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  • in reply to: Chain locker issues #78228
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Joe,
    I have a manual Lofrans Royal, which appears have the same mechanics
    (gears, chain wheels, etc.) as the TIgres, just lacks the motor on the aft
    end of the windlass. The chain off my Royal nearly drops directly into the
    deck locker. If the PO had installed it about 1″ further aft it would be a
    direct drop. As it is the chain rolls over the forward edge of the locker
    without an coaxing by me. Since my windlass is manual, I’m standing in the
    locker when cranking in the chain. As castles build up I can easily kick
    them down toward the forward, under deck, portion of the locker. I have
    cranked nearly 200′ of 5/16″ G4 chain into this space with no problems.
    I am considering replacing the Royal with a Tigres. The upper body workout
    I get with the Royal is losing its appeal.
    How as that windlass worked for you. Most of the windlasses i’ve looked at
    (Quick, Maxwell, etc) offer a 1500W motor for vessels our size. The Tigres
    is 1200W. I’m trying to determine if those extra 300W are really
    important as they cost a lot of $$$ over the price of the Tigres.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Joseph Steiner wrote:

    Quote:
    Robert,
    What kind of windlass arrangement do you have? I have a Lofrans Trigres
    and the chain needs to drop 90 degrees coming off the windlass. So using
    the upper locker is very tricky for me. I like the idea of feeding it
    there, even if temporarily to avoid castleing in the lower locker and
    running back and forth to the v-berth..so I will try to figure a way to
    feed it from the windlass without losing a finger or two if/when the chain
    slips off the windlass.

    Joe,
    Half Moon

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    in reply to: castles #78185
    john stevenson
    Participant

    It seems to me, using the water tank for chain has the problem of getting
    access to pull the chain out of the below decks locker. I think Tor is
    right, you would have to manually pull the chain into the tank – it would
    not fall naturally from the deck into the tank. That presents the problem
    of access without major modifications to the V-Berth. My V-Berth cushion
    is one piece and is a PITA to lift or move. If and when I replace that
    cushion, it would be with one with a hinge down the center to allow it to
    be folded and moved out of the forward cabin more easily. It would still
    be a PITA, just less so.

    As I understand it, Quent’s solution of running the chain into the forward
    bilge and cutting an access port below the berth provides access to the
    chain while only requiring the V-Berth insert removal.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 9:04 AM, Silverheels wrote:

    Quote:
    Quent,

    Your right on both counts. I’m not sure how Dan envisions using the
    forward water tank space, if he goes that route. If I were to use it on
    my boat, it would be as the repository for the infrequently used portion
    of primary anchor’s rode-&-chain rather than for the whole pile, similar
    to how some others among us use the bilge space aft of the tank. I’d
    probably have to hand-feed it in, but if done right it would run out by
    itself when needed. Meanwhile, unlike using the forward bilge, the
    converted tank would maintain the watertightness of the overall chain
    locker, which matters to me; keeping the bottom muck out of the boat.
    The regularly used portion of the chain, the first 100′ or so, then
    should have enough room to settle and pile in my (already modified)
    chain locker directly below the windlass.

    Just thinking out loud.

    Tor


    Silverheels, P-424 #17
    http://www.silverheels.us


    Quote:

    Original Message


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    in reply to: Chain locker issues #78168
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Joe,
    I think you will find that 5/16 does not castle as much as the 3/8 BBB,
    but I’m not sure the difference is so great to make the problem go away. I
    carry 300′ of 5/16 plus 200′ of rope. However I let my chain fall into the
    deck locker when hauling in. As long as I have not put out more than 200′
    if just piles up in the forward end of the locker. Then when I’ve got the
    anchor secured I move the chain down into the lower locker (or leave it in
    the deck locker if I’m just sailing a short distance that day). When
    moving the chain to the lower locker I do get a castle problem. I have a
    small garden hoe that I use to knock down the castles from the V-berth.
    Jack & Patricia Tyler, when they owned Whoosh, told me their normal
    operation was Jack on deck pumping the windlass and Patricia in the V-berth
    knocking down the castles. They also used 5/16 chain.

    I think the only solution, other than going to a short length of chain
    (50′ or less) as I did for several years, is to modify the chain locker as
    Tor and a few others have done. That provides a long enough fall for the
    chain that castles are not a significant problem.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 5:37 PM, Joseph Steiner wrote:

    Quote:
    I have 100′ of 3/8″ BBB and 200′ of nylon and I have a lot of problems
    with castleling. One of us has to run to the V-Berth and poke the chain
    mound so we can finish deanchoring. What a nuisance.
    I’m wondering if 5/16 would not castle so readily? Anyone with that
    experience??
    Also, I’m wondering if I installed new chain it would also solve the
    problem. I think my chain is getting rusty which may cause it not to fold
    and bend as easily as it drops down into the locker. Would a lubricant
    help??
    I appreciate any suggestions.

    Joe,
    s/v Half Moon

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    in reply to: LED spreader lights #78109
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Thanks, Paul.
    10 years ago I installed Perko spreader lights. No exterior LEDs back
    then, or at least I wasn’t aware of any. The Perko lamps are very bright
    (35W Sealed Beam) and draw a lot of juice. However I don’t use the
    spreader lights often, and then only for a few minutes – so efficiency has
    never been an issue with these lights. The problem I’ve encountered is
    bulb longevity. So far I’ve had 4 bulbs burn out, even with the limited
    use. At $50 per bulb via WM, those $250 Signal Mate lights are looking
    comparatively economical, assuming a typical LED service life. I just
    bought my 4th Perko bulb, so I guess I won’t be changing the spreader
    lights for at least another year.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 3:48 PM, Paul Lefebvre wrote:

    Quote:
    John,

    I think the spelling was wrong and it is Kimberlite and they are part of
    the MISEA Group. I see they also bought SCAD.

    http://miseagroup.com/

    Paul

    Quote:

    Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

    in reply to: LED spreader lights #78107
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Pete,
    Can you provide a URL for Kimerlite or a source. When I Google it I don’t
    get an LED supplier.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 1:24 PM, Peaboy Walters wrote:

    I have a pair of Dr LED’s spreader lights. Model name is KEVIN. LOVE them!

    -p

    On 1/7/12, Pete Dubler wrote:

    I am impressed with the Kimerlite
    Product line and am usi.g them for all the exterior lighting on our refit

    Sent from my Android phone which is programed to entertain you with

    creative

    Quote:
    spelling corrections.


    Original message


    Subject: Re: LED spreader lights

    Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

    in reply to: flying a mizzen staysail #78073
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Tor,
    Really nice.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    2012/1/6 Silverheels

    I thought some of you might be interested to see these photos. It was
    (I’m embarrassed to admit) the first time I’ve flown Silverheels’ mizzen
    staysail, which came with the boat but has remained in a cockpit locker
    until now. I guess it was the first time – or at least one of very few
    times – I had perfect conditions for it, with lots of time and plenty of
    sea room. These photos were taken day after Christmas at 27°N x 72°W,
    535 n miles into the Atlantic from Jacksonville (FL) Inlet.

    A few notes:

    – The wind generator mounted on the forward side of the mizzen mast did
    not interfere at all, but I shut it off anyway while the sail was up.

    – I shackled the mizzen staysail’s tack to a back-plated deck ring that
    is normally home to a (fore)staysail sheet block. It just happened to be
    in about the right place for this.

    – The single mizzen staysail sheet leads through a snatch block on the
    end of the mizzen boom.

    – Hallett Sailmakers was apparently the original for this boat. My
    hank-on staysail (which was originally a #3 yankee and was on the boat
    when I got her, virtually brand new, probably never flown) was made by
    the same loft. Superb workmanship like you can scarcely find today.

    – This is also the first time Silverheels has ever flown 5 sails: genoa,
    staysail, mainsail, mizzen staysail & mizzen. Very cool! I’d have given
    a lot for a motorboat to get a hundred yards away for some photos. I
    know the dolphins that visited us that afternoon were impressed.

    Reef early,

    Tor


    Silverheels, P-424 #17
    http://www.silverheels.us



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    in reply to: engine instrument pod – clearance #78056
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Tor,
    Congrats on a successful passage.
    What route did you use and would you recommend it?

    Freezing my ass off in JAX (thought you would want to know). Still better
    than my old berth on the Pax River.

    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 7:08 PM, Silverheels wrote:

    Quote:
    Well, most of it, anyway.


    Original Message


    Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

    in reply to: electrical wire sources #78022
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Tor,
    Also consider Del City at http://www.delcity.net/. I also use GenuineDealz
    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Wed, Nov 23, 2011 at 7:53 PM, Silverheels wrote:

    Quote:
    Yes, I saw that, but I need to cut the lengths when I install the
    cables. Too hard to measure precisely in advance. I’ve got a lug
    terminal masher, so it’s not a big deal.

    Thanks,

    Tor


    Silverheels, P-424 #17
    http://www.silverheels.us


    Quote:

    Original Message


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    in reply to: Electrical Power #78009
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Alan,
    That’s the boat. Still next to me in Oriental, which means I’m still in
    Oriental and will be to after Thanksgiving.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 11:10 PM, skipmac wrote:

    I did not mean to imply that electric power would not work at all. I have
    read about a number of cruising boats that are running electric and have
    made major ocean crossings including significant distances under power.

    But any system I have found that comes close to equivalent power to my W58
    plus a generator to put out enough power to run it continuously, costs 2-3
    times the price of a new diesel engine, transmission and V-drive together.

    The more affordable systems I have found have much less power and often
    just enough range to motor out the channel.

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    in reply to: More Drive Train Issues #77980
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Rich,
    This instrument panel problem may be due to my going with the standard
    Yanmar 80A alternator rather than the Balmar-type you have. I think the
    alternator is generating some spikes or other problems for the board in the
    panel. The panel is a flimsy affair, which I mistakenly had installed on
    the bridge deck, where the Westerbecke panel was located. The Yanmar panel
    should not be placed in a high traffic location such as I have done.

    The vibration I think is just an alignment problem.

    The original damper plate problem (IMO) was a DOA part provided by Mack
    Boring. If I’ve had another damper plate failure (won’t know until the
    transmission is removed), I’ll be looking for an explanation. The
    replacement damper plate, provided by Mack Boring at my cost, is one of the
    R&D-type plates, not the spring loaded plate originally supplied.

    See: http://www.svsarah.com/Sarah/ewVelvetDriveFailure.html

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 10:20 AM, wrote:

    Quote:
    John,
    Its odd that you have problems with your Yanmar instrument panel. I’ve
    had no issues with mine, and my yacht club has two launches with much the
    same engine and panel (4JH3TE) and have no issues. The club launches are
    in continual service for 7 months each year. That’s over 2000 hrs/year.
    I’m also not aware of any damper plate issues either. I picked this
    engine because the club has such good luck with them.

    I have very little vibration all the way up to over 3000 RPM. Doors don’t
    rattle and there’s no vibration when seated in the cockpit. I can feel
    vibration when standing on the sole in the aft cabin, but I think this is
    from prop-wash.

    Rich


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    in reply to: NC 424 owners. #77955
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Alan,
    I’m at Mile 28, Dismal Swamp Canal. I probably won’t be down to the Neuse
    before Sunday. i will likely stop in the Oriental Marina at least to fuel
    up. Hope the weather is decent for an outside trip from Beaufort to Cape
    Fear early next week.
    Hope your stay at Deaton’s is not too expensive. They did the install of
    my walter RV26 2 years ago. Very satisfied.
    Did you bump the bottom getting into Whitaker Creek. It was shoaling
    pretty badly back then.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Wed, Nov 2, 2011 at 3:29 PM, Alan wrote:

    Bill Tice (Charisma) and I (UNABATED) are docked in Oriental. Well,
    actually he’s docked in town, I am at Deatons.
    We’ll be here until Friday (maybe Saturday – weather dependent).
    If you all are around – maybe we can meet and toss back a few.
    Alan
    585-330-9151
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    in reply to: Repower 424 in the Annapolis, MD Area #77949
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Phil,
    I forgot to mention that if you do not use an installer certified by the
    engine manufacturer you will likely have to pay a certified mechanic to
    checkout the installation and perform a sea trial in order to receive a
    warranty from the manufacturer.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 9:48 AM, John Stevenson wrote:

    Phil,
    I repowered with the 4JH4-AE. A number of other P424s have repowered with
    this engine. I does not fit on the existing engine bed for the W60. I
    think the W58 has the same engine mount dimensions as the W60, so the 4JH4
    is not a drop in replacement for either engine. The Beta 60 is supposed to
    fit on the W60 mounts (it was promoted as a drop-in replacement for that
    engine). The Brit in NC who imports the Betas (don’t know if he does the
    marinization or if that is done in the UK) will modify the engine as Pete
    describes.
    At least two other P424s have re-powered with a Cummins engine. I believe
    there is only one yard that has done that repower and it is in Tidewater VA.
    I know of one P424 that re-powered with a W71. That engine also fits on
    the W60 engine mounts.

    A few years ago you could get a Beta for well below the cost of a Yanmar
    or Westerbecke, but I believe the prices have gone up significantly because
    of the weak dollar (Betas are priced in Pounds Sterling). If you buy a
    Yanmar or Westerbecke through a yard that has an established relationship
    with the distributors, they will likely discount the engine price to get
    the installation labor.

    So my recommendations are:

    1. If you are going to do the installation yourself or will hire an
    independent mechanic the Beta is an excellent choice. You won’t have to
    replace the existing engine bed unless it is in poor condition (many are).
    Even then it just a matter of rebuilding the existing bed. Most of the
    existing drive, water and exhaust hookups do not need to be modified. As
    Pete said, it is a Kubota so parts and pumps do not depend on the Brit
    importer. This is usually the least expensive way to do the re-power as
    you can do a lot of the grunt work for which a yard will charge you $85/hr
    or more and you should be able to hire an independent mechanic for less
    than boatyard rates. Of course you may pay more for the engine going this
    route.
    2. If you are going to turn the job over to a boatyard, they will
    likely try to direct you to the engine they have the most experience with
    and with which they have the best margins (hopefully to be able to provide
    you with a discount). If you go with other than a Westerbecke or the Beta
    the repower will likely involve a good deal of fiberglass work to build new
    engine mounts and the technical knowledge to get the alignment correct.

    I went the boatyard route because I wasn’t comfortable doing the repower
    myself with or without an independent mechanic. It was expensive, but
    there have been no later gotchas. Well one, Mack Boring delivered the
    engine with a defective damper plate, which did not become apparent until
    it nearly destroyed the transmission a few years later. Mack Boring’s
    response was, “Sorry, out of warranty”. The boatyard did cover about 1/2
    the cost of the transmission rebuild, even though they were not at fault.
    Mack Boring delivered the engine, damper plate and transmission as a
    complete package.

    Although it is an excellent engine I do not recommend a Yanmar repower as
    Mack Boring considers their very limited warranty as their maximum after
    installation commitment. I prefer to deal with companies who consider a
    warranty their minimum commitment. Also the engine instruments (VDO) are
    pure junk.

    Here is a link to my web page on the installation:
    http://www.svsarah.com/Sarah/ewUpgradeRepower.htm

    Rich Carter also has published a lot of information on his Yanmar
    installation, which he did largely himself. You can find the link to his
    website on the P424 website.

    You should also consider replacing your fuel tank when you have the engine
    out. Most of the original fuel tanks are well past their service life.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Sat, Oct 29, 2011 at 10:31 PM, Pete Dubler wrote:

    Look at the Beta 50 as an option. See my articles on this. I picked the
    beta over the yanmar. Beta is the best marinization of the Kubota line.
    Parts are available everywhere, better warranty (Yanmar disclaims warranty
    for example if you mount accessories like a refrigeration compressor). You
    can also get the Beta 50 set-up with the water pump positioned so the
    impeller is easy to replace in light of our engines going in “backwards”
    Can’t do that with a Yanmar. If you missed my articles on this in BWS, I
    can send you a reprint John.

    Pete

    On 10/29/2011 5:10 PM, Unicorn wrote:

    John,
    Thanks for the information. I was actually looking at replacing with a
    Yanmar. What size engine did you put in?
    Phil

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    in reply to: Repower 424 in the Annapolis, MD Area #77948
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Phil,
    I repowered with the 4JH4-AE. A number of other P424s have repowered with
    this engine. I does not fit on the existing engine bed for the W60. I
    think the W58 has the same engine mount dimensions as the W60, so the 4JH4
    is not a drop in replacement for either engine. The Beta 60 is supposed to
    fit on the W60 mounts (it was promoted as a drop-in replacement for that
    engine). The Brit in NC who imports the Betas (don’t know if he does the
    marinization or if that is done in the UK) will modify the engine as Pete
    describes.
    At least two other P424s have re-powered with a Cummins engine. I believe
    there is only one yard that has done that repower and it is in Tidewater VA.
    I know of one P424 that re-powered with a W71. That engine also fits on
    the W60 engine mounts.

    A few years ago you could get a Beta for well below the cost of a Yanmar or
    Westerbecke, but I believe the prices have gone up significantly because of
    the weak dollar (Betas are priced in Pounds Sterling). If you buy a Yanmar
    or Westerbecke through a yard that has an established relationship with the
    distributors, they will likely discount the engine price to get the
    installation labor.

    So my recommendations are:

    1. If you are going to do the installation yourself or will hire an
    independent mechanic the Beta is an excellent choice. You won’t have to
    replace the existing engine bed unless it is in poor condition (many are).
    Even then it just a matter of rebuilding the existing bed. Most of the
    existing drive, water and exhaust hookups do not need to be modified. As
    Pete said, it is a Kubota so parts and pumps do not depend on the Brit
    importer. This is usually the least expensive way to do the re-power as
    you can do a lot of the grunt work for which a yard will charge you $85/hr
    or more and you should be able to hire an independent mechanic for less
    than boatyard rates. Of course you may pay more for the engine going this
    route.
    2. If you are going to turn the job over to a boatyard, they will likely
    try to direct you to the engine they have the most experience with and with
    which they have the best margins (hopefully to be able to provide you with
    a discount). If you go with other than a Westerbecke or the Beta the
    repower will likely involve a good deal of fiberglass work to build new
    engine mounts and the technical knowledge to get the alignment correct.

    I went the boatyard route because I wasn’t comfortable doing the repower
    myself with or without an independent mechanic. It was expensive, but
    there have been no later gotchas. Well one, Mack Boring delivered the
    engine with a defective damper plate, which did not become apparent until
    it nearly destroyed the transmission a few years later. Mack Boring’s
    response was, “Sorry, out of warranty”. The boatyard did cover about 1/2
    the cost of the transmission rebuild, even though they were not at fault.
    Mack Boring delivered the engine, damper plate and transmission as a
    complete package.

    Although it is an excellent engine I do not recommend a Yanmar repower as
    Mack Boring considers their very limited warranty as their maximum after
    installation commitment. I prefer to deal with companies who consider a
    warranty their minimum commitment. Also the engine instruments (VDO) are
    pure junk.

    Here is a link to my web page on the installation:
    http://www.svsarah.com/Sarah/ewUpgradeRepower.htm

    Rich Carter also has published a lot of information on his Yanmar
    installation, which he did largely himself. You can find the link to his
    website on the P424 website.

    You should also consider replacing your fuel tank when you have the engine
    out. Most of the original fuel tanks are well past their service life.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Sat, Oct 29, 2011 at 10:31 PM, Pete Dubler wrote:

    Look at the Beta 50 as an option. See my articles on this. I picked the
    beta over the yanmar. Beta is the best marinization of the Kubota line.
    Parts are available everywhere, better warranty (Yanmar disclaims warranty
    for example if you mount accessories like a refrigeration compressor). You
    can also get the Beta 50 set-up with the water pump positioned so the
    impeller is easy to replace in light of our engines going in “backwards”
    Can’t do that with a Yanmar. If you missed my articles on this in BWS, I
    can send you a reprint John.

    Pete

    On 10/29/2011 5:10 PM, Unicorn wrote:

    John,
    Thanks for the information. I was actually looking at replacing with a
    Yanmar. What size engine did you put in?
    Phil

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    in reply to: Repower 424 in the Annapolis, MD Area #77943
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Phil,
    Zahnisher’s in Solomons, MD did my repower. with a Yanmar. Very satisfied
    with the work and support beyond the normal warranty period. Suggest you
    choose your mechanic based on the engine with which you intend to repower.
    That is, choose a mechanic who has done several repowers with the engine you
    have decided on or choose a mechanic and then pick the engine with which he
    has the most experience and a relationship with the distributor.
    That’s certainly not the only way to do it, but if you are hiring a mechanic
    do you want pay for his education on an engine he hasn’t installed before?
    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Sat, Oct 29, 2011 at 5:20 PM, Unicorn wrote:

    Can anybody recommend a good mechanic to repower a 424 in the Annapolis, MD
    area? Thanks! Phil

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    in reply to: Overcharging problems #77755
    john stevenson
    Participant

    Patrick,
    Just so you know you have company, my ACR is wired as yours was – alternator
    output to the start bank, then to the house bank when the starting battery
    voltage > 13.1 VDC. Like you, I thought it made sense to treat the start
    battery as the critical bank.

    Then the original combiner (a Yandina, not Blue Sea) failed. In the middle
    of the night my crew woke me to say the entire boat just went dark – chart
    plotter, autopilot, instruments and lights. I checked the batteries and
    sure enough the house bank was under 10.5 VDC and the starter bank was
    really happy at 13.6 VDC. It took me a few minutes to realize the combiner
    had failed and only the starter bank was getting a charge. Then I threw the
    switch to combine the batteries on the backside of the combiner. A few
    seconds later all of the electronics were back in operation and I could go
    back to sleep.

    Strangely enough, when I replaced the failed Yandina with the Blue Sea ACR I
    still kept the Starter bank as the primary for charging. I still wasn’t
    convinced it was the wrong way to go. Subsequent thinking and reading on
    this issue has convinced me I have it backwards, just haven’t gotten around
    to re-wiring. I also bought the remote control switch for the Blue Sea ACR
    to manually combine the batteries. That hasn’t been installed either. I do
    like to think hard and long on these projects. Some would call it
    procrastination. I prefer to think of it as the thoroughness of a
    craftsman.

    Regards,
    John Stevenson
    http://www.svsarah.com

    On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 3:25 PM, Patrick “Peaboy” Walters <
    > wrote:

    Thanks for all the ideas let me try and answer the questions and provide a
    bit more background.

    I originally thought you were supposed to put all the charge inputs on the
    house and use the ACR to charge the starting battery as well. The guy here
    at the local Chandlery convinced me it was more important to ensure the
    starting battery was serviced first in case of a failure of the ACR, which
    made sense to me. So we wired the alternator to the starting battery. We
    now
    definitely know it was wrong to have the 12V sensor wire and the charge
    loads on different sides of the ACR. Read about that in the blog post. The
    question now is it OK to rely on the ACR to charge the house battery…
    everyone seems to say we shouldn’t do it that way (including Rich at
    Balmar)
    but I’ve not heard a technical reason why. Seems like as long as the ACR
    combines you’re charging everything anyway… The ACR isnt’ a “smart”
    combiner that uncombines when the 2nd bank is full.

    Anyway, I am thinking I’ll go that route anyway so we’re in compliance with
    the normal way. In fact, I’m thinking I might get rid of the ACR from the
    system and add a smarter combiner like the Balmar
    Duo-Charge or
    Xantrex Echo Charge<
    http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/power-accessories/auxiliary-battery-charger.aspx

    someone

    else mentioned. They seem even smarter than the ACR. Going to
    confirm with Monty today and make a decision before shipping for the day
    ends.

    *Quent*, I don’t think it was a voltage drop issue. I used 2/0 wire all
    under 12′ lengths. The original problem was a timing issue of the ACR not
    combining the batteries while the regulator was sensing one bank and
    charging another.

    *Pete*, the regulator is on the defaults now which is the Universal Factory
    Program (UFP) which should be fine for all batteries. I’ll switch to the
    flooded mode for sure, but the UFP shouldn’t cause any issues.

    Someone asked about the type of the starting battery. The new starting
    battery is a sealed lead acid. It’s not an AGM.

    Like I mentioned I think we’re going to wire everything to the house bank
    and use the ACR or a smarter combiner to charge the starting battery.

    Looks like the weather is bad till Thursday, so plenty of time to get this
    right! 🙂
    -p

    —
    s/v Deep Playa | Pearson 424 Hull #152 | http://www.DeepPlaya.com | @DeepPlaya

    On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 4:09 AM, Robert Fine wrote:

    Hi Pat,

    Alan is correct. Use the house bank for monitoring and charging, using

    the

    ACR to charge the start battery. After all, you can start the engine

    with

    the house bank, I hope, but not run ship’s loads with the engine start
    battery.

    Also, make sure you have all the same type of batteries. Don’t do

    flooded

    for engine start and AGM for house. You may have mentioned the types, so
    this could be an unuseful comment.

    Good luck. It’s good to have 660 hours – I have that (almost) in 3 – 4D
    batteries and seldom go much below about 80% charged – with the new solar
    panels, not even that. I have two group 31s for emergency start and

    radio

    operation. Normally, I use the house bank exclusively with the other
    tested
    by starting the engine whenever I think about it.

    Bob

    On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 6:33 AM, Alan wrote:

    I have always have had the Alternator charging the house bank – it’s

    the

    biggest need.
    When you think about it, you only crank the start battery for a few

    seconds

    and really don’t take much power from it. SO .. I set it up to charge

    the

    house bank – the ACR is set up to turn ON when it sees a voltage

    condition

    from the Alternator over a certain level. Because the sense wire is on

    the

    house bank. When that happens, the contacts close and charges the

    starting

    battery “at the same time”.
    Probably 100% of the time the house bank is going to be at a much lower
    level (discharged) then the starting battery ( unless your really

    cranking

    and having trouble starting the engine. In which case your probably

    going

    to

    be using the battery switch to combine the the house bank and starting

    bank

    Quote:
    anyhow.
    Alan

    — On Sun, 9/25/11, Patrick “Peaboy” Walters
    wrote:

    Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

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