I have a 1988 Hunter 37 Legend. The shut off for the Yanmar is 4 steps down the companionway. Has anyone relocated it outside at the engine instrument panel? If so, how did you route it there? Also, can anyone tell me why its in such an inconvenient place to begin with?
Diesel shut off pull
- Thread starter Atlantic Phil
- Start date
Sounds very inconvenient if single handing! I think the easiest fix would be a solenoid with a spring return, push button on the engine panel.
I used to sail with a guy who had a 37 and I often wondered why that cut-off was so inconveniently located.
A couple of forum members have converted their Yanmar GM series engines to solenoid cut-off. otherwise, a long "choke" cable would allow you to put it close to the engine panel.
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A couple of forum members have converted their Yanmar GM series engines to solenoid cut-off. otherwise, a long "choke" cable would allow you to put it close to the engine panel.
Amazon.com: Dorman 55195 Control Cables With 1 In. Chrome Knob, 12 Ft. Length Universal Fit : Automotive
DISCLAIMER: contrarian response follows.
Why does it need to be any closer?
Really.
When I pull into a slip I spend time setting dock lines first before I shut off the engine. In my home slip I never have to get off the boat. I leave the lines on the dock and pick them up with a boat hook. When visiting, I leave the engine on until I have at least the bow & stern breast lines attached to the dock, then get back on the boat, and sometimes even set the spring line before I shut down. When I anchor, the engine runs until I'm set with the anchoring job.
In none of those cases does it matter a whit where the shutoff cable is. And mine's right at the cockpit panel. For all it matters to me, it could just as well be as the OP described without any issue.
I'd be interested to learn why folks think it needs to be closer. After all, I've only had this boat for 25 years.
Why does it need to be any closer?
Really.
When I pull into a slip I spend time setting dock lines first before I shut off the engine. In my home slip I never have to get off the boat. I leave the lines on the dock and pick them up with a boat hook. When visiting, I leave the engine on until I have at least the bow & stern breast lines attached to the dock, then get back on the boat, and sometimes even set the spring line before I shut down. When I anchor, the engine runs until I'm set with the anchoring job.
In none of those cases does it matter a whit where the shutoff cable is. And mine's right at the cockpit panel. For all it matters to me, it could just as well be as the OP described without any issue.
I'd be interested to learn why folks think it needs to be closer. After all, I've only had this boat for 25 years.
Maybe not needs but it would certainly be more convenient when single handing. You know how fickle the winds can be in our area and how many times you might start and stop your engine during the day.
Yeah, I thought it was a bit odd when I saw it. All my boats have had it by the engine control panel. Would it be a big job to relocate yours? Perhaps you may need to buy a longer cable though...
I would consider it an improvement because it's more convenient and perhaps safer to shut down the engine from the cockpit when transitioning to sail, rather than having to dash down the steps to shut down the engine.
Not sure if down inside the companionway is the way it came new, but one advantage would be that's it's out from the weather that sometimes corrodes these cables. I'm ok with it I'm either location.
It may be a cable length issue. The cable only comes in 2 lengths, 4 meters and much longer (can't remember how long). The 4 meter cable is a few bucks cheaper than the longer cable. The second issue is getting a fair run from the cockpit to the fuel shut off on the engine, there just may not be a good way to run the cable.
It’s always easy to run a wire to a push button. A solenoid may be the simplest solution.
The shut off is not electrical, it is mechanical. When the cable is pulled it stops the fuel flow to the engine.
Yes. It’s the same system on my Perkins. The solenoid pulls the wire, there is a spring that returns the fuel cutoff after the engine stops.
Hmm
I don’t have an opinion on the location issue but like you… I always leave my engine running until the boat is secure.
Me too! But once the sails are up and drawing I hate to run below to turn the engine off.
Think the point is it’s easy to install an electrically activated solenoid wired to a switch which can be located anywhere convenient.
This! Also, for the sake of safety if I have an engine fire, are getting no water out the exhaust, etc. I want to be able to shut down the engine IMMEDIATELY from the helm and not have to go below to do it. My engine exhaust fan gave up the ghost a few months back, and when it went it sounded like the hounds of hell while it was in its last throes. Scared the daylights out of both me AND the wife. We had no idea what it was initially so I quickly shut off the engine from the helm until we diagnosed the problem, which thankfully was NOT the engine, but sure sounded like it came from there. In the best of circumstances stepping below to shut off the engine isn't a problem. Other times, it can be more than inconvenient (e.g. in a rough seaway after you've raised the sails). Absolutely necessary? Nope. Convenient and safer? I think so.
In theory, perhaps, in practice not so simple. At least on the 3JH2E the pull is about 3 inches. It would take an unusual solenoid to activate that. Or, the solenoid could be used to active some kind of motor to pull the lever. Doing this adds additional points of failure to a very simple and essential system simply for convenience.
depends where on the lever arm you attach the link. There are a number of ways to obviate the problem of pull cable location using solenoids regardless of the throw length.
A solenoid doesn’t necessarily have to be at the end of a 3 inch throw. It can be attached anywhere on the arm. Also, the lever arm can be eliminated entirely as there are solenoids designed to be attached directly to an axle.
i was never a fan of the cable mechanism approach to engine shut-off as lots of boaters never bother doing the routine lubrication maintenance necessary to ensure smooth operation of the cable. As you say, too much to go wrong.