ETO ENGINEER

Can 24.34VDC batteries be used to calibrate a 24VDC pressure transmitter? #Span #Zero #calibration #pressuretransmitter #pressure #transmitter

The replacement interval for bearings in marine electric #motors depends on operating conditions, motor design, and maintenance quality. On average, bearings in marine motors last between 20,000 and 40,000 hours under normal temperature and acceptable vibration levels. For motors exposed to heavy loads or #vibration (such as winches), the service life may be reduced to 10,000–20,000 hours. Open Bearings require regular lubrication, usually every 2,000–4,000 operating hours. Marine-grade anti-emulsion greases, such as Mobil Polyrex EM or SKF LGHP 2, should be used since they resist moisture and salt. #Bearing condition should be monitored through vibration Analysis and temperature measurement. These checks are recommended at least once a month. If vibration exceeds 4.5 mm/s RMS or temperature rises above 95°C, the bearing should be replaced. Even if the motor operates normally, bearings are typically replaced every 4–5 years, or after about 30,000 hours of service. For critical equipment, such as main pumps or engine room ventilation #motors, bearings are often renewed during each major #overhaul. If a #motor has been idle for a long time, bearings may suffer from corrosion or “sticking.” Before starting, the shaft should be rotated manually to ensure it turns freely. #Bearings wear out faster under certain conditions, such as moisture ingress, overheating, shaft misalignment, rotor imbalance, excessive belt tension, or use of incorrect grease.

A #temperatureswitch is a device that monitors temperature and activates (or deactivates) an electrical circuit when a certain preset temperature is reached. 🔧 How it works: • Inside the #switch, there’s a temperature-sensing element (like a bimetallic strip, thermistor, or gas-filled bulb). • When the temperature rises or falls to the setpoint, the #sensor changes shape or #resistance. • This action opens or closes electrical contacts — turning equipment on or off automatically. ⚙️ Typical functions: • Turn cooling #fans on when a system gets too hot. • Turn #heaters off when a set temperature is reached. • Trigger #alarms when overheating occurs. 🧩 Types: 1. Mechanical temperature switch – uses a bimetal or expansion element (no power needed). 2. Electronic temperature switch – uses a thermistor or RTD and electronic circuit for precise control. 🛠️ Applications: • #Engine and #motor protection • #HVAC systems • Industrial process control • #Overheat #protection in generators or pumps

A #floatlevelswitch is a type of sensor used to detect the level of liquid in a tank or vessel. It works by using a floating element (the float) that rises and falls with the liquid level. When the float reaches a certain point, it activates or deactivates an electrical switch, sending a signal to a control system or alarm. Here’s a breakdown of its main parts and working principle: ⚙️ Main Components 1. Float – A buoyant object that moves with the liquid surface. 2. Stem or Arm – Connects the float to the switch mechanism. 3. #Switch mechanism – Usually a magnetic reed switch or micro switch that opens or closes the circuit based on float position. 4. Housing – Protects the internal parts; may be stainless steel, plastic, or brass depending on the application. 🔍 Working Principle • When the #liquid #level rises, the float moves upward. • This movement changes the state of the internal switch (e.g., from open to closed). • The signal can be used to: • Start or stop pumps • Trigger alarms • Control valves • Protect equipment from dry running or overflow ⚡ Types of Float Level #Switches 1. Vertical type – Mounted from the top or bottom of a tank; float moves up/down along the stem. 2. Horizontal type – Mounted from the side; float swings inward/outward as the level changes. 3. Cable type – Float is attached to a flexible cable; used in large tanks or sumps. 4. Multi-point type – Detects multiple liquid levels with several switches on one stem. 🧰 Applications • Ballast #tanks • Freshwater and fuel oil tanks • Bilge systems • Cooling systems • Sewage treatment plants • Hydraulic oil reservoirs ⚠️ Common Problems • #Float stuck due to debris or corrosion • Magnetic failure (in reed switch type) • Incorrect installation angle • Electrical connection failure

Working at #Heights: Safe Use of Fall Restrainers and Fall Arresters Working at heights poses serious risks and requires strict adherence to safety procedures. According to the UK Department of Transport (UK DoT) definition, any work conducted above 2 meters with a potential risk of falling qualifies as “working at heights.” For such tasks, a permit to work and appropriate fall protection equipment are mandatory. There are two main types of fall protection systems, each serving a distinct purpose: 1. #FallRestrainer – A safety system (such as a safety belt or harness with a lanyard) designed to prevent a worker from reaching a position where a fall could occur. 2. #FallArrester – A system with a body harness designed to stop a fall that has already started safely. The Safety Officer determines whether a restrainer or arrester is required, depending on the nature of the job and the associated risks. For instance, work in elevated areas without guardrails or operations overboard (e.g., rigging the accommodation ladder) require the use of a fall arrester with a full body harness. Donning and Inspection Before using any fall protection system, the equipment must be carefully inspected. The user must ensure that: • Belts, straps, metal components (D-rings, hooks, etc.), and lanyards are free from damage or corrosion. • The retractable lifeline operates smoothly and locks properly when tested. • The safety harness is worn tightly, checked by another crewmember, and the hook of the arrester is properly engaged. The stronghold (anchorage point) on the ship must be inspected to ensure it is structurally sound, has no sharp edges that could damage the lanyard, and can withstand a load of at least 500 kg. Only a full-body #safety #harness (not a safety belt) can be used with a fall arrester. #Fall Clearance Distance When setting up a fall arrester system, the fall clearance distance must be calculated correctly. This distance should exceed the total distance a worker might fall before being stopped by the system. It includes: 1. Length of the lanyard 2. Length of the deployed energy #absorber (once activated) 3. Worker’s height 4. Safety factor (for vessel motion or protruding fittings) An overhead anchoring point is preferable since it provides less fall distance compared to anchoring from the floor. Maintenance When not in use, fall arresters, safety harnesses, and belts must be stored in a dry room, away from sunlight and chemicals. They must not be hung by their metal parts. Monthly inspections should follow the manufacturer’s manual, checking for: • Rust or structural failure, • Paint, grease, or salt buildup (cleaning required), and • Completeness of all components. Some manufacturers may require annual servicing, which must be arranged accordingly. All inspections and maintenance activities are recorded in the Planned Maintenance System (#PMS). A fall arrester must be replaced every five years. Rescue Procedures In the event of a fall, immediate recovery of the crewmember is essential. The person must not be left hanging, as suspension trauma can occur — a condition where blood pools in the legs, reducing circulation to the brain and vital organs. After #rescue: • The worker should be placed in a sitting position (never laid flat) for at least 30 minutes to stabilize blood flow. • Medical supervision should follow. • The #fallarrester and harness used during the incident must be discarded, as internal damage may not be visible. Proper inspection, maintenance, and understanding of fall #protection systems are essential for preventing serious injuries or fatalities during work at heights. Every crewmember must ensure that their fall restrainer or arrester is in good working condition and used according to procedures. Safety begins with preparation — a moment of care can prevent a lifetime of regret.

🧠 What Is the Kalman Filter? The #Kalman #Filter is a mathematical algorithm used to estimate the true state of a dynamic system that is affected by noise and uncertainty. In simple terms, it’s a smart way to combine predictions from a model with noisy sensor measurements to obtain the most accurate possible estimate of what’s really happening. 🔍 Basic Idea At every time step, the filter performs two main actions: 1. Prediction: It predicts the next state of the system based on the previous state and a mathematical model. 2. Correction (Update): It compares this prediction with a new measurement from a sensor and adjusts the prediction depending on how much it trusts the sensor vs. the model. This process repeats continuously, giving a constantly updated “best guess” of the system’s true state — even when measurements are noisy or incomplete. ⚙️ Why It’s Called “Kalman Filter” The name comes from Rudolf Emil Kalman, an American engineer and mathematician of Hungarian origin, who introduced the filter in his 1960 paper: “A New Approach to Linear Filtering and Prediction Problems.” It’s called a filter because it literally filters out noise from data — extracting the most probable signal from uncertain or fluctuating measurements. Kalman’s method became world-famous after being used in the Apollo space program to help guide spacecraft to the Moon. 📊 Where It’s Used The #KalmanFilter is widely applied in: • #Navigation systems (#GPS, inertial sensors, #autopilots); • Aerospace and marine control systems; • #Robotics and object tracking; • Signal processing and sensor fusion; • Economics and data prediction. Anywhere you have uncertain measurements and need reliable estimates — you’ll often find a Kalman Filter. ⚖️ The Kalman Gain — the Heart of the Filter The #KalmanGain, usually denoted as K, determines how much the filter should trust the new measurement compared to the predicted value from the model. It’s a weighting factor — balancing the reliability of the model and the #sensor. 🔧 Intuitive Explanation • If the sensor is accurate (low #noise), the Kalman Gain K becomes large, and the filter trusts the measurement more. • If the sensor is noisy, K becomes small, and the filter trusts the prediction more. 🚢 The Extended Kalman Filter estimates the vessel's heading, position and velocity in each of the three degrees of freedom - #surge, #sway and #yaw. Il also incorporates algorithms for estimating the effect of sea current and waves The Extended Kalman Filter uses a mathematical model of the #vessel. The mathematical model itself is never a 100% accurate representation of the real vessel. However, by using the Extended Kalman filtering technique, the model can be continuously corrected. The vessel's heading and position are measured using the gyrocompasses and position-reference systems, and are used as input data to the #SDP system. These measurements are compared with the predicted or estimated data produced by the mathematical model, and the differences are then used to update the mathematical model to the actual situation.

Fear and Loathing in the Engine Room. Feel the atmosphere 🤯 #EngineRoom #ER

🧩 A puzzle of diagrams scattered across various manuals (Main Control Console, Main Engine, Wiring diagrams) and information from the MOP. Not all the diagrams are included (I didn't attach any minor ones related to the 24VDC power supply). ➡️ For reference. I've replaced these #converters on other vessels, so keep this in mind. 💡 Note how the #MOP tells you where the problem lies (in the cable or in the #sensor). Unfortunately, this isn't enough to give a complete picture, as at least three signal #amplifier converters are involved in the circuit. Perhaps in the future, all the components will be shown, but then the ETO won't be needed anymore. 🤷‍♂️ Or is that right? 😅 #troubleshooting #turbocharger #RPM

The essence of troubleshooting is to assemble a puzzle from all the available diagrams scattered across various manuals and find the problem. This is very inconvenient and wastes a lot of time. ⚠️ In the photo, the ME turbocharger RPM signal conditioner failed. The corresponding alarms initially went off on the #AMS and #MOP, but the #tachometer on the main console remained operational, meaning the pickup sensor remained functional. ➡️ In short. The 4-20mA signal from the #pickup sensor goes through two junction boxes and several terminal boards to the Frequency Converter, from there to the tachometer and Signal Conditioner, which in turn goes to the AMS and #SCU (via an Isolation #Amplifier). 🧩 Below is a puzzle of #diagrams 👇 #troubleshooting #turbocharger #RPM

The main element of a #pressure #switch is the sensing element, which reacts to pressure and converts it into mechanical force to open or close the contacts. Depending on the design, it can be: • #Diaphragm – a thin elastic plate that deflects under pressure changes. • #Bellows – a corrugated cylinder that expands and contracts. • #Piston – moves under the force of the process pressure. This element “senses” the pressure and transfers the force to the spring and #contact mechanism, which then generates the electrical #signal (ON/OFF).

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Pressure transmitter calibration (full video) #Span #Zero #calibration #pressuretransmitter #pressure #transmitter

Span calibration on the pressure transmitter #Span #calibration #pressuretransmitter #pressure #transmitter

Zero calibration on the pressure transmitter #Zero #calibration #pressuretransmitter #pressure #transmitter

What #mV values ​​should a #thermocouple have?

The #WTS (Water Treatment System) for EGR (Exhaust #Gas Recirculation) on a vessel is used to clean the wash water that comes into contact with exhaust gases during the EGR process. Key points: 1. Purpose of #EGR • Reduces the formation of nitrogen oxides (#NOx) by recirculating part of the exhaust gases back into the engine’s intake. • Water is used for cooling and cleaning these gases. 2. Why WTS is needed • The water used in EGR absorbs soot, #SOx, heavy metals, and other pollutants from the exhaust. • #IMO Tier III and #MARPOL Annex VI regulations require this water to be treated before discharge overboard. 3. Main functions of WTS • Filtration: removal of solid particles, soot, and ash. • Turbidity control: reduction of water cloudiness. • pH neutralization: dosing of alkaline chemicals (typically #NaOH) to maintain pH > 6.5. • Cooling: ensuring the discharge temperature is within allowed limits. • Monitoring: continuous control of pH, turbidity, #PAH, and temperature. 4. Typical components • Settling tank or particle separator. • Filtration units (cartridge filters, centrifuge, or hydrocyclone). • #pH dosing unit (alkali addition). • Sensors for pH, turbidity, temperature, and sometimes PAH. • Control and logging system (required for MARPOL compliance). 5. Operational features • Requires regular filter cleaning and maintenance. • Monitoring data must be logged and stored (usually at least 18 months). • Automatic overboard discharge lock is required if parameters go out of range. ⚠️ More information is available in our private channel ➡️ Marine Engineering Manuals ⭐️

For #Pt100 (according to #IEC 60751, α = 0.00385), the resistance increases almost linearly with temperature, with a slight deviation at higher values. Here are the values: • 100 °C → 138.51 Ω • 200 °C → 175.86 Ω • 300 °C → 212.05 Ω • 400 °C → 247.09 Ω • 500 °C → 280.98 Ω • 600 °C → 313.71 Ω • 650 °C → 329.70 Ω ⚠️ Something went wrong with the 650 °C value 🤦‍♂️ #temperature #sensors

If the needle on a battery load #tester (load fork) drops straight to zero during the test, it usually means: 1. The #battery is completely discharged – under load the voltage immediately collapses. 2. Internal short circuit (#shorted cells) – the battery cannot hold any voltage and goes straight to zero. 3. Damaged or heavily sulfated plates – the battery has lost its capacity and cannot deliver current. 4. Poor contact – if the tester #clamps are not properly connected to the terminals, the reading may also drop to zero. 🔧 Normal check procedure: • Before applying the #load – the #voltage should be around 12.6 V (for a 12 V battery). • Under load – it should not fall below 10 V within 5–10 seconds. If the needle drops immediately to zero, the battery is considered faulty and usually cannot be recovered.

Do you know what the #Ohm value should be? #PT100 #sensor #temperature

Here are the main reasons why even new #LED #floodlights on a vessel may burn out after only a couple of months: 1. Power Supply Issues • #Voltage spikes and transients in the ship’s electrical network caused by large loads (pumps, motors, cranes). LED #drivers are very sensitive to this. • Harmonics and poor waveform quality from frequency converters and other equipment. • Lack of #protection (varistors, filters, stabilizers). • Sometimes floodlights are connected directly to 220/440 V without considering network quality, and low-quality drivers fail quickly. 2. #Overheating • LED floodlights overheat if the housing (heat sink) is clogged with salt, dust, or paint, or if the cooling design is poor. • In a ship environment with high temperature and humidity, heat dissipation is reduced, and LED chips degrade faster. 3. Condensation and #Corrosion • Sealing often fails: silicone gaskets degrade quickly in marine conditions. • Moisture enters the fixture → #PCB and driver corrode → short circuits and failures. 4. Poor Quality Fixtures • Many “industrial” or even “domestic” LED floodlights are used instead of marine-certified ones. They are not designed for salt spray or unstable power supply. • Genuine marine floodlights (DNV/ABS/LR certified) last 5–7 years but cost more. 5. Installation Errors • Installed without proper earthing/grounding or on vibrating structures → static buildup and driver damage. • Cable glands not sealed properly → moisture enters through the cable. ✅ Practical steps to extend lifetime: 1. Check power quality with a logger (especially during switching of large loads). 2. Install surge protection devices, #filters, or #stabilizers before the floodlights. 3. Use marine-certified #LED fixtures (IP66–67, anti-corrosion protected). 4. Maintain cooling surfaces (clean, don’t paint radiators). 5. Ensure proper sealing and grounding.