Electrical and Instruments
Autohelm ST50 Wind
09/03/08 19:00
At the time of survey the instruments were turned on and the Autohelm ST50 Wind showed readings which were assumed OK. Wrong! Ideally should have been checked against another instrument with known accuracy.
On the delivery voyage the instrument was giving readings inconsistent with prevailing conditions. Later in Dartmouth a close inspection of the vane revealed some damage to the fin. At layup in November 2005 the masthead unit was removed and sent off to Raymarine for repair.
Although they sent back a standard "10 year letter" to the effect that parts were becoming scarce their service was excellent. Turned out that the rubber vane was torn and perished and the bearing was seized. Repaired unit was back 10 days later at a cost of around £45. Not a major blow.
En route to Recife in March 2008 it failed again. This time I simply removed the unit, cleaned it and put it back. It worked just fine.
On the delivery voyage the instrument was giving readings inconsistent with prevailing conditions. Later in Dartmouth a close inspection of the vane revealed some damage to the fin. At layup in November 2005 the masthead unit was removed and sent off to Raymarine for repair.
Although they sent back a standard "10 year letter" to the effect that parts were becoming scarce their service was excellent. Turned out that the rubber vane was torn and perished and the bearing was seized. Repaired unit was back 10 days later at a cost of around £45. Not a major blow.
En route to Recife in March 2008 it failed again. This time I simply removed the unit, cleaned it and put it back. It worked just fine.
Autohelm Radar
05/09/06 21:05
On passage from Brighton to Cowes the radar failed in fog. This was only the second time it had been used in anger.
Later inspection showed the cause of scanner failure to be water inside the scanner dome submerging the circuit board with the drain tube not being effective.
The choice one was presented with was to try to find a replacement scanner for an obselete piece of kit (9.5 years) or uprgrade. I still don't think expensive electronics should fail after only 9.5 years. I don't mind the technology dating but early failure is not acceptable particularly after very very light usage.
Small boat radar has progressed rapidly since 1997 and I looked on this more as an upgrade than a repair/replacement.
The Autohelm radar replacement was a Raymarine C70 Plotter, Navionics Gold charts, scanner and a new GPS unit. A quantum leap in functionality.
Later inspection showed the cause of scanner failure to be water inside the scanner dome submerging the circuit board with the drain tube not being effective.
The choice one was presented with was to try to find a replacement scanner for an obselete piece of kit (9.5 years) or uprgrade. I still don't think expensive electronics should fail after only 9.5 years. I don't mind the technology dating but early failure is not acceptable particularly after very very light usage.
Small boat radar has progressed rapidly since 1997 and I looked on this more as an upgrade than a repair/replacement.
The Autohelm radar replacement was a Raymarine C70 Plotter, Navionics Gold charts, scanner and a new GPS unit. A quantum leap in functionality.
Alternator Light
02/06/06 21:26
On passage to Dover the alternator warning light started to flicker and then stayed on.
I stopped the engine and had a look. The wiring connections to the alternator looked a bit tired and frayed. I jiggled them about a bit and tightened the nuts after which the light stayed off when the engine was running.
Once in Dover the connections were re-done and all seems OK.
I stopped the engine and had a look. The wiring connections to the alternator looked a bit tired and frayed. I jiggled them about a bit and tightened the nuts after which the light stayed off when the engine was running.
Once in Dover the connections were re-done and all seems OK.
Sulphuric Acid Leak
22/02/06 19:00
Another case of very small subtle signs indicating a much larger problem.
"Kiriwina" came with 3 identical 110amp batteries which appeared virtually brand new and caused no problems in use.
At inspection and survey some stains were noted on the aft cabin sole but the sole being securely screwed down was not lifted. At delivey when filling the fresh water tanks I noticed there was sulphuric acid on the tanktop. The broker was present and of course had no idea how it got there. I flushed the tanktop and bilge liberally with fresh water.
Back in Dartmouth I bought some bicarbonate of soda and dosed what I thought was the affected area. It was only during winter that the full extent of what had happened became clear.
Leafing through some Northshore maintenance invoices there was quite a large one for electrical work. I had been told that the batteries had been replaced because of damage caused by incorrect terminal wiring. I suspect that this incident caused a large acid spill which was not properly cleared up.
Acid damage included destroyed strumbox on auto bilge pump, badly damaged eberspacher ducting in way of the spill, battery box woodwork and underside of cabin sole. All were replaced/repaired at substantial cost including a new cabin sole.
"Kiriwina" came with 3 identical 110amp batteries which appeared virtually brand new and caused no problems in use.
At inspection and survey some stains were noted on the aft cabin sole but the sole being securely screwed down was not lifted. At delivey when filling the fresh water tanks I noticed there was sulphuric acid on the tanktop. The broker was present and of course had no idea how it got there. I flushed the tanktop and bilge liberally with fresh water.
Back in Dartmouth I bought some bicarbonate of soda and dosed what I thought was the affected area. It was only during winter that the full extent of what had happened became clear.
Leafing through some Northshore maintenance invoices there was quite a large one for electrical work. I had been told that the batteries had been replaced because of damage caused by incorrect terminal wiring. I suspect that this incident caused a large acid spill which was not properly cleared up.
Acid damage included destroyed strumbox on auto bilge pump, badly damaged eberspacher ducting in way of the spill, battery box woodwork and underside of cabin sole. All were replaced/repaired at substantial cost including a new cabin sole.