On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 23:29:44 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes
wrote:

I know a one-cylinder Volvo can be hand started, by a reliable
witness.
=========================

I have hand started both 1 and 2 cylinder Volvo diesels. It is not
difficult. They have large flywheels which tends to make it easier
than some other engines.

On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 23:29:44 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes
wrote:



I know a one-cylinder Volvo can be hand started, by a reliable
witness.

Apparently only by a 75-year-old Swede - not by a 40-year-old Canadian
:-)



--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
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In article ,
"Roger Long" wrote:

Calder points out how battery life is increased by minimizing
discharge level. No matter how many batteries you have in the boat,
you'll get maximum life by putting them in one bank. Keeping a
starting battery isolated and in reserve is obviously a necessary
compromise for most craft. However, with a 20 hp diesel, modest
starting loads, and the ability to hand start, I'm thinking that the
simplicity of a one bank system might make sense for a daysailing,
short cruise boat, that is docked with shore power. If the batteries
did get run down away from home, I'd be willing to hand start in
penance.

The key question is whether a two cylinder diesel like a 20 hp Yanmar
2QM can really be hand started or if it is an "only when your life
absolutely depends on it" kind of operation. I don't have much
experience with engines under 200 HP so I'd appreciate the benefit of
actual experience.

We have a fairly recent 2GM20F. No provision for hand-starting.

But a single bank is feasible, at least on the Chesapeake during the
season, with the addition of a small solar cell. Ours is 12w. On last
year's cruise, the battery was dead flat one morning. Switched
everything off but the solar cell and we could start by mid-morning.
Since it tops things off between weekends, we only need to use the
engine for motive power. Have never had healthier batteries; the one I
expected to replace was rejuvenated.

Eventually, we will have a dedicated engine battery with absolutely the
shortest possible leads. House bank will normally be isolated by a
simple on/off switch, the cell keeping it healthy. Won't be able to fry
the alternator by tossing a switch.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

"Jere Lull" wrote in message
...
But a single bank is feasible, at least on the Chesapeake during the
season, with the addition of a small solar cell. Ours is 12w. On last
year's cruise, the battery was dead flat one morning. Switched
everything off but the solar cell and we could start by mid-morning.
Since it tops things off between weekends, we only need to use the
engine for motive power. Have never had healthier batteries; the one I
expected to replace was rejuvenated.

It is this premise on which I'm making the move to solar and wind as my
(nearly - the engine has a small-by-large-frame-standards alternator, and
I'll have a briefcase Honda genset in the Laz for shore duty) only charging
sources.

Barring some unforeseen catastrophe, our batteries should last a *very* long
time, as they'll be topped up continuously, gently, and the everyday power
usages will mostly be covered by current (pardon the expression) input.
FWIW, 6 L16HC are on the list...

We, too, will have an extremely short run from the starter to batteries.
Browse around
http://www.dv-fansler.com/FTP%20File...r%20System.pdf
this and the site from which it came for some pretty good electrical
discussion.

L8R

Skip, about to go back and start that part of the refit

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig
http://tinyurl.com/384p2

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Roger Long wrote:
Calder points out how battery life is increased by minimizing
discharge level. No matter how many batteries you have in the boat,
you'll get maximum life by putting them in one bank. Keeping a
starting battery isolated and in reserve is obviously a necessary
compromise for most craft. However, with a 20 hp diesel, modest
starting loads, and the ability to hand start, I'm thinking that the
simplicity of a one bank system might make sense for a daysailing,
short cruise boat, that is docked with shore power. If the batteries
did get run down away from home, I'd be willing to hand start in
penance.

The key question is whether a two cylinder diesel like a 20 hp Yanmar
2QM can really be hand started or if it is an "only when your life
absolutely depends on it" kind of operation. I don't have much
experience with engines under 200 HP so I'd appreciate the benefit of
actual experience.

Only if your life depends on it is about right. I've seen somebody
hand start a 1 cylinder YSM Yanmar and it wasn't pretty. Those ones
have a huge flywheel.

How about using one of those little portable "booster batteries" that
basically provide a jump start to a mostly discharged battery? They
are only about 15 lbs and pretty compact.

They might not start a 2QM without another house battery providing
some current but I bet they would start it with a depleted house bank.

Evan Gatehouse

In article , _NOSPAM
says...


How about using one of those little portable "booster batteries" that
basically provide a jump start to a mostly discharged battery? They
are only about 15 lbs and pretty compact.

When your battery goes flat and you call Boat US an orange booster pack is
what they arrive with. But my own experience with a diesel car on a very
cold morning is that the boosters don't have enough oomph to start any
diesel anytime though they seem to get the job done on 35HP diesels at
summer temperatures.

The consensus from the owner's forum for my boat on emergency starting
a 2 cylinder Yanmar seems to be this:

For emergency starting with dead batteries, carry one of the following
on board. A Westmarine emergency battery pack or an NFL linebacker
properly trained and housebroken.

--

Roger Long

Roger Long wrote:
The consensus from the owner's forum for my boat on emergency starting
a 2 cylinder Yanmar seems to be this:

For emergency starting with dead batteries, carry one of the following
on board. A Westmarine emergency battery pack or an NFL linebacker
properly trained and housebroken.

So why not just carry a two batteries instead of the emergency pack?
You can get AGM starters from an auto shop at about $100. With the
low self discharge you can jut keep one in reserve for the weekend.

Here are some spring wound diesel starters for small to BIG diesels!
http://62.73.167.82/

--


Keith
__
"A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything
real on real issues."- Theodore Roosevelt
"Jeff" wrote in message
news
Roger Long wrote:
The consensus from the owner's forum for my boat on emergency starting a
2 cylinder Yanmar seems to be this:

For emergency starting with dead batteries, carry one of the following on
board. A Westmarine emergency battery pack or an NFL linebacker properly
trained and housebroken.

So why not just carry a two batteries instead of the emergency pack? You
can get AGM starters from an auto shop at about $100. With the low self
discharge you can jut keep one in reserve for the weekend.

But the NFL Linebacker you can use as a grinder on windy days.

I agree with carrying two batteries. Go to west marine and buy a battery
combiner. With one of these you can keep the spare battery fresh and fully
charged. When the starting battery dies move the spare into full time duty
and buy a new spare.

"Keith" wrote in message
news
Here are some spring wound diesel starters for small to BIG diesels!
http://62.73.167.82/

--


Keith
__
"A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything
real on real issues."- Theodore Roosevelt
"Jeff" wrote in message
news
Roger Long wrote:
The consensus from the owner's forum for my boat on emergency starting a
2 cylinder Yanmar seems to be this:

For emergency starting with dead batteries, carry one of the following
on board. A Westmarine emergency battery pack or an NFL linebacker
properly trained and housebroken.

So why not just carry a two batteries instead of the emergency pack? You
can get AGM starters from an auto shop at about $100. With the low self
discharge you can jut keep one in reserve for the weekend.