Day 34 - June 25, 2019 - Click image for larger view
The weather gods finally decided to give me a break. After a good breakfast I got to work tackling the engine alternator replacement or repair.
Mon Jun 24 2019 12:16:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)
Getting all the tools needed for the job was not an easy task. Heavy tools were located on a platform just over the bilge area. They were secured in place by netting and lines requiring body contortions to reach while hanging upside down through a small floorboard.
This is when all those spares and tools you thought so long and hard about for years come into play! I had three different size alternator pulleys and of course the one currently installed was the one needed for the current belt. Changing the pully required an impact driver. Fortunately I had a 12v one specifically to change these pulleys.
I controlled the alternator output power with an external balmar 614 max-charge regulator. This nessatated complete disassembly to remove and replace the internal regulator with a modified bypass regulator I custom made. This setup allowed the installation of a standard 'off the shelf' type alternator most accessible in foreign countries, not to mention at a fraction of the price of a specialized Balmar alternator of equivalent output.
Taking the alternators apart on a moving sailboat was quite the challenge with screws and small parts bouncing around. Old towels laid on the galley sole (floor) made for the best work area. The narrow space kept me from banging into something sharp while working nearest the center of movement.
Having finally installed the new alternator in the middle of the Atlantic I sprayed it well with CRC corrosion inhibitor.
I thought long and hard about what was onboard to help protect the new alternator. A gallon tin from freeze dried food made the best cover. Although made of thin steel it should last the voyage, especially coated with CRC. This made Beef Stroganoff a favorite meal for the next few days!
This from a text post via PredictWind.
Alternator replaced with spare!
Tue Jun 25 2019 16:19:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)
A MacGyver replacement alternator to be sure. Winds slacked enough to tackle the difficult process. Cut Mountain House freeze dried breakfast gallon can to help protect from future saltwater intrusion, if that is possible. Photos when possible. Solar panels topped batteries to 100% so no worries tonight, sigh a big relief. So glad I brought tools to do it. Electric impact saved the day or more.
Break time on the Big Blue North Atlantic. Toast to you City Slickers!!! Doldrums ahead.
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