Northern Lights IM1000 Installation Manual - page 12
IM1000 02/13
Exhaust System
GENERAL
There are two basic types of exhaust systems used in
marine generator set installations:
A) Wet Exhaust - the exhaust gases are cooled by the
addition of water from the engine cooling system at some
point along the exhaust system. The exact point at which
the water joins the exhaust gases depends on whether the
engine is mounted above or below the water line.
B) Dry Exhaust - the exhaust gases are not mixed with
the water. The exhaust system is completely dry, and also
very hot. All pipe work must be insulated.
WET EXHAUST
Advantages:
less
fi re risk; the amount of heat given
off in the vessel is less; it is very quiet.
WARNING: Extreme care must be taken during
installation to prevent backfl ow of water into
the engine under any conditions. Water fl owing
back to the engine will damage it and possibly
fl ood the boat. The exhaust outlet must be above
the load water line.
On sailboats, provisions must be made to prevent
the exhaust exit from being below the water line in
any running angle, especially during tacking or
heeling maneuvers. A transom location is best.
WATERLIFT EXHAUST SYSTEMS
The waterlift exhaust system is a simple, inexpensive
method of exhausting engine exhaust in raw water from
the cooling system. The waterlift muffl er is a canister
with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet pipe extends inside
the canister almost to its bottom.
The engine cooling water is injected into the
exhaust line near the exhaust manifold. Water from the
wet exhaust fi lls the canister above the bottom line of
the outlet pipe, effectively blocking the outlet. When
suffi cient pressure builds up, the water and exhaust gases
are literally “blown” out of the submerged outlet pipe,
and the cycle begins again. Boats equipped with water-
lift systems are easily identifi ed by the bursts of cooling
water from their exhaust pipe.
The water should be injected into the exhaust system
as close to the exhaust manifold as is possible. All
Northern Lights generators can be supplied with water
injection elbows which attach directly to the wet exhaust
manifold. Rubber hose designed and approved for marine
exhaust line use can be used for the point of water
injection. Any piping before the point of water injection
must be water jacketed or insulated to minimize heat
rejection and fi re risk.
Flexible rubber exhaust hose allows for easy
installation and fl exibility. The exhaust line should be at
least as large as the engine exhaust outlet. The line should
be increased one pipe size for each ten feet (3.048 m) in
length. The waterlift muffl er should be mounted below
the exhaust manifold. The exhaust line should pitch
downward at least one-half inch per foot (or 42 mm/m) of
line from the point of water injection to the muffl er. Do
not connect the muffl er directly to the exhaust manifold
(
see Figure 2
).
On heat exchanger cooled units, the raw water fl ow
can be injected into the exhaust system. On keel cooled
units, a separate raw water pump will be required to inject
water into the exhaust.
The outlet line from the waterlift muffl er should loop
at least 12" (30 cm) above the water line. Avoid any low
spots or belly in the hose where water can be trapped and
fl ow back into the engine when the boat pitches and rolls.
The highest point of the loop should be no more than four
feet (1.23 m) measured from the bottom of the muffl er.
WARNING: If the point of water injection cannot be
located at least 12" (30 cm) above the water line, a
SIPHON BREAK will be required to prevent
siphoning the exhaust water back into the exhaust
system.
If a siphon break is used, it should be located between
the raw water pump and the inlet to the heat exchanger.
This will allow positive closure of the valve in the siphon
break during engine operation. The siphon break should
be located at least 12" (30 cm) above the water line (
see
Figure 3
). DO NOT use a drip tube on the siphon break as
it will negate the function of the valve.
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