mystery control at helm, Carver 396 (2002)

[dennismsimon]

Does anyone know what this "control" is at the helm

unknown control switch.png

Under contract to buy this boat. Contingencies not yet satisfied.

[buster53]

Maybe a joystick to control bow mounted search light?

[g36]

Kinda looks like a fire suppression system control

[km1125]

Source of the post Kinda looks like a fire suppression system control

I'd go with this one. If that's a button, it would be the override to be able to start the engines if they were disabled due to a shutdown by the fire suppression system.

This is the only image I could find (see the hole in the face too), but there may be others that are more appropriate.

fireboy.jpg

[Midnightsun]

I thought the same thing when I saw the picture. The surround ring reminds me of the Fireboy fume detector I had on a previous boat. 95% sure it has something to do with Fireboy or someone modified it to accommodate a generic toggle switch.

[dennismsimon]

Next week will tell. That's when I will get aboard to see what's what. I'll have a full report. Thanks for your input. I'm really liking this forum and all of you guys.

[Viper]

Definitely a Fireboy helm panel. It's likely hooked up to a fire suppression tank/extinguisher in the engine compartment. The switch allows you to override the alarm after a tank discharge event, or used to test the system alarm. Some systems are discharge indicators only, without the engine shutdown option which is usually used on diesel applications where it's a must if you have a fire suppression system in the engine bay.

[dennismsimon]

I'm liking the prospect of having such a sophisticated fire suppression system. Engines are gas. Do any of you have hands-on experience with a system like this? Does it require complicated maintenance or is it a dependable, trouble-free, good-to-have safety feature?

[dennismsimon]

I'm liking the prospect of having such a sophisticated fire suppression system. Engines are gas. Do any of you have hands-on experience with a system like this? Does it require complicated maintenance or is it a dependable, trouble-free, good-to-have safety feature?