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CanberraOceanRacingClub / namadgi3

Maintenance management system for Namadgi 3
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Diesel fuel bladder to extend cruising range -- stowage and SOP #653

Closed smr547 closed 1 year ago

smr547 commented 1 year ago

A lot of work has been done on this by @mrmrmartin. I'll capture the email trail in comments at a later time.

smr547 commented 1 year ago

Hi @mrmrmartin -- can we please discuss commissioning of the bladder (i.e. filling it for the first time)? Some thoughts:

Only when testing has been completed should the bladder be filled to capacity.

smr547 commented 1 year ago

Hi @mrmrmartin and @Christopher-w-green. I've had some further thoughts on commissioning the bladder.

I think we should initially test the bladder by filling it with AIR, and NOT diesel fuel. I recommend:

  1. Fitting the cap to refilling spout (or whatever amended refilling pipe is fitted)
  2. Fit the dinghy inflation pump to the outlet tube of the bladder (thanks Chris for this idea!)
  3. Open the outlet valve
  4. Pump the bladder full of air with the foot pump
  5. Close the outlet valve -- the bladder should remain inflated
  6. Place some weights on the top of the inflated bladder to further compress the air inside

With this done...

  1. check the fittings for air leaks by listening and applying soapy water to the joints
  2. check their is not outflow from the ball valve
  3. leave the inflated bladder overnight to ensure that no air is lost

Only when this test passes should a test with diesel fuel (see my previous comment) be considered.

smr547 commented 1 year ago

Hi @Christopher-w-green

When we first test the bladder with diesel (Sydney, next week) it could leak from one or more of the fittings -- a situation that will required the bladder to be completely emptied prior to repair. We need spare capacity in the fuel tank (and/or the gerry cans) to accept the fuel from the bladder.

Could you please consider NOT refuelling in Shellharbour and, instead, run down the fuel in the main tank. The aim would be to arrive in Sydney with minimum fuel in the tank. There is a reserve of fuel in the Gerry cans on board (80L I think). That could be transferred to the main tank if required (leaving one or more cans empty).

You will want to avoid running out of fuel during normal operation of the engine. The faulty fuel gauge is not helpful in this regard.

kind regards Steven

cc @mrmrmartin

Christopher-w-green commented 1 year ago

Ok. Not having to use the motor much. About an hour yesterday.

Got a missed call on the tablet yesterday. So that was you, then.

Chris

On Wed, 4 Jan 2023, 6:24 AM Steven Ring @.***> wrote:

Hi @Christopher-w-green https://github.com/Christopher-w-green

When we first test the bladder with diesel (Sydney, next week) it could leak from one or more of the fittings -- a situation that will required the bladder to be completely emptied prior to repair. We need spare capacity in the fuel tank (and/or the gerry cans) to accept the fuel from the bladder.

Could you please consider NOT refuelling in Shellharbour and, instead, run down the fuel in the main tank. The aim would be to arrive in Sydney with minimum fuel in the tank. There is a reserve of fuel in the Gerry cans on board (80L I think). That could be transferred to the main tank if required (leaving one or more cans empty).

You will want to avoid running out of fuel during normal operation of the engine. The faulty fuel gauge is not helpful in this regard.

kind regards Steven

cc @mrmrmartin https://github.com/mrmrmartin

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/CanberraOceanRacingClub/namadgi3/issues/653#issuecomment-1370141637, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/A3IYXTAHFNOKWHZB7F2TRTLWQR4GDANCNFSM6AAAAAATGFS5ZU . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

smr547 commented 1 year ago

Hi Michael,

I've arranged for Ivan Tesvic to come to Trilogy on Monday afternoon to help with the fuel bladder. Ivan is Diesel mechanic with long experience in navy submarines. He can help with any remaining issues. Or, if everything is sorted, give it the final tick of approval.

His contact details are

ivantesvicmarine@gmail.com 0418 462 646

@pauljones17 and @Christopher-w-green will be interested. @mrmrmartin

smr547 commented 1 year ago

@mrmrmartin reports that the bladder has been tested overnight with air -- no leaks. Today the bladder was tested with diesel with no leaks

This is a great outcome -- well done Michael. Closing this issue