Engine Maintenance & New Alternator Install - Ep. 310 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat
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- Опубликовано: 25 апр 2024
- Everyone is curious about summer plans, and as of now, Steve and Robin are waiting to see what happens in the next few months. Depending on how Steve’s mom is doing, they will either be heading north or staying local. While they would love to be cruising with Arabella, they want to be around for Steve’s mom. Thanks to everyone for your support.
People definitely had some thoughts about the location of the fridge, blocking the engine and making it more difficult to access. However, Steve isn’t concerned. In a state of actual danger, the anchor could be dropped or the sails could be put up. Also, Steve does plenty of preventative maintenance to keep the engine up and running.
Steve works on switching out the engine impeller, which is a great safety measure. While the fridge is out of the way, he also switches out the alternator, gives everything a good scrub, and cleans up Akiva’s hair…
The good news? All of the pieces came out quite easily, and the impeller looks great. The bad news? Steve’s measurement of the alternator was off, so the replacement piece will not work.
The alternator needs to be swapped because the original piece came with an internal regulator. However, due to the lithium ion batteries, the alternator needs to be externally regulated. The plan is to make some adjustments on the new alternator, and use some pieces from the old alternator, so it will fit nice and snug back in its place.
Meanwhile, there’s packing to be done for a vacation! Robin’s mom had mentioned interest in the Wainwright’s walk, hiking coast to coast across England. The stars aligned for this trip, so Steve and Robin are off the grid enjoying a well-deserved adventure.
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Acorn to Arabella started as a wooden boat building project in Granby, Massachusetts. Steve began the journey as an amateur wooden boat builder crafting a 38' wooden sailboat in his backyard: designer William Atkin's Ingrid with a Stormy Petrel's gaff rig. These videos follow the journey from tree felling, to lumber milling, to lofting, to the lead keel pour and now sailing the boat-sharing details of the woodworking, carpentry, metal smithing, tool building, and tool maintenance that traditional wooden boats command. This ultimate DIY project continues beyond the boat shop, as Steve and crew travel and learn to cruise aboard the handmade wooden boat that they've built. Just kidding about all that, this channel is about a Siberian Laika named Akiva.
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This channel is not only about boat building it is a lot about integrity. I like stories about integrity whatever the exterior points.
I've watched you build Arabella since I first saw the keel pour. I can wait a little longer to see you sail her. You take care of your Mom, we'll all be here when you're ready.
agreed, 100%.
I lost my mum due to cancer, would give anything for more tims with her
Steve, pull that pump apart and make sure all the vanes are in the correct direction, you will end up with that vane in the wrong direction breaking off and causing issues.
Exactly what I was thinking, always have the vanes orientated correctly when installing. That and the fact the initial impellor he took out was in absolutely mint condition, and could have easily lasted way longer.
and lube the vanes BEFORE install.
@kevinz8867 rarely do and never had an issue. But I always pime the raw water system .
*- "Staying on top of things." makes a boat just like the endless work of a farm in so many ways.*
Mate, you do what you have to do. I, for one, am not going to abandon you after all this time and effort! ❤
I think one thing a lot of people (though maybe less so with this channel) don't realize is that the people we follow and invest our time in watching have a whole other life outside of what they choose to posy publicly. Steve is helping his mom with her doctors visits AND maintaining this large project boat. Most of us are doing good to deal with our full time job and family life back home.
Keep up the good work Steve and crew. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
My heart and prayers go out to you, Robin, and the family. We pray every day for mom.
I've watched since very near the beginning and never lost interest, and I'm sure you will be able to keep it up whether you head north or stay local. Give your mom the care she needs. Best wishes to you all.
Welcome to the UK. The Coast to Coast (C2C) is only one of many walks documented and beautifully illustrated by the late, great Mr Wainwright.
My son’s wife is also going through the same ups and downs. Pulling for your mom and Kristen and all who are gutting through these life challenges.
Prayers for your mom. Your a good son.
I worked as a Reliability and Maintainability engineer for 30 years (how often do things break and how easily can you repair them) and can attest to the importance of preventive maintenance. I apply that to my daily life, too, such as regular oil changes and other inspections for my car which is quickly coming up to a quarter-million miles and still running strong. I have the engine belts and hoses replaced every 50K miles, and track down any suspicious noises before they become big problems. This is even more important in boats where you can't always pull off to the side of the road if something goes wrong. You're doing an excellent job with Arabella!
Dear Robin and Steve.
👍👌👏 Very well done (video and work). 2) Yes, it's extremely important to get rid of mold. It can be way more dangerous for our health than most people think. 3) Glad to see that you're able to walk across England for a change. You definitely deserve a vacation. The big yellow bag wouldn't even be enough for me alone. 🙈 My respect and kudos that it is even enough for both of you.
Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards luck and especially health to all involved people and dog.
Aaah, it's Friday noon so a new A2A episode. Happy Friday and A2A day everyone. Sorry to hear the news about your mother; hope all goes well for her.
I find that if you assemble the new impeller with 'trislide' (a neoprene friendly lubricant designed for triathletes and their wetsuits) it makes the process much easier and ensures that the impeller doesnt tear itself to pieces if it runs dry when you first start it up.
Easy access to the motor is worth pure gold, as you have been able to show us.
Hey Steve, family comes first, especially your Mom.
More then happy to watch videos of you tinkering with Arebella and doing short shakedown day sails in the local area.
I'm really interested to see how you and Arebella get to know each other at sea, under canvas, in all conditions.
Your videos are always great. The expeditions can wait.
Keep up the great work, and love to Mom.
Thoughts and prayers for your mom, Steve.
The hike sounds really cool, and should be a great bit of self-care for you and Robin.
I am my husband’s caregiver. I have considerable familiarity and great sympathy for what you are going through with your mother. 😢
Even being stationary, you have managed to put out great content. I still look forward to your videos every Friday. Thoughts and prayers for your mom and enjoy your well earned vacation.
A well deserved break for you two. Enjoy yourselves and don't worry about us...we'll be fine!!
and I think it is VERY safe to say, we will all be here waiting for your return!
@@tomballenger1809 It sure is, and we will!
In the video, at 27 minutes, there is a rivet to the left of your shoulder, and to the right of the two black cables, that has turned green. The two rivets next to it are bright. The green suggests to me that there is electrical activity at the green rivet. You should check that out.
Family is first! Nuff said! Looking forward to the sailing and traveling but whatever you post , I'll watch!
Next time the alternator is off, get some calipers and measure your finished design - inside diameter of the mount holes, length of the spacers, etc. You know folks that could turn perfect spacers for you for next time.
You absolutely don't need to say "We are doing our best". We know you don't know how to do anything else. Sending your mother healing vibes, and wishing you well. Whatever you decide to do, it's ok with me. Hope you have a lovely time in England. If ever you decide to walk in the Cork or Kerry mountains of southwestern Ireland, give me a shout!
Steve. Just watched the video.
Good luck to your mom, hope all goes well.
As for the mold on the boat. There a chemical called BAC-50, it'll kill anything that it touches, but if you change the concentration of it it becomes a hand sanitizer or a patio cleaner. A small squirt bottle and a cloth is all you need.
If you do use it please read the instructions very carefully.
Totally stoked you’re in the UK, sorry about the weather it’s usually warmed up a bit by now. Hope you have time to visit Whitby, Scarborough or Bridlington, maybe scope out possible future trip with Arrabella😍👍
quite a few years ago my wife and and I visited you at the boat house during an open house. Your Mom is number one! Do not thank us for sticking by you!!!
Have a great holiday guys 😊
I just went back to the boat after the winter, and yes every painted surface needed a clean down as it all had black spots of mold, boats live in a moist environment, you will get condensation, where there is condensation, mold will follow.dont fret about it, just clean it off (a little vinegar helps, but wont fully cure)
I believe you made the alternator fit a bit more difficult than you could have. Yes the 3 washers fit up to get your belt position. No on the Nut for a spacer on the front of the sleeve from the old Alternator. If you would have used the sleeve you removed from the new alternator and put it on the nut side of the bolt, it would have pushed the old sleeve into the correct position when you tightened the nut. Depending on your new bolt length you may have had to shorten it a bit, but would have been cleaner and easier. My opinion....
My thoughts exactly.
OOOOOh you will go right past my village just before you hit Penrith.
You will love the walk and the scenery. The high pennines are awsome. No where near as high as your mountains but great in their own way.
Make sure you try some Wainrights , Tyrill , and Theakstons beer. You wont be disapointed.
Have a great time in my back yard.
Steve I have watched every episode, I don’t always get time to watch your videos every single week but I eventually get caught up! It’s always a pleasure watching your videos, it’s such a beautiful thing you have going on, we all understand life also happens for all of us the same, ups and downs! And the amazing thing is you have let us into your lives!
We are here for the whole journey!
Love you and all your team! ❤
Kisses from Switzerland 💋💋💋
Steve and Robin we all love you and what you do even if thats not sailing, you take care of your mum ❤️ Family always comes first ❤️
I, like many others, also have a Balmar alternator. I have a couple of suggestions based on my experience with it. First be careful of how much you tighten the bolt that positions the alternator along the arm. The frame is aluminum so it is very easy to overtighten and strip it out. Instead, try using one of the larger holes and secure with a nut. Second, consider a serpentine upgrade for the belts. It is well worth it. Hardly any dust and you don't have to worry as much about how tight the belt is to avoid slipping when the alternator is trying to fill up those lithiums. Third, be sure there is enough ventilation in the engine room. That Balmar will get quite toasty when the lithiums are calling charging. Fourth, related to the previous, ease into your charging parameters. I have a Balmar regulator but I expect the Wakespeed offers similar things such as a) delayed start to let the engine warm a bit before ramping up. b) derate the maximum current as you get used to the system and see how it does. c) start the max temp a little lower than max for the alternator ( you do you have a temperature probe for the alternator don't you?)
Last thing, I have Balmar's "Belt Buddy". It makes it easier to adjust and maintain the belt tension. Unfortunately it doesn't fit on my engine and I never sent it back. If you'd like it let me know and I will PM you to coordinate sending it to you and Robin.
Steve I noticed when you installed the impeller for the pump all the vanes were in one direction except for one AI am not sure if it makes a problem or not. I have installed a few in my day but they were outboard and were instructed to watch for that and put all in the same . Prayers for your MOM
The vanes will orient themselves in the correct direction the first second the pump starts to spin. So it does not matter at all in wich direction they are when the impeller is installed.
@@erlixerlix7573 thanks
Enjoy your well-earned vacation! The Wainwright walk is a really nice trail, I did it several years ago with a couple of friends and I'll be interested to see how it's changed. All the best to you both, your mum and the whole family.
Thank you both for sharing your lives I personally am extremely moved by the honesty and openness which you exude in all of you’re presentations also I love your little ship it’s fabulous and becomes more so every episode please excuse my babbling but this is the first comment that I have been able to make for reasons unknown 🙏🏻❤️😜🕷🕸H
When I was a year and a half old, my parents took me on a tour of the Lake District. They were on a tandem bicycle, and I was in a sidecar. I have a photo to prove it! A few years later, we spent 3 summer holidays in Robin Hood's Bay. In 1957, we moved to Canada, and although I made a couple of trips to England and Scotland, I didn't get to spend much time in Yorkshire. I do have clear memories of the moors from when I lived there. Sadly, my own hiking days are well over ... Best wishes for your holiday. ;-)
I hope you both enjoy England 😊
Enjoy your time in England - BTW you will be doing one of the Wainwright walks there are many others, look forward to your report of the trip.
Take care of you and your mom, love and support to you and your family. Everything will fall into place. We will all be here!
Enjoy being in the UK.
Prayers for your Mum and I also pray that the weather in England is good for your journey across while you are here
Great Friday morning Steve and Robin. Looking forward to seeing what the summer brings. Thanks Ben
Steve, a few thoughts for you.
First with your alternator running a single V-belt, it is gonna be hard on the belt, something you can do to mitigate that is Dayco makes a belt they call the "Top Cog" it has special ridges on the top of the belt that encourage air flow over the belt keeping it cool.
As well in the Wakespeed, there is a setting that will ramp the alternator up to it's max output rather than throwing the coal to her all at once.
On my 55hp Yanmar I have a 120A alternator with a single pulley and it was shredding belts every 40 days or so, once I had this figured out the boat made it all the way to Alaska and back last year and is still running the same belt.
As far as figuring out what to do with your sailing plans and your mom I am going to say this, get some time with your mom while you can, make some happy memories while she is still healthy enough to make them. I lost my grandfather in 2021, and in 2020 I made a concious decision to put a whole lot of plans on hold so I could spend time with him which included not doing my RUclips all together as for me the trip to where he was is 800 miles from where my boat is so making content just wasn't possible.
I am glad I did because I have those last memories with him.
There is plenty of sailing stuff right in that area where you are now that I think you can spend another summer producing some great sailing videos. I would think if anyone has a problem with you doing that so as that you can make those memories with your mom, well they don't need to be here anyways.
Hope you all have a safe trip to England!
Family first. We only get so much time. I'll watch regardless of where you take Arabella. I know everyone else here will as well. We might be thousands of miles away but you have our support.
Welcome to the UK when you get here. You will be walking through some fabulous countryside.
A beautiful picture of Striding edge and Stickle tarn; made me homesick!
We live by the sea in Maine and our cabinetry in our home needs to be cleaned twice a year to get the mildew off. I think that's normal unless you install A/C.
Nice you are trying the Wainwrights Coast to Coast. Another great walk is the "West highland way" Finishing with climbing Ben Nevis.
Steve and Robin thoughts and prayers to you both. I've been out to Granby a few times, helped process a few logs for Arabella and have always wished that I could have helped more. We're based near Foxboro, Ma. You guys are fairly close by so, i'm offering (I'll email you as well) my car should you need an emergency taxi back home. My family is local to Granby so would not EVER be an issue. Also, i'll try to checkin with you whenever i'm heading back that way if you need anything picked up and brought back to you just let me know. It takes a vllage!
I don't know what you ended up with in the end but the front leg of the alternator should be held tight the rear should float on the bushing in the alternator bracket creating no squeezing on the alternator legs
Have amazing time enjoy your time with each other, greetings from Finland
Honestly, everything you guys are creating makes me so excited to watch. As a Canadian big wall climber and sailor I obviously can’t wait until I see y’all in Devil’s bay with Arabella!!! Have you ever looked at the wall at Cap Trinite in Quebec?
Really hoping they can make it all the way north this year! I’ll make sure sees this and will ask him about Cap Trinite. -Ben
You’re a “pints” man
We’re in the same place!
“To the bar man - saves me walking saves you washing” 😂
@09:27 A (distant) future tip: over the years the impeller eats away some of the metal of the cap, making it less efficient.
When you take of the paint, and flat fine sand the outside, you can turn it around for another bunch of years.👴😉🤓
Enjoy green and pleasant England.
Family comes first. We will keep momma in our prayers.
6:34 those vanes didn't flip. Some will tell you they will flip but you see the results for yourself
So a good idea if you need large spacer for alternator is wedge anchor sleeves , I use them all the time ,
Love it so much keep it up as always 💘
Akiva definitely didn't look happy about you going to England without him. 😉
Have a nice trip.
He was NOT pleased. He is doing great with George though.
Excellent and creative problem solving with the alternator fit. Well done. Hope you had a great trip, hope your Mom is stable on her journey as well. Safe travels and maybe we will see Arabella out and about this June! Praying for you & your family. (Akiva... who's a good boy!)
You will love that hike, forget about visiting London, the North of England has the best scenery in the country. dont forget, when travelling light, every t shirt has 4 clean sides
Cotswolds, Dorset coast, Cornwall………
I continue to be a proud Patreon of A2A. I have all but one of the T-shirts, the thermal mug and a sticker on the back of my old Land Rover and sea kayak. The sailing will come, family comes first. Love from Switzerland.
Oh, and the cap!
Ah man, you came to England!!! You should come to Lincolnshire!!
Good morning my friends! The coffee is hot and sweet . Have a nice vacation since things are aligned to let you go. I wish the news about your mom was better. Just know my prayers will continue for her and all of you. Have a nice break and see you next week!😊😊😊
Irrespective of if you are in a war ship or a small yacht the benefits of a pms system are astronomical. The least of which if you follow OEM spec to the letter you won't fall foul if warranty. I'd recommend getting a suitable PMS (planned maintenance system). And logging hours etc this will be a valuable asset. Out of interest do you have a salt water pump and outlet on deck for washing wetting?
You're in a tough spot with mom, just take it 1 day at a time and roll with the flow. For the alternator, shim the front mount for belt alignment and let the rear mount float on the bushing then tighten it as necessary to keep the belt alignment squared up. everything is based on the lower front mount being tight and square to the engine.
You guys are going to love the Lake District, it's one of my favourite places on the planet. Have a great time over here.
Our prayers for you and your mom. Don't worry about us.
I hope you have a great time here in England Robyn and Steve!
I have understood to lube the impeller first, and install with a twist so all of the blades are turning the same direction for better efficiency and life of the blades. However, watching many different impellers installed over the years I see that this is not always done. Comments???
When I was a kid the voltage regulator was always separate from the alternator. That way you didn't have to replace the alternator whenever the relatively inexpensive regulator died, which was more often than you'd think.
Spring is here!!!! I’m sitting outside on a
Beautiful Saturday in Chatham on the 27th of April. Hope your enjoying your V.A.-CA
Jim
Good luck getting "All" of Akiva's hair out of there. My husky went to the Rainbow Bridge 5 years ago, and I'm still finding her hair.
Take as long as it takes mate.
Hope your mom is coping ok and you get to see her for a long time yet.
All the best.
Just want to give your guys a compliment. Every friday spot on the next nice video. Enjoy your trip to England. I am convinced you will love it.
Love watching the videos as ever. Good that you can take a break. I'm sure we'll all be waiting for you when you get back. If you're still in the UK as I post this I'll happily buy you both a pint (I'm just over 1 hours drive from the end of the C2C). Hope you've enjoyed the walk.
Thoughts, Prayers, & Much Love from the Kleshick Family.
Ive watched you for years, take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere.
Enjoy!
Glad to hear you're finding time for a holiday, though i will miss the videos. I hope you can make it back to England but with Arabella one day so that of us in the UK can see her
Sad. “ so sorry for your mother’s situation. I am praying for her to get a life extension, so that you may enjoy her being with you for a while longer . I think Captain Steve, still has a lot to learn about getting his Sailor’s feet, wet and maintaining a great little ship like Arabella. So just take the time you need and stay close to your mother. The adventures on the great ocean can wait.
If you are able to travel afar that would be good news for your mum and both of you a double win sending you all our love and prayers.
Nice work on the alternator retrofit.
In my case it's easy for me to custom build bushings because I have a machinist's lathe.
I'm sure if you were to have installed a machinist's lathe on the boat that Robin would be not happy about that.🤣🤣
Just kidding. I've only ever seen a machinists lathe on large navy boats that are fitted with machine shops.
Prayers for your Mom!!
A tip I came across once was to use some hose clamps to compress the impellor to make it easier to put in.
It will be great to see Arabella under sail again.
By the way, Leo just launched Tally-Ho on the West coast and like Arabella there is still a lot of work to do. My dream is that someday Arabella will make it to the West Coast or Tally-Ho will come East and fans can see the two greatest RUclips wooden boats ever built in the same video.
Machine some bushings to correct size instead of mucking with washers?
wishing your Mom the best, enjoy your vacation
Perhaps an idea, but your mom always comes in the first place that's the most important.
Don't you know perhaps someone who can fly a small airplane to come and get you where ever you are, if thing deteriorate fast, that maybe give you a solution, difficult times.
Anyway, I wish you and your family all the support you can get, and I hope the news turns out good in the future
Steve, a pool chlorine tablet kept in a butter dish (no lid) nearby will keep mold from growing. You can break a tablet into several pieces and place them around the cabin to prevent mold. Also makes the inside smell nice and fresh. Just keep them away from your machinery because they are corrosive when they're too close to some metals.
Well I wish you well and hope you find us welcoming and friendly. You will meet a few dialects.
The rear washers on the alternator are not needed. The split bushing is designed to move to adjust to the spacing for the rear. Pretty common to have to open them up to install, then let the tightening process put it back in the right place. The front ear is the more important one.
@AcornToArabella @21:11 The Wainwrights Walk. Known here in the UK as the 'Coast to Coast' that Wainwright did. Many parts of it are no longer navigable 'as per' the original route. But yeah; what a good choice. It will take you through some of the most stunning countryside, mountains, moorlands & communities that you can get in one trip across England. Just be prepared for the long flat finish to the east. The terrain will go from a mountains in the west, to rolling hills in the centre, to Yorkshire in the east with lots of boggy terrain and slow going over the moors. But that heather will definitely clean your boots as you go. Then enjoy the good old Brit Fish n' Chips from the chippy next to the slipway in Robin Hoods Bay. Have a great time. And if there is opportunity whilst you are on this trip; I would like to meet you both if I may. Anywhere along your route is no more than a hop skip and a jump from me.
Hope you have/are having/have had a wonderful time in the UK (my home)! Have a great couple of weeks off, and I look forward to tales of your travels on your return. Some of the English countryside is absolutely stunning - and you'll be getting plenty of those bits on that walk.
I did the Wainwright coast to coast hike 4 years ago. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and are lucky with the weather, it really is a stunning walk.
I would suggest, on the line you are disconnecting when you move the fridge, to replace that with a long, braided, stainless line. The copper fittings will only let you mess with them so many times before they start to leak.