Thisaway
- Thread starter thataway
- Start date
Pat Anderson
New member
It's plain to see you really needed a project to keep you occupied! Wow!
Pat Anderson":2xsrjhvt said:
If that were really the case, we could all sign up to leave our boats with Dr. Bob for a week each. :wink: That would take care of his "need for a project" and help all of us take care of those "one of these days" projects. :thup
Nice work on all you've done to that boat, Bob!
Best wishes,
Jim
Our work was set back by the death of our friend, and some back problems related to being a pallbearer. But we are back on track--and today soldered the PL 259 fittings for the VHF antennas. We will also be soldering the small wires which go to and from the radios from the chart plotters. The Uniden will be hooked to the smaller Garmin 440 and the Standard Horizon with the AIS to the Garmin 541 which can display the AIS if we want.
Normally one uses crimp fittings for electrical wires on boats. However, since these will not be subject to vibration and be supported well by both clips and adhesive heat shrink, I prefer a good solder connection for the small wires carrying data.
We will also be adding an extra 6 switch panel, plus an additional 12 fuse block. This will allow each electronic circuit to have a standard fuse, rather than the assortment of in line fuses. Each wire will be labeled at the fuse block and many at their terminus. Doing this allows much more rapid trouble shooting if there is an electrical problem.
Normally one uses crimp fittings for electrical wires on boats. However, since these will not be subject to vibration and be supported well by both clips and adhesive heat shrink, I prefer a good solder connection for the small wires carrying data.
We will also be adding an extra 6 switch panel, plus an additional 12 fuse block. This will allow each electronic circuit to have a standard fuse, rather than the assortment of in line fuses. Each wire will be labeled at the fuse block and many at their terminus. Doing this allows much more rapid trouble shooting if there is an electrical problem.
OK--several more projects to go. I have left some steps of the tutorial as the time for use to leave is nearing.
After the new aft Lazarette hatches are done, we tackled the 110 volt system. Before it was a 50 foot extension cord which was passed into the cabin and had two one amp chargers plugged into the 3 way on the end!
We put in a "charging" plug--since the current will never be more than 15 amps, and I don't like the outside plugs--under the gunnel forward of the aft cockpit combing.
![img]](http://www.c-brats.com/albums/Thataway/DSC00935.jpg[[img]/img])
The 12 volt wires running fore and aft still have to be finally bundled and finished off.
Inside, I wanted a 15 amp fuse, and a switch. Buss makes a fuse, switch combo for heavy duty motors. I sprayed the entire assembly with "BioShield" to give it further corrosion protection and used #10 wire from the plug to the panel. Inside of this box is an 8 connector bus bar (4 on each side connected)--this gives me "hot, unswitched", hot switched, neutral and ground. This uses all swaged on fittings heat shrinked in place.
The circuit goes hot thru the switch (rated at 30 amps) to the 15 amp old fashioned screw type of fuse, and then to the 15 amp sockets--which is dedicated to the 10 amp battery charger--hard wired to the two batteries.
I wanted one socket on the aft port side under the seat, and one aft the helm seat without taking any storage. I made these brackets out of 3/4" ply and then epoxyied them in place.
Here are the images of them in place and the box cover each behind the seats:
After the new aft Lazarette hatches are done, we tackled the 110 volt system. Before it was a 50 foot extension cord which was passed into the cabin and had two one amp chargers plugged into the 3 way on the end!
We put in a "charging" plug--since the current will never be more than 15 amps, and I don't like the outside plugs--under the gunnel forward of the aft cockpit combing.
The 12 volt wires running fore and aft still have to be finally bundled and finished off.
Inside, I wanted a 15 amp fuse, and a switch. Buss makes a fuse, switch combo for heavy duty motors. I sprayed the entire assembly with "BioShield" to give it further corrosion protection and used #10 wire from the plug to the panel. Inside of this box is an 8 connector bus bar (4 on each side connected)--this gives me "hot, unswitched", hot switched, neutral and ground. This uses all swaged on fittings heat shrinked in place.
The circuit goes hot thru the switch (rated at 30 amps) to the 15 amp old fashioned screw type of fuse, and then to the 15 amp sockets--which is dedicated to the 10 amp battery charger--hard wired to the two batteries.
I wanted one socket on the aft port side under the seat, and one aft the helm seat without taking any storage. I made these brackets out of 3/4" ply and then epoxyied them in place.
Here are the images of them in place and the box cover each behind the seats:
Bill Uffelman
New member
Wandering Sagebrush -- I see an opportunity for a boat electrical/electronic improvement consortium -- Thataway, Thisaway and USMCAEWay -- kind of sounds like a law firm too.
Dr Bob you do nice work.
Bill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV & Ocean View DE
Dr Bob you do nice work.
Bill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV & Ocean View DE
Next are some photos of other projects I have undertaken:
The console wiring needs to be fully secured before we leave, but is currently functional:
Note that the 6 fuse bus bar has been replaced with a 12 fuse bus bar, a second 6 switch circuit breaker panel has been added, as well as the Link Lite voltage and amp monitor. Each wire and fuse is labeled with a printed label. Also added a fan on each side, and a cigarette lighter above each bunk. Double cigarette lighters added in addition to the one already at the helm, and one all of the way in aft Lazarette for the inflatable dinghy pump.
The console wiring needs to be fully secured before we leave, but is currently functional:
Note that the 6 fuse bus bar has been replaced with a 12 fuse bus bar, a second 6 switch circuit breaker panel has been added, as well as the Link Lite voltage and amp monitor. Each wire and fuse is labeled with a printed label. Also added a fan on each side, and a cigarette lighter above each bunk. Double cigarette lighters added in addition to the one already at the helm, and one all of the way in aft Lazarette for the inflatable dinghy pump.
Storage in the V Berth is always an issue. We put hammocks on each side, and on the Stb side a smaller "Sheet bag" and on the port side a double sheet bag. The "Sheet bags" are used for storage of lines on deck--here we lash them in place behind the hammock, and they serve for clothing, book and personal item storage. They can be in the position shown, or moved aft.
On the bunk are the windows from the full camper back. The windows have been cleaned polished and preserved. We will sew "sheaths" for each of the windows, so they will not be scratched when rolled up.
On the bunk are the windows from the full camper back. The windows have been cleaned polished and preserved. We will sew "sheaths" for each of the windows, so they will not be scratched when rolled up.
We also needed to re-bed the hand rails on the top of the cabin. There was a slight leakage of water during heavy rains. We found out why--the bedding was not adherent to the SS railing. We pulled the rail:
Below is a "shower curtain rod" holding up the electronics shelf when we pulled the bolts to rebed the hand rail with 4000.
Note that we moved one radio and put a second radio (with AIS and hailer) to the bottom of the electronics shelf, and epoxied blocks of wood to the forward pilot house so that we could mount the stereo speakers (were loose on the shelves).
We also like the "hand rails" on the inside; trying to get factory rails did not seem like an option, so we are trying: rope. I used SS clamps with rubber insert the same diameter as the rope and put a right eye splice on each end, and then served it with self amalgamating tape, and an overhand knot in the center. We may have to put in epoxy blocks to keep the clamps from moving. This is an experiment:
In the back ground, hooks for jackets and hats, plus the wire to a cockpit LED "spreader light" on the outside and a 3 red LED night light on the inside. We have added an extra light directly over the helm--LED 4 red and 4 white.
Projects left: The kicker bracket (dinghy motor), and two Starboard tables which will mount just inboard of the lazarette hatches, on flush Magna mounts (photos to come in the next day or so). We have a Wilson Marine dual band cell phone antenna--to go with our Wilson cell phone amp we use in the truck and RV, as well as a 2 meter ham antenna on the opposite hand rail aft. Both will ratchet down for travel.
We have also added a Hyperjuice 150 watt external battery for the MacBook Air and I pad, I phones--extra capacity, and the ability to charge all of these devices from the 12 volt system (including the MacBook Air.). That along with the Cell phone antenna and amp will extend our range to keep in touch.
Also we put in the BEP VSR to combine the batteries:
The bus bar for the Link lite will be next to this switch also--hopefully avoiding any fine wiring going directly to the batteries-instead going to the BEP VSR and the common ground point all in this area of the Stb lazarette.
We also added a second bilge pump in the aft sump (standard is the one just forward of the aft cabin bulkhead.)
Now a night on the hook to check out all systems and start to load up and head out West!
Below is a "shower curtain rod" holding up the electronics shelf when we pulled the bolts to rebed the hand rail with 4000.
Note that we moved one radio and put a second radio (with AIS and hailer) to the bottom of the electronics shelf, and epoxied blocks of wood to the forward pilot house so that we could mount the stereo speakers (were loose on the shelves).
We also like the "hand rails" on the inside; trying to get factory rails did not seem like an option, so we are trying: rope. I used SS clamps with rubber insert the same diameter as the rope and put a right eye splice on each end, and then served it with self amalgamating tape, and an overhand knot in the center. We may have to put in epoxy blocks to keep the clamps from moving. This is an experiment:
In the back ground, hooks for jackets and hats, plus the wire to a cockpit LED "spreader light" on the outside and a 3 red LED night light on the inside. We have added an extra light directly over the helm--LED 4 red and 4 white.
Projects left: The kicker bracket (dinghy motor), and two Starboard tables which will mount just inboard of the lazarette hatches, on flush Magna mounts (photos to come in the next day or so). We have a Wilson Marine dual band cell phone antenna--to go with our Wilson cell phone amp we use in the truck and RV, as well as a 2 meter ham antenna on the opposite hand rail aft. Both will ratchet down for travel.
We have also added a Hyperjuice 150 watt external battery for the MacBook Air and I pad, I phones--extra capacity, and the ability to charge all of these devices from the 12 volt system (including the MacBook Air.). That along with the Cell phone antenna and amp will extend our range to keep in touch.
Also we put in the BEP VSR to combine the batteries:
The bus bar for the Link lite will be next to this switch also--hopefully avoiding any fine wiring going directly to the batteries-instead going to the BEP VSR and the common ground point all in this area of the Stb lazarette.
We also added a second bilge pump in the aft sump (standard is the one just forward of the aft cabin bulkhead.)
Now a night on the hook to check out all systems and start to load up and head out West!
Captains Cat
New member
Looking great Bob! A lot of improvements over how it was when you picked it up in Northern Virginia last fall/winter!
Charlie
Charlie
No new pictures, we have been too busy getting ready to go. The decision to get the larger SUV (Yukon XL) was the right one--both from weight and volume. We like to reserve a spot for one of use to lie down in the back while the other drives.
Miss Angel has been doing her part in helping with the packing--pulled the Admiral's old purse to the center of the bed, and piled her favorite toys on it, then went to the food cache, and pulled over two bags of rice (oops--when poodles pull bags of rice they leave trails of rice!) She then attacked my dopp kit and got Burt's Bees lip balm and some tooth paste out...
If any C Brats are on Lake Powell from the 25th of April to the 5th of May, please give us a shout on 16 or 68. We monitor both when underway--and answer to "Thisaway", or "Thataway". If you have a cell phone, send me a PM and we may get hook up via that, or I have a ham operator who can relay a message. There may be limited coverage when in sight of Navajo Mountain.
We should be in Rio Vista on the 8th for the Delta Cruise, and a couple of weeks later in Friday Harbor for the gathering there. Look forward to seeing many friends!
Miss Angel has been doing her part in helping with the packing--pulled the Admiral's old purse to the center of the bed, and piled her favorite toys on it, then went to the food cache, and pulled over two bags of rice (oops--when poodles pull bags of rice they leave trails of rice!) She then attacked my dopp kit and got Burt's Bees lip balm and some tooth paste out...
If any C Brats are on Lake Powell from the 25th of April to the 5th of May, please give us a shout on 16 or 68. We monitor both when underway--and answer to "Thisaway", or "Thataway". If you have a cell phone, send me a PM and we may get hook up via that, or I have a ham operator who can relay a message. There may be limited coverage when in sight of Navajo Mountain.
We should be in Rio Vista on the 8th for the Delta Cruise, and a couple of weeks later in Friday Harbor for the gathering there. Look forward to seeing many friends!
We got underway on time at 9 AM. We made it to Orange Texas--a little over 400 miles to arrive in a 50 knot wind storm, followed by heavy rain....Now we have had dinner, figured out how to move all of the "Stuff" off the bunk, and fed Angel, so all are happy campers! Angel was really upset when the auto bilge pump came on -- daddy what was that!
The truck handled very well, and we were very happy we did not buy a lighter vehicle. We have averaged 12.9 mpg. I put in a OB II scanner, which reads the engine computer in real time, for mileage, temps, etc--as well as the built in functions for the truck's guages and info system.
Jody, we hope to get to Powell on the Pm of the 24th. We have friends on a non C Dory who are with Eric and Sue on E-ticket and we plan on meeting them on the 25th. They are leaving on the 28. We will head to Oak Creek Canyon (where we will probably hang out much of the time at the lake) on the 27th.
We will also keep an ear out for Steve on Sea Spray!
Tomorrow we hope to get to Junction Tx or maybe a little more.
Marie just said Angel "Angel asked where is my motor home?"
The truck handled very well, and we were very happy we did not buy a lighter vehicle. We have averaged 12.9 mpg. I put in a OB II scanner, which reads the engine computer in real time, for mileage, temps, etc--as well as the built in functions for the truck's guages and info system.
Jody, we hope to get to Powell on the Pm of the 24th. We have friends on a non C Dory who are with Eric and Sue on E-ticket and we plan on meeting them on the 25th. They are leaving on the 28. We will head to Oak Creek Canyon (where we will probably hang out much of the time at the lake) on the 27th.
We will also keep an ear out for Steve on Sea Spray!
Tomorrow we hope to get to Junction Tx or maybe a little more.
Marie just said Angel "Angel asked where is my motor home?"
Some crazy weather across Texas lately. In the past 17 years, we haven't seen a single tornado WARNING in deep south Texas... we've now had TWO in the past 4 days! :shock: Keep a watch on the weather as you make your way across nearly 1,000 miles of I-10 through Texas.
We're hoping to get to Lake Powell on the back from the PNW in the fall, but we'll look forward to seeing you at the Friday Harbor gathering.
Travel safe, have fun.
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
We're hoping to get to Lake Powell on the back from the PNW in the fall, but we'll look forward to seeing you at the Friday Harbor gathering.
Travel safe, have fun.
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
Junction Texas--over half way thru Texas! Hope to make El Paso tomorrow. Good weather today--50 degrees when we started 88 degrees when we finished.
The fuel average fell to 11.5 today, with the hill country and the ups and downs. There was a lot of heavy trucking traffic thru Houston. I suspect the nasty weather up North sent a lot of trucks South. Still a lot of traffic on the road.
Wild flowers are spectacular--mostly in the yellows, but Indian Paint Brush, Blue Bonnets, and Lupine also. Some deep purple flowers also.
The fuel average fell to 11.5 today, with the hill country and the ups and downs. There was a lot of heavy trucking traffic thru Houston. I suspect the nasty weather up North sent a lot of trucks South. Still a lot of traffic on the road.
Wild flowers are spectacular--mostly in the yellows, but Indian Paint Brush, Blue Bonnets, and Lupine also. Some deep purple flowers also.
Captains Cat
New member
Bob, we are in Hartford Ct on the way to Maine. The Excursion got about 18mpg pulling a 6x12 cargo Trailer about 3000# or so. It really drives like a dream! Have a safe tr. heavy rain tomorrow.
Charlie
Charlie
OK Charlie rub it in--I should have kept the Excursion!
We are averaging a little over 12, including over the Continental divide.
Last night I was too beat to post much--plus not much of an internet connection!
We made Las Cruces, NM last night, and today opted to get out of the heat of the Phoenix valley floor, so we are in BlackRock Canyon, off HWY 17--with only about 230 miles to go to Page AZ. It was 102 in Las Cruces, and 105 when we went thru Phoenix! The weather prediction had been cool, so we didn't take the air conditioner!--- lots of fans going, and we slept fine. It is 88 degrees now, and will be in the 70's in a couple of hours.
Average distance about 420 miles a day--8 to 9 hours driving. Miss Angel and Miss Marie are both sacked out already! It will be good to get on the water.
The ventilation for the forward hatch is an "Endless Breeze" fan, with 2 5/8" varnished dowels to support it--running off 12 volts with another 7" fan we are drawing 3.7 amps. The endless breeze is drawing 3.2 of that. We made insect screens to velcro under the hatch and front window. (Some of out other boats have come with insect screens for the hatch--this does not).
We are averaging a little over 12, including over the Continental divide.
Last night I was too beat to post much--plus not much of an internet connection!
We made Las Cruces, NM last night, and today opted to get out of the heat of the Phoenix valley floor, so we are in BlackRock Canyon, off HWY 17--with only about 230 miles to go to Page AZ. It was 102 in Las Cruces, and 105 when we went thru Phoenix! The weather prediction had been cool, so we didn't take the air conditioner!--- lots of fans going, and we slept fine. It is 88 degrees now, and will be in the 70's in a couple of hours.
Average distance about 420 miles a day--8 to 9 hours driving. Miss Angel and Miss Marie are both sacked out already! It will be good to get on the water.
The ventilation for the forward hatch is an "Endless Breeze" fan, with 2 5/8" varnished dowels to support it--running off 12 volts with another 7" fan we are drawing 3.7 amps. The endless breeze is drawing 3.2 of that. We made insect screens to velcro under the hatch and front window. (Some of out other boats have come with insect screens for the hatch--this does not).
Captains Cat
New member
Nope, Bob. For your purpose, you made the right one. The Excursion can't be a TOAD too as yours can.
Rained all day here in Maine. Unloaded the trailer. Looking forward to an easier day today. Travel safely.
Charlie
Rained all day here in Maine. Unloaded the trailer. Looking forward to an easier day today. Travel safely.
Charlie