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  1. K

    Volvo diesel engine problem

    My boat has a Volvo Penta MD2040 engine. Starts Ok but after running about 30 minutes revs start to fluctuate a couple thousand revs (1800-1600 rpm). After about an hour it can't run at low revs and stalls at idle (sometimes the warning alarm goes off when that happens). Engine heat normal...
  2. K

    3 battery isolator

    My boat has a Volvo Penta MD2020 inboard engine. It has one 12v alternator (60A Max) with a 2 battery isolator (see attachment) charging 2 battery banks (starter + house). I want to replace it with a new 3 battery isolator so I will have 3 battery banks (starter + 2 house circuits). Are there...
  3. K

    shore power charger + isolator

    I want to use a 2 battery isolator with my shore power charger so that two 12 volt different amp-hours batteries can be charged simultaneously. Will that work? That way won?t have to buy a second charger. Opinions?
  4. K

    Water pump makes lights flicker

    My Johnson WPS 3.6 water pump has always caused the "house" boat lights to flicker when it pulses. I did some rewiring and it got worse. I'm thinking of running a 10 gauge cable directly from the battery to the pump to power it exclusively. Any thoughts that could help with this? What about...
  5. K

    12 Volt air compressor

    I would like to use a 12 volt air compressor to help winterize my boat's plumbing system by blowing out the pipes before putting in non-toxic anti-freeze - no AC available. Can anyone comment on that idea and maybe recommend an inexpensive compressor, like one that's used to pump up car tires?
  6. K

    Change from LPG fridge to electric

    We currently have an LPG fridge on our boat, which we would like to change to an electric. I would appreciate any wizardly comments about my calculations and design. (Consider that we use the boat only during summer months, and we spend 2-3 days “in the wild” where we don’t have access to...
  7. K

    Bilge pump drain back

    I have a shower drain sump that has a float switch and an 1100 gph impeller bilge pump. The sump is about 2-3 ft below the in-hull outlet fitting and there's about a 7-8 ft run of 1-1/8" hose between the pump and the in-hull fitting. My question is whether I could reduce backflow to the pump...
  8. K

    trolling motor used as bow thruster?

    Has anyone used a trolling motor to work as a bow thruster? We have a 38 ft LOA/12 ft beam fiberglass live-aboard in France designed to cruise canals. The problem is that the boat has no bow thruster, which makes it difficult to negotiate locks and docks. The way she?s designed it would be...
  9. K

    Bilge pumps & freezing weather

    Hi - my first post to this forum.... I have to store my fiberglass boat in the water during winter where it must survive occasional freezing conditions. I have little or no opportunity to check on its condition during the winter and worry about whether the bilge may be taking on water. I have...
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