Camanos 31 Owner's Handbook Manual - page 7
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There are times when weight distribution on the boat can be uneven and the boat will have a slight list
to the heavier side. Since fluids insist on finding their own level, the distribution of fuel will also be
uneven. (Please see the more comprehensive discussion about trimming the boat). What is important
with the fuel, however, is that if one tank contains more than the other, as the fuel is used up, you
could start pulling air into the fuel system from the tank with the least fuel. To avoid this, shut off the
tank with the least fuel and wait for things to even out.
Cooling System
As the boat's engine warms up, fresh water coolant is heated and circulated by the water pump to a heat
exchanger. Raw water is brought into the boat via a thru-hull fitting and pumped by the raw water
pump to the Volvo sea strainer and then the heat exchanger. The sea water carries the engine heat
away, eventually delivering it to the water lift muffler and then overboard. Since aluminum and other
metals are used in the engine's fresh water cooling system, use an antifreeze with a 7 or 8 metal rating
when topping- up or replacing the coolant. It is particularly important that the antifreeze be aluminum
compatible, so check it carefully. Volvo coolant is recommended
Electrical System
Like most boats, the Camano has a 12-volt DC electrical system dedicated to the operation of the boat.
She also has a 110- volt AC shore power system that provides support for the 12- volt system as well as
the optional operation of some of the more power hungry devices on board.
Power Panel
The power panel is located in the main salon, aft of the helm station on the starboard side. Disconnect
the shore power if it becomes necessary to open the power panel -- there is a 110- volt AC current open
on the back of the panel. The power panel is divided into AC and DC. The AC is located inside the
white lines so marked. The rest of the panel is DC. The AC side consists of a main circuit breaker and
the other breakers controlling the battery charger, AC receptacles and so on. The DC side consists of a
battery switch and a series of circuit breakers that provide power to the various 12- volt components of
the boat. For these components to operate, except for the furnace (if so equipped) and bilge pumps, the
battery switch must be turned on. A row of switches across the bottom of the panel control the cockpit
lights, (the aft cabin light breaker must be on) the running and anchor lights (the navigation light
breaker must be on) and, importantly, the forward bilge pump and the engine-room bilge pump, and in
new boats, the lazarette bilge pump. It should be noted that the bilge pumps operate on three way
switches, "auto", "on" and "off' and should be left in the "auto" position at all times. If for some reason
you want to remove water from the bilge before there is enough to activate the float switch, simply
push the bilge pump switch to "on" and most of the water will be evacuated. An alarm will sound at the
helm stations when either of the bilge pumps is activated.
The panel also has an ammeter that reads out the number of amps being drawn on the 12-volt system at
any one time. In addition, a voltmeter, with a three-position switch, gives a direct reading of the state
of charge of the batteries. With the switch in the middle position, the voltmeter is turned off but when
the switch is pushed to the aft position you get a reading on the state of the starter battery. Pushing the
switch to the forward position gives a reading of the house battery (ies). Also keep in mind that the
starter battery is wired to a voltmeter in the Volvo panel on the helm. Unfortunately, it isn't as accurate
as the one on the power panel.