T&T: Helm Station Vacumn Gauge

[Albin43SDtr]

'Lo All,

I installed glycerine-filled (damped) vacuum gauges on the main and 
generator fuel lines. They have 1/8" copper tubing, but I could have 
used plastic. The gauges are placed in full view when at the lower 
helm. They are on the side of the air conditioner cabinet on the port 
side of the boat, while the helm is on the starboard side. Running 
the copper tubing was simple as was all of the installation, which I 
did when installing the fuel polisher.

I like the simple method - direct plumbed vacuum gauges - that are 
visible from where I operate the boat. Since I only run the Celestial 
from the upper helm in nice weather, not having vacuum gauges there 
is of little consequence. Potty breaks take me to the lower helm 
sufficiently often that in benign weather, there is little concern 
over plugging of the filters such that the engines will quit unexpectedly.

There is almost always a way to accomplish something - if given enough thought.

The gauges rarely show much, if any, vacuum, as the fuel tanks 
(except the day tank) are above the engines. The day tank, with clean 
filters, shows about 1" Hg vacuum on each main engine at idle. The 
Cummins engines will quit at about 22". I never tried the generator 
to see when it quits. The test simply involved shutting off the fuel 
valves at the main fuel manifold, which is upstream from the fuel 
polisher and main Racor 1000 filters on each main engine. (Yes, 
overkill, but they came with the boat.)


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck