Routine ER Access

I have been spending my time getting to know my "new" Post 43 and what a pleasure it is! I have come across many cool things and some quirky ones too. One such is the apparent difficulty accessing my port heat expansion tank. On either side the clearance between the expansion tanks and the floor boards is literally about one inch.

There is of course a centerline access hatch that allows for quick access to the ER. Larger panels are located on both sides of the salon floor to gain full access to the engines. It appears that these larger panels need to be lifted to access the cap on the expansion tanks for my daily checks. The starboard side is no big deal, I can push up on the floor boards enough to gain enough access to remove the cap from the expansion tank. The port is a different story. Thus far it seems I have to move the sofa either out into the cockpit or over the the other side of the salon just to be able to access the expansion tank cap.

Since checking the water in my expansion tanks is a must every time I run the boat (just as is checking all fluid levels) it seems that there must be an easier way to access them. What am I missing? What are you guys doing?

Note the sofa that impedes easy access to the port engine

Yes it helps. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy and missing some obvious solution. I am partial to my hands (and arms, face, etc), so yes cold motors only!

I like the idea of deck plates. I have overflow recovery bottles already. I'm just never confident they reflect what is in the expansion tank (maybe I should trust that?)

FWIW I have been referring to the large tank in the front of my DDs as expansion tanks. The heat exchanger proper is integral, but not the same thing. I say this because I want to make sure I have my terminology right

Below is what I would call the heat exchanger

Well, according to the J&T site they call it a Heat Exchanger Tank which incorporates the water reservoir and element all in one. So I guess you would properly call the tank a "heat exchanger".

On the Ford Lehmans the expansion tank and HE are two different parts altogether, hence my confusion....

Heat Exchanger tank

That's very good. Thanks Mark!

Next time you're at the boat can you get a picture? I would like to see how you did it.

Do you recall exactly which Murphy guage you installed?

This is one from a sailing blog

Cool thanks!