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Re: Alternator Upgrade
On Sun, Jan 1, 2023 at 11:08 AM, Andrew Cook wrote:
Changed my '89 system (existing high output alternator) to a Sterling Power Pro Reg BW regulator and a Prosplit R180 controlling battery charging (also added a Pro protect alternator protector whilst at it for extra peace of mind). and a victron smart shunt to monitor from phone. Lots of wiring info on Sterling and Victron websites. All works great and very happy with it - though I have stuck with lead acid batteries - again perfectly happyWhat size battery bank do you have? Did you install a Balmar or other alternator and what amperage? Serpentine belt? Where did you install the Sterling regulator? Did you need to also alter the DC ground wire size? Both Victron and Sterling seem to make quality products.? Daryl |
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Re: Alternator Upgrade
Kate,
I will probably go with a Smart DC-DC charger - Victron has a nice 30 AMP unit; they allow you to apply difference charge profiles to the house bank that are different from the starter. So, this would replace the Blue Sea ACR? functionality - I don't believe the Blue Sea ACR does different charge profiles. Supposedly, some of the new AC based battery chargers coming out will also include this functionality: they basically have mulltiple chargers in one unit for multiple battery banks and also couple directly to the alternator to act as a smart voltage regulator using the charger profiles assigned. Also would like to be able to take advantage of LITHIUM Phosphate battery technology at some point - prices seem to be coming down. Daryl |
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Re: Alternator Upgrade
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýDaryl-When you add your starter battery: ?my understanding is that alternators are single output chargers (i.e., only one of your two banks will be charged by the alternator unless you combine the two banks when your engine is running). ?I did not want to have
to combine my batteries manually (via the battery switch) when I was running my engine so I use a BlueSea ACR that automatically combines my two banks when it detects a charging source. ? I¡¯ve been very happy with this method ¡ª when underway, I turn both of
my banks on and then never have to fiddle with the battery switch again regardless of whether my engine is running.
-Kate On Jan 1, 2023, at 12:25 PM, Daryl Clark <dlclark@...> wrote:
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Re: Alternator Upgrade
Andy,
I also purchased VIctron's Smart Shunt and will be installing this month when I make the journey up to Bayfield to check out how Intuition is fairing the winter season - it will be helpful to know TRUE LOADS for planning and for the future!? Which high output alternator did you go with? What amperage? What is your normal load like on your PSC 31?? Do you have a separate starting battery? Currently have two Lifeline AGM Group 31 batteries - each in a separate bank. Planning on combining them into the house bank and adding a starting battery. The AGM's are 5 years old now - I have had lifeline batteries in both the Flicka and Dana without issues - the Flicka batteries were still going strong after 10 years - but the loads were not quite what they are on Intuition with refrigeration. I had some issues last summer with the AGM battery/ alternator performance - (my investigation found the negative battery connections appeared to be loose, thus the batteries were not charged properly.? The biggest issue is the Hitachi alternator just is not up to the task of keeping a 210 AMP/Hour battery bank charged up in a reasonable timeframe for weeks of cruising (even a few days at this point). Not sure if the batteries are toast now or not - will be doing some state of charge testing when I go up. If the batteries are still good, I want to plan a charging system that can handle LITHIUM batteries in the future. I will check out the Sterling Power products - thanks for that information - I will check out their product literature.. The WAKESPEED 500 smart alternator regulator looks interesting. Daryl |
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Air Head Composting Toilet
The Groco HF installed on Intuition is about due for another rebuild! Not able to load water in from thru hull again. Thinking of ditching the current toilet and plumbing and installing an Airhead Composting toilet over the winter/spring time after haul out.
Anyone installed an Air Head or other Composting Toilet on their PSC 31? I have very good reports on the AIRHEAD from others at my marina. If so, where did you install the fan? Possible to vent into cockpit locker? Anyone use the urine diverter to route urine waste to existing holding tank? I think that would make the system work even better. Daryl s/y Intuition - PSC 31 # 54 |
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Yanmar Motor Mounts
I had my motor mounts replaced 3 years ago: they failed this spring due to marina service center installing the wrong ones :
(They installed FIRMNESS of 100# front and rear). This caused the propeller shaft to swing a wild arc and the shaft seal to leak water profusely with transmission in gear. They made good on their failure, but made for a slow start to the season and bit of tension between myself and the marina service manager. For Intution's diesel:? Yanmar 3GM30F : Front mounts have a FIRMNESS RATING of 100 ( Yanmar part # 124772-08341 ) Back mounts have a FIRMNESS RATING of 75 ( Yanmar part # 128270-08341 ) Daryl s/y Intuition - PSC 31 #54 |
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Re: Harken MK IV Unit 1 Furler Install
With the assistance of my crew,? I replaced the Harken MK 1 Unit 1 furling system with a Harken MK IV Unit 1 furling system: the 32 year old MK 1 had gotten very difficult to furl! The new furling system took about 8 hours to install (having never done this before). The previous headstay was too short due to the MK 1 units proprietary toggle and stay tensioning system; so a new stay was required! With current availability of STA-LOK replacement parts , I chose to have the swages mechanically fastened with a swaging machine.?
The Harken MK IV Unit 1 furling system instructions were followed and their method of calculating and verifying the number of foils required and cutting of the top foil were spot on. I used the?Eye/Jaw Toggle Reversible 7411.20 with 1/2 inch pin to connect the drum to the stem. Did not need a link plate! I did end up moving the furling line to the PORT SIDE for better lead angle for the furling line; as my new ROCNA anchor would have possibly caused some line chaff. The new Harken MK IV Unit 1 furling system has independent swivels for tack and head of the sail. This has the advantage of creating a very tight furl/reef of the headsail. |
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Harken MK IV Unit 1 Furler Install
Greetings,
I have purchased a Harken MK IV Unit 1 Furler to replace the 1990 vintage Harken MK 1 Unit 1 furler. Wondering if anyone has already done this and if so, did you need additional hardware beneath the furling drum standard toggle to clear anchor, etc? Daryl Clark s/y Intution - PSC 31 #54 |
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Re: Lazarette hinge mounting screw issues
The hinge screws have a washer, lock washer and nut that is encapsulated in the plywood below the skin of the inside fiberglass layer. The inboard screws seem to have the most rot, as they were not well sealed!
Had to use a flat blade screw driver to hold the nut while unscrewing the hinge screws. Screws had a bit of corrosion. But was finally able to remove them. I used a the smallest hole saw in my kit (7/8 inch) with the drill bit just barely protruding to start the hole, needed to do this to keep the hole saw centered and cutting smoothly to start. After the hole was started, I removed the drill bit from the hole saw and continued to cut small sections of plywood away, then remove the wet plywood core bit by bit until I reached the top fiberglass layer. The hole created is about 1.5 inches deep. I cleaned the fiberglass surface with acetone, then applied several layers of 3M blue painters tape to prevent epoxy from leaking out of the original screw holes. Note: the original screw holes remained in tact and do not get enlarged by this process; thus easy to get the hinges back into their original orientation. I then used West System 610 epoxy (tube of thickened epoxy and hardener with mixing nozzle - requires a caulking gun to apply) to fill the hole. The inside hinge screw has to be recessed, as the bottom of the lazarette cover rests on top of the lazarette lip! Filled the hole completely, then used a Forstner bit to create the relief area so the lock nut and washer would be below the surface. Apply a bit of caulk to the new screw threads and everything should be hunky-dory for 5 or 10 years. |
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Lazarette hinge mounting screw issues
On my 1990 Pacific Seacraft 31,?I need to resolve some?lazarette hinge mounting screw issues:?several screws no longer tighten down properly, due to compression of the nut into the fiberglass lazarette lid (?or possibly some rot in the plywood between layers of fiberglass under the nut , as I can see the crushed fiberglass from the bottom of the lid!).? ? Anyone have any success with getting the hinge pin out so the two hinge plates separate? Thinking a very long and narrow punch might do the trick!? ? This would enable the lazarette to be easily removed and worked on so these lovely bronze hinges work properly - imperative I do not destroy them! ? Daryl s/y Intuition - PSC 31 # 43 |
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Re: Engage transmission while sailing
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHi Stu,Have you read your maxprop manual, mine says to turn the engine off in forward while doing a speed of 3-4 knots. Then put it into neutral. You shaft should not spin, or spin very slowly because the prop is feathered. On occasion, mine does not feather, so with the engine off, I shift to reverse then back to neutral. Hope this help. BTW, I have had my maxprop since 1998. Cheers, Marlena On Mar 14, 2022, at 1:40 PM, SSTECKER <stustecker@...> wrote:
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LEWMAR WINCHES
Greetings,
Just received a flyer from West Marine, they have their TWO FOR ONE / BOGO now on Lewmar winches. Just in case anyone is looking for a set of winches. Usually includes the lovely bronze beauties we love! -- Daryl Clark S/Y Intuition - PSC 31 # 54 Formerly s/y Flicka 433 - Ballo Liscio S/Y Jackito - Dana 222 |
Daryl Clark
Kate Lee
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