Kahlenberg Engine Ratings

[Dave F]

The tug Mount McKay is for sale (you can read about it in a previous thread) and it has a Kahlenberg engine. Looking at the many great photos on this sales listing, I notice that the engine room telegraph has the standard Slow, half, and full settings and also has O'load which I assume means Overload. Was this used when the tug needed maximum power? I assume that the engine manufacturer would suggest that the Overload speed should only be used for short periods?

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1908/Co ... -UmBvldXzJ

[William Lafferty]

As I recall Kahlenberg's had a patented variable fuel injection system that allowed for more or less power within the range the system could handle, hence the bhp range. This was valuable for fish tugs that could operate at a lower fuel rate while gathering nets, but be pushed when heading out or from the nets, or, especially, before weather. The early twentieth century Kahlenbergs could start on gasoline (starting a Kahlenbetrg was an interesting operation in its own right!) then switch to another, heavier fuel.

[Mr Link]

Brian, I always thought the horsepower range on Kahlenberg engines had to do with the various fuels they could burn. The higher octane stuff would give you higher horsepower. The ranges I have seen are more like 40-48 hp, around 20%. Kahlenberg also used to publish ranges for the RPM's of the engines, so it may have depended on how fast they were run.

As for horsepower, it just depends on how fast you want to run the boat. 60 foot canal boats traveled at about 4 miles per hour when pulled by two mules, roughly equivalent to 2 HP. (FYI, You can still see this daily at the Providence Metro Park west of Toledo.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKefEq4ZToE

Obviously you need more power if you want to go fast, or push/pull something else.

[guest]

Check out their website www.Kahlenbergmfc.com, or goggle Kahlenberg. They still manufacture engines, and all sorts of marine equipment in Two Rivers, Wi. They have been around for forever!
They could tell you the ratings on the engine.

[Brian Ferguson]

Ok I'm too much of a gear-head to not understand this so I need to ask. How do you read the hp ratings on Kahlenberg engines? I see them listed as 30hp-50hp and that doesn't seem like enough power to move a 60' boat. My first car (1987 Dodge Aries) had 90hp. Do you total the hp/cylinder? 30+50=80? Someone set me straight.

Brian