April 30, 2015

I worked myself to exhaustion trying to make sure everything was ready for the scheduled installation of the new batteries and for the scheduled welding of the steel for the watermaker’s high pressure pump mounting bracket.   I almost made it.  It was ironically fortunate that both the welding and the batteries were delayed.  I’m still exhausted, though.  On the bright side, quite a bit was accomplished.  The steel is ready for welding, the house battery side of the wiring has been upgraded and the new high capacity bilge pump has been mounted and plumbed.  I still need to complete the wiring for the bilge pump and make and install new cables for the new batteries to complete phase one of the revamped primary electrical system.  (Phase two will be the starter battery/port side.)  With luck, the welding will happen next week in time for the arrival of the watermaker parts.  I’m hoping I’ll get all these major projects done about the end of the “iron” outrigger racing season at the end of June so I can take off for a while.  Wish me luck!

April 23, 2015

Despite spending quite a bit of time going back and forth with vendors and modifying plans as a consequence, it was a pretty productive week.  The new bilge pump and float switch arrived, I ordered the watermaker kit, and bought and cut the steel for the mounting bracket for the watermaker’s high-pressure pump.  I also picked up and mounted a couple of new bus bars and a fuse bar for improving and modifying the engine room wiring.

Over the weekend Carol and I went to a Rancho Ventavo Cellars winetasting event and did a little hike through the hills that are gradually becoming Ventura’s new botanical garden.

 

April 16, 2015

It was a taxing week.  I spent much of it in the engine room doing “boat yoga” to finish assessing the feasibility of the watermaker installation and prepare for the new battery system.  The rest was spent researching and ordering the new stuff, and referring to Nigel Calder’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual to make sure I do it right.  Since no good deed goes unpunished, the scope is not just creeping, but loping right along!  The good news:  the engine-driven watermaker will work and I’ve coerced a friend to help me with the necessary welding and metalwork.

The new battery system will have a house bank consisting of two Rolls S605 (L 16 size) batteries.  These will supply 468 amp hours (20 hour rating) at 12 volts and should last many years if properly maintained.   They weigh almost 130 lbs each, so getting them into place will be a challenge.  Fortunately, another friend, the dock gym rat, has agreed to heft them around.  The other “bank” will be a high capacity starting battery.  The best way to manage and charge such a system is with series charging regulation using something like the Xantrex Echo charger.  The present charging system using an isolator (diodes) will have to do initially until I can refill the cruising kitty.  If I find it can fully charge the batteries, however, it can stay.  I’m doubtful, but it’s possible.

Regardless, the wiring will have to be sorted out and re-configured, and I’ve taken the first steps in doing that.  I’m also preparing the engine room for the new battery configuration, which will be totally different:  much cleaner, more powerful and more durable.

The sailboat that sank last week was an old woody, but well loved and cared for.  Unfortunately, a plank separated at the stem and because the boat was not connected to shore power, the battery died eventually and without power for the bilge pump, the boat went down.  Sadly, it will be totaled.