AC and fireworks

 

Finished improvements to aft AC unit. I added a three inch hose to free up the constricted airflow. I made up a new plenum to permit a second hose. It exits at the base of the bed. Sat on the boat and watched the July 4 fireworks along the river. New curtains for front windows coming along. I have an issue with the water tank meter. The sender works fine but the float stopped floating. I'll have to add something to it. I tried the radar today as there was a big storm rolling through. It is original to the boat but hasn't seen much use. It really works well and I can't see replacing it. Hell, that is the second time I ever turned it on! 

Steering wheel blues

 The problem with my steering is solved, I replaced the helm pump with a new unit. The wheel needed 14 turns, lock to mushy lock. No more! 7 turns. Very happy, The Autopilot is working well. I think that headache is finally solved. Working on improvements to the aft AC unit, it doesn't get enough air on the intake side. I plan to run a 3 inch vent across the bed to draw in more air the bed to draw in more air. We are fitting custom curtains into the front glass and getting rid of that wrap around bra. I hate those things. 115 degrees here today. I had one AC unit running, Saloon unit, it was 82 downstairs. Not bad. 

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Frustrations and a few wins

 

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Well the boat is in the water and diesel is $2.75 a litre. My generator trouble continues. After all that work the centre cylinder still won't fire. I tested the compression again. 225PSI in each cylinder. they are even now but very low. The next test is to pour a small amount of oil in the cylinder which acts to seal the rings, sure enough the pressure rose to 360PSI. So.... looks like I'm going to pull the motor in the fall, I'll send the injector pump out for testing and change the rings. It sucks but I'm planning a long trip next year and it has to be 100%. The AutoPilot worked fantastic, It also proved that my helm steering pump is not working correctly. I am replacing it. I still have to finish my dingy lift...it never ends. 

Thank God for the phone robot!!!

 Never thought I'd say this but "Thank God for Chat GDP!" I hooked everything up on my new AutoPilot and got nothing. The computer blinked 5 times...that was it. I asked what that meant? (ROBOT VOICE) The backbone has no power"... I re-read the manual...in an obscure corner ....there it was, the 100 and 1150 models don't power up the backbone, you must add a spur cable and wire it to a separate 12 volt source. I have had to take a crash course in hydraulics with all the various styles of fittings, Swag-lok fittings to tap into the nylon lines that run to the rudder. I built a small manifold to permit the new AutoPilot to 'T' into the system. Then added a reservoir to keep it full. Now I needed 80 bucks to buy an additional plug board because Raymarine doesn't provide enough to actually do the job. What a trip! Anyway, it fired up and demanded to be orientated. So I'll start that on Saturday. Weather is still very cool but with this out of the way, an oil change and a few odds and ends, I'm ready to start the dingy lift base. That will require some cutting.

Install AutoPilot

 AUTOHELM time! I managed to get the hydraulic pump installed along with the computer. The compass/ roll rate sensor proved to be tricky. It has to be clear of magnetic sources etc. I found a suitable place on the boats centerline, however I need to machine up a special bracket. I made the face plate for the control panel, came out nice. They include all the cables for SeaTalk ng BUT not the cable to connect another instrument...namely my Axiom chart plotter. That tiny little cable was 60 dollars! The bigger issue is the hydraulic hook up. They really leave you hanging in that department. I am building a manifold to connect the lines up. I have a couple of 3000 psi hydraulic lines ready to go. It is a matter of finding the correct fittings. 

One final note. The 42 foot sailboat I owned was renamed 'Today's Adventure'  They just made it all the way to the Dominican Republic.

There she blows!!

Finally finished !! What a hassle. The "dryer hose" that runs from the blowers to the outside vents was in bad shape. I sourced new ones, actually installing them was very hard. I wired everything up and it works. One weird thing, you HAVE to turn on blower 1 to trip all the solenoids, otherwise none will start up. I have 1 and 4 sucking air out and 2 and 3 blowing fresh air in. 

Moving on to Autopilot and dingy lift. Carpet will have to wait.
 

Bilge blowers and cable runs

 Carpet long gone, I want to wrap up odd jobs prior to laying the new stuff. On the right you see one of the original bilge blowers, It is fried! There are 4 and only one works. On the left, I machined up this nice replacement. Everything is mounted on the plate. Two 40 amp relays and a fuse box. The existing wiring is a mess but I figured it out. This set up should work a lot better and look more professional. I had to run a 4 wire cable from the transom to the helm, took me 3 hours to route it. Carver does not make it easy. Now I need to machine up a base to mount the Raymarine rudder indicator on, followed by the installation of the Autopilot. Then I need to cut several holes under the swim platform to slide a hidden support bracket in place for the dingy lift. Pitter patter, lets get a 'ere!