"Interesting" 360 Docking failure mode
Jul 5, 2013 17:35:41 GMT
Post by svsecco on Jul 5, 2013 17:35:41 GMT
Greetings All-
We took delivery of our new 45DS on July 3rd. The delivery almost didn't happen because the 360 Docking and engine throttle were not operational. The symptoms were:
-the engine would start normally,
-no response from the throttle or transmission,
-no lights on the joystick and
-(this is my favorite) activating the bow thruster engaged forward gear and increased the engine throttle.
After some head scratching and basic checks, the commissioning agent called ZF for advice. ZF advised checking the 360 docking breakers and any other engine related fuses or breakers. The 360-specific breakers and fuses were ok. We did find the fuse for the engine room blower popped. We replaced it and tried again. No luck, same symptoms and the fuse was blown. Upon closer inspection of the blower, the blower fan was hitting the duct and causing the fan to get stuck and pop the fuse. We disconnected the fan, replaced the fuse and tried one more time. Sure enough, everything was operational.
Needless to say I am quite perturbed that a seemingly unrelated item like the fan in the engine room could render the engine unusable.
My next step is to examine the wiring diagrams and see why the circuit for the blower is tied into the circuit for 360 docking. During our troubleshooting I noticed a relay next to the 360 docking breakers. I suspect that the power feeds the control solenoid inside the 360 docking relay is downstream of the blower fuse. When the blower fuse popped the 360 docking relay couldn't energize and the problem manifested itself as described above. I can see why they would have chosen a circuit that is switched on when the Yanmar panel is activated but putting it downstream of the blower fuse was a bad decision. As installed, the blower is a dependency for the entire propulsion system.
A simple fix would be to put the 360 docking relay control power on the upstream blower fuse. I could also move the relay control power supply to the engine panel itself. I also might just leave it be and update the wiring diagrams to reflect the dependency on the blower fuse. I need to think about it a while.
Regards-
Chris
We took delivery of our new 45DS on July 3rd. The delivery almost didn't happen because the 360 Docking and engine throttle were not operational. The symptoms were:
-the engine would start normally,
-no response from the throttle or transmission,
-no lights on the joystick and
-(this is my favorite) activating the bow thruster engaged forward gear and increased the engine throttle.
After some head scratching and basic checks, the commissioning agent called ZF for advice. ZF advised checking the 360 docking breakers and any other engine related fuses or breakers. The 360-specific breakers and fuses were ok. We did find the fuse for the engine room blower popped. We replaced it and tried again. No luck, same symptoms and the fuse was blown. Upon closer inspection of the blower, the blower fan was hitting the duct and causing the fan to get stuck and pop the fuse. We disconnected the fan, replaced the fuse and tried one more time. Sure enough, everything was operational.
Needless to say I am quite perturbed that a seemingly unrelated item like the fan in the engine room could render the engine unusable.
My next step is to examine the wiring diagrams and see why the circuit for the blower is tied into the circuit for 360 docking. During our troubleshooting I noticed a relay next to the 360 docking breakers. I suspect that the power feeds the control solenoid inside the 360 docking relay is downstream of the blower fuse. When the blower fuse popped the 360 docking relay couldn't energize and the problem manifested itself as described above. I can see why they would have chosen a circuit that is switched on when the Yanmar panel is activated but putting it downstream of the blower fuse was a bad decision. As installed, the blower is a dependency for the entire propulsion system.
A simple fix would be to put the 360 docking relay control power on the upstream blower fuse. I could also move the relay control power supply to the engine panel itself. I also might just leave it be and update the wiring diagrams to reflect the dependency on the blower fuse. I need to think about it a while.
Regards-
Chris
