Northern Lights and Caribbean Distributor, Parts & Power, are holding a Caribbean Dealer Conference on 20 & 21 August. Representatives from Dockyard Electric in Trinidad, Grenada Marine and Palm Tree Marine in Grenada, Marintek in St. Lucia, Dominica Marine Center in Dominica, Seagull Services and Marine Power Service in Antigua, Electec in St. Maarten, All Points Marine and Plan B in St. Thomas, and Parts & Power in Tortola will be in attendance.
The two day Conference is an opportunity for the Caribbean Northern Lights dealers to get together and discuss how they can improve customer satisfaction with Northern Lights generators, Lugger propulsion engines and Technicold Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Load Bank products. New products that are being launched currently, and in the near future, will be unveiled. Feedback from customers’ experience in the field will be discussed, and conveyed to Design and Engineering Teams. It will be a unique opportunity to translate information on customers’ comments and suggestions into modifications and changes in the Product lines. EPA and European emissions law changes, future regulations, and how those will force changes to the products in next few years, will be discussed. Service topics will be shared from the Factory to Dealers and Dealers back to the Factory.
The constantly evolving Technicold Product Line will be introduced to many of the Caribbean dealers in attendance. Technicold’s high quality stainless steel Air Conditioning products will be displayed and demonstrated with particular attention paid to the features and benefits of the product. Dealers will also be introduced to Technicold s/s Refrigeration products and the Automatic Load Banks. Technicold Load Banks are fresh water cooled, designed to utilize a small footprint for installations, are standard with Digital controllers, and are offered with PLC full color LCD screen as an option. These systems allow the vessel to manage loading of generators to ensure better engine performance.
We will be introducing the new Northern Lights HybriGen system. HybriGen is the result of the collaboration between Northern Lights and BAE systems, a worldwide leader defence technologies, electronics and military equipment. HybriGen is the first truly variable speed power generation system which can be used for ships service AC power, and as an AC propulsion system simultaneously. HybriGen is a completely load dependent system so the engine only runs at the speed required to make the power that the vessel needs and, when used in conjunction with a battery storage system the engine will shut down once the batteries are charged allowing the vessel to run quietly and cleanly on batteries only.
Unlike others in the market, the HybriGen system is the only one on the market which is a completely engineered, tested and commercially fielded system in the world with over 4000 operating in major city busses worldwide every day.
Previous Caribbean Dealer Meetings have produced changes such as changes to s/w pumps from lip to mechanical ceramic seals and hex head as well as slotted screws on cover plates; introduction of stainless steel exhaust elbows to replace cast iron ones; addition of coolant recovery bottles, reduction in overall package size, the change to all s/s bolts and screws on the generator set and many others. Customer feedback and dealer ideas on how to make the Products more customer-friendly, more reliable, and longer lived will, once again, be translated into product improvements and changes.
Stay tuned for updates on the ideas and developments coming from the Conference.
Category: Parts and Power
DIESEL ENGINES ARE SIMPLE
A little over a year ago I had spinal surgery. It was not something I wanted to do and, indeed, did everything I could to avoid it. In the process, I saw 13 different health professionals. Of those 13, only 2 agreed on what was wrong and what action to take. They were both wrong. Of the other 11, not only did they disagree with the other 10 opinions, but they said that the previous advice was the worst thing I could possibly do.
This gave me a greater appreciation of what I’ve devoted the last 35 years in dealing with: diesel engines. Although there are a variety of opinions on diagnosis and treatment of diesel maladies, they should not differ that much.
Unlike the human body, diesel engines are very simple devices. All they need is Air, Compression and Fuel. If they have that, they will run. They may not run all that well, but they will run. Getting them to run well may take a bit of finesse, but they will run.
The principles of diesel engine operation was best described to me as Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow. This applies to 4 stroke diesel engines, of which the vast majority of modern diesels are. The first down stroke happens with the Intake Valve open. This “sucks” in air. As the piston starts its second stroke upward the intake valve closes. This causes the air to compress or “squeeze”. At or near Top Dead Center, fuel in injected. The atomized fuel hitting the hot compressed air causes it to ignite or “bang”. This causes the third stroke downward, or the “power stroke”. On the upward 4th stroke, the exhaust valve opens and the ignition residue, or “exhaust” is “blown” out, completing the 4 cycles of a diesel engine.
Take one of the 3 elements required away, and the engine will not run. So let’s review them in order of simplicity to identify.
Fuel. To determine if there is fuel, you can loosen the high pressure pipes at the injectors. You don’t want to completely disconnect it, and you certainly don’t want to get body parts or anything you want to hang onto into the potential spray pattern. Injection pressures can exceed 20,000 psi on some engines. By loosening the connectors though, you should be able to see if fuel is coming out. If there is no fuel, you need to work your way backwards to see where the fuel is being interrupted. A shortcut to this sometimes tedious process is to determine if it is a “boat” problem, or an “engine” problem. This can be done by gravity feeding fuel to the low pressure fuel pump. A simple way is to disconnect the fuel inlet and return lines. Run both into a gallon jug of known good, clean diesel. Bleed the air out of the system per the manufacturer’s instructions, then try to start the engine. If the engine starts, you have a “boat” problem. If the engine doesn’t start, then you have an “engine” problem. Now you can troubleshoot with a narrower focus.
Air is the next easiest to determine. Air not only includes air going into the engine, but exhaust “air” leaving the engine. So you need to check it from Appetite to Ass…er, Exhaust. Air In is pretty easy. If restricted, you usually get warning signals such as black exhaust. Intake air problems can include a dirty air filter or a plugged after cooler. Start from the beginning and check everything until you can look inside the intake ports on the head. If there is nothing in the way, then it is not Air In. Air Out is more problematic. We have seen everything from plugged exhausts to collapsed inner liners of the exhaust hose. We once had a customer who rebuilt his engine three times before he finally looked at his exhaust elbow. It was plugged with carbon, and its 2” port had narrowed to about ¼”. Again, start at the beginning and work your way to the end. It is very common to find the exhaust outlet plugged at the water injection point on the exhaust elbow. This is especially true of lightly loaded diesels. Extensive running of a diesel engine to only charge batteries or run a refrigeration compressor spell early death for a diesel engine.
If both Fuel and Air is present, then it only leaves compression. Compression can only be measured using a “compression tester”. It requires a gauge, a hose and an adaptor to connect the hose to the cylinder. A “cannibalized” injector is the most common adaptor. If you don’t have compression tester, you will need to hire someone who does.
There are no “set” numbers for compression. The number depends on a lot of variables, including atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure), battery voltage, the volume of space inside the test equipment, and a few other factors. Diesel engines that have low compression almost never have identical wear on all cylinders. One cylinder will “fail” first. It might be a burned or corroded valve, a broken ring, bore wear, bore glazing, or a variety of other problems. But one, or maybe two, cylinders will fail before the others. So, when a compression test is done, the examiner is looking for differences in compression between cylinders. If they are all very close (within 50-60 psi), compression is good. If all are reading on the low side, a commonly used technique is to squirt oil into the cylinder and do a second test. If the compression comes up significantly, the problem tends to be rings. If the compression does not, the problem is most likely valves or, more precisely, the failure of the valves to seat tightly in the head.
So, unlike the human body, diesel engines are pretty straightforward. If you are getting a lot of different diagnoses and treatment suggestions, you are talking to a lot of the wrong people. It’s time to seek out someone who has been trained and has experience with your particular engine. If you can find 2 such people, then get your second opinion. They ought to be pretty close. Hopefully they won’t tell you that, what the other guy said, was the worst possible thing you could do.
CARIBBEAN SERVICE TRAINING 17-19 JULY 2012
Parts & Power Ltd conducted Northern Lights Service Training on Tortola on 17, 18 & 19 July. The Training was well attended, with 19 persons attending. Dealers from Marine Maintenance Services (Tortola), Electec (St. Maarten), Marintek (St. Lucia), Marine Power Service (Antigua), Grenada Marine (Grenada), Parts & Power and Cay Electronics (Tortola) were in attendance. This year, select Fleet Operators were invited to attend. Technicians from Tui Marine (the Moorings), BVI Yacht Charters, TMM, Horizons Yacht Charters and Conch Charters attended the 3 day training.
The Training was conducted by Parts & Power Director of Technical Services, Dan Durbin, and Service Administrator, Kelly Soares. The event was coordinated by Gladys Jones and ably administered by Somora Hazel, with the assistance of Kester Agard.
Training included Product Identification; Diesel Engine theory, maintenance and troubleshooting; DC electrical troubleshooting and understanding wiring schematics; AC electrical theory, troubleshooting and repair; Warranty Training for dealers; and 10 hours of hands-on generator work. A running take out generator was disassembled, the rear seal replaced, injectors tested, compression test performed, had the DC and AC system analyzed, and was started. The proper way to design and troubleshoot exhaust systems was discussed and demonstrated.
Participants were unanimous in the high grades they gave the training. Several said it was one of the better training programs they had ever attended. Even the more experience technicians said that they benefitted immensely by attending. The only complaint voiced was that the Training was too short.
Parts & Power want to thank all of those who organized, performed and attended the training. They especially want to acknowledge the outstanding support they received from Scott Putnicki and Nathan Price of Northern Lights in assisting with the implementation of the training.
UNBELIEVABLE DEALS ON NORTHERN LIGHTS SOUND ENCLOSURES
UNBELIEVABLE DEALS ON NORTHERN LIGHTS SOUND ENCLOSURES
FROM PARTS & POWER, TORTOLA
Northern Lights M843NW2 or M843NW3 Sound Enclosure, part number 05-73100.
LIST PRICE: $5,500.00 SPECIAL PRICE: $1406.00
Northern Lights M844K/M844LK Sound Enclosure, part number Northern Lights 05-70000.
LIST PRICE: $7,950.00 SPECIAL PRICE: $1,977.00
Northern Lights M7536K/M773LK Sound Enclosure, part number Northern Lights 05-78600.
LIST PRICE: $4,350.00 SPECIAL PRICE: $1,350.00
TERMS
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All prices FOB Road Town, Tortola.
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Not subject to gift certificates or other promotions.
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Limited supplies.
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Prices subject to availability
NOTES FROM HURRICANE EARL, August 2010
Everyone in the Caribbean watched with great interest as Hurricane Earl formed in the Eastern Atlantic at the end of August. From the beginning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) had it passing anywhere from 100-200 miles to the north of the BVI. Despite this, the hurricane kept tracking to the West. While still on the NHC track, it was disconcerting to see a fairly major storm heading right for the NE Caribbean. The only comforting thought was that it was only predicted to be a strong Tropical Storm or relatively mild Category 1 hurricane.
In what, at the time, seemed to be an abundance of caution, some business and home owners put up Storm Shutters, but most did not. On Monday, the 25th, we at Parts & Power prepared for what we thought would be a lot of rain and possible flooding. At the last minute, we decided to put a recent shipment of Industrial generators inside and put up Storm Shutters.
Although Earl continued to track exactly along the NHC track, it built rapidly from a Storm to Cat 1 and then Cat 2. We started to get some wind. As the day dawned on Tues, the 30th, Earl was a Cat 4. Obviously we had all underestimated Earl. Hurricane force winds pummeled the island of Anegada which experienced heavy devastation. On Tortola, 22 miles away, the winds seemed more selective. West End was battered, with a majority of the fleet there either blown aground or sunk. The North side of the island had patches running up the mountain that was reminiscent of a strip of bark being torn off a tree, with relatively unscathed sections on either side. Road Harbour, although in the most protected area of the island, had 6 or 7 commercial vessels severely damaged or sunk. Even the most conservative of mariners had not prepared for what Earl brought. The difference seems to be on those vessels that remained manned and were able to deploy more anchors and motor into the winds.
In the end, Earl stayed pretty much right on the track the NHC predicted. The Closest Point of Approach (CPA) to Tortola was about 140 miles by my calculations as I watched the eye pass to the North on Nexrad radar. While at my house, which is totally exposed 360 degrees, we experienced winds that approached hurricane force, other people on the island recorded wind gusts of over 110 mph. The large seas generated by the Storm caused the majority of the damage.
Utility current was lost throughout the country. Some homes and businesses were without power for over a week. Those whose generators had recently been serviced fared well. All emergency calls both during the hurricane, as well as immediately following, came from customers who had not done the recommended Summer Maintenance.
The lesson learned was never to underestimate a Storm or Hurricane. Hurricanes can and will do unpredictable things. No one who boarded up, prepared their property or serviced their equipment regretted doing so. The same can’t be said of those who did not.
From the Desk of Drew Bremner,
From the Desk of Drew Bremner,
Sales Manager. Parts and Power:
TO Northern Lights Caribbean Dealers:
Well, here we are into the most active part of the hurricane season. With luck, we have all been busy servicing the industrial and marine generators in our respective areas. The refits on all of the charter fleets are well underway and vacations are done or happening now. We have taken this slower part of the season to get some well needed training in. Northern Lights, and Parts and Power ran a very successful dealers meeting in July with specials on product to pass along for the refit vessels and customers. A Northern Lights service school is going to happen in September with techs flying in from all parts of the Caribbean. Inventory is coming up for most of our dealers and us, not something anybody looks forward to, yet the only way to put everything on an even keel before the next onslaught of a hopefully busy season.
By all accounts the economy is holding but not rebounding with the vigour that we would have hoped. Things will remain challenging for the next season and, with luck, keep slowly climbing up. Bearing this in mind, we all have to keep vigilant with expenses, quotes and above all, service to our loyal customers. Good rapport and feedback are what will carry a company through hard times. This is very important in all aspects of our businesses. With solid communication and feedback we can all benefit from each others experiences. Problems can be solved and proper solutions can be reached. Advertising is an indicator of a strong company with the resources to make it through good or bad times; this instills confidence in customers and end users of products. Dealer networks and easy access to information, coupled with professional service will maintain the confidence in a product that will keep the customers using Northern Lights product for years to come. We plan to promote this concept and assist any and all of our dealers to maintain this with us.
To this end, we ask that you contribute information about your customers, product sales, information about your staff and any other relevant news to our website.
Training, service schools, staff customer service seminars, product knowledge training, all are the first items looked at when tightening belts. This is not a path any company wants to go down. Without solidly trained staff in the right positions, a company starts the decline of service and in turn the confidence of customers will crumble. How many of us have laughed at the commercial where the customer is looking for a store employee to help and the employee is running around the aisle avoiding the customer. There are many tools to maintain your staff’s expertise without breaking the bank. In house training after hours, seminars done on premises with representatives of products, video conferencing. Advertising can be shared out with a group of dealers and done on the internet, bulk ads in papers, magazines and so forth. It is very important that you keep a high profile in your areas with anyone looking for your product lines seeing you first! Answers to inquiries must be answered immediately and followed up with callbacks. I guess it’s always going to be back to basics, but it’s those concepts that work and make a company one that lasts. Good luck in the upcoming season and I look forward to working with and hearing from all of you in the coming season.
Drew Bremner CD SSM
Sales Manager
Parts and Power
Tortola, BVI
2010 New Year’s Update
Happy New Year and Best Wishes to All for 2010 from everyone at Parts & Power. I wanted to give a little update on what it happening here in Tortola
A OLD NEW FACE
Sanchez Christopher has rejoined our Service Team. He joined us right out of high school as an apprentice in 1991 and worked his way up to be one the finest young marine engineers anywhere. We were disappointed when he chose to leave 4 years ago, but are delighted to have him back with us again.
Many of you may remember Sanchez. He has a bright, positive attitude and always finds a way to get the job done, no matter what the obstacles. For those of you who attended Service Schools with him, you will remember him as the class cut up.
Welcome back Sanchez.
2009 SEASON OUTLOOK
If the numbers of boats out are any indication of the upcoming Season, it should be a good one. We are seeing a lot of boats out in Sir Francis Drake Channel and along the North Shore of Tortola. There are significantly more Super Yachts than last year.
We are also seeing a lot of new faces, of the cruising transient boaters, in the Store these days.
The BVI Charter Yacht Society, and the Crewed Yacht Association, have been Marketing very aggressively this year. The value that a vacation on a Crewed Yacht offers is truly amazing. When you consider that all the lodging, food, drink, local travel, water sports and entertainment are included in the price of a charter, it is a hard deal to beat. With people being careful about spending this year, we hope to see an increase in business there.
PASSING OF A YOUNG FRIEND
Victor Smith, our 23 year old apprentice, was tragically killed in November. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had been with us for a year and showed great promise. He had a positive, upbeat attitude and was a hard worker. I once asked him what he liked to do most. He told me, “It doesn’t matter as long as I stay busy”. He had grown to be a big part of the Parts & Power family and he will is truly missed.
KELLY SOARES
Kelly Soares, our Service Administrator, has the thankless job of trying to keep our Service Dept under control—no easy task. Kelly is the daughter of Dean Soares, of Anegada. Her uncle is Mark Soares and her grandfather is Vernon. The Soares are a rather famous old Anegada family. They own Neptune’s Treasure Restaurant and Hotel on Anegada. They own the commercial fishing vessel “Argus III”. The vessel is fitted out with all Northern Lights products. They have a pair of L6108A Luggers and an old M854B Northern Lights generator which is still running strong after nearly 20 years and 20,000 hours. If you are ever on Anegada, make a point of visiting the Neptune’s Treasure Restaurant and reading about the fascinating history of the Soares family.
We’re lucky to have Kelly. For, even though she is only 5 feet tall, she manages to keep all those guys in line.
SERVICE DEPT
Our Service Dept has shrunk a bit as result of the economy, but we are lean and mean as they say. Dan Durbin remains at the helm of the Service Dept. His depth of knowledge and experience is hard to match. He still gets out in the field to supervise and do the occasional job. Sebastian John remains as our Chief Engineer. He has taken over more responsibility with management and is everyone in the Service Department’s “go to guy”. Wilbert Vyphius is our generator specialist and all around Service Engineer. Royston McAllister joined us a year ago as a Service Engineer following the departure of Royston Ault, who returned home following the untimely death of his wife in Guyana. Kelly and Sanchez round out our Service Dept. They remain ready to assist with any of your Northern Lights problems.
We look forward to seeing you in 2010.
Please stop by and say hello when you are on Tortola.