Danfoss grey knob identification help

[Octaman]

Hello there, I'm new.

Well, there's no such thing as a dumb question, right?

I am in the process of familiarizing myself with the GB32. I have one question that remains unanswered;

What is the grey knob above the electrics panel to the left of the wheel. What does it do? It has "Danfoss" written on it and it seems to be a hand-wheel shut-off valve.
I am guessing it may be a left-over from past old refrigerator technology that is no longer in use. But I really do not know.
The present fridge is electric and seems to be of a recent generation operating independently of the knob.

The mystery knob appears in practically all photos of GB boats I have seen,so I trust someone will be able to enlighten me. I will try to upload a photo of my knob if I figure out how to do it.

Thanking in advance

Octaman

 

[Brisyboy]

Hi Octaman and welcome,

Could be the valve for turning on the water for the windscreen washer - I think it runs off the fresh water pump

 

[Octaman]

Thank you George for your response.

You have set me thinking!

There is a button, a push button, on the right side of the wheel with indication that it is for the windscreen washer, but so far it has not worked. I have not spent time looking into it. But it could be very well be due to the explanation that you have given. Next time I am on board I have to try it out. I shall first rotate the grey knob counter-clockwise and then press the washer button on the other side and see what happens (?)
Thank you very much for your input,

Octaman

 

[Octaman]

Here is a picture of the knob

[/IMG]

 

[ScottC]

Hello there, I'm new.

Well, there's no such thing as a dumb question, right?

I am in the process of familiarizing myself with the GB32. I have one question that remains unanswered;

What is the grey knob above the electrics panel to the left of the wheel. What does it do? It has "Danfoss" written on it and it seems to be a hand-wheel shut-off valve.
I am guessing it may be a left-over from past old refrigerator technology that is no longer in use. But I really do not know.
The present fridge is electric and seems to be of a recent generation operating independently of the knob.

The mystery knob appears in practically all photos of GB boats I have seen,so I trust someone will be able to enlighten me. I will try to upload a photo of my knob if I figure out how to do it.

Thanking in advance

Octaman

Typically one sees Danfoss equipment used in cases involving heating, pressure or other highly-engineered applications. I would think it would be "overkill" to use a Danfoss valve in, for example, a windshield washer line...but that doesn't mean somebody hasn't tried it. I have no specific Knowledge of Grand Banks engineering, but I think you are possibly onto something with your refrigeration thoughts. Especially after doing a little Googling...


https://jabsales.eu/refrigeration-components/danfoss-equipment/danfoss-shut-off-and-ball-valves.html


Good luck on getting to the bottom of this mystery!

 

[jj1962]

Unfortunately i do not have one, so no idea, and my boat is new to me, virgin voyage just few days ago......drove 210 nm in Finland, from Rauma-Nauvo-Hanko-Jussarö-Barösund-Störsvik. 29 h in total and approx 210 nm. Beautiful, from 4 degrees celsius to 27 degrees and winds from 1 m/s to 14 m/s. A journey of a lifetime to be remembered. Br Jere

 

[Octaman]

Unfortunately i do not have one, so no idea, and my boat is new to me, virgin voyage just few days ago......drove 210 nm in Finland, from Rauma-Nauvo-Hanko-Jussarö-Barösund-Störsvik. 29 h in total and approx 210 nm. Beautiful, from 4 degrees celsius to 27 degrees and winds from 1 m/s to 14 m/s. A journey of a lifetime to be remembered. Br Jere

Thank you very much Br Jere for a prompt response. Much appreciated. Sorry to have put you to the trouble; I was under the impression that you had a Grand Banks 32. My mistake. Enjoy your new boat. I find cruising in your area is fascinating because of the fiords and the natural beauty. I am not a big fan of low temperatures though. I associate cruising to warm weather. We are spoilt in the Med! (smile)

 

[Xlantic]

Hi Octaman and welcome,

Could be the valve for turning on the water for the windscreen washer - I think it runs off the fresh water pump

 

[SteveK]

I have one like that on ceiling (not sure if it says Danfoss) and it turns on/off the propane to the stove from the tank above.

 

[Octaman]

Thank you Soo-Valley for your input.
Indeed, on the bigger Grand Banks I have seen the rotating knob on the ceiling.
It is helpful to know that it is for the propane supply to the stove that comes from above if I am not mistaken.
So, the location of the knob, in line, on the ceiling, between propane tank and stove makes perfect sense.
Now on the GB32 you have a propane stove to starboard, in the galley then there is/was the propane tank up above on the flybridge. And you have the Danfoss grey rotating shut-off valve on the other side, at the bridge, which, ergonomically, makes no sense as far as knob location is concerned. It is a long way for the rubber tubing to go back and forth.
Also, it is almost impossible to peek behind the knob and see what is going on. It involves taking apart the electrics panel and I have not gone down that road yet. Eventually, I may have to.
But for the moment I am going to investigate the windscreen washer option next time I am on the boat which will not be before the end of the week.
I thank you, once again, for your help.
All very interesting.
Octaman._

 

[High Wire]

Can you look at the back side plumbing and trace it to something else? It might not be connected to anything!

 

[Octaman]

Thank you High Wire for your input.
You are absolutely right. It might not be connected to anything. But it would help to know why it was put there in the first place.

As I have said in my post just before yours, I may have to undo the electrics panel and look inside. The top part of the electrics panel is really close to the back of the knob.
The only other openings that allow a degree of visibility to the back of the knob are the two opening panels below the shaft of the wheel. But the knob is too high up and there are so many wires and stuff restricting the view and the wheel itself gets in the way and does not let you get close enough, that I can see nothing looking upwards.

Unless there is another way and I am not aware of this yet.

Anyhow when I experiment with the windscreen washer I will let you all know of the result.

I was actually hoping that I would come across someone on the forum that owns a GB32 and has used the knob and could easily tell me without doubt what the function is. But I have not been lucky so far in this respect. On the other hand I am very lucky to have all this feedback from all you wonderful members. With your help, I will get to the bottom of this in the end!
Thank you all.

Octaman._

 

[SteveK]

Here is a picture of the knob

[/IMG]

Remove the knob and undo the 3 screws on the flange and see if it pulls out, or if you can see in there. You may see something to trace away from that location.

 

[Octaman]

Soo Valey - duly noted.
Will do.
I am guessing that the three screws fix into the wood and do not have backing washers and nuts. Because if they do, I will either not be able to unscrew them to remove them without a locking the nuts or the back washers and nuts will fall off and get lost somewhere. But it looks like the screws wedge into the wood, so I will try it if it comes to that.

 

[High Wire]

USB snake cameras are about $30 online. Get one that works with a smartphone or tablet. Good thing to have onboard in any case.

 

[Octaman]

I totally agree High Wire.
I've seen them being used and always made a note of buying one. And never did.
I guess now is the time to actually go out and get one.
Thanks.
Octaman._

 

[Octaman]

From the catalogue that ScottC sent me here is a photo of the Danfoss manually rotating shut-off valve.

[/IMG]

Assuming it is the same or similar to the one I have, the securing frame requires two opposite screws (and nuts) to hold the valve in place. therefore the three screws we talked about that are arranged at equal angles relative to each other should serve only to hold the stainless steel circular plate that we see in the previous photo that should be there for aesthetical reasons only to conceal the cut-out in the wood for the valve.

I hope I am making sense to you guys . . .

 

[Charles River]

I have a 1980 Grand Banks 32 “Piccolo” and have the same round stainless plate above the electrics panel as you. Instead of a knob mine has a push button, a previous owner placed a label saying “windscreen washer” above it. Nothing is attached to the back and most of the windscreen washer was removed before I purchased her.
Hope this helps a little.

 

[Octaman]

Hello Charles!
Thank you for your message and observations.
So you are a 1980-built as well. Our hull numbers should be close. On my end she is a 690.
What you write is very helpful indeed.
It concurs with what other members of this forum in this thread have been saying.
In my case, it may be that the grey rotating knob has been neutralized and has just been left there to confuse me . As I have said in a previous post I also have a push button to the right of the wheel that says "washer" but it has not worked so far.
I can't wait for Friday when I am back on the boat to experiment.
Octaman._

 

[wkearney99]

If it is for the windshield washer, prepare for your next job of replacing the electric valve that controls the flow. It seems the valves leak, we have one over the port windshield that does. It was simpler to just turn off the flow at a valve down in the engine room instead.

If it's for propane, it'd be WELL WORTH examining the whole setup to make sure all of the hoses and valves are in good condition.

If you're going to buy an inspection camera, I've found it's best to get the kind that you use your phone as a display via wifi. This way you can rest the phone somewhere safe, in your line of sight, while you twist/turn the camera. The kind that wire directly to the phone are a hassle trying to keep it from falling, disconnecting and remaining easily visible. There are undoubtedly many options out there, but this one has served me well for the half-dozen times I've needed it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MV6X4M4

 

[Octaman]

Hello wkearny99,
I am reading very carefully and making notes!
Thank you for your input.
And the suggestion on the inspection camera.
So, I guess Friday is my big day, when I am on the boat and checking things out. Will report as soon as I make progress.
Thank you very much.
Octaman._

 

[Charles River]

Octaman, my 1980 Grand Banks 32 “Piccolo” is hull #691 and is located in Urbanna, Va. Being just one hull number apart I imagine we have a lot of similar parts, pieces, mysteries and questions. I will be glad to exchange info and answers if I can.

 

[hmason]

I'll bet it's the propane shut off valve. Had the same knob on my 1984 GB 36. The windshield washers operate off the fresh water pump with a simple button. Good luck.

 

[tomdove]

I am as curious as you about this since SNOWBIRD is a 1977 Grand Banks 32 (#599) and has the same mystery knob. The boat had three previous owners including a major rebuild in 2001.

Mine is connected to solid tubing that runs vertically behind the electrical panel and it looks like a propane valve. I have not been able to trace the tubing any farther than the inside of the electrical compartment ahead of the steering wheel. There is another, functioning propane valve knob that looks much like it in the overhead to port, above the stove. The two LP gas containers are on the flybridge directly above that stove valve and it all works fine.

Perhaps is it is a discontinued propane line. I had not considered a windshield washer before and perhaps it is a water line, but there's no obvious button to operate a washer.

-- Tom

 

[Xlantic]

No need for a button, just open the valve for the water flow and shut it when done.

 

[Nautica]

it's easy to remove the wheel...

 

[Octaman]

Greetings to everyone.

I promised to report after Friday; so here I am.

Friday was a day filled with surprises and stress. I was on the boat as I had said I would be. The boat was in the yard on the hard. I was scheduled to go into the water on Monday. But due to a change in yard planning I was asked to go into the water Friday!!! So, my priorities changed and, as you experienced boat owners can very well guess, the grey knob issue dropped down very low on my list of priorities.

One thing I have found out, though. The knob doesn't work. Or at least doesn't seem to work. I tried a series of combinations but nothing happens.

Okay, so, in response to tomdove, I cannot see if the valve is connected to solid tubing or not. But I do see, this is a new item I am reporting, that just above the windshield wipers above the windscreen glass there are two, one on either side, solid tube ends that stick out of the structure just a bit and lead me to believe that they are there to let fresh water run on the windshield. This can explain perhaps the solid tubing on the knob side that you, tomdove, have found. It may help if you go and look for the tube outlets above the wipers and see if they are there on your boat.

On the other hand, I have to tell you that in our case the propane stove has been removed by the previous owner and replaced with ceramic hobs and a microwave that work off the generator. So there are no propane bottles above and I have not, yet seen a valve, other than the one in question, that could have been used to cut off the propane supply. So, I still cannot rule out the possibility of my grey knob having been there to cut off the propane...

So, I am confused and the mystery remains. I have to spend more time looking into this, which I did not have on Friday, to get to the bottom of it.
I will be spending next weekend on the boat, and I will have time and be more relaxed and I hope to make progress.

Thank you all for your help and input so far.

Octaman._

 

[Octaman]

Grey knob mystery finally solved! Well, almost . . .

I have news; I managed to take a picture of the knob from behind, within the compartment.

There is a solid brass tube attached to it on one end that goes down to the engine room. there is no way that this could have been for a propane bottle down below. so, I am rejecting this possibility and opting for a fresh water connection. One day I will go down blow again and try to find out where this solid tubing runs to.

There is nothing attached to the other end of the knob. Nor is there remains of tubing that could indicate a past purpose. So the knob is not functional and belongs to a past age.

I am convinced it was used for water for the windscreen and all you had to do, was ‘turn the Danfoss tap on’ to get fresh water running on the screens as Xlantic has already said in this thread, from the boat's central water tank.

The outlet on the windscreens continues to be made of copper tubing but only for a short length. One end is visible above the wiper where the water runs out and the other end is visible inside the locker on the fly bridge; the locker that is to the left of the wheel.

Now hear this; how does the wash operate today. There is a red plastic tank within the locker (this must be a relatively recent addition) just like the ones used for petrol for outboards, only this one contains water, that is secured to the bottom of the compartment and connected to the copper tubing of the wash with transparent plastic flexible tubing and an electric 12 Volt pump that pumps the water out of the tank and sends it to the two windscreen wash outlets. This is completely independent of the central water tank of the boat in the engine room.

Down below, when I press the “press-and-hold” button that I have mentioned to the right of the wheel in the saloon, nothing happens.

But that is another matter that has to be checked. So, this definitely is the current system that serves the windscreen wash and for the moment is not working.

In the process I also discovered something else that is interesting; please excuse my ignorance if you already know. The panel housing the engine gauges is also removable and clips out of place very easily. This is not immediately obvious when looking at the gauges in front of the wheel.

So, there you have it. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and ideas with me. And I hope I have given something back in the process.

Octaman._

 

[ScottC]

Good sleuthing work, Octaman!

 

[Xlantic]

Well the PO really went to a lot of effort to re-establish a system to wash his windshield!

I don't think I have ever used the windshield washer in 20 years of boating in Grand Banks. In fact I haven't used the wipers that much and, currently, I don't even have the wiper blades installed!

I am happy just using RainX when cruising and occasionally cleaning the screen by hand with fresh water, a sponge and a squeeze.