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Fixing Things in Exotic Places
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Wayne B
May 12, 2013, 2:43:35 PM5/12/13
to
It has been said that the definition of cruising in a boat is "fixing
things in exotic places". Unfortunately there is some truth to that,
and it's also true that necessity is the mother of invention, or in my
case, motivation. The circulating fan in our aft cabin (where we
sleep) air conditioner has been inoperable for a while. It hasn't
been a big deal since we've mostly been anchored out in a good breeze,
and with mostly comfortable temperatures. Today however we're docked
in Roadtown, Tortola (in the British Virgin Islands), the breeze has
abated, and temperatures have crept up into the mid to upper 80s.
It was time to do something.
There are no doubt professional A/C service people here in the BVI but
finding someone competent and reliable would be challenging enough
during the week and impossible on the weekend. Out came all of my
amateur mechanic tools, trouble lights and test equipment. With some
poking around, testing and inspection it was determined that the
circuit breaker was supplying power and that the local fuse was OK.
The connections behind the control panel seemed OK and nothing in the
wiring harness was obviously amiss. What next? I popped off the
cover to the junction box between the panel controls and the
condensing unit. Once again voltages seemed normal and there were no
obvious signs of electrical issues. Then I started tracing out the
wiring harness back to the control panel and noticed that there was a
big multi-block connector sitting in the middle. Sure enough, the
connectors did not look firmly seated. I used a big pair of channel
lock pliers to squeeze the connectors together, turned the switch on,
and voila the whole A/C unit came to life.
Mission accomplished.
things in exotic places". Unfortunately there is some truth to that,
and it's also true that necessity is the mother of invention, or in my
case, motivation. The circulating fan in our aft cabin (where we
sleep) air conditioner has been inoperable for a while. It hasn't
been a big deal since we've mostly been anchored out in a good breeze,
and with mostly comfortable temperatures. Today however we're docked
in Roadtown, Tortola (in the British Virgin Islands), the breeze has
abated, and temperatures have crept up into the mid to upper 80s.
It was time to do something.
There are no doubt professional A/C service people here in the BVI but
finding someone competent and reliable would be challenging enough
during the week and impossible on the weekend. Out came all of my
amateur mechanic tools, trouble lights and test equipment. With some
poking around, testing and inspection it was determined that the
circuit breaker was supplying power and that the local fuse was OK.
The connections behind the control panel seemed OK and nothing in the
wiring harness was obviously amiss. What next? I popped off the
cover to the junction box between the panel controls and the
condensing unit. Once again voltages seemed normal and there were no
obvious signs of electrical issues. Then I started tracing out the
wiring harness back to the control panel and noticed that there was a
big multi-block connector sitting in the middle. Sure enough, the
connectors did not look firmly seated. I used a big pair of channel
lock pliers to squeeze the connectors together, turned the switch on,
and voila the whole A/C unit came to life.
Mission accomplished.
Sir Gregory Hall, Esq�
May 12, 2013, 3:32:37 PM5/12/13
to
"Wayne B" <waynebatr...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:h4nvo8t50v3elku3v...@4ax.com...
It's more often than not that bad connections are the reason.
Boats seem to foster bad connections. Seems to me solder
is the only real reliable way to go when joining wires.
My refrigerator has been doing a great job of almost freezing
my beer since I re-crimped the stupid spade connectors at
the connector block. Prior to that it would "lose its way" and
stop cycling on.
--
Sir Gregory
news:h4nvo8t50v3elku3v...@4ax.com...
Boats seem to foster bad connections. Seems to me solder
is the only real reliable way to go when joining wires.
My refrigerator has been doing a great job of almost freezing
my beer since I re-crimped the stupid spade connectors at
the connector block. Prior to that it would "lose its way" and
stop cycling on.
--
Sir Gregory
Tim
May 12, 2013, 3:50:43 PM5/12/13
to
well.
Tim
May 12, 2013, 3:52:22 PM5/12/13
to
On May 12, 2:32 pm, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·" <gregh...@home.fåke>
wrote:
> "Wayne B" <waynebatrecdotbo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
though some here have disputed the practice, I still say that
solderless crimp connections always work best with a drop of solder on/
in them.
wrote:
> "Wayne B" <waynebatrecdotbo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
solderless crimp connections always work best with a drop of solder on/
in them.
Wayne B
May 12, 2013, 5:09:15 PM5/12/13
to
On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim <tsch...@gmail.com>
wrote:
>though some here have disputed the practice, I still say that
>solderless crimp connections always work best with a drop of solder on/
>in them.
=======
The experts say no because the solder creates a "hard spot" which can
work harden and break after repeated vibration, same as using solid
copper wire instead of stranded. There is nothing wrong with a good
crimped connection if it is made properly and kept dry. One of the
secrets to keeping it dry are to always install them with the wire
pointed downward, and/or have a drip loop within an inch or two of the
connector.
<http://captnpauley.typepad.com/.a/6a0111685112b3970c0105371a237d970b-800wi>
wrote:
>though some here have disputed the practice, I still say that
>solderless crimp connections always work best with a drop of solder on/
>in them.
The experts say no because the solder creates a "hard spot" which can
work harden and break after repeated vibration, same as using solid
copper wire instead of stranded. There is nothing wrong with a good
crimped connection if it is made properly and kept dry. One of the
secrets to keeping it dry are to always install them with the wire
pointed downward, and/or have a drip loop within an inch or two of the
connector.
<http://captnpauley.typepad.com/.a/6a0111685112b3970c0105371a237d970b-800wi>
Tim
May 12, 2013, 5:27:18 PM5/12/13
to
On May 12, 4:09 pm, Wayne B <waynebatrecdotbo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim <tschna...@gmail.com>
> <http://captnpauley.typepad.com/.a/6a0111685112b3970c0105371a237d970b-...>
Oh, I do understand that, but i understand what I do. And what I do
seems to work well for me. then again, What i do on wiring, isn't
really a strategic process, but in some cases, the ' keeping dry'
is.
I've had wire crimped well into a connector and with a matter of
simple humidity, still corrode over rime making the connection
useless.
I do understand the 'hard spot' theory, but I also understand
anchoring the wire is important as well.
?;^ D
> On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim <tschna...@gmail.com>
Oh, I do understand that, but i understand what I do. And what I do
seems to work well for me. then again, What i do on wiring, isn't
really a strategic process, but in some cases, the ' keeping dry'
is.
I've had wire crimped well into a connector and with a matter of
simple humidity, still corrode over rime making the connection
useless.
I do understand the 'hard spot' theory, but I also understand
anchoring the wire is important as well.
?;^ D
Hank©
May 12, 2013, 6:13:03 PM5/12/13
to
Soldering has limited value except in high current situations. The best
corrosion prevention starts with tinned wire. followed by waterproofing
the connection.
Wayne B
May 12, 2013, 7:01:03 PM5/12/13
to
On Sun, 12 May 2013 18:13:03 -0400, Hank� <han...@socialworker.net>
wrote:
>The best
>corrosion prevention starts with tinned wire. followed by waterproofing
>the connection.
====
The wiring n my old Bertram 33 was like that, done to near military
aviation standards. Never had any problems with it.
wrote:
>The best
>corrosion prevention starts with tinned wire. followed by waterproofing
>the connection.
The wiring n my old Bertram 33 was like that, done to near military
aviation standards. Never had any problems with it.
Wayne B
May 12, 2013, 8:01:03 PM5/12/13
to
On Sun, 12 May 2013 17:29:56 -0400, John H <salmo...@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Do you work on RV air conditioners?
=====
I don't even like working on boat A/Cs but like I said, necessity is
sometimes the mother of motivation or something like that. If we had
been at home I probably would have called my local service guy. I
know how to do some of this stuff but don't really enjoy it. I've
got 4 zones of A/C however and 2 refrigeration systems that I
installed myself. I carry hoses, adapters, gauge sets, a vacuum
pump, leak detector, refrigerant, tools, etc. but it is strictly out
of necessity. The tools and supplies pay for themselves the first few
times you (successfully) use them.
wrote:
>Do you work on RV air conditioners?
=====
I don't even like working on boat A/Cs but like I said, necessity is
sometimes the mother of motivation or something like that. If we had
been at home I probably would have called my local service guy. I
know how to do some of this stuff but don't really enjoy it. I've
got 4 zones of A/C however and 2 refrigeration systems that I
installed myself. I carry hoses, adapters, gauge sets, a vacuum
pump, leak detector, refrigerant, tools, etc. but it is strictly out
of necessity. The tools and supplies pay for themselves the first few
times you (successfully) use them.
Tim
May 12, 2013, 11:32:15 PM5/12/13
to
50 years. on the 70a. up to the 200a. 12v. .units.
http://store.alternatorparts.com/images/products/detail/11912.jpg
I've never seen a soldered connection in the end of the wire go bad.
I've seen diodes blow up and insulation burnt clean down to the bone,
but never a bad connection on the rings
Same way with the ones used on that big block 320a. unit that Wayne is
presently using.
http://store.alternatorparts.com/images/products/detail/11913.jpg
However it was found that the diodes in the 225 to 320 a. units
didn't have enough strength for reliability for the demanding loads
that the unit was designed for. . With improved design and
manufacturing techniques, the status is to use diodes that don't use
leads but rather, are welded to copper bars in a rigid assembly which
tends to be a superior update.
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Leece-Neville-4800-4900-Alternator-Positive-Rectifier-/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$T2eC16NHJG8E9nyfmYkKBQbwRE%29pO!~~60_35.JPG
Bruce
May 13, 2013, 1:53:47 AM5/13/13
to
On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:50:43 -0700 (PDT), Tim <tsch...@gmail.com>
wrote:
His Missus probably wondered why he hadn't fixed it years ago :-)
--
Cheers,
Bruce
wrote:
--
Cheers,
Bruce
Hank©
May 13, 2013, 7:31:34 AM5/13/13
to
course. ;-)
Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·
May 13, 2013, 2:17:14 PM5/13/13
to
"Bruce" <brucein...@gmail.com> wrote in
message news:mtv0p8dcik9fi55uf...@4ax.com...
>
> His Missus probably wondered why he hadn't fixed it years ago :-)
Only wimps concern themselves with what the Missus wonders.
--
Sir Gregory
message news:mtv0p8dcik9fi55uf...@4ax.com...
>
> His Missus probably wondered why he hadn't fixed it years ago :-)
--
Sir Gregory
Bruce
May 13, 2013, 6:59:24 PM5/13/13
to
you deem it necessary to comment on something about which you know
nothing.
You just didn't listen when your Momma told you about how keeping your
mouth shut and possibly being thought a fool was so much better than
opening your mouth and proving it.
--
Cheers,
Bruce
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