Old Detroit Diesel fire pump at work.

[Thermo1223]

Happy Sunday,

Ran the weekly test run on our fire pump. Felt like taking a few pictures and video. The video is after starting on the first battery and running so it's already hot.

 

[BrendanC]

love old detroits. sad to see them go.

 

[RhondaHonda]

What kind of building does that protect? Do you have to engage the PTO manually for it to build water pressure or is it automatic?

Cool old Detroit.

 

[Thermo1223]

What kind of building does that protect? Do you have to engage the PTO manually for it to build water pressure or is it automatic?

Cool old Detroit.

Old Dixie Cup warehouse, 250k sq. ft.

No it's always engaged but with a breakaway joint in case the fire pump fails the engine will survive. The phone is actually perched on the pump for the video.

 

[Thermo1223]

love old detroits. sad to see them go.

Installed 1969, 989 engine hours. No mention of any kind of rebuild.

 

[meep]

989 Hours??? How many fires do you guys have??

 

[nickaluch]

Good old screaming Jimmy thanks for sharing

 

[SC Maintenance]

989 Hours??? How many fires do you guys have??

1969 install, so 55 years x 52 weeks per year = 2860 weeks.

So sounds like there weekly test is about 20 minutes?

 

[74DartSport]

Fire pump engines always amaze me. Generators too. Off to full load in seconds.

 

[4WD]

Good old screaming Jimmy thanks for sharing

Loved the ole’ 8V92 at full “scream” …

 

[jhellwig]

I am assuming 71 series based on the pictures. How many cylinders. Sounds like a four or maybe three.

I was working next to two 12v71TAs for a couple of days last year. It was disappointing that they didn't buzz but nice that they were as quiet as any other engine.

 

[Chris142]

What oil do you use in it? It requires a special sae40. My state banned the 2 stroke diesels 30 years ago so we never see them here.

 

[wpod]

I hate the Detroit 2 strokes with a passion.

 

[Thermo1223]

989 Hours??? How many fires do you guys have??

I would imagine that is accumulated test hours. There was an issue way back when we purchased the building that it ran for 3 days straight due to a massive leak.

 

[Thermo1223]

1969 install, so 55 years x 52 weeks per year = 2860 weeks.

So sounds like there weekly test is about 20 minutes?

Sometimes longer but ya.

 

[Thermo1223]

I am assuming 71 series based on the pictures. How many cylinders. Sounds like a four or maybe three.

I was working next to two 12v71TAs for a couple of days last year. It was disappointing that they didn't buzz but nice that they were as quiet as any other engine.

4 cyl, I have learned that ear protection is needed around it or that buzz will follow you around all day.

What oil do you use in it? It requires a special sae40. My state banned the 2 stroke diesels 30 years ago so we never see them here.

MTU Power Guard sae40

 

[Chris142]

4 cyl, I have learned that ear protection is needed around it or that buzz will follow you around all day.


MTU Power Guard sae40
View attachment 231659

perfect!

 

[dfarr67]

Was involved in decommissioning an old Norad site on Baffin Island- they had a row of supercharged GMC Detroit's gensets that still looked new. Never heard them run as they were tearing the place apart- all sent to the landfill.

 

[Sumboodie]

What oil do you use in it? It requires a special sae40. My state banned the 2 stroke diesels 30 years ago so we never see them here.

What state is that? Sounds like some massively overbearing government.

 

[Sumboodie]

Was involved in decommissioning an old Norad site on Baffin Island- they had a row of supercharged GMC Detroit's gensets that still looked new. Never heard them run as they were tearing the place apart- all sent to the landfill.

They are just blowers, and it's needed to run.
Only the models with turbos made boost.