On Wed, 14 May 2008 16:54:15 -0700, Gordon <gazuum@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>dougking888@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
>> Gordon wrote:
>>> I just had a 27' sailboat survey for insurance purposes and ran
into
>>> some problems.
>>> Number 1. The propane tank along with its associated plumbing and
>>> solenoid valve sit in the anchor locker forward. This locker is vented
>>> at the bottom thru the hull above the water line which also acts as
the
>>> water drain.
>>
>> Sounds like a kludge, but it may be more space-efficient to only build
>> one water/va**** tight compartment and use it for both.
>>
>>
>>> ... The running light wiring runs to a terminal strip at the
>>> top of the locker. The surveyor says this is a no no, that no
electrical
>>> wiring can be in this locker! In that case, how can they justify the
>>> solenoid being in there?
>>
>> Because the solenoid is (or darn well better be) a non-sparking type.
>> It is inside the compartment so that it can shut off propane *before*
>> it gets outside that compartment and into the rest of the boat.
>>
>> If the solenoid doesn't say 'spark free' or 'marine rated' or
>> something like that, replace that too even if the surveyor didn't
>> recommend it.
>>
>> As for the contact strip- that's shouldn't be used in running light
>> wiring... shouldn't be installed in a place guaranteed to get wet if
>> not immersed... and could make a spark if contacted while live. It
>> should be easy to replace the running light wires, without a contact
>> strip in line.
>>
>> As for "no wires in the propane locker" I don't think the ABYC
>> recommendation is that strict. It's a good idea to not have any wires
>> not specifically needed, like the solenoid wiring. But if there is
>> absolutely no possible conceivable way to run the wires to the running
>> lights without going thru the anchor/propane locker, then call the
>> ABYC and ask for an interpretation of their standard.
>>
>>
>>> Second problem. This boat was converted from a diesel inboard to a
>>> Honda outboard. The diesel tank was fitted and vented for gas usage.
>>
>> That was a bad idea too, for several reasons.
>>
>>> There is no bilge to speak of in this boat, but the surveyor says the
>>> boat needs a bilge blower because of the gas tank!
>>
>> And he's right.
>> Some alternatives: replace the diesel... use an external gas tank,
>> kept in the cockpit or aft deck or some place NOT inside the hull;
>> that way you can use the former diesel fuel tank for something else.
>>
>> Gordon don't take this wrong, but I hope you didn't pay a lot for this
>> boat. It sounds like it was owned & maintained by one of those
>> "independent thinkers" who are often a danger to themselves.
>>
>>
>> "Roger Long" wrote:
>>> He's right on both counts.
>>>
>>
>> Thanks Roger.... oh wait, you meant the surveyor ;)
>>
>>> The solonoid is probably designed to operated in an explosive
environment.
>>> All that terminal strip needs is contact with a metalic object, like a
tin
>>> foil hat, to make your boat a big fat statistic.
>>>
>>
>> What do you think of running wires.... properly mounted & protected of
>> course... thru the propane locker?
>>
>>> .... You can have this stuff fixed before the insurance company
>>> even replies. What kind of risk do you think it's going to make them
think
>>> you are if you bother them trying to argue against a surveyor's
>>> recommendations? I wouldn't be surprised if they just canceled you
instead
>>> of wasting their time.
>>>
>>
>> Excellent point.
>>
>> Besides, it will be a lot more profitable in the long run to continue
>> going over the boat with a fine-toothed comb to find all the little
>> problems that the surveyor missed! And this isn't intended as an
>> insult, it is impossible to catch every single thing on even a small
>> boat.
>>
>> Fresh Breezes- Doug Kin
>
> Update on the survey
> Wires in the propane locker were butt spliced and sealed with
silicone.
>
> Blower in the gas tank compartment
> Not necessary because, as this is an outboard engine, the ignition
>source is gone. And to add a blower would be adding an ignition source!
> Gordon
Incorrect. The exemption for an outboard would be for a ****table tank that
is
not in a confined space. You have a permanently installed tank. The blower
would
NOT add an ignition source, and the blower would be designed and built
specifically for safe operation in an explosive atmosphere.
|
