like most larger Hunters, our 2008 H36 has an engine room fire system. Anyone know where the control module is typically located? Don't see it anywhere in the engine spaces. Haven't pull the Yanmar control panel, that's my next move, but away from the boat.
Sea-Fire system
- Thread starter George Braun
- Start date
I'm not sure where it is either. I need to keep mine on bypass since it seems to kills the engine when I don't. I think this is the point when there's a fire butnot supposed to happen when there isn't one. My marine mechanic said that the system uses a chemical that is no longer legal in Canada so difficult and very expensive to get parts to repair it.
Manual for the sea fire system is located here:
Wiring diagram of engine control panel would seem to indicate the module or panel you looking for would be mounted in fairly close proximity to the control panel. Have you looked behind it?
From the wiring schematic located below (p16) it appears the “shutdown box” is located within a maximum of 6’ of the ignition switch.
https://www.marlow-hunter.com/wp-co...z-service manual/h36 Service Manual022908.pdf
wiring diagram for the ignition switch/panel below.
The device that sends the signal from the fire extinguisher pressure tank to “engine interrupt panel” aka “shutdown box” is a basic 2 wire pressure switch wired in to a fitting mounted at the top of the extinguisher tank.
Interrupt panel should look something like those shown in the link below.
sea-fire.com
While the chemical used in the older systems is banned, the manufacturer did come up with a replacement/alternative. - linked below. Still quite pricy I believe.
sea-fire.com
Wiring diagram of engine control panel would seem to indicate the module or panel you looking for would be mounted in fairly close proximity to the control panel. Have you looked behind it?
From the wiring schematic located below (p16) it appears the “shutdown box” is located within a maximum of 6’ of the ignition switch.
https://www.marlow-hunter.com/wp-co...z-service manual/h36 Service Manual022908.pdf
wiring diagram for the ignition switch/panel below.
The device that sends the signal from the fire extinguisher pressure tank to “engine interrupt panel” aka “shutdown box” is a basic 2 wire pressure switch wired in to a fitting mounted at the top of the extinguisher tank.
Interrupt panel should look something like those shown in the link below.
ENGINE SHUTDOWN Archives - Sea-Fire Marine
ENGINE SHUTDOWN Sea-Fire ESRS engine shutdown system will automatically shutdown engines, generators and powered ventilation upon discharge of the fire suppression system. Each ESRS system requires a display panel featuring a visual & audible alarm as well as shutdown override capability...
sea-fire.com
While the chemical used in the older systems is banned, the manufacturer did come up with a replacement/alternative. - linked below. Still quite pricy I believe.
NFG/NFD PRE-ENGINEERED FIRE SYSTEMS Archives - Sea-Fire Marine
NFG/NFD PRE-ENGINEERED FIRE SYSTEMS Pre-engineered marine fire suppression systems are fixed installations with NOVEC 1230 extinguishing agent. The system protects a given volume of an enclosure incorporating various discharge modes such as automatic heat activation or manual release by way of a...
sea-fire.com
If your system uses Halon you should get rid of the halon ASAP.
Halon can cause suffocation by displacing oxygen and thereby reducing its availability. Effects from inhalation may include mild CNS (central nervous system) effects such as dizziness, impaired coordination, lightheadedness, nausea and increased or irregular heart rate.
Halon can cause suffocation by displacing oxygen and thereby reducing its availability. Effects from inhalation may include mild CNS (central nervous system) effects such as dizziness, impaired coordination, lightheadedness, nausea and increased or irregular heart rate.
The older bottles ended up with corrading head valves, leaking all the gas out slowly. I replaced my bottle 3 years ago with the new bottle. It was a couple hundred bucks but worth the peace of mind. On out 41 the control box is mounted very high in the back starboard locker near the Yanmar instruments.
The control box on our ‘08 h36 appears to be sitting on a shelf a few above and behind the holding tank. I‘ve had the instrument panel out but don’t recall being able to see below. I’m told that I need to remove the “bucket” from the propane locker to access the box. The bucket looks like it has been put in place with 4200 or the like. Haven’t tried removal yet. My bottle now shows above the max pressure!!!
Word of warning, the Sea Fire system failed to go off in my 2011 Hunter 50 when an engine room fire broke out. If it had worked, I'd still have the boat. It's also surprising that my new to me 2019 Bavaria did not come with any automatic fire extinguisher. See attached picture of one of my first additions.
Attachments
I have a similar system on my 2009 H41DS. I have never had it inspected, and USCG has never asked about it.
Meanwhile, it is safety concern of mine about whether it is actually functional anymore or not.
For those that may not know, there is an additional wiring element from the engine room fire extinguisher over to the engine room blower - to stop the blower automatically if the unit engages.
Like I said, I have never had my unit inspected, am unsure if (I presume from looking at the head end of the unit) the temperature sensitive unit to trigger it still works, etc. The bottle itself still shows 'green'.
I do know from my past life working in data center environments, that this kind of equipment needs regular inspections, and for both land and maritime, if you are licensed and charging people money - you are required to do so by US and State regulations.
EDIT: From old/fuzzy memory, I believe the inspection interval land-side was every three years, plus random inspections as depending on how bored the local fire department was. You would have to look up the appropriate federal or state regulations about what the inspection interval for your equipment was yourself. I believe for USCG, inspections for vessels carrying passengers it is annual. Granted, this is just a pleasure vessel, but there is a reason they have those kinds of rules?
Hopefully your insurance company took care of you. That cost goes on to the rest us BTW.
Meanwhile, it is safety concern of mine about whether it is actually functional anymore or not.
For those that may not know, there is an additional wiring element from the engine room fire extinguisher over to the engine room blower - to stop the blower automatically if the unit engages.
Like I said, I have never had my unit inspected, am unsure if (I presume from looking at the head end of the unit) the temperature sensitive unit to trigger it still works, etc. The bottle itself still shows 'green'.
I do know from my past life working in data center environments, that this kind of equipment needs regular inspections, and for both land and maritime, if you are licensed and charging people money - you are required to do so by US and State regulations.
EDIT: From old/fuzzy memory, I believe the inspection interval land-side was every three years, plus random inspections as depending on how bored the local fire department was. You would have to look up the appropriate federal or state regulations about what the inspection interval for your equipment was yourself. I believe for USCG, inspections for vessels carrying passengers it is annual. Granted, this is just a pleasure vessel, but there is a reason they have those kinds of rules?
Hopefully your insurance company took care of you. That cost goes on to the rest us BTW.
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Dan_Y: Any idea why the seafire didn’t discharge?
Most probably because of loss of pressure in the bottle. I replaced the original SeaFire bottle on our H38 with another here in Europe and every 2 or 3 years I have to take it to the extinguisher shop to have them add gaz to get the pressure needle in the gren area again.
When there is not enough pressure the engine will start and run but quit as soon as you let the key return to the normal running position. If this happens you can use the small override switch on the Seafire panel to keep the engine running, but the Seafire extinguisher is no longer functioning.
Most probably because of loss of pressure in the bottle. I replaced the original SeaFire bottle on our H38 with another here in Europe and every 2 or 3 years I have to take it to the extinguisher shop to have them add gaz to get the pressure needle in the gren area again.
When there is not enough pressure the engine will start and run but quit as soon as you let the key return to the normal running position. If this happens you can use the small override switch on the Seafire panel to keep the engine running, but the Seafire extinguisher is no longer functioning.