The term may not have been used by those who long ago worked on boats, but the concept could not have been foreign to those who worked on the first boats when the first boats had aged and were in need of being refit. That has to be true.
I have numerous projects in process as I close this week down:
- I am installing a much needed depthfinder/chartplotter and have designed and fabricated, (not invented), a means by which its transducer can actually shoot through my fiberglass hull, and therefore eliminating the need to punch another hole in the bottom of my boat.
- I am adding two more deep cell batteries to my house bank of batteries to provide ample power for the 30 day transit to Saint Lucia.
- I am adding two 100 watt solar panels and a small wind generator to replenish power to the aforementioned house battery bank.
- I have installed a dynaplate that will protect the boat in case of a lightning strike.
- I am installing an inverter that will provide 110 volt power to much needed appliances such as my coffee maker and microwave.
I am MULTI-TASKING!
I'll break these tasks down into a more detailed posts when they are complete, but I wanted to post regarding the progress and Annie's state of readiness as she nears her departure date for Saint Lucia.
Fair seas and God bless!
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| This 4" PVC Pipe will house the Depthfinder Transducer |
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| Transducer House Angle Test... |
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| Very Advanced Caulking Tube Placement |
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| 5200 Set & Secure |
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| Ready for Leak Test |
Someone commented and then deleted their comment before I had a chance to reply. Their comment was in regard to the means by which my batteries are secured, (threaded rods and aluminum flatbar). They were concerned with ease of access/removal while underway in heavy seas and damage from the threaded rods.
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you for your deleted comment. I really do appreciate input from anyone regarding my projects and I am in no way offended by other's opinions. I may not necessarily agree or subscribe to your point of view, but I do appreciate the input.
As to difficult removal of batteries while in boisterous seas, I can see no circumstance where I would want to remove a battery from its secure seat... even if the battery had died or was causing problems with the whole bank, I would isolate it and disconnect... then deal with removal/replacement once in port. Perhaps there would be a need to remove a battery from its seat while underway, but I, in my limited experience, cannot think of such a set of circumstances.
As to the threaded rods causing wear or damage to the battery wires. Thanks for that observation. I am looking into a means by which I can eliminate that possibility.
On my sail to Carrabelle, I encountered a pretty serious storm 35 miles offshore. Waves were 10-12 ft. and steep enough my propeller was exposed to air when cresting each wave. My batteries, (only the lower two at the time), never budged, nor did the 1/0 wiring. But I am looking into using heat shrink tubing to isolate the bare threads of the threaded rods from the battery wires, just in case.
Thank you again for your deleted comment.
David- my batteries are held down the same way- I have some fuel line, slit down the side, placed over the battery cables wherever they might touch- has worked well for a number of years now-
ReplyDeleteI have a sailing friend with thousands of hours and miles behind him and he thought the system was great. I think the boat could capsize and the batteries would stay put.
DeleteGood idea about the extra protection with the fuel lines.
Thanks for following JP.