Installation manual
CARBON
MONOXIDE
"CO"I
LOW-CO·
GENERATORS
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Carbon
monoxide
"CO"
is
a
component
of
engine
exhaust.
It
is
a
colorless,
tasteless,
odorless,
lighter
than
air
poisonous
gas
that
can
kill
you
without
any
warning.
CO
poisoning
is
one of
the
major safety
risks
associated
with
boating.
It
is
a
threat
that
must
not be
underestimated.
Westerbeke Low-CO generators are designed
to
dramatically_
reduce
normal
levels
of
CO
in
the engine
exhaust.
Several
standards
for
CO
have
been
published,
expressed
in
parts
per
miliion "ppm"
and
hours
of
exposure:
Regulator
CO
ppm
Exposure
Hours
EPA
9
8
ACGW
25
8
EPA
35
1
NIOSH
35
8
OSHA
50
8
ACGm
125
0.5
NIOSH
200
0.0
NIOSH
1200
0.0
(IDLH)
1200
ppm
is
the
so-called
IDLH
concentration-
IMMEDIATELY'
DANGEROUS
TO
LIFE
AND
HEALTH.
. A city
in
California
characterizes
the
effect
of
CO
,
concentration
this
way:
Parts
per
Million
Responses
25
Permissible exposure level,
no
apparent toxic symptoms.
100
No
poisoning for long period.
Allowable for several hours.
200
Should not be exposed above
this level for any period
of
time. A possible mild frontal
headache
in
two
to
three hours.
Even though Westerbeke
Low-CO generators
are
designed
to reduce normal levels of
CO
in
the
engine
exhaust
dramatically, an exhaust
leak
of
untreated exhaust would
be
extremely dangerous. For
this
reason
it
is
extremely important
to install a
CO
detector near the
generatoP--afld
to
be sure
it
is
always turned
ON
and FUNCTIONING
properly.
If
this
d~tector
sounds,
do
not turn
it
off, assuming
it
is
a false signal.
You
can
not taste, smell, or otherwise detect
CO.
Leave
the
::(lefector
on,
turn off all engines and generators, evacuate
the
boat leaving ports and hatches open,
and
seek
professional
h~lp.
As
soon
as
CO
leaves
the
exhaust
outlet,
the
level
is
subject
to
dilution
in
the
open
air.
The
closer a
person
is
to
the
exhaust
outlet,
the
higher
the
concentration of
CO.
In a closed
space,
such
as
the
engine
compartment,
the
boat,
or
underneath
a stem swim platform,
concentrations
will
potentially
rise
to
the
undiluted level
emanating
from
the
exhaust
system
due
to
a lack of
fresh
air
to
dilute
the
exhaust
gas.
Therefore,
one
should never
rely
on
dilution
of
the
exhaust
to
provide
a
margin
of
safety.
. Westerbeke
Low-CO
generators achieve reduction of typical
CO
by
precise control
of
the engine's air/fuel
ratio
coupled
with-after treatment
of
the exhaust
in
a special catalyst.
CO
emissions
are
not
the
sa~e
for every model because each
engine
is
different. Also, certain
fuel
system components
are
.c.ommonized
across several engine
models
being
ad~quate
for
some
and extra adequate for
others,
thus
producing different
CO
levels for different
models.
The
fuel
system
which
accomplishes
the
required
precise
air/fuel ratio control
is
comprised of
many
different
components:
purc~ased
sub-assemblies,
machined
castings,
sensors,
electronics
'and
others.
Because
of
the
extreme
level
of
CO
reduction,
any
variability
in
the
functioning
of
any
these
components
can
and
will
cause variability of
the
CO
output.
CO
concentration
also
varies
with
load.
Usually,
but
not
always,
the
worst
case
CO
concentration
occurs
at
maximum
load.
INSPECTION
The
catalyst
is
critical
to
optimizing
CO
levels.
Any
water
intrusion
into
the
engine's exhaust system
will
likely
quickly
compromise
the
proper operation of
the
catalyst.
-
Westerbeke's
exhaust system installation
instructions
dated
May
2004
2
nd
Edition must be adhered
to.
NOTE:
Water
intrusion
is not a
product
defect
and
is
not
covered
under
warranty,
neither
Westerbeke
s
normal
product
warranty
nor
the
emissions
.specific
warranty
mandated
by
various
regulating
authorities
such
as
EPA
andCARB.
Maintenance
of
any
components
affecting
the
flow
of air into
the
engine or
the
flow
of
fuel
to
the
engine
is
critically
important.
Fuel
filters,
air
filters,
flame
arrester
screens
MUST
be
properly
maintained.
Inspection
of
the
catalyst
at
the
prescribed
intervals
is
critically
important.
The exhaust
elbow
is
removed
by
loosening
the
metal
clamp
to
provide a
view
of
the
output
surface of
the
catalyst.
Any
visual irregularity of
the
nonnal
flush,
honeycomb
appear~ce
is
most likely a
result
of
water
intrusion.
The
cause
of the irregularity must be
identified
and
addressed.
If
there
is
irregularity,
the
catalyst
and
sealing
gasket
must
be
replaced.
The water injected
exhaust
elbow
casting
must
be inspected
also
for
corrosion
and
replaced
as
needed.
Upon
careful reassembly of
the
catalyst,
new
sealing
gasket,
and
exhau~t
elbow,
check
for
the
presence
of
CO
while
the
engine
is
running.
This
must be
performed
with
a
CO
analyzer.
Engines & Generators
IV