I have heard from more than a few boat owners that they add a bromine tablet or two to their raw water intake strainer to help clean their engine cooling system. Has anyone out there ever done that? What are the downsides, if any?
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Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
Bromine, like chlorine, is a disinfectant/sanitizer which normally works on organic material. I suppose if there was an organic substance coating the interior surfaces, it might help to remove it over time, but I am not sure.
I would be concerned about signicant changes in pH, but I would guess since the water is constantly being refreshed, it would not matter much.
There would be some small possible harm to the environment - kind of like throwing a little bleach in the water.
The next time the boat is hauled and blocked, you could probably find a way to run an appropriate flushing fluid through the raw water side to do the job more effectively and with no environmental harm.
Just MHO.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Read a recent article in Practical sailor Online that recommends when winterizing the engine to remove cover from the raw water strainer, after shutting the seacock. Run the engine for about 10 minutes with a garden hose running fresh water into the strainer. They felt that would flush most of the salt out and then run two gallons of anti-freeze solution.
Oddly, they said the engine should be warm when doing this. I'm not aware of any thermostat in the raw water side that would open up additional passages.
Bruce
Southern Comfort #1881
Tall rig, Wing Keel
Chesapeake Bay