Modifications, repairs and improvements, 28TE

[Norseman]

I got a few questions on where I found these rod holder grommets?

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Had to dig into a few files, but here it is:
Replacement Boat Parts

https://www.replacementboatparts.com/

First I ordered them from a place in New Jersey, but they had the wrong picture in their ad, hence they sent me the wrong parts as they didn’t have the correct ones in stock, , had to return the grommets and start the search over again.

[Norseman]

Changed fuel filters and the air filter today, 1 year and 120 hrs.
Fair amount of water and crud in the Racor bowl:
It means I need to change the O-ring on the filler cap, and I need to drain the bowl more frequently.
The engine fuel filter’s diesel was clean with not a drop of water or crud.
Here is the contents of the Racor bowl:

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[Norseman]

Finally got around to remove and replace the rubber o-ring on the fuel filler cap.
2 for $1.00 at Boat Owners Warehouse.
Used a dab of silicone to get it compressed without friction getting in the way.

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[Norseman]

Made a safety line to hold the anchor in place while running:
Found a 316 SS carabiner clip on Amazon and a piece of 3/8” 3 strand nylon at West Marine, a few home made splices and some whipping line and we are in business.

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When not in use it clips onto the stanchion loop.

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[Nancy]

Your anchor safety line is so much more upscale than my length of 3-strand attached with half-hitches to both forward stanchions and passing through the eye of the anchor.

[Norseman]

Your anchor safety line is so much more upscale than my length of 3-strand attached with half-hitches to both forward stanchions and passing through the eye of the anchor.

Well, we got COVID going on, AND I am retired.
Nothing much to do but play with the boat and walk the dog.

[efishnsea]

Gonna steal your anchor safety line idea.

[Norseman]

Gonna steal your anchor safety line idea.

Enjoy it.

[Ben423]

Here's something I've never encountered before. The drain for the starboard cockpit locker on my '05 FD clogged up. I had to snake it. Was amazed at the ball of dog hair I got out of it. Blowing out those drains is now on my routine maintenance list.

[Norseman]

Here's something I've never encountered before. The drain for the starboard cockpit locker on my '05 FD clogged up. I had to snake it. Was amazed at the ball of dog hair I got out of it. Blowing out those drains is now on my routine maintenance list.

Yeah, have cleaned out the drains and the plumbing for the drains a few times, plenty debris but also found a drain disconnected, everything went in the bilge.

[Norseman]

Planned to flush the air conditioning raw water system today, should be easy enough: Close the seacock, clean out the basket, pour some “Salt Away” in the basket housing, attach the garden hose and turn on the water:

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Almost got it done, but the hose adapter exploded when I gently torqued it down.

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Will try again after a trip to the hardware store tomorrow.

The above took an hour today, wish I was a midget and could crawl in the hole to service stuff with ease, wife is petite and would fit better, but not her cup of tea.

How often do you guys rinse and flush the AC system

[Carl]

Every time I turn it on!

[Norseman]

Every time I turn it on!

Yeah, what I have been doing for 3 years as well, but now it is time for a deep cleaning. The basket had some slime and gunk as well as small mussel type shells in the bottom. They were gone in a few minutes, had to scrape ‘em lose with a stick. :
Getting a new hose adapter tomorrow so I can finish the job and check that box.
Next project is to replace the battery combiner with a modern unit that will be more accessible, use less power and be more reliable, stay tuned.

[Norseman]

Installed a metal adapter and plastic quick connectors to make the AC flush job a bit easier. Seems to work, no leaks.
Also a 5 foot hose with a quick connect, just pull it out and hook up to a regular garden hose, hate laying down on my belly working under deck, those days are over.

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[Norseman]

The old battery combiner started to make a humming noise, probably signaling it’s days were numbered, but still working okay.

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Decided to instal a modern version, picked a Victron 120 Amp combiner, $44 @ Amazon, also a 120 amp breaker and a small inline fuse for the manual override circuit.

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Everything fit on the vertical StarBoard tab I made for the solar controller a year or two ago, a bit tight but still easier access to the combiner than the old one which was hidden under deck.