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New Beta Engine

T

terry_thatcher

Terence Thatcher
I am part way into a 2 month cruise in British Columbia. Three weeks with spouse, Mary, the rest single handing. The new Beta 35 runs fine, although with the roar of the new Max-Prop (just like the old 3 blade), I do not believe it is much quieter than the old monster Perkins. Also, as I was warned by other Beta owners, the engine eats zincs. Mine was more than half gone (needing replacement) after 6 weeks in salt water. This must be a flaw in Beta's marinization. Who would ever think it makes sense to build a bronze heat exchanger, but put it in an aluminum housing? And then install a TINY zinc anode. Lots of electrical current being created there and not much anode to absorb it. Now I know, I will replace the zincs every 4-6 weeks. (Or figure out a way to add another anode to the system.) The rate of decay is ridiculous, but at least regular replacement is easy to accomplish, But not cheap, with zincs costing $10 a piece.
 
terry_thatcher said:
I am part way into a 2 month cruise in British Columbia. Three weeks with spouse, Mary, the rest single handing. The new Beta 35 runs fine, although with the roar of the new Max-Prop (just like the old 3 blade), I do not believe it is much quieter than the old monster Perkins. Also, as I was warned by other Beta owners, the engine eats zincs. Mine was more than half gone (needing replacement) after 6 weeks in salt water. This must be a flaw in Beta's marinization. Who would ever think it makes sense to build a bronze heat exchanger, but put it in an aluminum housing? And then install a TINY zinc anode. Lots of electrical current being created there and not much anode to absorb it. Now I know, I will replace the zincs every 4-6 weeks. (Or figure out a way to add another anode to the system.) The rate of decay is ridiculous, but at least regular replacement is easy to accomplish, But not cheap, with zincs costing $10 a piece.
Click to expand...

My Volvo has an aluminum heat exchanger with bronze insert. Yet, it doesn't have any zinc at all. The engine is completely electrically isolated. There is no negative connection to the engine block, and a special alternator and starter are used that are not electrically connected to the block. I think the engine is 20 years old now, and it is fine.

If zinc replacement is an issue, you might look into doing the same with the Beta. Isolated Alternators are easy to find and not too expensive. You would probably need to use a disconnect switch for the starter to disconnect ground when not starting the engine.
 
Warren,
Please share some pictures and more details of the electrical isolation.
Is the prop shaft isolated from the engine?
What was the theory behind the in installation?
 
There isn't anything to take pictures of. The alternator is a balmar, and looks just like the regular version except it has a connection for a negative wire. Same for the starter. Neither of those terminals are visible once mounted. There is a relay box for the glow plugs that grounds the engine only while they are on.
I added a drive saver for other reasons (to move my prop aft) but that isn't really needed for an isolated engine.
Why? I think volvo engineers did it so the engine would work in aluminum or steel boats. Its absolutely mandatory there or you will wing up with holes in the boat. So they did it from the start instead on needing custom work for a steel boat.
From what i have read, Volvo engine owners that grounded the engine quickly find holes in the heat exchanger or other damage, because there is no pencil zinc. But even with no zinc, when isolated there is no corrosion.
 
Warren: I have run Balmar's for years and mine has a negative wire to the main battery bank. Of course my starter is also grounded to the batteries. But somehow all the instruments, eg, tach, oil pressure, have to be grounded and they are all somehow connected to the engine . So Volvo has done something with them too. What kind of Voltage regulator do you use? I have a Balmar MaxCharge, but am considering switching to a WakeSpeed. You have lithium batteries, if I recall. But this is very interesting and I intend to follow up with further investigations. Thanks for the info. Hope your return to "civilization" is going ok. After 2 months sailing in Canada, I wish I could just sail away. But then, there are advantages to having a family, too.
 
I have a balmar ARC-5 regulator.

I did forget about the gauges. Special sending units that take a ground wire and are isolated electrically from the engine block.

I am pretty unhappy right now, not civilization per se , but California and San Francisco are not what they were, and im struggling with work/life balance. I'm looking for another job that doesn't require me to not have a life, or to move to a state where finding such a job is possible.
 
Well good luck with all that. Portland has its share of SF type problems, but not quite as bad. Before I retired, I luckily found a boss who let me go sailing 30-45 days each summer, when my kids were young. Kids tend to love the sailing life.
 
Terry, are you and Adavida back in Portland now?

Warren - what SF area are you living in? I’ve made 3 trips in a month down to San Rafael to work on improving a house for sale. Speaking of work/life balance I’ve been working 14+ hr days. Kinda flamed out and I should have been sailing instead.

We are kicking back in Poulsbo, WA on Zia right now. What a lovely town, but we are happy for Zia’s heater (46 degrees tonight!)
 
Hey Mark!
I know you were addressing Warren but, Sonata is in Point Richmond. Directly at the other side of Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. If you're back this way sometime and would like to meet or sail, let me know.
San Francisco is definitely turning into a wasteland, post apocalypse kind of city. It really sad, and scary. Always had been such a beautiful city.
The North Bay, San Rafael and Marin County is vastly different .
Mitchell
 
Hi Mitchell - yes! While my work trips have had crazy schedules with no time off, I am going to return with my wife Susan for some relaxation. I'd love to get together and chat, dine or have a beer or seltzer.

Yeah, we have our post apocalyptic areas in Portland, too. I actually think the City/County/State might be able to turn it around, though. And while I'm not a big fan of humans in general, I'd say 90% of the people I've dealt with in the Bay area, and in Portland are decent people.

Sorry, Terry! This doesn't have to do with the Beta engine!
Cheers,
-Mark
 
Ok, per this thread; I hope I never need to replace my Perkins! If I did, I believe it would be with a Beta.
Mark! I enjoy meeting you both too.
Mitchell
 
Mark, got back to Portland just last night. Had a question for you, Please remind me of the type pf door you put on the bulkhead just in front of the sink. Did it interfere with the big cushion that sits there?
 
mpearson said:
Terry, are you and Adavida back in Portland now?

Warren - what SF area are you living in? I’ve made 3 trips in a month down to San Rafael to work on improving a house for sale. Speaking of work/life balance I’ve been working 14+ hr days. Kinda flamed out and I should have been sailing instead.

We are kicking back in Poulsbo, WA on Zia right now. What a lovely town, but we are happy for Zia’s heater (46 degrees tonight!)
Click to expand...
I have a room a few blocks from my work on the embarcadero. Near North Beach and China Town neighborhoods. I try to stay on Eliana on the weekends, in Sausalito. Definitely give me a call when you are in town.
 
Terry - I got it from BoatOutfitters.com, custom made aluminum frame which makes it almost flush with the back of the sink cabinet. So it doesn’t interfere with the cushion.

Here are the order details:







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