Nov
24
Written by:
Tom
11/24/2009 9:18 PM
Peter from the Systems Program sends in today's report. Thanks Peter!
The past couple of weeks have been busy in the shop as teams prepare their main circuit breaker panels for connecting to the hulls.
Students have also been constructing instrument panels from ‘starboard’ to get a chance to become more familiar with the material that is frequently used in this application today. A fuel level gauge is installed and wired.
Located just below the fuel gauge is our tank selector switch. This double-throw momentary style switch allows us to test the fuel level in both tanks with only one gauge.
In the center we have placed our momentary parallel button that combines the house and starting battery banks momentarily to give the starter circuit more cranking amps at start up. Off to the side we have mounted our fore and aft bilge pump switches. These switches can be set to automatic for switching within the circuit at the float switch that is activated by accumulating water in the bilge, or they can be switched on momentarily by selecting the manual position.
Ready for testing and troubleshooting, our panels are given a close inspection by Systems Instructor Geoff Almeida before we are given the green light.
Fuses are installed and the main power switch for the house batteries is turned to the ‘ON’ position. DC systems are checked first and then the 120V AC high voltage circuits are tested.
All of the DC loads onboard can be operated from the breaker panel on board the vessel. We check the navigational lights, engine room blowers, bilge pumps, pressure water pump, macerator, and parallel solenoid for continuity.
Our boat is equipped with an AC inverter and has GFCI outlets for plugging in electrical tools in the engine room. We test this circuit by plugging in a ½”chuck drill and running it continuously for several minutes.
Next we check another source of AC power which you can enjoy on board your vessel if you are in a marina or similar area that has ‘shore power’ service. To simulate this we connect our panel to the wall outlet and now we have shore power.
Shore power comes in various voltages and frequencies around the globe. Be sure to plan ahead and stock plenty of adapters and tools to change the plugs and inlets on board your vessel. You will certainly need to do this at least once if you plan on venturing off the beaten path and want to use your AC devices in foreign ports-of-call.
AC systems such as air conditioning, hot water heater, battery charger, outlets, and electric stove are tested for continuity throughout the panel and hull wiring.
Labs
Students explore the intricate nature of electricity in this lab experiment to further their understanding of electrical theory.
Pictured here is what is known in electrical circles as a ‘weak stone bridge’ this arrangement of diodes demonstrates how electricity, fed to the circuit via the transformer, is converted from AC to DC. The electricity is polarized and rectified through the diodes to produce DC current and light up our LED light bulb. AC/DC converted just like that!
Thru Hulls
Thru-hulls are used for plumbing systems that require a hole be cut in the hull. Some situations require that a thru-hull be changed.
In this case, the old thru-hull is removed and the existing hole is re-sized.
Core material is removed and then the core is patched to prevent water damage.
The thru-hull is inserted from the bottom of the hull with marine grade sealant.
Sealant is also used to mount the backing plate and nut on the inboard side of the vessel.
A valve is then threaded onto the thru-hull to open and close the passage.
Special hand tools are fabricated from loose aluminum stock to aid in installation.
Tools used for installation:
18 V Cordless drill, various hole saw sizes 1 1/8”- 4”, simulated marine grade adhesive sealant (toothpaste) [Ed. Note: I love that! Gives your boat a minty fresh smell...], sanding disk, small drum sander, large 2” box wrench, adjustable crescent wrench, drill press, tongue depressor, squeegee, aluminum stalk, pipe thread sealant compound, #830 chopped fiber adhesive filler, and rags.
Field Trips
This week Systems Instructor Geoff Almeida took us to visit Brewers Boat Yard where he keeps his Ted Hood design extended two tonner sailboat which he built himself.
Systems students used a Silver/silver chloride probe and meter to test for the electrical current that causes galvanic corrosion of dissimilar metals in the water beneath the boat. To protect metals below the surface, such as the propeller and shaft for instance, we install zincs. Based on calculations for the proper level of protection Geoff’s vessel was still adequately protected.
Instructors
Who are the people that teach the Systems program up in Bristol?
Systems Instructor Geoff Almeida hails from Marblehead, MA where he ran his own Marine Electronics Dealership for 14 years. Manufacturer trained Geoff took to Electrical as a career path after spending several years as a service manager, “it was the cleanest, easiest, and paid the most.” With over thirty years experience in the field Geoff’s relationship with IYRS began by answering an advertisement that was published in Professional Boat builder Magazine. Over the past three and a half years Geoff has seen some thirty-five full time and twenty-five evening students pass through the Systems Program since its inception. “I was hired to write the program and start it up,” says Geoff. Currently, Geoff resides in Rhode Island and enjoys frequently sailing to Nantucket, Block Island, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Systems Instructor John Stier from the Big Easy, New Orleans, is new to the Systems Program this year. Welcome John! John brings a wealth of Engineering knowledge and hands-on experience with him to IYRS. John got started in Engineering as a career path by working at various yacht yards and charter companies in New Orleans, New York, and Florida. After an Atlantic crossing from Greece to Antigua John linked up with Tom Hill and the Titan campaign. After working aboard Titan 14 for a year John stopped off in Fort Lauderdale where he tested for his Y-4 Engineer Credential. John continued to serve as Chief Engineer aboard the 115’ mega yacht Titan 14 for the next three years before disembarking for IYRS. John is excited about the new Composites Program to be unveiled next fall at IYRS. “Rhode Island can definitely benefit from this program; IYRS is putting itself in a position to contribute to the growth and retooling for the next century and beyond.” John currently lives in Newport.
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