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This is my first
diesel-powered boat, and I understand I should pay special attention to
the engine’s exhaust elbows when doing routine engine checks and
maintenance. Why? R.R., via e-mail
After exhaust
leaves the combustion chamber and passes into the exhaust manifold, which
is usually water-cooled, it passes to the elbow. It’s elevated and
shaped like a reverse sink trap to ensure that water cannot make its way
back into the engine and cylinders. If this happens, the result is hydro-lock:
Because water does not compress, the pistons will be unable to move, possibly
resulting in bent connecting rods or worse.
There are two basic
reasons to keep a close eye on this part of your engine. The first is
that because it is located so close to the exhaust manifold and not water-cooled,
the exhaust elbow is one of the hottest places in the exhaust system.
The other is that although salt water is injected here, there is no sacrificial
zinc to protect it. Hence this is the spot with the highest potential
for corrosion and usually the first part that needs to be replaced.
I am thinking of
installing a 1,200-watt power inverter on my 35-foot boat. I have an old
shore-power cord I’d like to cut down and plug the male end directly
into the inverter and the other end into a shore-power outlet. Will this
damage anything? C.E., via e-mail
This is not
a good idea. Doing so violates numerous electrical safety codes, both
for onboard and on shore, and might place you in danger of electrocution.
Second, it may not provide
proper neutral-ground bonding. Neutral-to-ground bonding must be at only
one point—the shore-power source when plugged into shore power or
the onboard electrical system when operating independently. This is a
safety feature that should be built into all craft using shore power.
Then, of course, the
day will come when you plug into shore power without unplugging the inverter.
If you’re lucky, a fuse or breaker will blow before the shore power
supply does; if you’re not, the inverter will go up in smoke.
The long and short of
this is, get a certified electrical installation technician or engineer
to correctly hardwire your inverter to the shipboard supply. If you want
more information on this or related inverter matters, check out the Xantrex
Web site at www.xantrex.com.
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