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Messages - Ken Juul

#2176
Main Message Board / RE: A/C
July 23, 2001, 03:28:31 PM
In hot climates, I think a minimum of 16000 BTU's is required to keep the boat cool.  I have an unusual set up.  12000 BTU unit under the forward dinette settee with ducts for the main cabin/galley.  A second 6000 BTU unit was added under the V berth with ducts for the V berth area.  I think this was added as an after thought.  The previous owner had 3 small children that shared the V berth in a bunk bed arrangement.  Water intake is through a thru hull in the forward hanging locker, seperate exhaust thru hulls above the water line.  The Main unit is wired through the A/C CB/Switch on the panel, the second unit is wired into the Outlets CB/Switch.  I have to be careful with the electrical load or the main CB blows.  A seperate circuit would be recommended way to go and a future project.  We added a 12v "clip on" fan with a long lead to help cooling.  Clip it to the aft cabin door to help cool the aft bunk, clip it on the galley side storage door track to cool the chef or point it forward to the dinnette.  All my duct work is on the stbd side, still trying to figure out a way to get a duct into the aft cabin.  Although with the bimini/dodger up, the aft cabin doesn't get as hot as I had imagined it would.  I like the 2 unit set up.  I think one up forward and one in the suggested location in the port locker/head makes best sense for cooling/routing of ducts, but the added weight will add to the port list.
#2177
Main Message Board / RE: Software
July 31, 2001, 11:33:12 AM
What is Peter Bennett's address?  Does he also have software that will work with a Megellan unit?  I printed some maps from  http://navigator2.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm Haven't tried to down load them yet.  They were very helpful getting into and anchoring in the smaller rivers and creeks off the Chesapeake.  magnified them before printing so they were easy to read.  Matched my 2001 chart book so I feel the accuracy is good.  I didn't have a color printer available, so my copies where b&W.  Made interpreting a bit of a challange.
#2178
Main Message Board / Battery set up
July 24, 2001, 12:56:23 PM
Luna Loca currently has 5 batteries, all fairly new wet cells.  Battery 1 is a bank of 3, Battery 2 has the remaining 2.  Not quite sure why it was set up this way.  When cruising I use 1 as the house bank, and hold 2 for starting the engine/raising the anchor.  However the engine is always started before using the windlass, so not sure why I need 2 batteries on the "engine" bank. It would make more sense to me to rearrange the banks into a 4/1 split.  If I do this will I have cause problems with the battery charger/ alternator during the charging process?   Or since everything seem to be working fine, just leave well enough alone  :confused:
#2179
Main Message Board / Re Depth Sounder Location
July 17, 2001, 08:52:53 AM
Mine is right side under the v berth.  Have had no problems with it.  Under the Stbd settee was mentioned, that is also a popular place to put the Air Conditioner.  If you plan to add one in the future, might not want to put the depth sounder there.
#2180
Main Message Board / RE: Microwave
July 10, 2001, 12:32:21 PM
My 91 came with a small A/C powered unit in the cabinet over the icebox.  Very easy installation.  Remove the sliding doors, make a hole to run the power cord down to the A/C outlet and fashion some sort of bracket to hold it in place.  Very easy to use, We have converted the hanging locker to shelves so we don't miss the storage.  I've heard of the under sink installtion.  Never seen one.  I would be afraid of a water leak from the sink causing microwave failure.  I also just had to replace the Water heater, with a microwave over it, it would have doubled the job.

mine only works when plugged into dock power.  My wife asked if we could make it work at anchor?  Her response to my answer was that she could do with out.
#2181
Main Message Board / RE Aft berth
July 10, 2001, 06:09:37 AM
It was the aft berth that sold us on the boat.  V berths tend to have a slope.  We are both active sleepers, on our previous boat, half way through the night, had to reposition to keep from falling out!

We added an "egg crate" mattress pad, hides the creases in the cushions.  If sleeping in is planned, placing the hatch boards at an angle in front of the cabin window kills any direct sunlight but still allows for ventalation.  I'm 6', wife is 5'10, both easily fit. We usually throw the round pillows to the foot of the bed and still have plenty of leg room.  Head room has been commented on.  Come on, its a sail boat....I've been on a couple of boats in the 50' range that still had head knockers!

Echo the previous remark about dropping the table and placing the tv over the nav station.  Almost as comfortable as a "Lazy Boy".
#2182
Main Message Board / Fouled Prop follow up
July 09, 2001, 06:08:19 AM
Things got backed up, finally got  under the boat last Tuesday, first time back at the keyboard.  The prop was covered on both sides with barnacles/sea growth.  Tried the recommended grill scrubber, it really didn't do much to start with.  Switched to a putty knife.  They slid right off.  Did the rough work with the putty knife, then polished the blades with the grill scrubber.  What a difference. RPM's are back to normal.  Spent 4 days on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake bay over the holiday weekend.  Great trip, boat handled well.     :D
#2183
Main Message Board / swimming
June 29, 2001, 11:11:37 AM
On Sunday I plan on taking the dive.  I looked at the rudder the other night, it had a good growth starting.  The boat is scheduled for a new bottom paint later in the summer.  When in gear there is plenty of water getting thrashed around, just not much thrust.  Posts about the correct prop size indicate too much pitch will cause the engine to bog down.  I am assuming that the extra drag caused by the build up is doing the same thing.  Thanks for the fuel filter tip, I'll keep it in mind if cleaning the prop doesn't help.  I'll post my results on Monday.
#2184
Main Message Board / Fouled prop
June 27, 2001, 05:32:32 AM
Took Luna Loca out last night.  Trip around the harbor with a stop at the pump out.  Due to other commitments, this was only the third time away from the dock this season.  Performance since the last time out was terrible.  Took forever to get the boat moving.  Also the max rpm's I could attain was about 2200, used to easily get 2800-3000.  My guess is marine growth/barnacles have fouled the prop.  Will a wire brush clean up the prop?  Or is some sort of scraper required?  Can it be done from the surface, or is a trip under required?  are there ways than other  brushing/scraping?  Planning a 4th of July trip, need the performance back.
#2185
Main Message Board / Back Flow Valve
June 26, 2001, 06:40:59 AM
I had the same problem.  Talking with the parts guy, he thought a new valve might last 3-4 years.  I don't remember the price he quoted me, but I thought it was way out of line.  Found one at Lowes in the well department that fit right in.  It was under $10 for the valve and hose nipples.  Sure makes a difference in the bottom of the refer.  :)
#2186
Main Message Board / CO Detector
June 13, 2001, 01:05:34 PM
Several years ago I considered one for the garage because I use a kerosene heater in the winter.  Consumer Report said to stay away from First Alert.  Quality was so poor, they considered them more dangereous than helpful.  Not really being overwhelmed by what I read I opted to just crack a window.  Things may have changed, haven't read anything recently.
#2187
Main Message Board / A/C Drain
June 14, 2001, 07:45:19 AM
Siphon pumps are very common in aviation fuel systems.  Simple, effective, no moving parts to break.  I don't know if will self prime or pull very far up hill so routing of the drain hose may be the critical part of the installation.  Personally, Luna Loca has so many little leaks, condensate in the bilge is of little concern.  At least I know the bilge pump gets tested regularly.   :cool:
#2188
Main Message Board / Flux gate location
June 14, 2001, 07:59:11 AM
I have mine mounted in the same location as yours.  Other than the initial move when I picked up the boat I haven't used the autopilot at all.  When I did I was averaging 80-120 degrees off.  Haven't looked into it yet.  I was assuming the errors were caused by the batteries being so close, but it sounds like that may be a standard location.  Since compases are affected by magnetic fields have you tried rerouting any electrical lines that may be close or possibly shielding the fluxgate.  I have this ahead of me so any tips you learn please share.  Good luck
#2189
Main Message Board / RE: AC Circuit Breaker
June 12, 2001, 03:55:35 AM
On my '90 model the CB for the AC is built into the switch.  The large white toggle type switch that allows shore power onto the boat.
#2190
Main Message Board / Galvanic Isolators
May 29, 2001, 12:12:30 PM
When I recently installed my new water heater, I got a nice warning in the box about using a Galvanic Isolator to prevent the small DC current from running between the boat and the dock through the ground wire in the power cord.  I have a Guest Model 2520 battery charger.  Not much paper about it.  Not sure if it is original equipment or an add on.  If it came with the boat it would make it a 1989/90 model, an add on could be newer or older. Looking at the Guest web page, they say the chargers have a built in isolator.  Anybody know if all model years of the 2520 have this feature?  Will this stop the current the warning mentioned?  Have emailed Guest, but have not yet recieved a reply.  Happy Sailing