We are going to try a new method for posting updates. At first, we started with Shaman, our Social Media correspondent, reporting on each trip. Shaman comes from Virginia several times a month to work with us on FIR. Next, we wrote about individual projects, attempting to document a task from beginning to end. But, this has proven difficult due to the delays associated with each undertaking. In addition, COVID19 has affected our supply chains. Many of the products necessary for our ongoing projects are either back-ordered or limited supply. With this in mind, Shaman will go back to reporting the activities of each trip.
Generators
Fir was equipped with two 100KW generators. One was dedicated to the crane, the other ran the house systems. Though you could run the generators in parallel and/or direct each generator to different uses.
The generators are powered by 6-71 Detroit Diesel motors. They are very reliable beasts however they are incredibly loud. So loud that it is impossible to hear the mains and lesser motors required to run the boat. This becomes a dangerous situation when we can't listen to other equipment.
Our idea is to replace one of the Detroit Diesels with a modern, fairly quiet generator that will handle most of the house functions. We are still making final deliberations on the system. However, ways to reduce noise and increase efficiency are clear. First, we can scale the system with different sized generators such that we are only bringing on as much power as we required at any given time. Second, every modern generator has an optional sound enclosure that deadens the engine noise. Third, noise can be reduced further by going with a wet exhaust system as opposed to the existing dry stack. Finally, we can add a secondary set of isolation mounts to reduce the vibrations conveyed to the boat frame.
We are working with Soundown to design the isolation systems. All of the generators that we are considering ship on a frame. There is an isolation mount between the motor and the skid. We plan to add a softer mount between the frame and the boat stringers. The first step is to get these mounts installed so we can take exact measurements for the exhaust system.
Secondary isolation mounts for the new generator. Mounts provided by Soundown.
Joe welds 1/4" angle iron to the underside on the new generator mounting plates. The plates are 1/2" mild steel.
Chris marks out the locations of the generators relative to the DWL (waterline). The black tape marks the current waterline.