Well This Year's Bahamas Cruise Ends Early

[menzies]

Ten days early, so not the worst. And all because of a $60 part!

You just can't keep enough of everything in the spares locker!

More later.

 

[JohnEasley]

Uh oh. A $60 part? Well, rats. Waiting for the details.

 

[menzies]

See the last part of this regarding the starter relay.

North Eleuthera And Back To Our Old Stomping Grounds Of Abaco! | AtAnchor.com

Bahamian mechanic believes that the Lugger starter relays may have internal diodes that manage power flows on an isolated system, where regular relays do not.

Above my pay grade so will let my Jax mechanic work it out!

My lesson learned is that, when I do the engine room check, I get myself over the top of the engine and look at the outside for tell tail leaks that don't necessarily show on the bilge diapers!

 

[JohnEasley]

See the last part of this regarding the starter relay.

North Eleuthera And Back To Our Old Stomping Grounds Of Abaco! | AtAnchor.com

Bahamian mechanic believes that the Lugger starter relays may have internal diodes that manage power flows on an isolated system, where regular relays do not.

Above my pay grade so will let my Jax mechanic work it out!

My lesson learned is that, when I do the engine room check, I get myself over the top of the engine and look at the outside for tell tail leaks that don't necessarily show on the bilge diapers!

Good read! I'm enjoying following your adventure.

John

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. m. I sense your frustration BUT, what better place to be laid up than the Bahamas (parts availability and mechanical help excepted)? Hey. You've had some good adventures, made some new friends and had some good food. What's not to like? I know, I know you have to come home early....

 

[Ski in NC]

Should be able to jump across the big leads of the solenoid to get a start. Never heard of "diodes" in a solenoid, but there are variations of the wiring in units that look identical.

 

[Boat]

Hooking a wire to the wrong side of a solenoid is a common error that can make for comedy of magical, mystical side effects.

 

[menzies]

Should be able to jump across the big leads of the solenoid to get a start. Never heard of "diodes" in a solenoid, but there are variations of the wiring in units that look identical.

The problem wasn't starting it - the problem was it cranked and started when we used the windlass! Then it kept cranking after the engine started if we kept using the windlass! I can tell you that is not the healthiest of sounds!

The meter indicated power coming from the ground when the windlass was used.

So yesterday to leave the anchorage I turned off the start batteries, lifted the anchor with no engines running, then when the anchor was up quickly switched the batteries back on and started the engines, and off we went. Not fun in a full anchorage!

Now this morning we followed the same process, lifted the anchor, I went to start the engines and the port would not crank at all! Got anchor back down.

Seems the new relay has totally failed. Which is actually good news. The windlass no longer cranks the engine and I started it by jumping across the cables.

So now we can get both engines started before I lift anchor. One on the key, one jumping!

This will get us home where I can talk to Lugger and get the right relay.

All fun and games!

 

[Ski in NC]

You certainly have some gremlins in them wires!!

 

[Marlinmike]

I agree, this is more then a relay, all the best, all part of this great hobby we all love!

You certainly have some gremlins in them wires!!