New toy takes shape (the real one)

[Daniel]

Then we started to route cables under the deck to the engine, of which there were far more than i thought!

Before...

[Daniel]

...and after...

There are 16 cables and pipes in total, it's a real squeze and i seriously hope i never need to get anything else through there:

2 x hyd. steering pipes
Fuel line
Oil line
Oil tank press. line
2 x Main batt. cables
Smartcraft data cable
2 x Control cables (throttle and gear)
Control box cable
Fuel / Oil tank gague cable
Garmin depth transducer cable
Nav light power cable
Spot light power cable
VHF aeriel cable

[Biggles]

Could you please tell me wher you got the cover for the Garmin GPS. I take it its a 126.

Many Thanks.

[Daniel]

As i think i mentioned in a previous post the battery leads on the engine were too short. We had trouble obtaining suitable multi-strand flexiable cable so Mr Tapp (1/2 boat owner) spent £100 on a propper crimp-tool and we joined some 300amp cable into the exsisting leads.

The join was then heat-shrunk, and well covered in self-amalgamating tape. We shortened the exsisting leads such that the join is in the aftt locker where it is unlikely to get wet and can't sit in water (like it would if it was under the deck).

We had the same problem with the oil and fuel pipes although this is fairly standard stuff.

The smartcraft cable i initially thought was wrong was'nt. Mercury have changed this and not updated the installation manual.

Here is the various leads and pipes being fitted by Mr Tapp's leg and Mr Maddox of www.waynemaddoxmarine.co.uk who has been instrumental in this . I owe him many beers.

[Daniel]

The GPS is a fairly unusual model i beleive - a 168 sounder. I chose it because:

a) I'm familar with it's operation
b) No cartridges to get wet
c) Integrated sounder means less instruments
d) Inside my budget
e) I love the garmin software (MapSource)

The cover came with it. I'm sure you can buy one, give 'em a call or try NAUTIQUIPPE where i got all the electronics - helpful garmin dealers, 01299 251005.

[Daniel]

Next job was to fit helm unit for steering. (Note installed throttlebox which i forgot to mention before)

[Daniel]

With wheel installed.

I think at this stage i had also installed the oil tank bracket under the seat as well as connected it's pipes and gague sender.

The exsisting fuel tank sender was also connected to the Mercury smartcraft system.

I installed an in-line water seperating filter under the seat too although the Optimax has an integral one of these with a sensor to let you know when there is H20 in the fuel

At this point the boat made a trip to see Mr BP. The 200li tank ensured Mr Blair got his share of my savings!

It's essential the fuel system is primed before the ignition system is switched on or the electronic fuel pump on the engine will try and burn it's self out.

So after returning over £150 lighter i primed the bulb and switched on the ignition. It took about 1/2 hr to configure the smartcraft instruments although todate they won't talk to the GPS, but then neither will the DSC set - a job for another day!

[Daniel]

Thebn nothing got done 'till Saturday, when i was in Alderney! But much to everyones amusment i got a 'phone call to "listen" to the engine running.

Wayne Maddox had connected the Mercury DDT to initialise the oil injection system and fired her up He also bled the steering for me. Damn nice chap.

He am i while the engine is run for the first time:

[Daniel]

It was'nt 'till Monday when i spoke to him and asked "did you check the steering went the right way, the instructions were a bit vague?"

"No, he replied, i'll go and have a look"

Neadless to say his next 'phone call contained a few unrepeatable words about my interlect, and something about my mother. We can't be perfect all the time

Infact it was not my fault. The steering is of a new(er) type where the pipes don't move so, when you step back and think about it you need to reverse them since they are moving a cylinder rather than moving against a fixed cylinder.

[Daniel]

This evening i collected the boat and fitted the prop. It's a Laser II Flow-Torque II 21" stainless and interestingly (in relation to another Thread at the moment) you assemble the bush and bronze part yourself.

Here is a pic taken a few seconds ago.

[Daniel]

And finally another showing how it all looks to-date (nav-lights, VHF aeriel...).

The plan now will be to fit the two additional twin jockey seats in the rear of the boat and to fit the modified backrest for the driver tommorow evening.

I'll then be taking Friday afternoon off to get the running-in out of the way.

Having now read the manual this is 1hr of 3000-4500rpm changing revs every 2mins and not idling for more than 10.

For the next 3 hours this is the same but changing revs every 10 mins.

Then... let rip! The engine over-oils for a total of about 10 hours.

Rather good news is that "short bursts of full throttle for periods of 10 seconds are acceptabe during running-in"

There are a number of outctanding issues like inter-electrionics communications and a few bits nor sourced yet (Spot light, missing switch etc.) but they'll all fall into place soon

[Alex Brown]

Cracking pics Daniel - good luck on Friday

That hydraulic ram setup looks the same if not identical to the one on the back of my boat..... I am well impressed with it, since there are no moving pipes.

Can I ask where you got those switches for the nav lights etc.. from? - I am looking for some more switches for my boat at the mo, and using normal toggle switches isn't really ideal.

-Alex

[jwalker]

Originally posted by Daniel
As i think i mentioned in a previous post the battery leads on the engine were too short. We had trouble obtaining suitable multi-strand flexiable cable

Too late now I realise but, for the future, welding cable is good. Oil, fuel and abrasion resistant, contains many small diameter conductors so it's nice and flexible, you can buy it off the roll and there is a selection of sizes from puny to huge.

[Daniel]

www.indexmarine.co.uk

You can order inline but you need to scribble the part no's down and then fill-in the on-line form.

The range is great, every type of switch, but thety are about £10 each! They also do a nice modular surround for the swicthes which they clip into.

[Daniel]

You have just reminded me that i took this pic of the inside of the console during wiring. I'm using an automotive blade fusebox and two busbars from www.indexmarine.co.uk.

[Daniel]

A close up...

[Pete7]

Daniel,

looks neat, well done. Just wish some of the manufacturers could wire boats up like this. It will mean less likely of problems at sea and if you do have one easier to sort.

Pete

[Jelly]

Daniel
Sorry a bit late now but I have one of those crip tools sitting around unused you could have borrowed.
Jelly

[Daniel]

Okay i'm absolutly shattered but a picture speakes a thousand words as they say.

More info tommorow!

[Petrov]

I never got an answer last time i asked, when is the boat for sale? looks really nice congratulations after all the hours you spent on the boat.

Regards

Petrov