ECO Friendly Antifouling System FAQs
What is Barnaclean?
How does Barnaclean Work?
What are the operational requirements for Barnaclean?
Will Barnaclean affect my hull or other equipment?
Do I still need bottom paint?
Does Barnaclean work on all boats?
How is Barnaclean installed?
Is Barnaclean guaranteed?
What does Barnaclean cost?
How quickly will I begin to see results after installation?
Does this mean I need never take my boat out of the water?
Will the Barnaclean Sonic Syatem hurt the surrounding marine life?
Will Barnaclean Antifouling system damage my boat?
You said your unit uses vibration. Will the nuts and bolts on my boat eventually shake loose?
Is Barnaclean Antifouling system effective in fresh and salt water?
Is the system effective in wood, cement and aluminum boats?
Is the location of the transducers important?
Can I install the unit myself?
How long does installation take?
What is the life expectancy of the system?
Does the system require any maintenance?
Why haven't I heard of the Ultrasonic antifouling system before if it is so good?
I understand there has been an analog version available in the past, but this unit is digital. Why is digital better than analog?
If I buy a larger boat can I transfer the system to my new boat?
My boat has a skeg hung rudder. Will it keep this clear of fouling?
My boat has a complex prop arrangement. Will it keep this clear of fouling?
Does the system work best when powered from a marina mains electrical system? My boat is on a swinging mooring. Will it work for me?
I have a power boat with a deep displacement hull. Will the Ultrasonic antifouling system work for me?
What effect will the Ultrasonic antifouling system have on my fuel consumption?
I have a racing yacht without engine or electrics can I still use the Barnaclean Antifouling System?
Will the Barnaclean Antifouling system work on stern drive units?
Will it work on my trim tabs?
Does the unit need to be turned on all the time?
Does the system make a noise?
What is Barnaclean?
Barnaclean is an affordable anti-fouling system that incorporates the latest in proven sonic technology to inhibit marine organisms such as barnacles, zebra mussels, oysters, clams and tube worms from attaching themselves to your boat’s hull and drive system.
How does Barnaclean Work?
The concept is simple, yet sophisticated in terms of its marine engineering application! Barnaclean utilizes a compact microprocessor control unit in conjunction with strategically positioned sonic resonators which are secured to the inside of your hull (no through-hull fittings necessary!). The number of required resonators will vary according to the size of your boat, with each covering a ten-foot diameter. When the resonators are activated by the control unit, two very interesting results occur: First, the vibration or resonance appears to the barnacle like an unwanted marine preditor, thereby sending a red-banner warning. Second, this resonance creates a micro-thin layer of rapidly-moving water which acts to blanket the hull and running gear, hence making it difficult for fouling organisms and algae to attach. Best of all, Barnaclean performs its job automatically without any toxic chemical action which could harm or endanger the marine environment!
What are the operational recommendations and requirements for Barnaclean?Barnaclean works directly off the boat’s battery system and draws a mere 60 milliamps of power…in fact; a 12-volt battery can keep the system running continuously for over six months without the need to recharge! (Remember, of course, that batteries are recharged when your engine is running.) The preferred electrical sourcing is to directly wire the system to the battery. If this is not available, it is highly recommended that Barnaclean operate on it own circuit, to avoid any service interruption due to other equipment. If these two options are not available, the bilge pump circuit is an acceptable alternative. In terms of operation, Barnaclean is designed to be continuous, although a 12-hour sleep-mode has been cleverly designed to accommodate livaboards or weekend cruisers who are especially light sleepers. In most cases, Barnaclean users seldom notice the unit in operation and subsequently do not use the sleep switch.
Will Barnaclean affect my other on-board equipment…cause electrolysis…or affect the structural integrity of the hull?
Barnaclean is electically isolated and will not cause electrolysis or affect on-board electronic equipment. Barnaclean does not emit radio waves that cause interference. Barnaclean will not impact the structural integrity of the hull in any way…the sonic resonance or vibration it emits is well below any levels that could potentially cause problems.
Is anti-fouling bottom paint necessary if I have Barnaclean installed on my boat?
It’s a proven fact that bottom paints alone are unable to prevent the reoccurrence of fouling organisms, not to mention the continued maintenance requirements which are inherent in their application. For the ultimate protection against fouling activity, however, we recommend that Barnaclean be used in harmony with bottom paint applications to provide the strongest protection possible. Barnaclean can extend the life of the paint for up to five years.
Does Barnaclean work on all boats?
Barnaclean works on 90 percent of all boats in the marketplace, with few exceptions. It does not work on boats with cored fiberglass hulls or solid fiberglass bottoms in excess of one inch thickness. Barnaclean is also limited with metal hulls to a maximum plate thickness of .25 inch. Special consideration must be given to installation in those hulls which feature on over-abundance of structural members including heavy frames, ribs or longitudinal stringers.
How is Barnaclean installed?
Barnaclean can be installed by the do-it-yourself captain and/or crew or you may want to contact your neighborhood boatyard to do the work for you. Either way, Barnaclean is a simple, straightforward installation which requires the simpliest of tools. Each system is shipped with a complete installation manual and, if needed, our staff is also ready to answer any questions you might have. Click here to open the Installation Manual PDF
What guarantee do you offer on the product?
Barnaclean stands behind its claims with a full one-year unlimited money-back satisfaction guarantee.
What does Barnaclean cost?
Barnaclean is extremely affordable and can, in fact, pay for itself in almost no time at all! Each system is customized according to the size of the boat, due to resonator quantity requirements and coverage. An average 34-foot boat, for example, would cost less than $2,000 to completely protect the hull along with the props, shafts and struts! How many scrapings, haul-outs and diving expeditions does it take to cover that cost, not to mention the aggravation
How quickly will I begin to see results after installation?
This will depend on a number of factors. If the boat is in the water with heavy growth on the hull when the system is installed, the algae and barnacles will begin to die off after only a few days. They will only be shrugged off by passage through the water. If the boat is regularly used then the hull should clean itself in a matter of a few weeks – giving the hull a light scrub will also help.
The best results will be achieved when the system is installed on a clean hull – the Armour Antifouling System is designed primarily to be preventative, not curative.
Does this mean I need never take my boat out of the water?
A: Safety checks and mechanical inspections cannot be avoided. Zincs need the usual periodic replacements and rudders and running gear require the normal maintenance.
Will the Barnaclean Sonic Syatem hurt the surrounding marine life?
No. Traditional antifouling paints contain toxic chemicals that actually kill algae. Unfortunately, these chemicals also leech into the surrounding environment, which is why they are so environmentally damaging. Barnaclean Antifouling system is designed to create a micro-environment around your hull that algae cannot tolerate. With the system in operation, algae will simply form on other structures.
Will Barnaclean Antifouling system damage my boat?
No. The system transmits a relatively small amount of energy through your boat’s hull. It should not negatively affect the structure in any way.
You said your unit uses vibration. Will the nuts and bolts on my boat eventually shake loose?
The ultrasonic frequencies used by the Armour Antifouling system are very high pitch, and not powerful enough to cause any nuts to loosen.
Is Barnaclean Antifouling system effective in fresh and salt water?
Yes, the system will work in both fresh and salt water.
Is the system effective in wood, cement and aluminum boats?
The Barnaclean Antifouling system has been designed primarily for use in fibreglass boats, although the system has been installed successfully in aluminum boats in the past. Wood and cement boats cannot be guaranteed to be effective because the hull will likely absorb the majority of the ultrasonic energy.
Is the location of the transducers important?
Yes, absolutely. In a power boat, where there is more drive gear to protect, the transducer needs to be as close to this point as possible for best effect. In a sailboat, the transducer should be ideally installed within a metre of the propshaft and along the centreline of the boat. Full instructions are supplied with the system.
Can I install the unit myself?
The system is simple to install and full instructions are given. If you have any questions during your installation we will be available to advise you via email or phone.
How long does installation take?
The installation should not take more than a few hours in total, spread over two days. The system unit and the transducer ring will be fitted on the first day, and the epoxy should be left to set for one day. The transducer can be fitted the next day. That’s it!
What is the life expectancy of the system?
The control unit is fully sealed and the transducer is encapsulated to ensure a long life. Be careful to avoid cable chafing which could potentially prevent the system from operating at its full potential for many years. We fully guarantee the system for one years from the date of purchase against mechanical defect, and offer a 90-day performance guarantee, provided the system is correctly installed.
Does the system require any maintenance?
There is no maintenance required for the operational life of the system once installed. It is recommended that you make periodic checks on cables and connectors to make sure that no chafing or corroding has taken place. It is also a good idea to check the transducer for tightness from time to time.
Why haven't I heard of the Ultrasonic antifouling system before if it is so good?
The Barnaclean Antifouling system has been in extensive testing and development for the past three years. Only now, when we are certain that we can prove our claims, have we decided to fully market the product more widely. We are now fully confident in the effectiveness of the system.
I understand there has been an analog version available in the past, but this unit is digital. Why is digital better than analog?
There has been an analog version of this technology which has been half-heartedly introduced to the marine market. It is very different to the new Barnaclean Antifouling System that we are introducing. With the new Barnaclean Antifouling System, we provide the very latest digital technology, which has a multitude of benefits. The main differences are:
- Analog uses up to 40% more power than digital. With power at such a premium in the boating world, this is a big advantage.
- This system can use an increased number of different frequencies together, which means it can destroy more strains of algae. Algae develop in slightly different ways, so bombarding them with several frequencies will have a much greater effect than using fewer frequencies.
If I buy a larger boat can I transfer the system to my new boat?
Each Barnaclean Antifouling System comes with the required transducers. If the first installation is incorrect, or if you purchase a new boat, simply fit a new ring and transfer the rest of the system to your new boat. Remember to check which system is best suited for your particular application.
My boat has a skeg hung rudder. Will it keep this clear of fouling?
A: Yes the Barnaclean Antifouling System has been tested on boats with skeg hung rudders and found to be fully effective but positioning of the transducer is very important.
My boat has a complex prop arrangement. Will it keep this clear of fouling?
Yes. We advise our customers to clean propellers and running gear prior to setting up the Barnaclean Antifouling System - the system should keep them free of growth from then on. Again, the positioning of the transducer is very important.
Does the system work best when powered from a marina mains electrical system? My boat is on a swinging mooring. Will it work for me?
The Barnaclean Antifouling System is totally effective whether it is powered by AC or DC. The unit uses very little power and will operate in exactly the same way. The units are available in 12volt, 24volt.
I have a power boat with a deep displacement hull. Will the Ultrasonic antifouling system work for me?
Yes. Provided you choose the correct model for your boat it will be completely effective.
What effect will the Ultrasonic antifouling system have on my fuel consumption?
A clean hull will have a dramatic effect on the speed and smoothness through the water, and will improve fuel consumption considerably. Consumption usually increases dramatically during the season as growth accumulates on the hull. Speed is also affected. This is prevented by your Barnaclean Antifouling system, so you should save a considerable amount of money on fuel alone.
I have a racing yacht without engine or electrics can I still use the Barnaclean Antifouling System?
Because the Barnalean Antifouling System keeps the hull free from growth, it is ideal for a racing yacht. You will, however, need to fit batteries. We recommend that the system operates on a 12 volt system. You may wish to consider the optional solar cell charger to keep the battery fully charged.
Will the Barnaclean Antifouling system work on stern drive units?
Where there are large hull fittings such as stern drives it is advisable to clean these prior to setting up the Armour Antifouling System. The system should keep them free of fouling from then on.
Will it work on my trim tabs?
Yes, trim tabs will be covered by the Barnaclean Antifouling System, providing that the transducers are positioned correctly.
Does the unit need to be turned on all the time?
Ideally, the unit will be in operation 24 hours a day. We advise that it operates for a minimum of 8 to 12 hours a day to maintain a clean hull.
Does the system make a noise?
The unit does emit a very quiet, non-obtrusive noise when in operation.
Do you have further questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us on sales@maltaboating.com
You may also wish to read our testimonials |
