Author Topic: It's the little things... (Read 12036 times)

WrenchWench · « **Reply #20 on:** May 03, 2016, 11:37:45 AM »

Quote from: Oldfishguy on May 02, 2016, 10:28:34 PM

Carry a "Buddy Box" with you if your woried about sitting and draining the battery. Cheap insurance, just top off the charge every month or so and throw it under a seat in the boat for peace of mind.

David

Good idea, and that would definitely get you up and going in the case of a dead battery. But, I'm short on space as it is. No booster pack I've ever seen would fit under any of my seats, or anywhere else for that matter.

My end goal for on board smart charging is battery longevity. Repeated dischage without proper recharge drastically shortens battery life. Sure, I could buy a portable smart charger and clip it on too, but I think it'd be less easy to steal it if its permanently mounted and not as visible.

I was originally going to just wire in an ACR but that's where the measly 6 amps part started to play a factor.

Still mulling this over as to what the best plan is. Open to suggestions!

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

WrenchWench · « **Reply #21 on:** May 03, 2016, 11:43:36 AM »

All that and I never did post this one..

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

thedeuceman · « **Reply #22 on:** May 03, 2016, 12:52:11 PM »

that's lookin good...
after installing amps and a sub in my GT150, i launched with a dead battery cuz a few days before my daughter and i were out and we were rocking out good. having an installed charger is prob the best choice, but i got a booster pack and just carry it with. mine fits in the back next to the battery. it also has lighter plugs and USB so i can use it for camping. think it was $50 at harbor freight. there are some really nice L-ion units out there that are quite compact but i just couldn't spend that money.

Hyperacme · « **Reply #23 on:** May 03, 2016, 01:00:41 PM »

Ben has one that's about the size of two cigarette packs (side by side) ...
He said it could jump start a diesel truck three times before needing a recharge, but was pretty expensive.

Your boat looks great Jen !
It's all the little things that add up time wise .

Silver GT-150 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 03, 2016, 11:18:55 PM »

Your boat and motor look great! You mentioned LED navigation bulbs, where did you find those? I'd like to update my boat with them.

dorelse · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2016, 01:28:30 AM »

superbrightleds.com they're a standard setup, great upgrade to do!

Sent using Tapatalk ~Doran

Diamond Chad · « **Reply #26 on:** May 04, 2016, 09:52:32 AM »

Yes Superbrightleds.com! I got a thin strip of red leds from them, to embed on the top of the polycarbonate dash, and shine down across the face of the red flake when the interior lights are on. They have a great selection. They also had red led lights for the gauges.

WrenchWench · « **Reply #27 on:** May 04, 2016, 11:27:22 AM »

I haven't checked out superbrightleds.com, but I probably will before I buy. I did an led update to all interior lights on my 2005 fleetwood travel trailer, and I bought those from rvledbulbs.com on a recommendation I read on a forum to ensure they had the added technology to handle voltage fluctuations. The biggest benefits over incandescent is the amp draw/efficiency. I can run 10 LED's for about the same amperage as 1 incandescent, and they're much cooler. My bow light melted the greeb/red lenses, and I know why...within 2 seconds of being lit, that thing is so hot its untouchable with bare fingers. The LED's aren't cheap...expect to pay $5/bulb but they should last for practically a lifetime.

The red lights I put in are cheap water resistant led tape lights. They do work on 12V, but are probably sensitive to the voltage fluctuations. Since they cost me a total of $12, I'm willing to see how long they last without the use of diodes.

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

Silver GT-150 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2016, 10:03:45 PM »

Great, I'll check it out. Thanks!

Jason · « **Reply #29 on:** May 05, 2016, 07:07:49 AM »

I've got one of those Li-ion jump boxes. Pretty much fits in your pocket and has enough power to start a V8. You need to charge it after every jump start but nice light weight insurance to have on the water. Also has USB and iphone charger connections. Great for camping too.

WrenchWench · « **Reply #30 on:** May 05, 2016, 09:19:47 AM »

I didn't realize they made them so small these days! Technology. I might have to look into one of those, that would be handy for dry camping and great to have with you wherever you go.

I pulled the trigger yesterday and ordered an on board charger with discharge and start isolation. My end goal is ease of use/maintenance and battery service-life longevity. I'll be running a bank of two Interstate group 24's. I personally am the type who would rather be over prepared than under prepared.

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

WrenchWench · « **Reply #31 on:** May 11, 2016, 09:04:03 PM »

Working working working...

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

WrenchWench · « **Reply #32 on:** May 11, 2016, 09:05:56 PM »

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

V153 · « **Reply #33 on:** May 12, 2016, 06:28:30 PM »

Brr! Been there, done that. No thanks!

Y'know if'n ya keep hangin all that unnecessary, heavy, distracting stuff on your boat yer gonna wind up needin a bigger motor ...

WrenchWench · « **Reply #34 on:** May 12, 2016, 07:09:14 PM »

Quote from: V153 on May 12, 2016, 06:28:30 PM

Brr! Been there, done that. No thanks!

Y'know if'n ya keep hangin all that unnecessary, heavy, distracting stuff on your boat yer gonna wind up needin a bigger motor ...

Har har...I've only added about 50 lbs.

Distracting? I'll be less distracted. Won't ever have to think about state of charge...ever again. I can go a whole week camping and boating all day and not have to worry.

And in case you were trying to give me an excuse to go pick out a bigger motor...I wish! Kaching...kaching...

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

WrenchWench · « **Reply #35 on:** May 15, 2016, 10:54:35 AM »

10 hour shift in the garage yesterday.
All done.
That college degree paid off. It even works!

New rims and tires arriving this week. After balancing, I'll swap them out and hang the spare. Add bearing buddies, and I am DONE. Ready for some nice weather...it snowed here on Friday.

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

Jason · « **Reply #36 on:** May 16, 2016, 09:43:26 PM »

looks very professional. Nice job.

WrenchWench · « **Reply #37 on:** May 18, 2016, 11:23:21 AM »

Quote from: Jason on May 16, 2016, 09:43:26 PM

looks very professional. Nice job.

Thanks Jason! It was a lot of work but it feels good knowing it's done.

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~

thedeuceman · « **Reply #38 on:** May 18, 2016, 11:29:54 AM »

Jen...
you have amazing attention for detail.
hope you didn't bleed on the carpet

WrenchWench · « **Reply #39 on:** May 18, 2016, 11:38:40 AM »

Quote from: thedeuceman on May 18, 2016, 11:29:54 AM

Jen...
you have amazing attention for detail.
hope you didn't bleed on the carpet

I would have, if not for the electrical tape. Blood, sweat, and beers! Minus the sweat, I guess...

I have to pull it out of the garage this week to get enough room to put the new tires and rims on (yes, it's that tight). Kind of worked out though, I could just reach over the side of the boat to grab anything I needed out of the toolbox.

The boyfriend's bike is coming home soon so I have to vacate anyway.

I'll get some water pics this weekend, supposed to be in te 70's so I am headed for test runs!

Jen ~1989 Sierra 160~