do wonder if this problem is unique to the 2010/2011 370 (2009 350) boat.

I have a mushroom thru hull. The reason I asked about a remote control is I either want to leave the seacock open or control remotely. Going in and out of the bilge is no fun for sure. Other thoughts or experiences apprecitated.

 

[LTD.330]

Why do they use mushroom thru-hull fittings instead of scoops?

If the excuse is offered that scoop fittings may damage the genny through some type of water ingestion, then I would argue that the engineers of the genny should be fired for piss-poor engineering.

If you are running on plane and running the genny, then scoops would prevent the water pump from losing prime. Conversely, running on plane with the genny running with a mushroom thru-hull has the potential (though small) for the water pump to attempt to pull a vaccuum and lose prime.

If the impeller is healthy, then the water pump on the genny shouldn't have any problems sucking in water while on plane.