Winch backing plates

These are the bronze backing plates for the old winches, think there heave enough? 

Electric system upgrades

Add battery capacity using the reliable Trojan T-105+ 6 volt battery. 

Materials:

4 new Trojan  T-105+      $135.00 Ea.

Battery box for 6v batteries $50.00

Battery box for starting battery $30.00

Tie down straps          $9.95

12 Pack of Bud (as price comparison) $9.99

1. New box on starboard side to mirror location of existing battery box on port.  
2. Make new battery box for starting battery

I made a new battery box out of plywood and fiberglass.  I glassed and tabbed it in to the starboard side.  I will add another 2 6 vdc batteries to the other side and one starting battery.   I was unable to use the cover as the Bluesea battery post fuse were to high.  I might make a new cover for both the new box and the existing box that never had a cover so I am not sure if I’ll go to the effort this spring, I’ll see how time goes. Photos show adding supports for new box.  Then I glassed tabbed in the new box and painted.

My Review of Blue Sea Systems Contura Switch Mounting Panel

Originally submitted at Jamestown Distributors

Blue Sea Systems Contura Switch Mounting Panels have a modular design that permits assembly in groups of varying sizes. designed for 6 different panel thicknesses. Intended for use with Blue Sea Systems Contura Series rocker switches only.

Blue Sea Systems Contura Switch Mounting Panel

Nice looking

By Snowfish from Maine on 5/13/2010

4out of 5

Pros: Easy to Install, Durable, Easy to Use
Best Uses: Small Jobs, Inside
Describe Yourself: Avid Do-It-Yourselfer

Goes together very clean, I am using it for bilge pump control. Very east to add switches.

(legalese)

Solarstik

One of the benefits of the solarstik is that I was able to rearrange it inside to charge my batteries.  There is no power in the building that I am in so this allows me to run my 100 watt inverter to run sanders and other tools.  I had it outside for a wile but it works inside as well thru the windows. ~Kurt

Charging from multiple sources

From www.svreach.com




If all of your charging sources have multistage regulators that are all set to the same charging regimen points (and you have a large enough, or sufficiently depleted battery bank), then all of them will put out all they can during the bulk charging stage.

When bulk charge is reached, then they may start to play against each other and the output of one charging source might shut down the output of another due to slight variations of the regulator set points and how charge is sensed. But now it doesn't matter because your batteries cannot accept the higher current of all your charging sources and as long as one of those sources can supply the absorb current, all is well.

In fact, it is dandy if you have multiple charging sources. For example, if you are in the absorption phase of the charge cycle and your solar panel regulator has shut down your wind generator regulator and is supplying the entire absorption charge, then when clouds decrease the solar output, your wind generator will step in and shut down the solar regulator and continue the charging regimen. 

Harken winch update

Winch update

The new Harken 40 “Radical” Winches are on order. A very hard pill to swallow. But I thingk we will be very happy with them. I am hoping that they are sized correctly, I would of liked to get the 46’s but we just didn’t have the money and they weren't just a little bit more.

Removing the old winches was pretty straight forward. The Lewmer 43’s were bolted completely thru the wooden blocks thru the deck and have 1/4 bronze plate under the deck. All the bolts came out but one. All were bronze with bronze nuts....but one, the one that would not budge. Since the new buildings had no power yet it was a hack saw blade in hand by hand. After about an hour, success and both winches were off. Under the the winches on the wooden blocks the wood was a little wet but no rot. I will sand, clean and put a coat of varnish on to protect. I will wait for the new winches to arrive and order new bolts.

Kurt

Standard Horizon GX2100

Starting to check items off the list. Today I received the Standard Horizon GX2100. I have been waiting for this for a wile now and it just came out. I went to Defender and scooped it right up. AIS was on the budget for the trip so after doing research on different units all were stand alone units that could output to our chart plotter but would require a 2nd VHF antenna of a splitter. The GX2100 is a VHF radio with DSC and fog horn and PA and AIS with an output to the chart plotter for less $$ then a stand alone unit. The fog horn might come in handy but was not on any of the lists we have and do not add greatly to the purchase but I bet I will use it. The DSC is a great added feature and will add another layer of safety. We also will be adding a 2nd mic station to the cockpit, so no more handheld hanging from the cleat. I tried the horn at home cool.

Google Voice and composting toilets

Just signed up for Google voice....hummm its free and I am sure I am begin mined for future ads. I should have read the terms. I guess I can use it for the "trip" and it will come in handy if we change cell carriers and voice mail in email thing might be cool. One number will ring all your phones. here is the number (209-8svsnow)

Composting toilet will have to wait until another day. Our friends on a Pearson 424 just put one in this year so I will look forward to the full report on it merit on board a boat.