Alpha 1 Gear Lube Monitor

[MajBach]

So I am doing some long overdue maintenance on my engine before putting it in the water ( I know - a little late but I have other toys too). Right now I am replacing the impeller for the first time (first time Ive done it that is). Much to my surprise, I notice that the reservoir in the engine compartment had about a half inch of sludge in the bottom. So, a couple of questions regarding this:
- why are there two wires and some type of sensor in the reservoir (one wire was disconnected - by mistake I think)
- is there a tried and true method of cleaning out the tube leading from the reservoir to the leg and the gear box itself?
- what is the capacity of oil for the gear box
- do you fill it from the reservoir or do you pump it in like with an outboard?\
Thanks

 

[achris]

So I am doing some long overdue maintenance on my engine before putting it in the water ( I know - a little late but I have other toys too). Right now I am replacing the impeller for the first time (first time Ive done it that is). Much to my surprise, I notice that the reservoir in the engine compartment had about a half inch of sludge in the bottom. So, a couple of questions regarding this:
- why are there two wires and some type of sensor in the reservoir (one wire was disconnected - by mistake I think)
- is there a tried and true method of cleaning out the tube leading from the reservoir to the leg and the gear box itself?
- what is the capacity of oil for the gear box
- do you fill it from the reservoir or do you pump it in like with an outboard?\
Thanks

-2 wires are for the reservoir alarm. One wire goes to the alarm, the other to ground.
-Never bothered trying to clean the tube. I guess you could blow air through it.
-Capacity of the drive. If it's an Alpha One, about 1 litre. If Gen II, then about 2.3 litres.
-ALWAYS fill from the bottom up. You may notice the resevoir drop a little over time. That's just the residual air being purged from the top of the drive.

Chris.......

 

[MajBach]

Thanks, Chris. One quick follow up: When filling from the bottom up, do you close the vent hole at the top of the leg and fill until it comes out in the reservoir?

 

[achris]

Start with the vent open. When the drive is full, close the vent. Then fill the reservoir. The reservoir hose is too small to force any sort of volume of oil through easily.