Repowering Bertram 25 and cleaing up engine bay, need help to identify a part.

[chrisCA]

Hi

Anyone know what this is?

It is in my engine bay.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/jNneLg29hNpnm1RYA

[Tony Meola]

Looks like a solinoid. Did you trace the wires back to see what they connect too?

[chrisCA]

Ok i took it apart and there is some glass tubes inside.

See the link


https://photos.app.goo.gl/J76hqKKWExj4aQsu8

[Geebert]

Light bulbs inside of a screen?
Maybe a heater of some kind?
I'd definitely get it out of my bilge whatever it is.
Thats certainly not ignition rated

[chrisCA]

Could it be some kind of gas fumes detector ?

Ill clean it up for sure

[Rick Jester]

Gas fume detector

[Carl]

"Sensor for a fume detector" is where I'd place my bet.


I have a really bad joke developing about how the filaments produce a spark; in the presence of gasoline fumes the sensor blows up...but after careful consideration, I realize that is not funny and will not go there.



I always kept my fume detector on the front of my face, no motors were ever started without a good whiff from each engine compartment. I truly believe gasoline motors are safe but NEED to be well respected, all protocols for starting, refueling, and transport need to be followed. Gadgets to aid in that are great, but no substitute for the nose in my opinion.

[Geebert]

I truly believe gasoline motors are safe but NEED to be well respected, all protocols for starting, refueling, and transport need to be followed.

I agree with carl. As usual.
There are things that get labeled as dangerous because there is no buffer zone between safe and unsafe. You don't get to break some of the rules and still be ok. If the rules are broken, the consequences are extremely likely, and usually instantaneous.
Follow the rules and like a switch, the danger is off.
I love gas inboards, but maintain a constant fear of the overlooked. Which is why i hate gas inboards.

[ktm_2000]

might be a required part for some in the boating population.....

I recently was told a story by a new boater how they put 10+ gallons of gas down a rod-holder onto their deck while on a trailer at a gas station. I'm not sure how their nose didn't catch that sooner amazes me.

[Carl]

I recently was told a story by a new boater how they put 10+ gallons of gas down a rod-holder onto their deck while on a trailer at a gas station. I'm not sure how their nose didn't catch that sooner amazes me.

Mr. Vigilent here...

Embarrassing, but yes I have done just that. I am glad it was not 10 gallons nor a gallon, but whatever it was was plenty. I am lucky my foot was directly under the pole holder finding out in seconds. Lots of rags, then lots of open hatches as I put my boat to the end of the dock on a very quiet day. It took a long while before the odor of gasoline was gone. A while longer as I hosed and washed and waited for it to dry and had someone else sniff test for me as my sniffer whiffer was kinda shot by then.

How did it happen...very simple, I was not paying attention. I could give excuses that someone distracted me, the pole holder is next to the fuel fill...but it all goes back to ME not paying attention which is a very important rule to disregard.



How did they not notice...

Did Not Pay Attention
Excuses- distracted, feeling cool about their boat, fuel fumes stay low, gas station smells like gas, breeze blowing the other way etc.

[ktm_2000]

I can guarantee one thing, the list of dumb things that I have done puts me WAY ABOVE average and this conversation has me re-thinking putting a rod holder anywhere near the gas fill.

[pschauss]

When I refueled about a month ago, I caught myself trying to put the gas cap back onto one of the rod holders.

[Tony Meola]

I think that is a mistake we have all made or started to make. Coming back from fishing one day, I was pretty beat. Pulled up to the gas dock, took off the cap, then proceeded to put the nozel in the rod holder. Lucky for me that before I pulled the trigger, the woman at the gas dock saw me and politely stopped me.

[Yannis]

What’s even worse is to put diesel in your water tank, or worse yet, water in the diesel tank.
Unforgettable experiences, both of them!

[Carl]

A lesson here is a stupid mistake can happen even to the best of us. Hopefully that lesson taught us and for the truly smart people let our mistakes teach them.

[PeterPalmieri]

Years ago I pulled up to the gas dock with a brand new 2 stroke Merc. Said fill me up with regular, I went to hit the head and left my friend and the kid at the gas dock in charge. Ended up with a tank full of diesel. Cost me a new power head.