[PCW] Diesel load and related questions

[Dennis Raedeke]

Arild, Jim

Thanks for the info on EGT Arild.  Those numbers seem to match my experience.
The most efficient my engines seem to run is at 725.  I have seen no problem
of running the engines at EGT at 850 for long periods of time. When I run on
one engine I run it at about 725.  The idea that diesel engines have to be
under a certain load to survive to long life is questionable.  My men leave
our diesel snow cats run to keep them warm and I see truckers keep their rigs
running all night while sleeping. We have not seen any trouble related to
this. The engine should be run fast for a little after a long idle period.

With CPP's you are able to load the engine any way you like. With proper
instrumentation you are able to fine tune your operation. In regard to the
fact that a user of CPP's could damage an engine, people can figure out a lot
of ways to do that. An alarm would work well to tell you when the temp gets
too high. When you see a truck blowing black smoke I bet the EGT is a lot
higher than 850. There is one thing that I have noticed that should be talked
about. The props and shafts are very heavy and it takes alot of torque to
start them turning. I notice a large clunk when I put the transmission in
gear. My Cummins man told me I should idle my engines around 900 RPM.  I don't
do that, I idle them at just under 600. I once had a tour boat that came with
out units with aluminum props and we thought that it would be nice to have
stainless props. The units had dog clutches and were damaged because they
could not take the stress of the heavier props. If I would get another boat
where I thought CPP's would fit the use intended. Notice INTENDED USE.  I
would find a CPP that could be bolted direct to the engine and could go from
full feather to full reverse. I have not researched it in depth. The Saab
looked interesting but the sizing was a problem. I think CPP's have been
improved since I built WWIV.

Dennis