Muffs v. trash can full of water

[airdvr1227]

Seems to me muffs don't really duplicate actual running conditions. Would it be better to lower my drive into a trash can full of water?

 

[SeanT]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

I think I read elsewhere on this forum that if you do that, you should remove the prop, otherwise the force will send water out of the can and probably wreck the can. But apparently it provides enough back pressure (?) to more closely resemble floating?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

Don't put it into gear. Keep water flowing into the container to keep from recirculating the spent heated water. Keep the level above the anti-cav plate.

You can use the garden hose to siphon it back out again. Just turn off the faucet, unhook the hose and hold the end up higher until you can run it over to a drain or out in the yard then put it down, it will be already primed and the water will run out, just keep the hose from kinking at the container.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

Either way, you're not going to run much above idle speed. I like the trash can method for small motors myself, because I feel more sure that the water pump is circulating the water rather than the force from the hose.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

I vote muffs - simple easy effective.

Trash can works great for OB's, but your have holes in your exhaust bellows, so a good portion of your "used" water will exit there, and unless you have a custom trash can, it dumps nedxt to your container. You still have the mess, still need to keep the hose going to replenish the water inthe can, and keep the temp down, cause some of the "used" water will make it back there.

All in all, it just adds complexity where it isn't needed.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

I start mine up on muffs before going out, run it for a short period of time and never rev it more than about 1500 rpm's. I never put it in gear on the muffs.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

If it's saltwater,, take a fresh water ride.
Otherwise,,, don't waste your time if it's a fresh water boat.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

Depends on the purpose.

For simple starting and flushing muffs are fine.

For anything more complicated I own a Rubbermaid 100-gal "stock watering trough" that I bought last year. The advantage to having that around is that it more closely replicates an actual operating environment. I haven't tried it yet on my V-P, but it was deep enough to bury the lower unit/exhaust on my 175 Johnson. Very nice feature during tune-up and troubleshooting, as it adds back pressure to the exhaust. That makes a big difference in the running characteristics of the motor.

Probably overkill for folks with smaller, lighter boats than can be dunked and retrieved easily as needed....

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

I use a 55 gallon barrel with the top cut out for my 30 HP long shaft Evinrude. I work it in under the motor with the motor still mounted on the transom.

I have, on occasion, run it until the water in the water feels warm (but not hot) to the touch then emptied it with a sump pump designed for pumping out flooded basements and started over if need be.

I don't worry too much about the water being moderately warm because I've run that motor for several hours at a time in one Mexican lake in July and August when the water was at least as warm as I let it get in the barrel.

But again, warm, not hot!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

I vote muffs - simple easy effective.

Trash can works great for OB's, but your have holes in your exhaust bellows, so a good portion of your "used" water will exit there, and unless you have a custom trash can, it dumps nedxt to your container. You still have the mess, still need to keep the hose going to replenish the water inthe can, and keep the temp down, cause some of the "used" water will make it back there.

All in all, it just adds complexity where it isn't needed.

Exactly.

 

[wwcj101]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

i use the muffs. i have used the barrel on a 5hp nissan only becouse the muffs wouldnt fit the water intake. i had a hard time getting the barrel out after i finished. ended up cutting a slit in the barrel and plugging with silly puddy the next time.

 

[pmat1]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

i use muffs, but this is neat http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/boa/1353186544.html

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

I just thought it would lend itself to more realistic conditions. Seems like muffs would force feed water to the impeller.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

If you want to test how well the raw water pump pulls water in at the lake then the drive-in-a-barrel scenario is the most like sitting in the water.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

Barrel is better than muffs. A submerged lower unit pulls more water than one on the muffs. Better circulation and cooling. Have done it both ways, and the barrel is the winner hands down.

Just be sure the water level is above the impeller when using a barrel, or you will shred the impeller.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

... A submerged lower unit pulls more water than one on the muffs...

That has not been my experience at all. I guess if you have a wimpy hose and wimpy water pressure, maybe, but not with a stiff hose and the good water pressure I have had at every place we have lived. In fact, with the muffs, it's possible to "force" water past the impeller when the motor isn't running. And you have to be careful of that.

180Shabah is still exactly right. You all are introducing complexity where it isn't needed.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

That has not been my experience at all. I guess if you have a wimpy hose and wimpy water pressure, maybe, but not with a stiff hose and the good water pressure I have had at every place we have lived. In fact, with the muffs, it's possible to "force" water past the impeller when the motor isn't running. And you have to be careful of that.

I agree entirely, unless you have the hose turned extremely low or the muffs are very loose, you will always get more water than just sucking it in.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

That has not been my experience at all. I guess if you have a wimpy hose and wimpy water pressure, maybe, but not with a stiff hose and the good water pressure I have had at every place we have lived. In fact, with the muffs, it's possible to "force" water past the impeller when the motor isn't running. And you have to be careful of that.

180Shabah is still exactly right. You all are introducing complexity where it isn't needed.

I have to disagree. The water pressure is fine at my house (80psi) and I use the large diameter hoses. The bottom line is that the water pressure gauge always reads higher pressure when in a tank than on the muffs.

Another problem with muffs is that manufacturers state not to run with the hose full on for fear of the muffs slipping off due to hydroplaning. High water pressure in muffs just shoots out the sides of the cups, and does nothing to increase the flow and pressure in the power head.

The pressure gauge does not lie.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

Your wife likes muff too? Lucky guy

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Muffs v. trash can full of water

I've found both useful. A quick flush on muffs is quick and easy and works fine. Recently I was tracking a cooling problem, and running in a tank was helpful in better replicating actual running conditions.