What did you do to your boat today

Dream_Inn

@LaRea where was the Anderson PowerPole connectors used, physically?  Was it just in line before the breaker box?  Looks like it was mounted somewhere?

LaRea

Not my boat, but here's the location of the disconnect switch.  The Anderson connectors are on the input side, i.e. the cables from the transom receptacles to the disconnect.  

Ian

These are on the incoming lines at the back of the breaker panel on mine and also the connection at the water heater. Have replaced the shore power one behind board and at hot water heater with alternates, these are not good for movement I feel. 

LaRea

Over the past few years, we've seen a few failure reports on those Anderson connectors ... especially at the water heater.  

YYZRC

I think one guy had a small fire because of a bad Anderson connector!

LaRea

My takeaway for today:  any time I lay eyes on one of these Anderson PowerPole connectors, I'll unplug it for inspection.  If it won't unplug easily -- not good.  

Dream_Inn

Yes, I've unplugged the water heaters ones before to check them.  Next time I have my cockpit fridge out I'll check the other one.

LaRea

I'll write up a separate thread to raise awareness about those connectors.  

rasbury

Maybe mine is older..I don't recall any connections like this? I think my fridge was regular plug?

Ian

Mine is too, regular 110v outlet in back with a 12v feed.

LaRea

My cockpit fridge and icemaker plug into regular household outlets.  But I wonder if that outlet box uses an Anderson connector.  

YYZRC

Mine use a molex brand connector. I was never able to find them for sale anywhere. 

davidbrooks

I had an electrical issue i was chasing last year with my 110 outlets.  All of my outlets had the Anderson connectors on them.  I did find a source for them but in the end it wasn't worth it.  I basically did the same as LaRea.  Then just replaced all the outlets and GFI's.  Even if a GFI is outside rated it seems like they tend to go pretty fast being on the water.

LaRea

Yesterday, I replaced the battery charger for the bow thruster.  The old one wasn't fully charging the battery, which fits my theory that battery chargers only last 10-15 years.  I went with a MasterVolt PowerCharger 12/20, which is a 20-amp charger that was on the shelf at the local West Marine.



When they installed the charger, the connectors were too small for the posts.  Instead of installing the right connectors, they just clipped one prong off the connectors.  Sloppy.

LaRea

Today's adventure:  outdrive go up, outdrive not go down.  Well, since 2017 I've had a spare trim solenoid rattling around in the bottom of my parts box.  Today I got to use it! 

Dream_Inn

Well, my front isenglass is getting bad. I had somebody's old glass from the same boat that was in better shape, but they had gotten new cause they just couldn't get it to fit right.

Well, after years of holding onto it, I put it on last weekend after adjusting all the snaps on the windshield.  Figured it was toasty under the cover and that was the time to try it out. The front center zippers were tight, so I only zipped part way down letting it stretch.

Went back down yesterday and it was better but still a large gap that wasn't going to zip at bottom half of both front sides.  Today I took the zippers off the front center and moved them out, especially at the bottom. I'll try it out tomorrow. Ill see if I need to add more material over the zipper, but I think a little repellent spray may work if needed. 

YYZRC

LaRea said:

When they installed the charger, the connectors were too small for the posts.  Instead of installing the right connectors, they just clipped one prong off the connectors.  Sloppy.

Some aspects of Rinker build quality are excusable due to the price point. This is gross. 

Pat310

@Dream_Inn if you cant get them to stretch you can try these
https://store.canvas-boat-cover-and-repair-advisor.com/ez-xtend-boat-zippers

I like the ID chart so you know what size zipper you have

Dream_Inn

Thanks @Pat310!  I figured there may be something like that.  This didn't take long to adjust and I've gotten pretty good the last few years doing canvas work (last winter I sewed in all new canvas over the original back).  Those are a great idea though and I may need them at some point for another location (aft door is tight).  They are definitely not cheap, but nothing is for boats, especially canvas.  Actually now that I think about it, that isn't a terrible price for a decent zipper.

raybo3

@LaRea are you sure that is factory? Did you buy brand new? Maybe the PO had it added. I have seen that many times before so it's not uncommon but usually after replacement of original parts. 

LaRea

I bought the boat when she was five years old, so I doubt the charger was a replacement.  I can see clipping the connector on a 12-volt circuit, but it's really not a good practice for 110-volt power.  

These days, most chargers don't use screw terminals for the input.  There's a 3-conductor cable coming out of the box, and you just use butt connectors.

raybo3

I wasn't talking about charger replacement I was talking about it being added for an add on bow thruster installed by a contractor. 

LaRea

LED bulbs in main panel.  Can you tell which side I did?  Every day, I get a day older.  The extra light really helps.  Brighter, but not obnoxious.  And now I can leave them on all weekend -- I think @Dream_Inn said that.

LaRea

This photo shows ORS (Outdrives, Ready to Splash).  Don't mock my bottom paint ... it'll be done soon enough! 

YYZRC

@LaRea how have you not taken the 4x4 plunge yet?!

LaRea

@YYZRC I haven't ruled it out.  The boat and I have had this conversation every spring for the last few years!  It's a $1200 conversion ... $2500 for props, then I'd net $1300 after selling my props.  I also considered sending my 4x3 sets for reconditioning.

Thing is, I'm really happy with the boat's performance.  Good hole shot, good cruise speed, good WOT speed.  Yes, it could get a little better, but would it be $1200 better?  

YYZRC

On my boats, I would have paid $5000 net for the 4x4 props. “They’re real, and they’re spectacular.”

LaRea

Did you stay with the same pitch?

Dream_Inn

I couldn't imagine changing my prop back to 3 blade (well, I had to do it once and it was horrible!).

So my canvas work came out great!!

.Here is what it was

Now...very happy!

LaRea

There was shrinkage!