Comments for Marine How To

Comment on Under-Load Battery Voltage vs. SoC by Charlie

Charlie — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 20:26:09 +0000

You are totally right about it. I did my own test once I read this. I found the same thing on my study. I have a small 24V solar battery bank with two 105 Ah batteries in series. In addition to this, I have a samplex battery guard set up to work between 24V – 26V. Once the voltage under load reaches 24V , the battery guard kills the power to the inverter having the battery bank reaching aprox 50% of SOC. This works find but what does not work find knowing what I know now, is that the battery bank never reaches not even 70% SOC before it reaches 26V again while solar charging. I have been running my system between 50% – 70% SOC all the time without knowing it.

During my study, I stopped charging the batteries once the battery guard killed the power to the inverter reaching 24V under constant load. The load was 3.0 Amps. After 30 mins of rest, I then watched the voltage bumping back again to 24.9V. According to the table, at 24.9V the SOC is supposed to be 80%. I then used a hydrometer to check the electrolyte to find out it was between 1.15 and 1.21; which means the battery is not at 80% state of charge and it needs to be recharged before more power is drawn from it; otherwise, the battery can reached SOC lower than 50%, thus reducing the lifespan of it.

Thank you for providing this useful information. Since this study, I have changed the way I charge and discharge my batteries to extend the life of them.

Comment on Shore Power – SmartPlug vs. 1938 by Hartley Gardner

Hartley Gardner — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 13:56:10 +0000

One more comment – in your picture with “Not an uncommon occurence” overprinted in red — you ask if the reader sees a locking ring you missed. I do see such a locking ring – what appears to be happening with that setup is the connector body is coming apart, with the outer shell separating from the inner part that still has a locking ring engaged. Clearly not a satisfactory situation, but not exactly what you describe.

Comment on Vinegar In The Head – Does It Work? by Hartley Gardner

Hartley Gardner — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 13:50:53 +0000

If there’s something we could run thru the head that WOULD dissolve the calcium (and not the hoses) that would be wonderful, but I suspect nothing exists that meets all the conditions. Fresh-water flushing is the best, but not a total solution – when I switch to saltwater flush, the calcium buildup on the bowl is noticeable (tho easily scrubbed off).

Comment on Shore Power – SmartPlug vs. 1938 by Hartley Gardner

Hartley Gardner — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 16:13:49 +0000

RC, you certainly tell it like it is 🙂 . I installed a SmartPlug 30a in Atsa back in the summer of 2014 – no issues and everything worked as advertised. I used their retrofit kit and changed the end on my existing twist-lock cable. We cast off from our dock in Emeryville, CA in July of 2015.
Fast-forward to the spring of 2017, we’ve put over 10,000 nm on the log and we are now in Florida getting ready to head North for the summer, and I noticed that the rubber (?) sealing/strain relief had split where it enters the plug body. The rubber appeared to have deteriorated in the sun. I asked the folks at SmartPlug if I could get a new sealing piece, but instead they sent me a “warrantee replacement kit” which consisted of everything except the outer shell of the connector. The new sealing/strain relief is a different material and design, as is the inner connector piece – and the kit even contained one of their covers (which are normally sold separately).
Color me extremely pleased!

Comment on iPad Charging – How Much Energy? by El

El — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 05:27:58 +0000

As a hint to you it is an Apple wall-WART 🙂

Comment on Installing Solar MC4 Terminals by El

El — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 04:27:18 +0000

Hi, link http://compassmarine.mysimplestore.com/ gives me a 404.

Comment on Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box by Warren W Updike

Warren W Updike — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:23:31 +0000

I was used to using flax packing and adding a ring every year or few. An old diesel mechanic told me that he never removes the old packing, just adds a new ring. So when I switched to Gore-GFO, I didn’t realize that it would not wear away like the flax did. So every few years I added another ring until no more would fit. Deciding to remove all the old, I was surprised to find all of the rings, maybe 6 in all, intact with no disintegration. However, I found my bronze shaft had suffered some wear, probably due to over tightening. Word to the wise: When using these newer packings, tighten only enough to just stop the drip when not running, yet allowing a slow drip when shaft is turning.

Comment on Automotive Alternators vs. Deep Cycle Batteries by Tom lane

Tom lane — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 13:25:36 +0000

My new ( 2015 ) Myanmar was ordered with serpentine belt and 120 amp alternator. It is a Valeo not Hitachi. Does it also have the thermistor?
It consistently under charges as you describe for the Hitachis

Comment on Battery Melt Down Narrowly Averted by john macrae

john macrae — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 10:22:07 +0000

Interesting article – thank you. I’m reading since I’m about to install a bank of LiFePo and I intend to go over my complete system and clean all connectors and terminals on the large cables. I’d be interested in your comments on cleaning technique and if particular compounds should be used to keep the oxygen out of the completed connection.

Comment on Rebedding Deck Hardware With Bed-It Butyl Tape by Chuck Pittman

Chuck Pittman — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 22:11:23 +0000

I bought a boat, 1982 Cape Dory 36, THEN learned to sail with a few ASA courses. Sailed her from Pensacola to Corpus Christi August/September 2016 with my daughter and an experienced crewman. Your site is my Bible as we slowly move through the boat getting ready to shove off and sail the world. Thanks for all you do.