Long Sad Exhale
Well, it ran until about 1:45 am. I’m not sure I ever actually slept; if I did it was a light sleep as I listened for any changes in the rumble of the heater and the click of the fuel pump. I’m pretty sure I woke up immediately when it shut down. I turned off the system, lay there for a while, remembered that I had seen another fuel line valve for the furnace (I think it was just off because we happened to be pulling fuel from the port tank; this was the one for the starboard tank). I figured it couldn’t hurt to go try turning them both on, so I did that and the heater ran until about 4:00 am. I decided to bag it for the night and wait until morning.
It fired right up again this morning and we’re up to 55 degrees. But why does it keep shutting down after a few hours? T, I may give you a holler this evening if you’ll be around. I’m kinda out of ideas, although I will go look for another filter, per Rob’s suggestion and I will revisit all of your notes about possible alternate causes.
Is this starting to seem like the “Hurricane Heater blog” to anyone else? God knows my life is feeling like it revolves around the presence or absence of heat. I escape to work every day where the world is warm and normal. Then back to the challenges of boat living at night. Still, I do love being on the water.
experience
Oh yogurt, I feel for you. I’m such a wimp when it comes to temp extremes. Take some time off and come down south for a constitutional. Your mountain is already getting a good dusting of snow.. they are talking about opening a lift THIS weekend at ski bowl! You can always call me if you need a morale boost love, I’m always available to you!Big huggles!Beady
Try cleaning the compressor air intake filter it might have fluff in it? which would stop the boiler!
Must seem like Im hogging your blog sorry ? but try this site http://www.dieselheating.com/pdfs/HIIMan.pdfI have just read Tanas latest blog which gave the type and name of your boiler and had a look on their really informative site you can download the manuals free and they have some good information in them, also they will help you out by phone I am told (they are in richmond?)
Oh! Tanas comment has just reminded me that perhaps you should run your fingers carefully around the boiler fuel pipes and connections using a tissue ( it will highlight any spurious diesel) looking for a small leak that, when running would allow the air into the system! it probably won`t show when the boiler is running as its sucking air in but it may, when at rest as gravity takes over. I guess that you have sealed the filter back properly after checking it? and connected all the pipe fittings OK having had it apart? worth a check! I still think that its something simple and only a system of methodical checks will find it! you will become familiar with this item and find it easy as you go on! believe me they are really simple bits of kit, take care!
Whats the make name and model number? it wouldn`t hurt to explore the net ( google search) for the maker and obtain a manual! they also may have a spares list and “usual faults” sections with diagnostics etc. they are simple things and you do need to get to grips with its idiosyncrasies before the winter really sets in, also make sure you can heat the boat by alternative means! No! not burn it to the water line! :o)) enough electric oil filled convection heaters or similar that will plod away keep you warm and not cost too much! also keeping the engine from freezing, don`t forget the engine have you checked the antifreeze etc. best of luck!please let us know how you get on.
air in the line perhaps?. Crack the filter loose until it starts weeping fuel (make sure you’ve got a bucket underneath to catch it) then tighten up. Maybe?Greig has never seen one of these types either,
Sounds like its another blocked filter? somewhere or maybe the same one again. I guess that the heater runs off the batteries and so perhaps the voltage is going down below what is required to run the system? Maybe check your battery`s for voltage at the time you find out that it is off (below 13.5vdc) it seems logical to me that, with a short “downtime” it would charge up sufficiently to allow it to restart (manually)? If you think that this is the case perhaps the battery concerned needs checking out? (check that the electrolyte is at the correct levels) or perhaps another battery linked to it ( like you would jump a car battery) to ensure that there is enough amps for it to run for a longer period(robinwdunhamataoldotcom)
Waaa!!!