Manual start for Westerbeke Ten-2

[cbourne200]

I am new to diesel engines.

That being said, I have heard comments concerning decompression valves and ability to manually start a diesel. Hand crank like the old Model T's (or was it Model 'A's?).

I am curious because of the need to keep battery well charged, and if not, motor won't/can't start.

Before you say it - yes, I know I need a charging mechanism & controller for those times when I am not dockside, and a good battery. I bought the boat in Dec 2011, and all paperwork I found indicated batteries were replaced in 2005. Of course, the boat went through a reseller prior to my purchase, so not 100% sure paperwork is relevant. Dual sealed cell size 24's seem to still be functional - starts most every time at dockside after sitting for several weeks. Don't want to have to invest in new batteries (they have checked good) unless I have to. Manual start would give a little piece of mind.

But new batteries could give me better piece of mind...

Charles

 

[jibes138]

what kind of batteries are they? You mention they are sealed?
Unless you go solar or wind generator the means to charge your batteries is running your engine and letting the alternator charge them. Just like a car. Keep one battery to use for your lights and stuff and keep one battery just for starting the engine.

 

[Pat]

I know for a fact our 272 came with (2) group 27 car batteries provided for a Mercedes
Benz for vehicles with lots of accessories. Our first batteries lasted 15 years but the boat was always kept at a slip w/ shorepower and a good charger.....the batteries were by East Penn Manufacturing (also know as Deka)....our old charger bit the dust trying to keep the dekas charged their last summer.....now using autozone batteries again for a Mercedes Benz....had them 8 years now...but have a Statpower charger but one of the batteries is really corroded so I will need to get them really checked before relaunching in a couple weeks.....I guess I'm rambeling off topic as I have never tried to manually start the engine. Back to the batteries.....the fellow that sold us the boat brand new in 2007 and who commissioned it, set the battery selector switch to "all" and said to just leave it alone which I've done...because the boat comes back to the slip at the end of every weekend and spends it's life at a slip w/ charger on and free electricity... so I've never seen a reason to really get hung up on battery switching but I can see the reason why people (including many at our club) do pay attention to switching...I may be a bad owner. Patrick