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Main Message Board / Re: Glow Plug Question
« on: September 26, 2020, 01:47:29 PM »Question to those who have made the solenoid conversion. Have you burned out any glow plugs since doing the mod?
No, maybe 20 years ago, at least 15.
- September 28, 2020, 07:03:36 PM
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No, maybe 20 years ago, at least 15.
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Main Message Board / Re: M25XP Stall out after 10 mins of smooth run
« on: September 25, 2020, 12:03:50 PM »
hr,
Very good description of your issues. I had pretty much the same problem, which is what prompted me to write the check valve post. I also just submitted an article for a tech note expanding on that, because I did what you've done, although without new fuel hoses and I didn't have a screen in my tank either (thank those POs, and the idea to mark the tank saying it had been removed is always helpful!).
One test I did was bypassing the Racor, so tank>fuel pump>jerry can, which proved the Racor was the culprit and how I found the check valve. The other one I did AFTER I cleaned the check valve, was tank>Racor>fuel pump>secondary filter WITH THE BLEED SCREW REMOVED. This proved at least I was getting fuel that far.
I understand your frustration. I think you're on the right track. I would continue to concentrate on "sectionalizing" each bit of the system. You could use your new hoses to bypass the existing hoses completely and see what happens, before you install them all.
I have to go to an appointment now, will think some more about this. Good luck.
Very good description of your issues. I had pretty much the same problem, which is what prompted me to write the check valve post. I also just submitted an article for a tech note expanding on that, because I did what you've done, although without new fuel hoses and I didn't have a screen in my tank either (thank those POs, and the idea to mark the tank saying it had been removed is always helpful!).
One test I did was bypassing the Racor, so tank>fuel pump>jerry can, which proved the Racor was the culprit and how I found the check valve. The other one I did AFTER I cleaned the check valve, was tank>Racor>fuel pump>secondary filter WITH THE BLEED SCREW REMOVED. This proved at least I was getting fuel that far.
I understand your frustration. I think you're on the right track. I would continue to concentrate on "sectionalizing" each bit of the system. You could use your new hoses to bypass the existing hoses completely and see what happens, before you install them all.
I have to go to an appointment now, will think some more about this. Good luck.
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Main Message Board / Re: Glow Plug Question
« on: September 24, 2020, 08:53:36 PM »
Ron, thanks for explaining a couple of other good reasons it wouldn't hurt to shorten the glow plug time. I know, I know, it was so completely wrong of me to be an imprudent skipper to even think of getting myself in the way of racing sailboats on SF Bay, who woulda thunk? 
I'm so irresponsible... 
I'm so irresponsible...
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Main Message Board / Re: Should I document
« on: September 24, 2020, 04:09:58 PM »The boat I bought is documented as well as titled and registered with the state. They want $448.00 for me to document the boat in my name and I think $78.00 a year to renew. Is there value there that I am just not seeing?
The $448 is a SCAM and has been documented (pi!) on this site and most other boating forums.
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,9383.0.html
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Main Message Board / Re: Glow Plug Question
« on: September 24, 2020, 09:38:31 AM »...................................
One more thing I was wondering about, when I start the motor(after glow plug warm up) I hold both the glow plug button and the starter button until the motor fires, does anybody release the glow plug button first then push the starter button?
Earliest input has always been to release the glow plug button before the start button. Why? Because the plugs have already heated the chambers; no need to have simultaneous draws on the battery.
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Main Message Board / Re: Glow Plug Question
« on: September 23, 2020, 10:30:25 AM »>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Yours may just last forever cuz you haven’t drunk the Koolaid re: the stupid glow plug relay mod!
Ken
(I couldn’t resist given that opportunity)
Kevin, sometimes Ken just can't help himself. That'd be most of the time. He tends to uselessly repeat himself, too, and too often.
It's your CHOICE to install the glow plug solenoid. The advantage is that you can start a cold engine in half the time. Ken thinks that's unnecessary, and has explained why maybe once before, followed by his repeated dissing of the concept.
The only disadvantage I can recall is that one could possibly burn out the glow plugs if, WITH a solenoid installed, you keep them energized too long, because the voltage that gets to them is higher because the current doesn't have to run up to the cockpit panel and back down to the engine.
But that would mean that YOU, as the boat owner, just plumb forgot (!!!) that you actually installed the solenoid. How could that be?!?
In response to one of Ken's earlier solenoid diss comments, I related my actual real life experience where it came in very handy:
We'd sailed across SF Bay from the Oakland Estuary to Sausalito, and by then our engine was cold. Sausalito has Hurricane Gulch, with high winds over a break in the hills to the west, but also, just to the north of it, a band of light breeze. We were right at that point, furling our jib and dropping our main. There was a Big Boat Race going on, and there was a large group of large sailboats bearing down on us from the north and east - one of their turning marks was a since removed yellow buoy off Hurricane Gulch.
When we tried to start the engine, nothing happened. I knew exactly what it was, because ten years earlier I had replaced the start button to starter solenoid fuse holder, and had since relocated it to a more accessible spot (see Critical Upgrades). I hopped down below, opened the engine compartment and messed with the fuse holder, and asked Morgan to try to start the engine. It turned over this time, but didn't start because it was cold. By then those large racing sailboats were bearing down on us, having slid out of the dead zone and hit the breeze. We could see the bones in their teeth, a few heading right for us.
I told Morgan to hit the glow plug button for 12-15 seconds, and then the engine started right up. And we motored out of their way, close call.
Do I mind being able to start my engine faster? No.
Do I need it all the time? No.
Do I appreciate having it. You betcha.
We all recognize the help Ken's given us over the years and applaud him for that assistance. But sometimes his rants get tiresome. Perhaps he should have resisted. Sometimes those few seconds can be a real help, in the real world.
Look, it's Your Boat, your choice
, to install one or not. Always has been, always will be. But faster starting can sometimes be necessary, and eliminating the power run up to the cockpit panel can't hurt.Plus, I used to like KoolAid.
:D:D7
Main Message Board / Re: Posting Photos to This Board Made EASY
« on: September 21, 2020, 10:41:44 AM »
In another thread (subject of topic not necessary), Eric posted:
Does anybody know how to reduce photo sizes on a phone?
I take my phone photos and put them on my computer.
Any way to do it right on the phone?
....................
Stu, thanks for the info regarding the shrinking of pictures, I've looked into that in the past but still haven't gotten the hang of it yet. Every picture is on my Galaxy phone and it seems to be quite the process to reduce them. I'll keep working on it though, thanks for the help.
Does anybody know how to reduce photo sizes on a phone?
I take my phone photos and put them on my computer.
Any way to do it right on the phone?
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Main Message Board / Re: Replacing Dead lights
« on: September 16, 2020, 09:36:07 AM »>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
I haven't figured out how to post pictures yet, the darn things are just too big, ...............
Thanks for the helpful post.
This may help with your pictures:
Posting and RESIZING Photos 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3701.0.html
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Main Message Board / Re: Engine running cool
« on: September 16, 2020, 09:33:06 AM »
I agree with Ken, what valve? You need to assure that if there is a valve, it doesn't stop the water from getting back to the engine, because the heater is in the loop for the freshwater coolant.
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Main Message Board / Re: mkII ignition key switch and engine hours meter
« on: September 16, 2020, 09:30:23 AM »>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Still need to replace the pedestal voltmeter. Catalina Direct has what appears to be a drop-in replacement https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-380390/electrical/engine-instrument-voltmeter/
Anyone replaced the pedestal voltmeter on a 2000-era Cat34MKii?
Thanks for the update. Intermittent anything electrical is 99% usually a connection, most likely the tach on the back of the alternator, although you didn't mention just what and where.
While I "only" have a Mark I, I replaced my voltmeter eons ago in my cockpit panel, forget where I got it. MY PO had already upgraded from the ammeter, although you don't have that issue. I would find out what instrument CD sells and do some comparastive shopping before pulling the trigger. Good luck.
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Main Message Board / Re: Chasing m25xp smoke
« on: September 15, 2020, 11:08:23 AM »>>>>>>>>>>>
If your anode takes the following wrench, it tales the corresponding anode:
7/16" wrench (see #1)
11/16" wrench (see #2)
9/16" wrench (see #3)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Good summary. However, I have found that my 11/16" nut can take two different sized zincs, a fat one and a skinny one. Guess one size fits all doesn't necessarily apply. I switched to a 3 inch HX years ago on my M25. I use the skinny ones because I found that the fat ones, as they start disintegrating (as they should), are harder to remove from the hole.
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Main Message Board / Re: Fuel gauge calibration
« on: September 14, 2020, 03:21:54 PM »
Or to just use fuel consumption. I haven't had a working fuel gauge in over 20 years. Golly, somehow I've survived...
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Main Message Board / Re: Chasing m25xp smoke
« on: September 14, 2020, 03:20:34 PM »
When I got both of my new 3 inch HXs, I took off the end caps to see what zincs would fit it, so I KNEW. (In an earlier thread I discussed that I needed a second one because the bracket rubbed the first one and penetrated the shell. My thread is in the 101 Topics under Good Guys - Sendure.)
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Main Message Board / Re: Chasing m25xp smoke
« on: September 14, 2020, 09:19:07 AM »In regards to changing the HX zinc a couple times a year I'm sure it's a bit overkill. The one I remove likely has a lot of life left in it but the replacement zincs that screw into the cap are cheap enough I like to just stay ahead of it and not risk losing one into the hx. I'm still trying to get used to maintenance schedules out in the saltwater vs when I was on the fresh side of the locks down in Seattle. Growth and saltwater seem to create some increased maintenance.
Good points. Things DO change when you move your boat, even in saltwater to saltwater. I used to have to change my zincs 4 times a year in California, same marina, same slip for 18 years, but the boats around me, except for my next door neighbor to starboard, changed regularly. Once I moved here to BC, I have found 2 times a year works fine, same slip for 4+ years, neighbors change even more often, and the electrical "system" at my marina is kinda a joke.
Just keep checking them and you'll find out what "your" schedule needs to be.
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Main Message Board / Re: Below Deck Autopilot C34 Mk2
« on: September 12, 2020, 12:08:23 PM »
Sorry, I forgot that article, thanks.
No I haven't heard of anyone replacing the blower, or even the hoses. Since I have been in cool waters in San Francisco, and even cooler ones here in BC, I have never used my blower.
Perhaps some of our skippers who sail in warmer climes might be of assistance.
PHOTOS: Posting and RESIZING Photos 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3701.0.html
You can go back to your original post, under modify, and add them.
No I haven't heard of anyone replacing the blower, or even the hoses. Since I have been in cool waters in San Francisco, and even cooler ones here in BC, I have never used my blower.
Perhaps some of our skippers who sail in warmer climes might be of assistance.
PHOTOS: Posting and RESIZING Photos 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3701.0.html
You can go back to your original post, under modify, and add them.