On 11 Nov 2019, at 13:09, James Alton via Groups.Io <lokiyawl2@...> wrote:

Nick,

   Ahh, so it has finally cooled off in Greece. But what a nice October we had this year eh?  As you have already suspected I am sure that the difference in the flow of the oil is just the viscosity has increase from the temperature.  This is the same reason that changing engine oil with the engine warm, much easier.  In the future if you have the same problem,  just put some gentle heat on the unit such as a 100 watt clamp light or a small thermostatically controlled heater  (in a pinch a hair dryer, but keep an eye on these things, not rated for continuous use) .  No need to get anything really hot, just bring the oil up to 100F or so and it will be much thinner and should flow.  It might take hours of gentle heating to accomplish this, especially if the 54’s have fibreglass cases on the lower units of the bow thruster which does not conduct heat very well.  Hope you also had a good season in Greece this year.

James

SV Sueno

Preveza,  Greece

Also now high and dry..

On Nov 10, 2019, at 9:15 AM, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

I recently hauled out and decided to drain the gear oil from the Bowthruster, the oil was good and not cloudy but after two years needed changing.

Then after replacing the oil drain screw filled up the oil reservoir with 90 weight gear oil. The problem is that the gear oil will not flow. There is obviously some kind of air lock. I managed to get about 250ml in by Blowing into the reservoir, i.e. pressurising it. 

I have now left the boat for the winter and maybe the oil will work its way down by gravity. 

I looked for a bleed screw to let the air out but found nothing. 

Does anyone know if there is a air vent bleed screw? Or is there some trick?

Nick

Amelia 

AML 54-019 ashore at the Bazimakoplou boat yard Kilada Greece

On Nov 10, 2019, at 9:15 AM, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

I recently hauled out and decided to drain the gear oil from the Bowthruster, the oil was good and not cloudy but after two years needed changing.

Then after replacing the oil drain screw filled up the oil reservoir with 90 weight gear oil. The problem is that the gear oil will not flow. There is obviously some kind of air lock. I managed to get about 250ml in by Blowing into the reservoir, i.e. pressurising it. 

I have now left the boat for the winter and maybe the oil will work its way down by gravity. 

I looked for a bleed screw to let the air out but found nothing. 

Does anyone know if there is a air vent bleed screw? Or is there some trick?

Nick

Amelia 

AML 54-019 ashore at the Bazimakoplou boat yard Kilada Greece

Mohammad, 

I just revised my page in the Amel Book to include that PEARL of sage advice from you. Let me know if it is ok to publish. 

Best,

CW Bill Rouse
Amel Yacht Owners School - www.AmelYachtOwnersSchool.com
720 Winnie St
Galveston Island, TX 77550
+1(832) 380-4970

On Sun, Nov 10, 2019, 12:24 PM Matt Salatino via Groups.Io <helmsmatt=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

Ingenious!

~~~⛵️~~~Matt

On Nov 10, 2019, at 12:14 PM, Mohammad Shirloo <mshirloo@...> wrote:

Hi Nick;

 

We made a fill plug by drilling a hole in the center of an all thread the same size as the drain plug. We just attach a clear hose with the same ID as the OD of the all thread and attach it to a nipple drilled and installed on the lid of the gear oil bottle. We then attach the gear oil bottle inverted to the SS lifeline above the bow thruster. The oil simply gravity feeds from the bottom up. Leave the cap on the bow thruster oil fill reservoir open to let the air escape. It takes a few hours, depending on temperature, but you are sure that you have zero air and it is hassle free while you focus on other tasks. Just check the reservoir once in a while to be sure it does not overflow.

 

Happy Sailing;

 

 

Mohammad and Aty

B&B Kokomo

AMEL 54 #099

 

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of Paul Dowd and Sharon Brown via Groups.Io
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 6:59 AM
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Bowthruster Gear Oil

 

Nick,

 

I filled mine from the top, with the drain open, then used a dinghy pump to pressurise the reservoir until clean oil came out the drain. I did need a few periodical top-ups but never had any problem with the bowthruster.

 

Cheers,

Paul

S/Y Ya Fohi - Amel 54 #98

 

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io
Sent: 10 November 2019 10:43
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Bowthruster Gear Oil

 

Hi Matt,

 

That does make sense but this is not the first time I have changed the oil. I did it when I bought the boat in June 2017 in Grenada WI. As I remember, I just drained it and filled the reservoir. It was hot and the oil would have been thinner. It was quite cool this time and the oil more viscous…any other thoughts out there?

 

Nick 

Amelia AML 54-019

On 10 Nov 2019, at 14:03, Matt Salatino via Groups.Io <helmsmatt@...> wrote:

 

I may be speaking from ignorance, but many lower units require removing the vent plug, and filling via a squeeze bottle from the drain plug, until oil seeps out the vent, installing the vent plug, an then quickly installing the drain plug.

This way, you fill from the bottom, and air is pushed out the top.

~~~⛵️~~~Matt

I On Nov 10, 2019, at 8:15 AM, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

I recently hauled out and decided to drain the gear oil from the Bowthruster, the oil was good and not cloudy but after two years needed changing.

 

Then after replacing the oil drain screw filled up the oil reservoir with 90 weight gear oil. The problem is that the gear oil will not flow. There is obviously some kind of air lock. I managed to get about 250ml in by Blowing into the reservoir, i.e. pressurising it. 

 

I have now left the boat for the winter and maybe the oil will work its way down by gravity. 

 

I looked for a bleed screw to let the air out but found nothing. 

 

Does anyone know if there is a air vent bleed screw? Or is there some trick?

 

Nick

 

Amelia 

AML 54-019 ashore at the Bazimakoplou boat yard Kilada Greece

 

--
Cheers
Paul
Ya Fohi - Amel 54 #98

Hi Nick;

 

We made a fill plug by drilling a hole in the center of an all thread the same size as the drain plug. We just attach a clear hose with the same ID as the OD of the all thread and attach it to a nipple drilled and installed on the lid of the gear oil bottle. We then attach the gear oil bottle inverted to the SS lifeline above the bow thruster. The oil simply gravity feeds from the bottom up. Leave the cap on the bow thruster oil fill reservoir open to let the air escape. It takes a few hours, depending on temperature, but you are sure that you have zero air and it is hassle free while you focus on other tasks. Just check the reservoir once in a while to be sure it does not overflow.

 

Happy Sailing;

 

 

Mohammad and Aty

B&B Kokomo

AMEL 54 #099

 

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of Paul Dowd and Sharon Brown via Groups.Io
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 6:59 AM
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Bowthruster Gear Oil

 

Nick,

 

I filled mine from the top, with the drain open, then used a dinghy pump to pressurise the reservoir until clean oil came out the drain. I did need a few periodical top-ups but never had any problem with the bowthruster.

 

Cheers,

Paul

S/Y Ya Fohi - Amel 54 #98

 

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io
Sent: 10 November 2019 10:43
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Bowthruster Gear Oil

 

Hi Matt,

 

That does make sense but this is not the first time I have changed the oil. I did it when I bought the boat in June 2017 in Grenada WI. As I remember, I just drained it and filled the reservoir. It was hot and the oil would have been thinner. It was quite cool this time and the oil more viscous…any other thoughts out there?

 

Nick 

Amelia AML 54-019

On 10 Nov 2019, at 14:03, Matt Salatino via Groups.Io <helmsmatt@...> wrote:

 

I may be speaking from ignorance, but many lower units require removing the vent plug, and filling via a squeeze bottle from the drain plug, until oil seeps out the vent, installing the vent plug, an then quickly installing the drain plug.

This way, you fill from the bottom, and air is pushed out the top.

~~~⛵️~~~Matt

I On Nov 10, 2019, at 8:15 AM, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

I recently hauled out and decided to drain the gear oil from the Bowthruster, the oil was good and not cloudy but after two years needed changing.

 

Then after replacing the oil drain screw filled up the oil reservoir with 90 weight gear oil. The problem is that the gear oil will not flow. There is obviously some kind of air lock. I managed to get about 250ml in by Blowing into the reservoir, i.e. pressurising it. 

 

I have now left the boat for the winter and maybe the oil will work its way down by gravity. 

 

I looked for a bleed screw to let the air out but found nothing. 

 

Does anyone know if there is a air vent bleed screw? Or is there some trick?

 

Nick

 

Amelia 

AML 54-019 ashore at the Bazimakoplou boat yard Kilada Greece

 

--
Cheers
Paul
Ya Fohi - Amel 54 #98

On 10 Nov 2019, at 17:14, Mohammad Shirloo <mshirloo@...> wrote:

Hi Nick;

 

We made a fill plug by drilling a hole in the center of an all thread the same size as the drain plug. We just attach a clear hose with the same ID as the OD of the all thread and attach it to a nipple drilled and installed on the lid of the gear oil bottle. We then attach the gear oil bottle inverted to the SS lifeline above the bow thruster. The oil simply gravity feeds from the bottom up. Leave the cap on the bow thruster oil fill reservoir open to let the air escape. It takes a few hours, depending on temperature, but you are sure that you have zero air and it is hassle free while you focus on other tasks. Just check the reservoir once in a while to be sure it does not overflow.

 

Happy Sailing;

 

 

Mohammad and Aty

B&B Kokomo

AMEL 54 #099

 

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of Paul Dowd and Sharon Brown via Groups.Io
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 6:59 AM
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Bowthruster Gear Oil

 

Nick,

 

I filled mine from the top, with the drain open, then used a dinghy pump to pressurise the reservoir until clean oil came out the drain. I did need a few periodical top-ups but never had any problem with the bowthruster.

 

Cheers,

Paul

S/Y Ya Fohi - Amel 54 #98

 

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io
Sent: 10 November 2019 10:43
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Bowthruster Gear Oil

 

Hi Matt,

 

That does make sense but this is not the first time I have changed the oil. I did it when I bought the boat in June 2017 in Grenada WI. As I remember, I just drained it and filled the reservoir. It was hot and the oil would have been thinner. It was quite cool this time and the oil more viscous…any other thoughts out there?

 

Nick 

Amelia AML 54-019

On 10 Nov 2019, at 14:03, Matt Salatino via Groups.Io <helmsmatt@...> wrote:

 

I may be speaking from ignorance, but many lower units require removing the vent plug, and filling via a squeeze bottle from the drain plug, until oil seeps out the vent, installing the vent plug, an then quickly installing the drain plug.

This way, you fill from the bottom, and air is pushed out the top.

~~~⛵️~~~Matt

I On Nov 10, 2019, at 8:15 AM, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington@...> wrote:

I recently hauled out and decided to drain the gear oil from the Bowthruster, the oil was good and not cloudy but after two years needed changing.

 

Then after replacing the oil drain screw filled up the oil reservoir with 90 weight gear oil. The problem is that the gear oil will not flow. There is obviously some kind of air lock. I managed to get about 250ml in by Blowing into the reservoir, i.e. pressurising it. 

 

I have now left the boat for the winter and maybe the oil will work its way down by gravity. 

 

I looked for a bleed screw to let the air out but found nothing. 

 

Does anyone know if there is a air vent bleed screw? Or is there some trick?

 

Nick

 

Amelia 

AML 54-019 ashore at the Bazimakoplou boat yard Kilada Greece

 

-- 
Cheers
Paul
Ya Fohi - Amel 54 #98 

Nick,

I filled mine from the top, with the drain open, then used a dinghy pump to pressurise the reservoir until clean oil came out the drain. I did need a few periodical top-ups but never had any problem with the bowthruster.

Hi Matt,

--
Cheers
Paul
Ya Fohi - Amel 54 #98

From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io [mailto:main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io] On Behalf Of eric freedman
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 11:33
To: Amel Owners
Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] The Black wire on the genset exhaust fan

Thanks Tom,

I kind of figured that out the red wire, I just don't know what the black wire connect to. Possibly someone with a hull number closer to mine knows how the black wire connects.

Fair Winds,
Eric
SM 376 Kimberlite

Hey Eric- just changed my blower so this is still fresh. The line ahead of the transfer box is energized by the genset running (on SM 422). The hot line goes fuse, capacitor, then fan. I'm not sure about your black wire.....if that's a 4th wire coming from your fan, we don't have one so can't help there.

As an aside, due to charger overheating, we installed Hella 24 volt fan in ceiling light block over genset, pointed at charger. Switch is by watermaker panel. It resolved my charger overheating issue where new blower had made no difference.

Tom and Kirstin 
SM2K 422
L'ORIENT

Hi Matt,