Meet the new La Rea!

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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,609 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Friend of mine in our marina had a just married couple taking pictures with their photographer on the bow of his 40 Formula SS. Bow was full of dirty shoe prints. It was probably the photographers idea, crazy what people do!
    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,609 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @LaRea I wonder if he yelled to his friend that he was on some rando's boat!  :D
    2008 330EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    Latest project: Upgrading to a wifi-controlled dimmer system for the salon, galley and cockpit.  It was much harder than I expected, but you guys know I like a challenge.

    I replaced 17 light fixtures a couple years ago, but those lights are not dimmable (which is why they were so cheap).  Those are going to the landfill.  Nobody on the planet makes a dimmable puck light that fits the cutouts on my boat, so I had to get creative. 

    For each cutout, I had to install a spacer to reduce the diameter.  The solution:  buy PVC pipe caps from Home Depot, and drill out the middle with a hole saw.  That insert gets screwed into the cutout, then the fixture pops right into the insert.  

    Here's a shot of the "fabrication facility" where I made the biggest mess.  BTW that black work pad on the table was also the landing zone for the cutting board that melted on the cooktop yesterday!


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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    Have I ever written here about how much I absolutely LOVE using DIN rail for electronics projects?  If you're ever doing custom wiring and you have physical space for DIN rail, it simplifies everything.  I used it when I rebuilt the controller for the swim platform, and again for this project.  Rugged, cheap, and so easy for troubleshooting.  The controller itself was $70, and all other parts including enclosure, maybe an extra $50.


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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    LaRea said:
    Have I ever written here about how much I absolutely LOVE using DIN rail for electronics projects?  If you're ever doing custom wiring and you have physical space for DIN rail, it simplifies everything.  I used it when I rebuilt the controller for the swim platform, and again for this project.  Rugged, cheap, and so easy for troubleshooting.  The controller itself was $70, and all other parts including enclosure, maybe an extra $50.


    I've worked with DIN rail a ton in my professional life. Simply one of the best ways to organize wiring. You'd also be surprised what can be mounted on DIN rail. Do they make marine rated DIN rail and components? I've seen DIN rail and terminal blocks corrode pretty badly in humid environments.
    2006 342EC
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  • IanIan Member Posts: 3,000 ✭✭✭✭
    LaRea said:
    Latest project: Upgrading to a wifi-controlled dimmer system for the salon, galley and cockpit.  It was much harder than I expected, but you guys know I like a challenge.

    I replaced 17 light fixtures a couple years ago, but those lights are not dimmable (which is why they were so cheap).  Those are going to the landfill.  Nobody on the planet makes a dimmable puck light that fits the cutouts on my boat, so I had to get creative. 

    For each cutout, I had to install a spacer to reduce the diameter.  The solution:  buy PVC pipe caps from Home Depot, and drill out the middle with a hole saw.  That insert gets screwed into the cutout, then the fixture pops right into the insert.  

    Here's a shot of the "fabrication facility" where I made the biggest mess.  BTW that black work pad on the table was also the landing zone for the cutting board that melted on the cooktop yesterday!


    And to think I wouldn’t walk there with my shoes on…..

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    @grouch0jr - I'm relying on watertight enclosures for corrosion control.  I don't know if they will last for the lifetime of the boat, but they should last a long time.  

    Originally, the swim platform pump had a plastic enclosure for the controller, but it wasn't protected from being stepped on.  Eventually, after too many careless footsteps, the enclosure broke open and salt air basically wrecked it.  I added a custom box to protect the pump and controller from foot traffic.  Then I used DIN components to rebuild the controller.  


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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    I love your totally unbiased labels, lol. Honestly it does look 100x better. Looks the way you'd expect it from factory.
    2006 342EC
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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 467 ✭✭✭
    Love it 
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,834 mod
    I like the libation station as well. 👍

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • IanIan Member Posts: 3,000 ✭✭✭✭
    “Should only take an hour” is likely the most overused and incorrect statement ever.

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • FormulabenFormulaben Confirm Email, Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    Dream_Inn said:
    I like the libation station as well. 👍
    That whole thing started off as a joke...but FWIW you might be surprised how cheap a custom vinyl sign costs to replace the Red Bull label that came with it. Also, the fluorescent bulbs got replaced with black lights, which is pretty neat at night.
    2006 Fiesta Vee 270
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    Wrapping up the light project ... here's one of the cutouts with a PVC pipe cap screwed in.



    And a light fixture with the custom trim ring:



    Multiply all of that by 17 fixtures and you get the finished product.  This was a good outlet for creative energy.  All controlled by cell phone or wall switches.  At some point, I'll figure out voice control too.  

    But the main thing is that now, with dimmers, we can actually use them for something other than cleaning or chasing away overserved guests.  :D 


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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    The trim rings look nice. Custom? Did you make them, or have them fabbed?
    2006 342EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    edited January 13
    And now, because of @Formulaben, I keep saying -- in an exaggerated Kennedy accent: 

    We do this NAWWT because it is EASY, but because we THAWT it would be easy. 
    Post edited by LaRea on
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    @grouch0jr - they are from 1800ceiling.com.  Pretty much any size you want.  Very happy with them.  
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,795 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Those really make a big difference for light as well as a more modern look. I still have the old rinker lights...they get the job done, barely...

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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    rasbury said:
    I still have the old rinker lights...

    I'm swapping mine out this winter. Trying to get all my cockpit lighting done.
    2006 342EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    edited January 16
    Pic of the day:  Reinstalled my turbo intercoolers after having them acid-cleaned, pressure-tested, and repainted.  Woohoooo!  

    I've been tracking that my turbo boost on the port side was down about 10% compared to the other engine.  I swapped the sensors and it didn't change, so that's a sure sign that the aftercoolers need attention.  The previous owner didn't keep great records, but I think it has been 1700 hours and almost 4 years since they were serviced.  It was time.




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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    That was a big job.  First step is draining 10+ gallons of coolant from each engine, so the engine room has been full of 5-gal buckets for the past week.  And of course I made a giant mess that I cleaned up today.  

    I'll recoup the cost of $2200 in fuel savings.  If I had used yard labor to remove and reinstall, it would have been $4000 at least.  Plus, I got a great full-body workout!
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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 467 ✭✭✭
    Impressive as always. What did rebuild consist of?
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    They take it apart and acid-flush the core to remove any calcification or oil from the cooling fins and coolant passages.  Then pressure-test to make sure there are no pinholes allowing coolant into the charge air.  Assemble and paint.  

    The proof will come next week when we leave here for Ft. Myers and I can run her up on plane.  Should see the same turbo pressure on both sides, and better fuel numbers.  
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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    LaRea said:
    They take it apart and acid-flush the core to remove any calcification or oil from the cooling fins and coolant passages.  Then pressure-test to make sure there are no pinholes allowing coolant into the charge air.  Assemble and paint.  

    The proof will come next week when we leave here for Ft. Myers and I can run her up on plane.  Should see the same turbo pressure on both sides, and better fuel numbers.  
    Is it a separate cooling loop from the engine? I imagine it would have it's own seawater heat exchanger?
    2006 342EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,609 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome @LaRea !

    I wish I tracked labor savings on all the work I’ve done on the boat! 
    2008 330EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    The aftercoolers run engine coolant.  I'm glad they aren't seawater-cooled.   

    @aero3113 -- for every upgrade or repair, I record my out-of-pocket cost and I estimate what the job would cost using commercial labor.   Over 3 years, not including the tender:

    Out-of-pocket cost: $196k
    Estimated cost using commercial labor:  $335k
    Savings from self labor:  $139k

    I'm glad I don't track my hours.  The hourly rate is probably like a buck an hour!  :D  
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,609 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Amazing!
    2008 330EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,961 mod
    edited January 17
    Oh - and I've probably saved another $15k on DIY maintenance ... changing fluids, filters, and impellers.  I couldn't afford this boat any other way.  

    Today's project - new seals and gaskets for the fuel filters.  


    Post edited by LaRea on
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  • FormulabenFormulaben Confirm Email, Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    LaRea said:
    I'm glad I don't track my hours.  The hourly rate is probably like a buck an hour!  :D  
    YEP!! I feel that one for sure. Sometimes I have a weird small project and I have to remind myself that it's just not worth my time, even if I do enjoy it. 
    2006 Fiesta Vee 270
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,795 ✭✭✭✭✭
    aero3113 said:
    Awesome @LaRea !

    I wish I tracked labor savings on all the work I’ve done on the boat! 
    If you want to show the admiral how much money you saved, while spending thousands,  it may not end well...
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