Well I’m getting into my small diesel (4.5HP) Kubota refrigeration/Alternator/watermaker project. I have the engine sorted out and rebuilt. It starts right up and should provide many years of dependable service. My project is taking up the entire cockpit and it is quite a mess.

I was going to install it back in the main engine compartment but after taking measurements and thinking about it hard I’ve decided to install it in the cockpit locker which will give me good access to both engines as opposed to bad. I’m going to build a sound-proof compartment and most likely double wall it. I want it as quiet as possible. After it is done I will have a very powerful (about 8000 BTU) refrigerator and freezer, 100 amps of DC power, and a high output water maker. I’m not going to get into the water maker end as its rainy season and I have allot of parts to buy.

My biggest problem at this point is figuring out the raw water pump. It had a bronze Johnson, belt driven impellor pump. The pump is shot and they are quite expensive to replace. I’m going to put an electric pump in its stead until I come across a used one. I’ll have to turn on the water after the motor is started, and before it is stopped so there is no chance of it backing up into the cylinder head.

The other problem is how to tighten the belt to the refrigeration compressor, and the water maker pump. I’ve designed a base plate for each pump that tightens, and angles it away from the motor using 2 large nuts & bolts, a hinge, and a few plates of steel. I have to bring all the parts into a welder but I think it will work well.

Nigel Calder said that the refrigeration compressor belt needs to be tighter then an alternator belt so I’m splitting it up and giving the compressor it’s own belt. The 12v clutch on the refrigeration compressor has room for an extra belt and I’m going to run one from it to the water maker pump. Both the water maker pump and the refrigeration compressor will have there own “tightening” base plates which will also allow me to install them off of the motor. The up-side to this is I’m installing the diesel motor on a rail which will allow me to pull a few pins and slide it out into the open for inspection and maintenance.  All I will have to do is take off the belt to the refrigeration compressor, and “bingo” it slides out for super easy access.

Once this is all done I’ll be able to run it for an hour a day and only burn about 1/8 of a gallon of diesel. I’m not planning on running it all the time. But on long trips away from civilization, charters, or when we pull in a large fish it will be nice to have. Sam and I are content with our little Engel running off of the solar panels for day to day use. However on our next trip to the San Blas I would like to start stock piling fish and lobster in the freezer.

I’m also planning on cutting open our diesel tanks for cleaning and inspection. I think we got some bad fuel in Cartagena. The pressure gauge on the Racor filter spikes and the engine starts hunting. After I hit the electronic fuel pump the problem goes away. I’m thinking algae is clogging the fuel lines and the added pressure of the electronic fuel pump sucks it up to the Racor where the vacuum returns to normal. That's my theory at least.

Sam and I are heading to Panama City on the 11th so she can make her flight on the 12th. When I return I really get to pull the boat apart and turn it into a workshop for a few weeks :)

Well that's it for today, back to work.

Sail far and live slowly.

- Alex