[PCW] Diesel load and related questions

[2elnav at netbistro.com]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Meader (by way of Georgs Kolesnikovs)" <jimmeader at mac.com>
> Something you always read about is diesel load, too little is bad too
> much is bad. How do you know what your load is at any given time? Is
> there a diesel load meter or gauge ?

Jim
What you are looking for is called an EGT  - Exhaust Gas thermometer
It measures the temperature of your exhaust gas.  Typically it would run 
around 700F

Murphy and ISSPRO both make after market  gauges you can  install. May turbo 
chargers and commercial engine manufolds have threaded holes   to facilitate 
installation


> If you had a variable pitch prop would it make a difference on the
> engine load? and would it be worth the cost. ?

REPLY
Jim, some designers like Michael Kasten is a big fan of CPP  drives. If your 
boat weight  changes by a considerable amount  or the loading varies like in 
a tug;  a CPP is very useful.  In canal running  it also makes a difference. 
If you do insta  la CPP you must   install EGT or you risk  overloading the 
engine  and causing damage.


>
> If you had a load gauge could you set the prop pitch to the best load
> for your situation, and would this relate to fuel economy?

Yes it does work that way.  But the changes in fuel economy  is not that 
much and you would only realize  any savings if you run the boat a lot of 
miles every year.



> Am I way off base here or is this something that should be seriously
> considered when buying a boat or retrofitting a boat.

Its not a dumb question. The answer  depends greatly on how and where you 
use the boat.  But the CPP drive line does  have a premium price so  unless 
you use the boat  for a lot of miles every year you may never  recoup th 
epotential savings.

Arild