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Just to close this out, I made a bone head move. I had actually never hooked up the fuel pump wire on the back of the cockpit instrument panel after installing a new tach. Yes, the engine siphons fuel just fine if it's full, my treshold was 3/4 tank and the engine would start to starve.

Another fuel concern, I've been sailing pretty hard, several islands in The Bahamas from Panhandle FL, and I just changed my Racor fuel filter for the first time in about 120 hours of motoring (Brand new). My god it was full of "mud" and stuff. Wish I would have gotten the fuel tank cleaned prior to this trip. I'm assuming it's the original and has never been cleaned. I wasn't planning on changing it for like 2 oil changes but after I got caught in some big swells and the engine was struggling I changed it out.

If you plan on doing any extended cruising than I would keep that function. I'm in the Bahamas now and having that would be nice since there are no pumps out, even at marinas. I've had a macerator break before, and with no pump outs, you'd be in a jam.

Final install pics.

4 Lithiums under the settee for 400AH of house power
AGM Starter in aft cabin above engine
West Marine Charger for pulling house bank power to the starter batt and to jump engine.
DC-DC 40amp, for charging house bank off the alternator.

I ran that initial setup for several months to find issues before going with 4 lithiums. The main issue was not being able to charge the starter battery if the alternator goes down. All my other power sources go to the litium bank, ei, Shore power, solar. The West Marine charger solves this.

MQ

I do not have an externally regulated alternator.

I added 2 more Lithiums for a total of 400ah in the house bank. I moved the starter battery to the aft berth. I have a DC-DC Convertor that sends power from the Alternator to the House bank if I need it. The switch for the DC-DC is on the nav station. I have 400 watts of solar power that feed into the house bank so I never have to use the DC-DC. For a back for my starter battery, I have a West Marine 120v battery charger. So if the alternator ####s out, I can still charge my starter battery using the house bank of lithiums and the inverter. That West Marine device also does a 40amp jumper function. I'll post pics of the final project, but over all it has worked great.

(You need a strong alternator to compensate for this setup, since it sends power to the Starter Batt and to the DC-DC at the same time.).

Just sail 700 miles from Destin to Stuart Florida. Heading down to West Palm Beach to cross over to The Bahamas for the season. Pics to follow.

MQ

I just did the 75s front and back. The engine is much smoother, especially at idle. I used to get really bad shaking.

M25XP.

Thanks. I was able to get the first one ordered to Napa. Arrives Monday, so I'll be hanging out till then. The current one looks pretty old so was probably on last leg. Just crossed the Gulf from Destin to Tampa without issue. Anchored outside Gulfport Marina for now.

MQ

Gents,

Does anyone have link to fuel pump replacement for the M25XP? I'll need to go to a local auto store. I'm needing the GPH and PSI specs. I found this one and I think it works. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_6101075?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&store=31162&campaign=GSC-Fuel-Emissions&campaign_id=10951730297&adgroup_id=113117085528&adtype=pla&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1

I'm on anchor in a bad spot waiting for sea tow so if you don't actually now what fuel filter would replace it than don't respond.

Thanks,

Ryan

Is My Island Wi-Fi no longer an option in the Bahamas? Seems like they are no longer accepting new customers.

What are the current solutions you guys are using for the Bahamas?

I'm looking into Start Link Roam, has anyone had luck with that?

Thanks,

Ryan

Gents,

Jumping in the chat looking for advice. I just bought the K75 motor mounts for my 1987 M25XP, I think they need to be replaced and one just got worse this weekend.

If anyone has installed them with the engine in, could you DM me so I can pass my phone number. I would like to just talk through it prior to going at it. I've read through a lot of the threads already.

Thanks,

Ryan

I haven't used the Axiom but I do have the Axiom+ and I've never had problem with it picking up movements on the touchscreen.

As an aside, I just noticed the latest update to Lighthouse OS that came out yesterday allows for the EVO autopilot to follow a course without manually verify the course change at waypoint turns.

Thanks for the info. Ya the Axiom touch screen is garbage in the rain, so the + must work better if you havent had issue.

Going to try the update tonight.

Thanks

MQ

Good afternoon,

I've had an Axiom 7 MFD for about 3-4 years now and my chief complaint is that we it rains, gets dew, ect.., I cannot control the touch screen. Sometimes this can really screw you over. I use an iphone with Navionics for back.

Does any have the newer Axiom+ 7 with the upgraded touch screen? If so, does it actually work when it gets wet?

The next option is the Axiom Pro S which has physical buttons but is a lot more expensive.

Thanks,

MQ

How old is the sail?

That was just an example for their Solar Panels, has nothing to do with the batteries. I'm not an electrician but I can research tech stuff and I do that for the Air Force. There are many other options out there beside the 2 in this thread, so you should do your own homework.

Rengoy and Epoch battery cells are both made in China. Which manufacture is better, I have no clue. Epoch, gets cells from EDG Sales International in Zhongkai High-Tech District, Huizhou, Guangdong, China. Renogy gets them from Hefei, Anhui, China.

From the pics, the Epoch batteries look way tougher, like the casing, etc... I don't need that since my batteries are inside the boat in a box.  Epochs are Prismatic as opposed to Pouch, as pointed out by mainsail earlier. Prismatic cells are more inclined to "Explode" due to the metal casing. Pouches are less inclined. Pouches are also the reason the Renogys are smaller and light. That's how Apple is able to make iPhones, Watches and Laptops so thin. As for the quality of Renogy Pouches, they are certified, etc..., but only time will tell.

All I was trying to say was "By Far" better than any other battery seemed overzealous. Neither Renogy or Epoch are dominated the market right now, LOL.

I got to run, going sailing. Be back Monday.

MQ

LOL. They are not that bad at all. Renogy has been around since 2010, Epoch since 2019. Renogy Solar panels find their way to the top of most solar panel reviews for boats. I can't even find Epoch in a review for Lithium batteries. I'll let you know if mine do catch on fire, but i think they'll be fine.

https://www.sailmagazine.com/review/solar-panels-for-boats/

[EPoch Batteries]

For those interested I have secured a 10% discount for Epoch LiFePO4 Batteries. By far the best constructed, featured, priced and  ABYC compliant batteries we've found. This discount was intended for readers of Marinehowto.com and Boat Electrical Systems but, I figured Let you guys know too.

Please email me for the discount code: compassmarineservices at gmaildotcom

EPoch Batteries

Oh and my friend Ben Just published an article on these after I turned him onto them..

Panbo- Epoch

I wouldn't necessarily say "by far" the best. Renogy Batteries are very similar and better in some aspects; you get 10% discount, making them about $50 more; but Renogy does free shipping and Epoch doesn't so cost is about the same.

The first is the size of the battery, you can fit 4X Renogy's under the Sette vs 3x Epochs.
Renogy's are 11.4x6.8x7.4
Epoch's are 10.6x 13.22x10.23

Second is Cycles:
Renogy 4000+ @80% DOC
Epoch 3500+ @80% DOC

Third is weight, but that is almost moot:
Renogy 26lbs
Epoch 33lbs

Fourth is Hibernation mode:
Renogy discharge is <100ua
Epoch discharge is <400ua

Fifth is number of batteries in Parrell, not that you could do this on a Catalina 34:
Renogy 8 batteries
Epoch 4 batteries

Lastly is the protections:
Renogy has 20 protention features
Epoch has 6 protection features.

Note- The Epochs has a better warranty at 11 years vs 5 years. No clue which company actually honors their warranties or just finds an excuse to say it's your fault. I some how doubt after 10 years epoch will give you a refund, since they won't be making that battery in 10 years, same goes for Renogy.

MQ