Gen about every couple of weeks under load for 15 or 20 minutes. Running your engines at the dock is not good for them. They need to be run under load as well or they won't reach operating temperature.
Once a month would be my suggestion. You can tie your dock lines tight and then run the engine in reverse at about 1,200 rpm. That should bring the temp up in 10-15 minutes.
Do the same with the genset. The water heater will put some load on it, but an A/C, hair dryer or toaster will put even more load when combined with the water heater if it is 5KW or more.
David
This is the same routine I use. Usually do it on a weekday so I don't agitate the neighbors.
We run everything on the boats at least once a month. That includes running the showers, flushing the toilets, running the AC. It's not just the engines and generators. How often have you gotten on your boat after it sat and had various small annoyances like toilets or AC or instrumentation with problems?
We run everything on the boats at least once a month. That includes running the showers, flushing the toilets, running the AC. It's not just the engines and generators. How often have you gotten on your boat after it sat and had various small annoyances like toilets or AC or instrumentation with problems?
When you run your generator at the dock you can extend the life of the unit by more than 35% if you will flush the raw water with fresh water before each shut down. I was told this by two technicians. One at Northern Lights and one at Fisher Panda.
I try to do the same flush on my main but it takes too much water.
When you flush, NEVER close the thru hull. Let the hose pressure dominate the water supply. Closing the thru hull during the wrong valve sequence can cause problems.
When you run your generator at the dock you can extend the life of the unit by more than 35% if you will flush the raw water with fresh water before each shut down. I was told this by two technicians. One at Northern Lights and one at Fisher Panda.
I try to do the same flush on my main but it takes too much water.
When you flush, NEVER close the thru hull. Let the hose pressure dominate the water supply. Closing the thru hull during the wrong valve sequence can cause problems.
That's a good idea, but the boat really needs to go for a short trip. A one hour cruise where everything is operating under real conditions should be good. Want the engine to run under a normal load. Same for the drive train and rudder. Want to walk around and listen for anything different while the boat is operating normally.
Ted
Maybe somewhat apples-to-different-types-of-apples, but one aviation piston engine builder recommends:
".. at least one continuous hour at oil temperatures of 165°F to 200°F at intervals not to exceed 30 days". This allows any water that may have condensed in the oil to boil/evaporate.
Source: http://www.reiffpreheat.com/Lycoming%20SL180B.pdf
Oil and coolant heaters are a waste of time IMO unless your habbits don't include 10 or 15 minute warmups ... .
Does anyone have an opinion on a pre-lube system? Although it won't help your ring/cylinder walls, it'll give you a little help on the bottom end.
Engine Pre Lube System Insta-Lube Kit
Probably the number one reason to have oil pan heaters or block heaters is to keep everything in the engine space dry(including engine internals)and free of condensation and moisture. And for that, they do the job well and are far from worthless!!! Many times there are parts that will rust into pieces before they wear out. So corrosion control is very valuable!!!...not to mention your engine space looking a lot nicer.
Above is correct but rather than letting them sit for a very long time every few months or so I always just started them briefly, 30 seconds or so after pressure came up, to get the oil circulating with no attempt to let them warm. This closes some open valves, moves piston rings to a different spot and adds some lubrication.
I run my engines and generator just long enough to check water flow. This is what I have done for years except I do it once a week if possible. It not only moves things around and puts oil on them, it exposes different valves and pistons to the atmosphere down the open exhaust pipe.
The impellers also stop, hopefully, in a new place thus reducing the chance of getting a set on them.
The very worst thing you can do is run your engines for an extended period at the dock...in gear or not.