SO WHAT DID YOU DO WITH OR ON YOUR C-DORY TODAY??
- Thread starter TyBoo
- Start date
Pacificcoast101
Member
I had a long-awaited smile while working on No Pressure this week. A few years ago, we began getting a NO DATA message on our RayMarine C80. The fishfinder worked intermittently. I uploaded the latest software upgrade, which removed the RADAR overlay I loved but that didn't solve the fishfinder issue. I replaced the house battery with no luck as well. I then upgraded to the C120. The issue continued. I read about all the problems with the DSM300 sounder, so I replaced that, the cables and transducer. I still had intermittent fishfinder.
Last month, the NO DATA message became permanent. I haven't had a working fishfinder, which can be annoying when you want to anchor in a spot you don't have good coordinates for. I read about wiring the DSM300 directly to the battery using 10g wire. I was preparing to do that this week when I noticed that the positive wire from the DSM was plugged into the radio toggle switch. I wondered if that was causing interference. I unplugged the DSM and plugged it into an unused switch. The fishfinder began working exactly as it should. I reset it and it came back on.
I checked it three times more this week and the problems have stopped. All it took was moving a single wire. Oh well, at least I have a new C120, cables, transducer, sounder module, and battery. Nothing like spending money, time, and a lot of sweat for a simple fix.
Last month, the NO DATA message became permanent. I haven't had a working fishfinder, which can be annoying when you want to anchor in a spot you don't have good coordinates for. I read about wiring the DSM300 directly to the battery using 10g wire. I was preparing to do that this week when I noticed that the positive wire from the DSM was plugged into the radio toggle switch. I wondered if that was causing interference. I unplugged the DSM and plugged it into an unused switch. The fishfinder began working exactly as it should. I reset it and it came back on.
I checked it three times more this week and the problems have stopped. All it took was moving a single wire. Oh well, at least I have a new C120, cables, transducer, sounder module, and battery. Nothing like spending money, time, and a lot of sweat for a simple fix.
Pacificcoast101
Member
We had, or rather I had a relatively uneventful dive today at Golf Ball Reef, but first, a bit of history.
For the past few years we have had little to no function with our fishfinder. Reading everything I could find about the problem, I made several unsuccessful repairs. I updated the firmware, installed a larger battery, replaced the battery switches with a new panel, replaced alternators four times, replaced the GPS/Fishfinder combo, replaced the sonar module, replaced the cable, and replaced the transducer. I was going to wire the unit directly to a battery last week but decided to trace the wiring first to make sure I could wire it to an unused toggle switch on our dashboard.
The end of the sonar power wire was connected to the radio switch. I unplugged it and plugged it into the unused switch and suddenly I had a working fishfinder again. Apparently, the fishfinder was receiving interference from the radio. A lot of hours and dollars were wasted in this simple repair.
On to the dive. We arrived at Golf Ball Reef using the GPS and fishfinder together for the first time in years. The surface water was green, full of plankton and looked uninviting. We were here and were going diving no matter what. Visibility on the bottom was a pleasant twenty feet. Less than a foot from the anchor chain was a mating pair of Peltodoris mullineri. As I was photographing them, Merry Passage arrived to tell me her drysuit was flooding. She aborted the dive while I stuck it out despite a leaky left sleeve on my suit.
Berthella californica were everywhere, as were their large egg ribbons. I found two small Berthella chacei and managed to get one to stick on my stage. Paguristes ulreyi, Furry hermit crabs were piled on many rocks. I found a Berthella californica piled on a Furry Hermit crab. Juvenile Vermilion rockfish, Sebastes miniatus flitted just above the reef while a sea lion buzzed me a couple of times. After I surfaced, Merry and I hung our wet drysuits and headed back to the marina, contemplating more costly drysuit repairs/replacements. Merry suggested selling her camera and giving up diving altogether. She was only half-serious, but we really need a good dive soon.
For the past few years we have had little to no function with our fishfinder. Reading everything I could find about the problem, I made several unsuccessful repairs. I updated the firmware, installed a larger battery, replaced the battery switches with a new panel, replaced alternators four times, replaced the GPS/Fishfinder combo, replaced the sonar module, replaced the cable, and replaced the transducer. I was going to wire the unit directly to a battery last week but decided to trace the wiring first to make sure I could wire it to an unused toggle switch on our dashboard.
The end of the sonar power wire was connected to the radio switch. I unplugged it and plugged it into the unused switch and suddenly I had a working fishfinder again. Apparently, the fishfinder was receiving interference from the radio. A lot of hours and dollars were wasted in this simple repair.
On to the dive. We arrived at Golf Ball Reef using the GPS and fishfinder together for the first time in years. The surface water was green, full of plankton and looked uninviting. We were here and were going diving no matter what. Visibility on the bottom was a pleasant twenty feet. Less than a foot from the anchor chain was a mating pair of Peltodoris mullineri. As I was photographing them, Merry Passage arrived to tell me her drysuit was flooding. She aborted the dive while I stuck it out despite a leaky left sleeve on my suit.
Berthella californica were everywhere, as were their large egg ribbons. I found two small Berthella chacei and managed to get one to stick on my stage. Paguristes ulreyi, Furry hermit crabs were piled on many rocks. I found a Berthella californica piled on a Furry Hermit crab. Juvenile Vermilion rockfish, Sebastes miniatus flitted just above the reef while a sea lion buzzed me a couple of times. After I surfaced, Merry and I hung our wet drysuits and headed back to the marina, contemplating more costly drysuit repairs/replacements. Merry suggested selling her camera and giving up diving altogether. She was only half-serious, but we really need a good dive soon.
Finished some upgrades.
Pretty happy it all works. The MPPT in the Delta Mini is limited to 10A, regardless of the voltage, thus the 12v to 24v step up.
- Installed 2 x Group 24 AGM batteries
Connected them to a Victron DC to DC charger
Charging 2 x EG4 100ah lifepo4 batteries (love the bluetooth on the new ones)
Connected to a 12v to 24v step converter
That charges an Ecoflow Delta Mini "solar generator" (battery bank + inverter)
That powers a 12v fridge / freezer on a sliding tray
Pretty happy it all works. The MPPT in the Delta Mini is limited to 10A, regardless of the voltage, thus the 12v to 24v step up.
Unexpected sunny day, so took the boat out with my grown kids, we gassed up and did a few chores, after too long a no boating spell. The new trickle charger and gas stabilizer had done their good jobs, no problem at all starting. We had docked port side to the dock, and occasionally washing things down. Today starboard side to dock - unlovely shades of green. If tomorrow is nice, we need to treat it as a cleanup day. Only a few boats out.
Marco Flamingo
Active member
Finally got back to working on my Yamaha 50. Last summer I replaced the impeller getting ready for a trip down the Missouri River through the Breaks. After the impeller install, no pee stream. I had the lower leg off about 10 times trying to fix what I couldn't figure out. No luck. We did the Breaks in a day with a guide. Probably worked out better, as one day the truck showed the temperature along the river was 117F.
Finally was so frustrated I called a mechanic. He told me to try a couple of things before bringing it in. One was taking out the thermostat and using my air compressor to blow through the pee hole. After a puff of dust and crud, I put things back together and it I got a weak stream using outboard ear muffs. I then shot some Salt Away through it. Even better. Just to make sure that it wasn't the water pressure from the hose helping the impeller, I drove to the lake, backed in, and started the motor. Success!!
Still bummed because I found out that my trailer lights aren't working. I paid the dealer to install the "official" Hyundai harness last year before our aborted Missouri trip. Never even tried them, but they aren't working. Grrrrrr. With the boat running, and the trailer harness fixed, and if the Hyundai continues to run, I may even make it to the Friday Harbor CBGT.
Mark
Finally was so frustrated I called a mechanic. He told me to try a couple of things before bringing it in. One was taking out the thermostat and using my air compressor to blow through the pee hole. After a puff of dust and crud, I put things back together and it I got a weak stream using outboard ear muffs. I then shot some Salt Away through it. Even better. Just to make sure that it wasn't the water pressure from the hose helping the impeller, I drove to the lake, backed in, and started the motor. Success!!
Still bummed because I found out that my trailer lights aren't working. I paid the dealer to install the "official" Hyundai harness last year before our aborted Missouri trip. Never even tried them, but they aren't working. Grrrrrr. With the boat running, and the trailer harness fixed, and if the Hyundai continues to run, I may even make it to the Friday Harbor CBGT.
Mark
gulfcoast john
New member
PACICA COAST, AMAZING !
Hi Friends!
I am experimenting for the first time in nine years on Cat O’ Mine with SS props (3 blade 17 inch pitch SOLAS for now). My arguments for aluminum props are well documented on this site if you Search for them, (and I still contend that some of those arguments are fairly well justified).
We launched May 4 into Big Lagoon, anchored in Big Lagoon, and enjoyed a Blue Angels Practice Show, 82 degree sun, 81 degree water, and a six mile walk on the Gulf Beach without seeing another soul. You should be so lucky.
Safe Travels!
John and Eileen
Hi Friends!
I am experimenting for the first time in nine years on Cat O’ Mine with SS props (3 blade 17 inch pitch SOLAS for now). My arguments for aluminum props are well documented on this site if you Search for them, (and I still contend that some of those arguments are fairly well justified).
We launched May 4 into Big Lagoon, anchored in Big Lagoon, and enjoyed a Blue Angels Practice Show, 82 degree sun, 81 degree water, and a six mile walk on the Gulf Beach without seeing another soul. You should be so lucky.
Safe Travels!
John and Eileen
Pacificcoast101
Member
We returned from a nearly month-long trip to Crystal Blue Resort in the Philippines with a couple of modification ideas. I added an air nozzle to blow off water from our camera housings after diving. We always struggled to get a towel in the hard-to-reach places. I also bought a 300-watt, 30,000-lumen green fishing light so we can make blackwater dives from our own boat. I added a second house battery and wired them in parallel to have plenty of burn time with the light. Now all we need are decent dive conditions to try out the new toys.
Pacificcoast101
Member
We hang a light in about thirty feet just after dark. The vertical migration of pelagic critters begins and lasts until just before dawn. The green light attracts small critters, which are followed by larger ones. We dive close enough to the light to photograph the animals without getting too close to the light to scare them off. I'm in my mid 60s and Merry is eleven years older. We'll hopefully keep diving until someone takes our cameras away. 
https://youtu.be/B8aXTqMrXdg
https://youtu.be/B8aXTqMrXdg
Pacificcoast101
Member
We tried the light in our slip. It's brighter than I expected. Even in dirty harbor water, the light was over thirty feet in every direction.
I used to do U/W macrophotography but cannot come close to the masterful
above photos.
David Liittschwager has done it for National Geographic. See more, including
a male seahorse giving birth, here:
https://www.npr.org/sections/picturesho ... ttschwager
Aye.
above photos.
David Liittschwager has done it for National Geographic. See more, including
a male seahorse giving birth, here:
https://www.npr.org/sections/picturesho ... ttschwager
Aye.
starcrafttom
Active member
Phil I like diving but only go every 5 years or so, all i can afford. But night diving is a " hell no " for me. Susan Likes it and I cant even stand watching her do it. Night diving with a dinner bell, sorry, big green light? Nope NOpe hell no.... Love your photos. A lot of training timing and work goes in to those and you do it very well. Have you been published?
Pacificcoast101
Member
I wrote a dive guide to local sites,
Diving the Palos Verdes Peninsula
https://tinyurl.com/y284hzf8
I used to write columns in a couple of magazines and occasionally have a photo or two in California Diving News.
Diving the Palos Verdes Peninsula
https://tinyurl.com/y284hzf8
I used to write columns in a couple of magazines and occasionally have a photo or two in California Diving News.
Pacificcoast101
Member
I'm with you there. Merry loves night diving. I can take it or leave it but would prefer to leave it. Some of our favorite dives this year were at Keystone Jetty across the sound from you. There is lots of decent diving in your neighborhood, but it requires a drysuit.starcrafttom":2yqws1e4 said:
starcrafttom
Active member
next time your up here please let use know and come for dinner.
Susan tried diving here when we first moved here 20 years ago and said hell no.. but that was in very think wet suits. She dove elliott bay and found a tire. I got qualified here , again in very think wet suits, and did not think a much of it but I know that there is a lot to see. Susan just hates the cold water that much. You cant really rent dry suits here that I know of or I would give it a try again.
Susan tried diving here when we first moved here 20 years ago and said hell no.. but that was in very think wet suits. She dove elliott bay and found a tire. I got qualified here , again in very think wet suits, and did not think a much of it but I know that there is a lot to see. Susan just hates the cold water that much. You cant really rent dry suits here that I know of or I would give it a try again.
Pacificcoast101
Member
Lighthouse Diving Center in Lynnwood rents drysuits.
Well not just today, But . . . .
I just got back from a few days down on the Columbia River, launching at Port of Kalama. YES, it is a steep ramp, but it is a nice facility. The Columbia was running like crazy --- mid channel flow was 3+ knots for the entire time. Docking gets interesting. either parallel with the current or perpendicular :shock:
I got to meet some new friends (C-BRATS for sure), and had a great time on some interesting, flowing water. Thanks Tom, for the guided tour on you local area haunts. And Thanks to Bo for coming over to share some chat time on my way off the water.
I updated my Raymarine electronics at Rodgers Marine Electronics back in Feb and the new Doppler 2 radar had a weird, growling/'groaning/moaning sound. Yes that favorite kind, intermittent, variable and non-patterned, and obnoxious. After a few conversations with Raymarine Warranty management, I contacted a certified Raymarine tech and he verified what I had going on. When I called Rodger's and told them Raymarine wanted more recordings, Marty at Rodger's said to just bring it down to them and they would replace it and then they would deal with Raymarine. YUP, that's what I wanted, and I mad an ASAP appointment. And YES, now it works great. Great service, and customer support.
Rodger's Marine Electronics in Portland OR
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
I just got back from a few days down on the Columbia River, launching at Port of Kalama. YES, it is a steep ramp, but it is a nice facility. The Columbia was running like crazy --- mid channel flow was 3+ knots for the entire time. Docking gets interesting. either parallel with the current or perpendicular :shock:
I got to meet some new friends (C-BRATS for sure), and had a great time on some interesting, flowing water. Thanks Tom, for the guided tour on you local area haunts. And Thanks to Bo for coming over to share some chat time on my way off the water.
I updated my Raymarine electronics at Rodgers Marine Electronics back in Feb and the new Doppler 2 radar had a weird, growling/'groaning/moaning sound. Yes that favorite kind, intermittent, variable and non-patterned, and obnoxious. After a few conversations with Raymarine Warranty management, I contacted a certified Raymarine tech and he verified what I had going on. When I called Rodger's and told them Raymarine wanted more recordings, Marty at Rodger's said to just bring it down to them and they would replace it and then they would deal with Raymarine. YUP, that's what I wanted, and I mad an ASAP appointment. And YES, now it works great. Great service, and customer support.
Rodger's Marine Electronics in Portland OR
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Pacificcoast101":1quktx5n said:We hang a light in about thirty feet just after dark. The vertical migration of pelagic critters begins and lasts until just before dawn. The green light attracts small critters, which are followed by larger ones. We dive close enough to the light to photograph the animals without getting too close to the light to scare them off. I'm in my mid 60s and Merry is eleven years older. We'll hopefully keep diving until someone takes our cameras away.
https://youtu.be/B8aXTqMrXdg
Awesome photos, also on your stock photos page!