Smiths paddlewheel fouling
 

Hi, I have a new Smiths log on my yacht. It has a paddlewheel circular
in shape with four vanes on it and a couple of rod magnets. The
clearence between the wheel and casing is very small and after a day
or two, stops working due to weed and/or sealife. I've tried
antifouling and grease on it but it is stopped from working very
easily. I have been thinking of cutting it down so its smaller with
more clearance but does anyone have this problem and can it be solved?
Thanks
GP

Smiths paddlewheel fouling
 

I've tried
antifouling and grease on it but it is stopped from working very
easily. I have been thinking of cutting it down so its smaller with
more clearance BRBR


I have an EMS knot meter that also has vanes with magnets attached. Fouling is
always a problem. I've been using ordinary zinc oxide from the drug store and
that keeps the fouling down to a minimum. Seems to last about a month during
the heaviest growth months on the Chesapeake. I would not recommend cutting
the blades to increase clearance as that would probably result in inaccurate
readings.

Smiths paddlewheel fouling
 

I apply Desitin "antibacterial baby diaper cream" - lasts a few weeks.
BRBR
Desitin and ordinary zinc oxide are about the same things, only you'll pay a
lot more for a tiny tube of Desitin than a big and cheap tube of zince oxide.
But, in the end, use whatever works best for you.

Smiths paddlewheel fouling
 

On 19 Aug 2003 17:14:41 -0700, (gp) wrote:

Hi, I have a new Smiths log on my yacht. It has a paddlewheel circular
in shape with four vanes on it and a couple of rod magnets. The
clearence between the wheel and casing is very small and after a day
or two, stops working due to weed and/or sealife. I've tried
antifouling and grease on it but it is stopped from working very
easily. I have been thinking of cutting it down so its smaller with
more clearance but does anyone have this problem and can it be solved?
Thanks
GP

You might try fixing a patch of copper sheet close to the transducer.
That discourages critturs. Then there's the ground up chile in paint
approach....
:-)

Brian W