BOAT MODIFICATIONS: Electrical Improvements 120 Volt AC

BOAT MODIFICATIONS: Electrical Improvements 120 Volt AC

Captain says there is the Pirate Code,
then there is the Electrical Code…
Time to make R.E.D. comply with the Electrical Code…

Three years ago when R.E.D. was first launched and taking on water…

…remember that?

…I remember the tears…

Anyway, we engaged the service of a Marine Engineer to inspect from top to bottom.
He couldn’t find the cause of the leak (although we discovered it later on)
but what he did find was that our shore power connection did not meet code standards.

No circuit breaker or reverse polarity indicator.
…just a simple 15 amp breaker.
Sadly, there wasn’t one thing installed by the dealer
that was done correctly,
including the through hull with no caulking
that caused us to take on water our first night aboard,
and the furler installed up-side down.
The list is very long and the memories are still fresh
but we have moved on…
So to bring the shore power connection to code
we are installing a 120 volt distribution panel
with an extra connection for the Galley.
I was hands-on wiring my new combination alcohol/electric stove,
keen to try out skills learned at a recent workshop
in Rhode Island.
We decided to install a 20 amp connector
instead of hard-wiring the new stove
We also installed an extra outlet on the outside of the galley
for USB charging
and other stuff…
…because there’s always other stuff…
Back onboard to put it all together,
the Dremel cut through the fibreglass like going through butter.
…for a perfect fit.

 

Referring back to my workshop again
is the importance of making sure everything is not only safely installed…
…but correctly and clearly labelled.

 

…all the connections,

…all the dials and gauges.

Now to test to make sure everything works.

It’s comforting to know that after all of this work,

when you flip the switch

all the lights that are supposed to come on,
do come on.
 
 
 
Next challenge will be to tackle the 12 volt ‘issues’.
Five connections on one battery terminal is not a good thing Mr. Dealer!
 
 

 

 

RHODE TRIP

RHODE TRIP

I recently made a trip to Rhode Island, USA
with a friend to attend the
workshop on
A beautiful drive from Montreal, Canada…
through the Green Mountains of Vermont, USA…
…to the tiny state of Rhode Island.
We stayed at the TownePlace Suites in N. Kingstown, RI
(by the way a great place to stay…
friendly, clean, relatively new
(a substantial breakfast included
making the already inexpensive price even more affordable)
Day 1
We learned about Marine Systems
and the right tools for the right job…
Were given insight into our host’s vast resource library…
We learned about really useful things to have onboard
should the need arise…
These are a brilliant (if only temporary) solution to a broken head…
…the use of materials for repairs and modifications such as
… used as a backing plate for an anchor mount.
…solid!!!

 

 

We learned about the correct way to install a bilge pump…

 

 

And a pressurized water pump…

…with filter…

 

 

Thumbs up!
They both work!!

 

..that stays flexible even after several years.
(easier to remove than 3M 5200 Captain – who is a big 3M fan)
…used to re-mount an old hatch…

 

 

 
 
Day 2
Electrical component of the workshoop
Stripping…

 

 

…crimping…

 

attaching and joining…

sealing…

 

…and securing…

 

 
 
 
…a great way to secure wires…

 

 

Next came wiring various electric/electronic elements
to the distribution panel…
Bilge Pump
Water Pump
VHF Radio
GPS
and cabin light…

 

 

 

…all properly labelled…

 

 

 

 

So many questions asked…
…all simply answered…
…all material very well explained…

 

 

One great gang of happy, passionate, highly motivated gals!

 

 

…and our Fearless Leader and Facilitator!
Thank you Beth…
Thank you WSF…
Thank you to the 14 other participants who made the event so memorable…
Thank you Rhode Island!
(hope to see you again sometime)
Now I can’t wait to get back onboard R.E.D.
to install my new
Dometic Alcohol/Electric stove!!!!
…safely and securely of course…