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Fixing Things in Exotic Places
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. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
"Wayne B" wrote in message
... 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. 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 |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On May 12, 1:43*pm, Wayne B wrote:
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. Good methodical testing paid off for you , Wayne. Glad all turned out well. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On May 12, 2:32*pm, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·" åke
wrote: "Wayne B" wrote in message ... 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. 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 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. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim
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 |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On Sunday, 12 May 2013 18:09:15 UTC-3, Wayne B wrote:
On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim 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 Last year we changed phone/internet/tv provider from a local company to Bell. The installers didn't use a loup and didn't properly caulk the entry point of the optical fibre cable. Water leaked into my house and the phone company's insurance had to make good on repairs. You'd think the young installers would know better. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On May 12, 4:09*pm, Wayne B wrote:
On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim 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-... 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 |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On Sun, 12 May 2013 14:43:35 -0400, Wayne B wrote:
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. Do you work on RV air conditioners? Haven't had a problem yet, but who knows? Glad it worked out for you. John H. -- Hope you're having a great day! |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On May 12, 5:17*pm, True North wrote:
On Sunday, 12 May 2013 18:09:15 UTC-3, Wayne B *wrote: On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim 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-.... Last year we changed phone/internet/tv provider from a local company to Bell. The installers didn't use a loup and didn't properly caulk the entry point of the optical fibre cable. Water leaked into my house and the phone company's insurance had to make good on repairs. You'd think the young installers would know better. " Fiber Optics " by Bell are a complete LIE. But YOU go on believing it, you dumb****....LMAO You would believe that....HAhahahahahahahahahahaha |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On 5/12/2013 5:27 PM, Tim wrote:
On May 12, 4:09 pm, Wayne B wrote: On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim 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-... 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 The primary consideration is a strong mechanical connection (crimp). Soldering has limited value except in high current situations. The best corrosion prevention starts with tinned wire. followed by waterproofing the connection. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On Sun, 12 May 2013 18:13:03 -0400, Hank©
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. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On Sun, 12 May 2013 17:29:56 -0400, John H
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. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On May 12, 5:13*pm, Hank© wrote:
On 5/12/2013 5:27 PM, Tim wrote: On May 12, 4:09 pm, Wayne B wrote: On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim 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-.... 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 The primary consideration is a strong mechanical connection (crimp). Soldering has limited value except in high current situations. The best corrosion prevention starts with tinned wire. followed by waterproofing the connection. Leece Neville rectifiers have had crimped and soldered connections for 50 years. on the 70a. up to the 200a. 12v. .units. http://store.alternatorparts.com/ima...tail/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/ima...tail/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 |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On 5/12/2013 11:32 PM, Tim wrote:
On May 12, 5:13 pm, Hank© wrote: On 5/12/2013 5:27 PM, Tim wrote: On May 12, 4:09 pm, Wayne B wrote: On Sun, 12 May 2013 12:52:22 -0700 (PDT), Tim 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-... 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 The primary consideration is a strong mechanical connection (crimp). Soldering has limited value except in high current situations. The best corrosion prevention starts with tinned wire. followed by waterproofing the connection. Leece Neville rectifiers have had crimped and soldered connections for 50 years. on the 70a. up to the 200a. 12v. .units. http://store.alternatorparts.com/ima...tail/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/ima...tail/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 I have run across all manor bad solder joints. None of my making, of course. ;-) |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
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Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On Sunday, May 12, 2013 3:52:22 PM UTC-4, Tim wrote:
On May 12, 2:32*pm, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·" åke wrote: "Wayne B" wrote in message ... 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. 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 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. I'm a solder fan myself. Everything else seems to slowly deteriorate on a boat. I was only getting about 8 volts at my dash and walking back with the meter gave me an additional volt or so each time I got one connector closer to the battery. |
Fixing Things in Exotic Places
On May 14, 12:02*pm, wrote:
On Sunday, May 12, 2013 3:52:22 PM UTC-4, Tim wrote: On May 12, 2:32*pm, " * Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·" åke wrote: "Wayne B" wrote in message .. . 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. 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 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. I'm a solder fan myself. *Everything else seems to slowly deteriorate on a boat. *I was only getting about 8 volts at my dash and walking back with the meter gave me an additional volt or so each time I got one connector closer to the battery. agreed. BTW, Good to see you, man. |
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