Some of our equipment on
board is now 4 years old, although most have been only heavily used for
2 years. Over the next few years this page will detail our on board
equipment changes / modifications / failures
Note; I suggest you read the main
equipment planning pages before
reading these updates.
main equipment planning page here.
Generator.
Our
Electrolux Travel
Power generator
is not
performing as well as we had hoped, so we are looking at installing a
stand alone diesel generator.
We experienced a lot
of problems getting the Electrolux to work initially, with the 'silver
box' eventually being replaced. It ran ok for for about a year, but has
started to play up intermittently. When working we found the output to
be much less than we had expected. We also get a quickly diminishing
battery charge (through the 240c Victron battery charger), thought to be
because the alternator takes precedence, and confuses the 'intelligent'
Victron charger . And of course the engine must be running for it to
work, which adds hours to the engine.
We purchased a 2Kw
petrol suitcase (Honda look-alike) generator, but although claiming to
have a smooth power output, it failed to run the Victron Battery
charger.
We also disliked fiddling about with petrol on board and finding a
suitable dry location where it could be run was never easy.
We are now looking to
purchase a 4Kw diesel generator, water cooled installed in the engine
room. The intent is to connected the water cooling system to the main
engine water cooling skin tank. More soon, as purchasing /
installation develops.
Central Heating.
We have had some initial problems with our
Webasto
5.2Kw Thermotop 50 diesel heater.
After
6 months it would only run for approx 45 mins before shutting down. It
was repaired under warranty, but took around 4 months to fix and around
3 visits from Webasto service agent. Now running ok with no problems for
a year, but we are not using it that much, and do not think it is a very
durable piece of equipment (ok for extending the cruising season of
yachts and cruisers!!).
Water Pump.
Our Whale fresh water pump (high
capacity, 18 l/min)
failed after 2 1/2
years.
We first had a
problem with it after 18 months use, when it started to cycle on and off
a lot, this was cured with the installation of a one way valve on the
inlet side of the pump, but 12 months later it started to cycle on / off
again, and on inspection found it was dripping water from the
main body gasket.
A new pump was
installed, a Jabasco ParMax3 (13.2 litres/minute) pump, which we have
found much quieter than the Whale, and flow not significantly less
(adequate).
Highly
Recommended:-
-
Victron Multiplus (Combi
Inveter / Battery Charger)
-
Bubbles Diesel Stove
(5Kw room heater)
-
Shoreline 24v Fridge
and Freezer
-
Perkins M92 Engine
Created 21 March 2008
- Last
updated
21 March 2008