Conyplex Corporation Contest 33

[kenny chaos]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

159.99 each?

If, so, expensive!

b.

Yeah. Northern Tool has them for $99.99.

[pressuredrop]

Solar Panels, PV Systems, Inverters | 98¢/W

dont waste your money on harbor freight panels, get real ones... much cheaper per watt also

[w1651]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

159.99 each?

If, so, expensive!

b.

No that's the total cost. 3 panels an inverter and 2 lamps for 159.99

45 Watt Solar Panel Kit

I have a coupon from a Sunday paper that makes this set even cheaper.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by w1651

No that's the total cost. 3 panels an inverter and 2 lamps for 159.99

45 Watt Solar Panel Kit

I have a coupon from a Sunday paper that makes this set even cheaper.

Hi,

I though maybe slow down with the installation and see how it works financially and efficiency wise against a single dupy (36 cells monotrystal or polycrystal) panel and a PWM (or MPPT, if you can afford) regulator?

I recently gotten a 75 Watts mono panel at 260 EUR. My experience with this sort of panels is very good. Used one on our RTW and it was at times the sole source of energy onboard. Sure thing, all depends on how much energy you need and how you are going to use it. No reason to over-invest if you only need trickle charge for your engine battery.

My experience with thin film panels has been, this far, very disappointing - they work as advertised but deliver much less juice per invested buck as compared to other types.

barnie

[w1651]

Thanks Barnie

I haven't gotten panels just yet. I have to add, move the batteries and install a new battery switch, and Power Panels to make myself feel better about the boat. The whole electrical system is out dated and needs to be upgraded.
I will also be removing cabin lights and reconfiguring the scheme inside the boat to better light it at a lower cost energy wise.
all lights will be LEDs so I won't have to change bulbs as regularly and at a lower energy cost. I will carry extra bulbs as well.

[barnakiel]

LEDs vs. the options.

Some free floating floes of thoughts:

We use two modern fluo lamps inside while in port or at anchor. We run them via a small inverter. Very cheap, very nice, warm light and no hassle 'installation' that can be easily re-arranged for work, reading, etc..

These lamps cost us 5-15 USD per bulb and are way more efficient than cheap bulb. Light is NOT as directional as with a LED bulb.

Good LEDs will match good fluos and perhaps exceed them but here where we live quality LEDs are hard to get and dear.

If you have LED lights, then you will also need a smaller battery probably - so what you spend on LEDs you can partly retrieve in lower battery cost. All in all it makes a lot of sense.

b.

[w1651]

I just got pics up and running. Yippeeeeeee!

also I have found a head gasket set for just over 240.00 dollars. I will get that when I get the old girl to her birth for and start taking the engine apart.
Until then here are some pics. She needs paint I know. I hate the Blue Decks.

[w1651]

Here you can go to this flikr site and see the boat...

Flickr: w1651's Photostream

[barnakiel]

Cool!

When you renew the blue patches take care as some of them may be non-slip. If so, clean gently, degrease thoroughly (grime loves non-slip) and repaint with a non skid paint. You are right that blue is not the greatest choice but this only makes difference in the tropics.

b.

[w1651]

You are right that blue is not the greatest choice but this only makes difference in the tropics.

I was told they used it to keep the glare down. I really don't know why they used it in the past but I hate it.

Okay here is a SOS !
I need the names of good books to replace the electrical, to get repair manuals for the engine rebuild, and just basic maintenance. I also need to take a sailing course. Argh!

[callmecrazy]

I'd say you got a damn good deal on that boat

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by w1651

I was told they used it to keep the glare down. I really don't know why they used it in the past but I hate it.

Okay here is a SOS !
I need the names of good books to replace the electrical, to get repair manuals for the engine rebuild, and just basic maintenance. I also need to take a sailing course. Argh!

Don Casey: Sailboat Electronics Simplified

[barnakiel]

Calder's:

Amazon.com: Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems (9780071432382): Nigel Calder: Books

Covers all systems and goes from general to particular. Good stuff, well worth the buck.


b.

[w1651]

Well this week I got 2 things going.
I drove to Naples Florida and picked up a hard dingy with oars and oar locks. It's 9.6 ft by 4ft wide and cost 200.00 USD plus 45 USD for gas. I will more then likely get a small sail for it because it used to have a mast and sail but as it is now I don't have to register it.
I also pulled the heads off the engine and put diesel down in the cylinders to loosen the rings. I will let it sit in there for a few days and try to turn the engine by the front crank nut. Which is great because it's supposed to rain all week. I have had a few old timers tell me to do this they said get it to move an inch then refill with diesel about 1/2 inch above the piston and let it sit for a few days again. Repeat until you turn the engine 360 degrees. They all say these Penta's were great little engines and if I can save it do it.
I have ordered a shop manual for it and I need to take a few pics and upload them for you guys. I also want to upgrade the water separator and fuel filters to make them easier access, replace the fuel lines while I'm there, and use fuel filters more widely available.

That's what's going on this week and probably next week too.

[barnakiel]

Then you will be able to open the engine and inspect how much damage / if there has been to the cylinders. You will also be able to inspect some bearings.

Get yourselves a manual on the engine unless you already have one.

Our engine MD7. What's yours?

b.