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I have a 1988 C34 project near Chesapeake City, MD.  I am currently debating whether or not I have the time to complete the restoration. The next question is, of course, when I finish it, will my family and I have any time to enjoy it anyway... She's a good old boat with good bones. Just needs someone to care for her. Any interest? Steve

Thanks Mainesail!

As it turns out one of my "lightly used" batts was split open and would have been leaking... but it was the only one I didn't check for fluid of course. Alas the perils of Craigslist. So I will definitely reconsider my total power requirements regardless! I was going for overkill in the house banks as we will be on a mooring and wanted to have lots of Ahs for the family. I never had problems on my prev C34, but I was a bachelor then!

I have a new Xantrex Inverter/Charger with a battery level indicator, but will look for a better one. We are on a tight budget at the moment. Any ideas on something that will be workable for less than the $180 range?

I will print your diagrams and bring them to the boat this weekend for a little self-teaching.

Top Notch! Thanks!

I've obtained 4 -Deko Promaster 6v 230 amp golf cart batts, but they are a tad used... methinks they are still workable for some time though. I have a 40 watt solar panel with two more 80 watt panels on the way over the winter for lots of charge on the mooring ball...  I wanted to add two new batts and a separate starter batt as well... but obviously I don't want to drag down the new kids to the olders level. What do you all think of a solution like the isolator below? Also - any ideas on how to run two house banks and a starter bank. So far the only switch I am aware of is the 1-2-B and I haven't seen a drawing of that set up the site... apologies if I missed it.

Thanks!

Steve
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Argo diode battery isolators allow multiple batteries to charge simultaneously from one alternator while still maintaining separate battery bank isolation. This protects fully charged battery banks from discharging to depleted batteries yet still allowing incoming charge current. This is achieved by diodes that function as a gate between the banks. Battery isolation is important in marine, RV and generator wiring plans, to prevent household/accessory battery banks from depleting the starter battery.
Argo battery isolators achieve minimal voltage loss by using super efficient Schottky diodes. This means higher voltage output to charge batteries as close as possible to 100%. The voltage drop is 0.3VDC at low current draw and only 0.45VDC at rated output. All models are further fitted with a compensation diode to slightly increase alternator output voltage.

I was just looking at the Centek Vernalift as my factory exhaust is leaking and I am not inspired to repair it vs. fix it for good... Do you recall which model you got? 2" side-in,top out or top-in, top-out? 

Thanks!

Steve

Man do I love this board! Thanks Clay! Will do!

Stunningly, ours has disappeared somehow. I fear it was chucked out with some junk when cleaning out the shop... AARGH!

It's a shot, but if anyone has replaced theirs and hasn't disposed of the old one, I am trying to get through next season without having to buy a new replacement.. too many other expensive projects underway. Our canvas is navy, but beggars can't be choosers....

Failing that... does anyone happen to know a place where I can find the dimensions so I can get a replacement made?

Thanks as always!

Steve

Huzzah! This is exactly why I've owned 2 c34s!

Thanks all! 

Hey Jim:

I have to pot and rebed all of my stanchions this fall as well. Woohoo! How do I know what size to ask the Garhauer folks for, or are they one size fits all?

Thanks!

foo

Thanks Ron! I ordered them today and will get to it next weekend hopefully.

Brilliant! Exactly what I need. Thanks Stu!!

Hello all!

I am FINALLY getting ready to run my solar panel wires through the deck as well!! The only difference being my panels on are on top of the bimini not the dodger. 

Ron: You suggest "an antenna coax fitting". Love it! Much better than a hole with caulk.... being a 12volt neophyte, could you give me any sort of ideas on the specs for such a fitting, or any other ideas of getting the power through the deck in a secure and water tight manner? I am going to be jamming a fair amount of juice though this on sunny days and I am kinda jumpy about it! 

As always thanks for info!

Foobie

Hey all -

Perfect timing for this topic...Crushed/tore apart part of the extruded aluminum rub rail housing (ALWAYS TRIPLE CHECK YOUR DOCK LINES AFTER A DAY OUT SAILING WITH STRANGE CREW!!!). I only have a 1 foot section or so to replace. What's the best way to cut the extrusion on the boat so the patch is smooth (read: not obvious)?

Danke!

Steve

Somewhere in the wiki there is a very cool list of items to use for cleaning and maintaining our plastic tubs of joy.

One of the items, "Future (floor polish) - Returns shine to old fiberglass non-skid areas" seems like a good idea to me... that said, I can't find Future in any of the stores in SE Pennsylvania. Any thoughts on another cleaner to use for this? Also, once I get them sparkling and shiny, how do I keep them that way? Especially when out on the mooring for the season, away from shore side running water, etc.. Someone suggested it, but waxing the deck seems a lot like something out of a Stooges movie.... 

Thanks all!

foo

Hey All -

The gremlins are afoot... and Frolic's many, MANY years old 12V batteries are toast. Time to replace them all so I have plenty of DVD power this summer for the junior crew members while we're on the mooring or on the hook.

Found this battery at the local Sams club after a lot of research on the web.

I was thinking about 4 of them @ $90.00 for the house bank. Is this a good deal, or are the Trojan 125's really required at almost 2x the price...? Please remember, I've got a limited budget for the next two years and need to balance sufficient-for-now vs. ideal-the-next- time-around. I've got a 40W solar panel on the bimini to keep them up while on the mooring. We're weekenders only (unfortunately) and I don't mind the idea of flooded batteries up here in the Northern Ches Bay where there's VERY little chance of a knockdown. Regular maintenance is fine by me too. 

Thanks in advance!

Steve


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Duracell® Golf Car Battery


Model: Group Size EGC2
Item #:347631
6 Volt Golf Car and Motive Power Battery
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$88.74

   

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20 amp hour rate:230
5 amp hour rate:174
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BCI Group Size:GC2
Minutes at 25 amps:448
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Volts:6

So it looks like I am going to learn how to use a swaging tool this spring (Along with re-bedding a couple of stanchions.)

The tool below seemed like a good deal to me. Thoughts?

Also - Should I give up the vinyl? What are the downsides to raw wire?

Thanks All!
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New Campbell Chain 7679038 1/16-3/16 Hand Swage Tool 18" - $38 online

Completely portable. Hardened jaws securely swage loops up to 2 ton capacity. Special instructions and sash number system assure reliable results.