What is the plexiglass for ?

[Sven]

There is a plastic pane glued to the underside of the access hatch over the starter batteries. Why is it there ? I obviously don't mind it being there but it sure has me curious why someone went to the trouble.

Thanks,


-Sven

 

[missalot]

Just a guess, but maybe to help protect the wood from any battery charging moisture

 

[Glyn Judson]

Why a plastic Pane?

Sven, It's there because to do otherwise would risk it being a pane in the glass and Lord knows that nobody wants that. ; - ) I think it's there to protect the plywood from absorbing battery acid spurts and vapor from turning it black and rotting it. Don't ask how I know that. Glyn

 

[newpbs]

protection

I would agree. The plexi would protect the plywood from the battery acid. As batteries recharge there is some gas that is produced and the gas is acidic.

This too is just a guess.

Paul

 

[Sven]

It's there because to do otherwise would risk it being a pane in the glass and Lord knows that nobody wants that. ; - )

Glynn, I still haven't forgiven you for "with a spoon" !

Possible acid splatter and gas explanations all make sense and that's what I kind of guessed but since I'd never seen something like this installation before I had to ask.

I think all the batteries are AGM so it might not be as much of an issue as it would be with normally vented lead-acid batteries ?

Thanks for all the suggestions, almost


-Sven

 

[Lew Decker]

I never knew, either. It was just 'there'...

I think the battery bank was an afterthought by the PO. AGM batteries are heat sensitive and I wouldn't have put them so near the engine. There is room in the locker where the other bank resides. I always planned on reworking the locker to hold both banks but, like so many other projects, it just didn't get done.

Sven, I have the circuit board that goes in the autopilot. If you want to install it, I can mail it up to your home address. There is about a 1% chance that the autopilot will rejuvenate itself - worth a try. It mounts just below the two circuit boards at the top of the unit. There is a small screw that ties the boards together. I left it in place so I wouldn't lose it. Anyway...

Sorry for the lousy weather down here. I did get out for a sail with my brother-in-law today - on his Catalina 30. We hit 7.2 knots in that thing. We were screaming along and being tossed up and down and sideways - like being in a salad spinner. I kept thinking about Serendipity. She would have been trucking through that slop like the Polar Express.

On a sadder note, I think my b-in-l is nearing the end of his sailing days. He kept getting confused as to which strings to untie each time we tacked. I had to remind him gently and if we hadn't been thrashing around and laughing so much, I would have been near tears. When we made it into the sip, I had to untangle all the halyards. They were fairly crossed up - tangled, I should say - and he had no clue what I was doing. He's only 58. All you Ericson fans out there, grab the ones you love and hang on for the ride. Sometimes the ride doesn't last very long.

Take care...

 

[Sven]

Sven, I have the circuit board that goes in the autopilot. If you want to install it, I can mail it up to your home address.

Don't worry about it. Especially after reading about sailmike's AP problems I'd rather start fresh :-O

Sorry for the lousy weather down here.

The rain was unfortunate but the cold was the real surprise. Tomorrow we head back down again since it is supposed to at least be sunny.

I did get out for a sail with my brother-in-law today - on his Catalina 30. We hit 7.2 knots in that thing. We were screaming along and being tossed up and down and sideways - like being in a salad spinner. I kept thinking about Serendipity. She would have been trucking through that slop like the Polar Express.

So you had wind !? The forecast kept saying 10 or less so I assumed a one-day sail up to Catalina was a no-go unless we motor-sailed.

On a sadder note, I think my b-in-l is nearing the end of his sailing days. He kept getting confused as to which strings to untie each time we tacked. I had to remind him gently and if we hadn't been thrashing around and laughing so much, I would have been near tears. When we made it into the sip, I had to untangle all the halyards. They were fairly crossed up - tangled, I should say - and he had no clue what I was doing. He's only 58. All you Ericson fans out there, grab the ones you love and hang on for the ride. Sometimes the ride doesn't last very long.

Very sad to hear that but at least he is getting to enjoy skidding over the finish line during the parts that register.

We're still awaiting Fritz quote so we can get the standing rigging taken care of and not worry about serious passage making under sail.

Hope you and your bride and the two young ones have a great New Year !



-Sven