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Thanks, Tor. We definitely want to ferry over to Orcas. We’ll look up Tom, and tell him you sent us. Hopefully, he has a big boat!
Best regards,
QuentStatus:
Compressor is toast. Threw a rod. Rparts unresponsive to email so a replacement compressor not readily available. We will be removing whole system and replacing with two 12 vdc systems, refrig and freezer. This is actually a better deal than trying to repair the existing system in a town where boat refrigeration guys cost more than Doctors.
New systems will actually use a bit more power, but we have plenty.
Anyone who wants spare parts for their Grunert AR-50 or is interested in a barely used 12 vdc SK watermaker that is also coming out, you know where to find me.
Quent
S/V Clairebuoyant, #132Hi Rich-
I appreciate the good advice. I had the same frustrations with the engine drive. For a while I left it in but found that the engine drive and the new system didn’t work well together so I ripped it out.
Compressor cost seems to be mostly about how common the model is. Automobile AC compressors are relatively cheap high volume, small industrial models are less common and mostly only sold to the trade at high markup.
You are right about switching out the refrigerant for r-134. I need to shop around here to find a real refrigeration guy to at least recover the r-12. Most around here are just new system installers.
QuentHi Rich-
Clairebuoyant started out with the engine drive system, complete with all the attendant problems. I ripped it out and started over about 10 years ago.
The 12 volt system we have now is comparable to an engine drive system in capacity. It is a belt driven compressor powered by a large 1/2 hp 12 vdc motor. The system was already second hand so I can’t say we didn’t get good service from it.
The local used boat stuff store has a few of these units, sitting in a pile. Alas, no one bothered to close the valves when the were pulled out so have been exposed to the atmosphere for years. Still they want $ hundreds for them.
As Pete pointed out, Rparts has a near replacement compressor for about one boat unit. That is starting to look good.
Tomorrow I’ll pull the head off and see what broke.
QuentFound something similar that plugs into 12vdc lighter socket and outputs usb. Great for charging cell phones.
QuentNice system but $3400 for just the pallet, then all that labor and a suspect warranty for using the old holding plates.
I do have the cert and most of the tools, but freon recovery is for an expert as it is R-12. A replacement Blissfield CE would be really nice since I could just close the valves and leave the rest alone. The Rparts Blitzer would require new valves but perhaps it is time to go to 134a while they still sell it at Walmart.
QuentThanks, Pete. Appreciate the counsel. Does anyone make a pallet system that would replace the old Grunert AR-50?
QuentBefore you pull the wire:
Are the bow and stern lights on the same breaker? If so, there would be continuity through the stern light bulb unless you remove the bulb since they are in parallel.
If there is a bad wire short, it should trip the breaker, not burn up the bulb.
QuentI agree with Bob, time to replace the wire if it is original with one continous run of tinned boat wire. Your bow pulpit light is probably a replacement as the original bow running lights were in the hull on P-424s. If the wire runs inside the bow pulpit, I’d check the hole near the light assembly where the wire exits the bow pulpit. May have chafed through the wire insulation.
Quent
S/V Clairebuoyant #132Steve-
Most, if not all 424s came with a W-60 or a W-58. The latter was similar but not interchangeable with the W-52 tho both were Perkins adopted Mazda engines. So it is unlikely that any 424 owner would have spares for a W-52 or W-63.
You probably already did a Google search on the Westerbeke part number to no avail. Perhaps if you have some time you could call or email marinas that do a good many repowers and ask if they have a useable head. People repower for many different reasons and there might be a good part out there.
Maybe you could research what boats came equipped with W-52 engines. There might be a forum for whatever boat that might be.
Maybe even Ebay. I have a W-58 in pieces in the garage because I saw it in Ebay.
Best of luck in your search.
Quent
S/V Clairebuoyant #132
Edgewater, MDMy light air sail is the Westerbeke so I’m not one to offer sail advice. However, the suggestion of one sailmaker who I consulted was to get a feathering or folding prop to boost light air performance.
Quent
SV Clairebuoyant #132Pat-
We bought a 4″ foam double mattress from a chain bedding store. Opened the seam and tapered the port side aft and notched the port forward corner to fit, then sewed the cover up again.
This wasn’t thick enough so we got a 4″ memory foam topper. Since it was on top, we didn’t need to modify it.
Cheap and comfortable.
QuentForgot to mention that the same remote filter kit number applies to the W-40 and W-50. Might be possible to salvage it from a junked engine.
QuentWe have had pretty good luck minimizing the spilled oil using a couple oil napkins and a hd ziplock bag, dropping the filter off the threads and into the bag. IMHO, not messy enough often enough to justify change.
The kit is another example of how something you would think is pretty generic is crazy expensive from Westerbeke, over $500.
Part of the kit, the remote bracket for the filter is on Ebay.
Quent
Clairebuoyant #132
