FPB 78 Systems Update: June 15, 2015

FPB 78 details June15 2015206

Some of the hardest details to get right are alternator brackets. It is a question of drive belt, alignment, and structure. And these 7kW DC alternators – which can consume as much as 20 HP – are the most difficult of all.

FPB 78 details June15 2015207

The heavy steel brackets might look excessive, but they are a necessity if you expect reliable operation over time.

FPB 78 details June15 2015201

Looking here at the hot water heaters. The upper is electric and heated by the Webasto diesel boiler, and the lower (barely shown) is boiler only. Allowance has been made for R and R of the cal rod of the upper heater.

FPB 78 details June15 2015203

The lower portion of the heater tank rack. The bilge pump (black, left) is for the lazarette. The grey expansion tank is for the heating system.

FPB 78 details June15 2015204

There are two of these accumulator tanks as part of the stabilizer system, one for each actuator.

FPB 78 details June15 2015200

Staying with the tank theme, these are custom roto-molded grey and black water tanks, about eighty gallons each. There are a pair in the engine room and another set in the forepeak (slightly smaller at 65 gallons). They are above the waterline and empty via gravity, or a vacuum fitting on deck if a shore pump out is available.

FPB 78 details June15 2015202

The start of the auxiliary salt water supply in the engine room. This manifold will feed fridge and air con compressors, water maker, and wash down pumps. Only the latter is self-priming. There is a constant upward slope to help clear air.

FPB 78 details June15 2015205

Finally, a pair of stabilizer coffer dam lids. There is a small visual inspection port, then a hinged lid for basic maintenance. Should the actuator mechanism need removing, the entire lid unbolts.


Posted by Steve Dashew  (June 15, 2015)




15 Responses to “FPB 78 Systems Update: June 15, 2015”

  1. wolf Says:

    You show salt water supply plumbing for fridge and air con compressors – did you move away from cooling via hull tanks, and why?


  2. Virgulino Says:

    Salt water for fridge and air con? That is a big departure from the past. Why the change? Capacity? And what happened to the Lugger?


  3. Steve Dashew Says:

    Wolf and Virgulino:
    Re the change back to salt water cooling with the FPB 78 for fridge and air conditioning, there aremany tradeoffs involved. All things considered, including efficiency, tanakage allocation, and maintenance, this suits or goals with the FPB 78s the best. The switch from Lugger to Deere for drive line propulsion was several years ago. In the HP range we are at the Deere offerings were better suited to our needs.


  4. Gene LeBeau Says:

    In a word —– Meticulous!


  5. Graham Says:

    Hi Steve, looking forward to see your 78 launch. Curious as to why you have not considered stand alone Mecce alternators as opposed to the beefed up brackets needed for your Electrodyn’s ? Also glad to see Scania engines in the mix for FPB 130 – Their concept with individual cylinder heads is superior, right down to the 220hp, so might we see these engines in FPB 64 in the future ?


  6. Steve Dashew Says:

    Hi Grahahm:
    We arenot familiar with the Mecce alternators. More info would be appreciated.


  7. Chris L. Says:

    Steve,

    Link to Mecc Alte S.p.A. alternators: http://www.meccalte.com/


  8. Graham Says:

    Steve here is the link for Mecc Synchronous alternators. http://www.meccalte.com/index.php?s=17

    It would need a pulley from one motor to run, and as it is separate from the engine, it might have some advantages.


  9. Steve Dashew Says:

    Interesting prodct, Graham:
    We are getting specs and drawings, and will advise if we find a use for them.


  10. Jono Frankfort Says:

    Steve,
    Any thought given to a keel cooler for the ancillary cooling circuits, thereby keeping them free from the issues associated with salt water circuitry?
    Best,
    Jono


  11. Steve Dashew Says:

    Hi Jono:
    We have made and make use of integral coolers. But as we want a wet exhaust, might as well cool the engine with the raw water feed.


  12. Rene A Says:

    Can you explain why you have 2 hot water tanks? Couldn’t all the sources, electrix, engine, boiler – be fed to one tank?

    In a future post can you post details of the dingy launch system? I would love to see a video of the dingy launch.


  13. Steve Dashew Says:

    Hi Rene:
    One hot water heater works only off the boiler (Webasto) and its volume is required by the boiler circuit. The second adds hot water capacity, can add load to the genset if necessary, and works on shorepower as well as with the boiler.


  14. John Poparad Says:

    http://www.seaspeed.co.uk/news/wave-foil-developments

    This is a bit off topic here so please move it where it fits better.

    I don’t think this approach is applicable to a wave piercer but it is interesting.


  15. Steve Dashew Says:

    It will be interesting to see where this leads.