We've Moved!

To Burnt Store Marina over the Thanksgiving weekend.

We have talked about moving Pelican to somewhere in Charlotte Harbor for a couple of years and made the move over the weekend. The Burnt Store Marina facility is very nice and we look forward to having more time to explore gunkholes in Charlotte Harbor.

On Wednesday I replaced the failed alternator with a Balmar 612 series 100 amp alternator and the MC612H Max Charge Regulator. The alternator is tied directly to the house batteries. The starting Optima battery is charged by the house bank via a Balmar Digital Duo Charge. The Duo Charge only charges the Optima when it sees more than 13 volts on the house bank, and can charge the Optima at up to 30 amps an hour. I'd be completely happy with my handy work, but can't get the Faris tachometer to function with the new alternator.

I also added a rudder position sensor to the Raymarine wheel pilot. I picked up the RPS at the JSI flea market last summer. It did not have all the parts with it, and it took a while for me to plan how to install it. Once it was plugged in we noticed a big improvement in the wheel pilots performance.

Next job is installing a Xantrex Link 10 battery management system, and there are 16 stainless steel ports in my front hall waiting to go to the boat for yet another big project.

On top of all that, the front macerator pump housing failed and the pump has to be replaced. It's not a job I'm look foward to. The forward head also is starting to act like it needs a rebuild kit, but I'm leaning towards installing an electric head instead. It would be easier for guests to use.

Project List: Nov '06 through April '07

1. Install Link 10 Battery Monitor
2. Install Balmar 612 series 100 amp alternator
3. Install Balmar MC-612H Max Charge Regulator
4. Install Balmar Duo-Charge Digital charging system for Optima starting battery
5. Replace zincs and impellers in Perkins 4-154
6. Install new forward bilge pump motor
7. Install 16 new stainless steel portlights
8. Sand and varnish exterior wood.
9. Paint whale stripe Royal Deep Blue using Awlgrip.
10. New non-skid deck paint
11. calk toe-rail
12. New 200' of anchor chain with 100' anchor rode attached.
13. Reuse old 50' chain plus 200' of rode for Danforth anchor
14. Split anchor locker to handle two rodes
15. Install rudder position sensor for autohelm
16. Add Ventair product under all cushions on boat.
17. Replace aft mattress with a memory foam bed.
18. Install TV antenna on mizzen mast
19. Add two LED reading lights, one each in forepeak and aft cabin
20. Replace anchor lamp with LED system.
21. Replace all halogen & incandescent red overnight passage lights with RED LEDs.

New Projects

It's been a long while since I posted to the blog. Over Thanksgiving weekend 2006 we are moving Pelican from the Harborage Marina in St. Petersburg to Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbor. We have wanted to explore Charlotte Harbor in detail and decided now was the time.

Prior to the trip I am installing the following new charging system for Pelican:

1. Xantrex Link 10 Battery Monitor. I am happy with the new battery configuration from the previous post, but have not had the ability to monitor our battery usage.

2. Balmar high output alternator -- I have the model 621-100-SR-IG on order which should be footed properly for a Perkins 4-154 engine and puts out up to 100 amps.

3. Balmar Max Charge Regulator MC612H I have used this regulator on a past boat and it does a terrific job of quickly charging a battery bank.

4. Balmar Digital Duo Charge. The alternator and TrueCharge 40+ battery charger will be wired directly to the house bank of 6 6VDC flooded lead acid batteries. The Optima starting battery charge will be controlled by the Digital Duo Charge that is connected between the house bank and the starting battery. This system will put up to 30 amps into the starting battery only when the house bank is at a charging voltage above 13.5 volts.

Once we have the Link 10 installed we will learn how efficient our refrigeration, anchor light and reading lights are. Once we know this, we will understand the issues involved in long term cruising.

After this round of the electrical system is installed we will begin to install 16 new stainless ports from New Found Metals on Pelican. I can't say I'm looking forward to this job, but am looking forward to the results.