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Why air compressors in engine rooms?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Prospective, Apr 28, 2020.

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  1. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Dewalt 20v leaf blower is a nice feature, too. Department of Redundancy Department.
  2. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Also useful for cleaning dryer vent lines.
  3. Lepke

    Lepke Member

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    Older boats use air shifting and throttle control. Some have air dampers that are air controlled. Others use air starters.
  4. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    Here's one more use ... the air compressor in my engine room powers an air door on the aft deck. I love pressing the button and watching first timers on my boat jump back in astonishment as the door to the salon opens up automatically. It's the little things in life.
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Oh Yes, Does it give the PSSTT that the doors in Star Trek did??? o_Oo_O
  6. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    And getting bon fires going!
  7. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    Why yes it did! :)
  8. wingless

    wingless Member

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    When I designed and installed my custom high volume, high pressure air compressor system I selected a volume behind my cockpit ice maker, using pressurized fresh air and a custom head manifold to supply massive system cooling for long term reliability, as-shown in this topic.
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    i remember that door on Johnson I ran for years. The compressor had a self purge feature that would cause a hissing noise every hour or two or so. Right next to the master.
  10. Rockribbed1

    Rockribbed1 New Member

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    Old, large diesel engines were started by compressed air rather than electric starter. When starting the engine, compressed air is admitted to whichever cylinder has a piston just over top dead center, forcing it downward. As the engine starts to turn, the air-start valve on the next cylinder in line opens to continue the rotation. After several rotations, fuel is injected into the cylinders, the engine starts running and the air is cut off.
  11. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Welcome Rockribbed 1! Nice 1st post. Looking forward to more - it sounds like you will have a lot to contribute.
  12. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Seconded 100%.
  13. boatpoor

    boatpoor Active Member

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    The Stevens Duryea cars built in the 20's have the same air start system.
  14. Rockribbed1

    Rockribbed1 New Member

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    Thanks for the kind welcome. I am enjoying the forum so far
  15. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Many modern diesels still use air start but is typically done with a starter "motor" that uses compressed air vs batteries. To meet regulatory requirements there are large air receivers as you must be able to crank the engine and start it at least 5 times without a compressor refilling the receivers. This takes a lot of air. Because of the space required for the receivers, many are going away from air when they can. Lithium Ion batteries have made this possible where previously batteries were incapable of enough energy storage in a reasonable space and weight.