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Messages - tmac

#31
Main Message Board / Re: Electrical System mods
December 05, 2021, 05:58:26 PM
Is there a way to just delete this entire post?  I see now that I missed several very pertinent sections in Electrical 101 that speak to this specific issue and I need not have bothered anyone with my question. I know you must tire of new owners asking questions about stuff that is well documented in your archives.  :(
#32
Main Message Board / Re: Electrical System mods
December 05, 2021, 05:30:43 PM
Jon,
Thanks for the recommendations. I like the idea of the buss bar. Yes - my alternator is directly wired to the positive post.  The previous owner spent a lot of time here on this forum, and he followed many of the recommendations.  I've only had the boat since September, and had to wrap it up for winter almost immediately, so I haven't had the luxury of spending time going through the boat's systems.  I'm in the mode of sitting at home, wishing I could work on the boat, but being stuck with just fantasizing about what I'll be doing next spring.  I have to guard against trying to "fix what ain't broke!"
#33
Main Message Board / Re: Electrical System mods
December 05, 2021, 05:20:26 PM
Stu -
Wow - sorry!  I seem to have hit a nerve!  I have to admit that I only just started thinking about this project yesterday, so I guess I'm glad I posted my question and didn't waste time on a bad idea.  I confess I did have a momentary thought about adding a way to turn off one bank after combining, but I didn't pursue it.  After reading the link you provided, I now see I should have pursued that idea further.  But it appears that the way my system is set up now is the way to go. 
#34
Main Message Board / Electrical System mods
December 05, 2021, 02:40:12 PM
I've read most of the info in the WIKI about improvements to the electrical systems, and I'd like to submit an idea for modifying my system to the group for comment, advice, ridicule, or whatever you can offer. 

Boat is 1988, with 4 Trojan T105s as house bank, and a separate starter battery aft of the engine. Right now, the boat still has the 1-2-Both switch, and then an older West Marine 50 A combiner was added, along with a Blue Sea On-Off keyed switch for managing the starter battery located aft of the engine compartment.

I know there are different schools of thought, one which promotes keeping the starting battery as a "reserve", and using the house batteries to also start the engine.  My concern with that is if you don't regularly use the "reserve" battery, how certain can you be that there's nothing wrong with it?  In my truck, I've had batteries that "seemed" OK voltage wise but couldn't crank the engine over.  The way I'm looking at it, if I use the reserve battery as a regular starting battery every time, I'm going to quickly recognize when it isn't healthy, and then I can fall back on my house bank in that one case to get me home.  Also, I've never liked 1-2-Both switches and would like to eliminate mine.

With that in mind, I've set out to separate the two banks in a different way.  I found an interesting switch at Blue Sea that is a dual circuit "On-Off" switch (#5511e).  It has an optional position allowing combining the two circuits, but for the most part it is used simply to turn on or off both circuits at the same time, but keeping them isolated from each other. Then for charging, I'd use Blue Seas m-ACR to combine the charging cycles. 

This seems to me to be a simple solution and it would allow me to eliminate the 1-2-Both switch (and its inherent operator errors).  I drew out a simple diagram in MS Powerpoint and attached it to this post (I hope...)  (Yes, I know there should be fuses, etc.  I just kept this diagram very simple for this discussion.)
Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Any reason this wouldn't work?


#35
Main Message Board / Re: Hose Clamps
November 21, 2021, 03:54:23 PM
Thanks to all for the input.  I think I've got enough information now to where I can probably order the right quantity, including doubling up on anything related to through-hulls. 
For everyone's benefit, back when I was rebuilding an old Jaguar E-type, the original clamps were a good non-perforated type made by Cheney and/or Jubilee.  They can still be found, and are good clamps.
#36
Main Message Board / Re: Hose Clamps
November 18, 2021, 03:15:55 PM
Stu
Your answer is partially what I was looking for - like "The engine has 7/8" and 5/8" hoses."   As I said, I'm 4 hrs away from the boat, and it is all wrapped under tarps, so I won't be in the boat again until April (hope, hope).
I have enough photos of the engine, through hulls, water heater, etc. that I can make a good guess at approximately how many clamps I need, and then buy extra to keep in inventory.  But I just can't tell what sizes are typical for those applications. 
I'm just trying to plan ahead, and make certain I have everything I need next spring.
Thanks for all the recommendations - I'm an experienced classic car restorer, so I've replaced plenty of engine hoses.  But I just purchased this boat in October and had to wrap it up immediately for winter, so I'm still getting familiar with its details.

Glenn - thanks for the link, and any info you can provide! 
#37
Main Message Board / Hose Clamps
November 16, 2021, 11:07:07 AM
I've searched through the archives and haven't found an answer, so here goes... 
I know from reading past posts that some of you have gone through and replaced all your hose clamps with ABA or AWAB clamps.  Next spring I'd like to do the same for my engine, through hulls and pressure water system but I'm 4 hrs away from my boat, and it is all wrapped up and inaccessible for the winter, so I don't know what sizes I need.  I'd like to get them ordered this winter so I have them on hand for next spring. I'm hoping some of you kept records of how many of each size were required on your boat.  Yes, I know - it depends on whether anything on my boat has been modified or was configured differently.   I'm looking for just a rough answer - I'm OK with having spare inventory for emergencies or to help out a fellow boater.
My boat is a 1988 C34, original Universal M25XP engine, original through-hulls, Atwood water heater, factory installed pressurized potable water system.
Any help is appreciated.
#38
I'm certainly no expert on this problem, but as I was reading through this discussion the thought occurred that you might check to see whether the strut that holds the cutlass bearing has ever been bent (however slightly).  Could have been from a slight grounding, or maybe by a boatyard accident as it was being placed in a cradle.  Since you've already eliminated the more common issues, you may have to look at the more unusual...
#39
Main Message Board / Re: Sail plans
November 13, 2021, 06:41:17 AM
Ron,
I have all my boat information in the header below my name.  Should I place it somewhere else?  If someone is using a different web platform, does that not appear to everyone?
#40
Main Message Board / Re: Sail plans
November 08, 2021, 08:11:11 AM
Thanks, Stu. 
Unfortunately I'm 4 hrs away from the boat, and its all tarped for the winter.  But I know you are correct - nothing replaces getting the actual measurement.  But from the photos I have of the boat, I don't see any long link plates.  I'll give a look in the wiki.  Thanks!
#41
Main Message Board / Sail plans
November 07, 2021, 04:15:31 PM
Is there a significant difference in the sail dimensions between the MKI and MKII C34s?  If someone offers me a used C34 genoa without saying whether it is from a MKI or MKII, does it make a difference?
#42
John,
If you find one, after you are done with it, I for one would be interested in using it for the same purpose.  Others may be also.  Please keep me in mind if you are successful in finding one.
Tom
#43
Main Message Board / Introduction
September 10, 2021, 06:15:21 AM
I just joined your vaunted association!  I've been lurking on here for quite some time as I've searched for a C34 to call my own.  I've just closed on a boat that belonged to one of your members - Bob Gatz.  Sorry to say, Bob passed away last fall, and I purchased "Ghost Rider" from his estate.  The boat will continue to live in the Bayfield, WI area, sailing the beautiful waters of the Apostle Islands and other areas of Lake Superior.
I just wanted to convey my gratitude to everyone here for the vast amount of work and knowledge that continues to be shared on this site. It has enabled me to educate myself on the unique aspects of C34s so that I could be a more informed purchaser.  Regards to you all!