[Solar charge controller radio interference]

Here's a question for the techies out there. I have recently installed a solar panel on my boat with a Tracer 2215BN solar charge controller which works a treat charging the house battery. Only problem is it interferes with the FM radio making it unlistenable (but no interference with AM or VHF). The culprit appears to be electromagnetic interference originating from the charge controller then radiating from the battery cables which pass behind the radio enroute to the switchboard. Passing an FM transistor radio anywhere near the input or output cables to the controller also results in heaps of interference.

 

I'm going to try shielding these cables by either wrapping the existing ones in a stainless steel or copper braid, or replacing them with shielded cables then earth the shields / braid to the boat's RF ground (the lead keel).

 

Has anyone else encountered similar problem and if so do you have any bright ideas? Also anyone know where to buy shielded cables suitable for 12V DC battery loads (marine grade of course)?

Regards

Sail Rock

[Life Jackets]

Now what was I saying about skipper competence and mental impairment due to alcohol?!? One might also ask whether this guy could / should be prosecuted under the Maritime Act.

[Life Jackets]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/75055639/Yachties-in-the-drink-on-way-home-from-AC-DC-concert

Here we go.

[Life Jackets]

I have just read through this lively debate and here is my 2 cents worth.

Firstly we already have a framework of rules and regulations in the form of the Maritime Transport Act of which the following are key elements (copied from Maritime NZ website):

 

Every boat, even a kayak or small sailing boat, has a person in charge who is called the skipper (or in legal terms, the master). The skipper is legally responsible for complying with the maritime rules and bylaws, and with relevant regulations relating to the use of the boat and to people on board.

 

If you have an accident, ignorance of the law is not accepted as an excuse. In serious cases, heavy fines and prison are possible for breaches of maritime rules.

 

Almost all rules about behaviour on the water apply to both recreational and commercial vessels ... including:

 

Section 19 Duties of master

The master of every vessel is responsible for safety and for complying with all maritime rules and regulations applicable.

 

Note the key word "responsible" which to me implies taking personal responsibility for your acts, omissions and their consequences.

 

In any human endeavour we are faced with risks in which we have to assess the likelihood of them occurring and the resultant consequences. The ability of a reasonable person to assess these risks is dependent on their knowledge, experience, intelligence (reasoning ability) and mental state which can be affected by stress, fatigue, alcohol, seasickness, etc.

 

Knowledge can be improved with education. Experience takes time to acquire but could, for example, be supplemented by taking more experienced people with you in situations that you might not be familiar with, e.g. first time racing in 25+ knots. Intelligence - well, that's dependent in one's genes. Mental state - sometimes difficult to manage.

 

In light of this, we skippers have a legal and, I would argue, a moral responsibility, to manage our own personal safety and that of other persons on our boat or who might be affected by our actions or inactions. We have to continually assess the hazards and risks that present themselves in a changing environment, e.g. take the commonly cited example of rowing the dinghy from ship to shore.

 

Scenario 1. I am anchored in a sheltered bay with no current. It is summer and the water is warm. I am a strong swimmer and just wearing shorts and T-shirt. I am a single guy with no dependents. I therefore reason that the likelihood of falling in the water is low and even if I did the worst probable consequence is injured pride. Even in the VERY REMOTE possibility that I drown, my family and friends will of course be upset but I won't have left any orphans. I assess the risk as being very low and so choose not to wear a life jacket.

 

Scenario 2. I am now married with a child. I have just returned to my swing mooring at, say, Stanley Bay. It is spring so the water is quite cool. There is a 15kn SW blowing against incoming tide so it is bit choppy. Plus there are wakes from ferries and gin palaces passing by. I am wearing warm clothing, wet weather gear and sea boots because I know I will probably get splashed when I row to shore and will need to wade the last few metres. In my assessment there is higher likelihood that my dinghy could be swamped or overturned. Even though We are strong swimmers we would find it quite difficult to swim to shore in wet clothing, foulies, boots, cool water and a strong current. If as a consequence I drown, my child will be orphaned. Therefore in order to reduce the risk of drowning I choose to wear a life jacket and direct my friend to do the same. There are further ways I could possibly reduce this risk but I choose not to, e.g. wait for the tide to turn, wait for the wind to drop, ring and ask someone to come to the shore to look out for me, carry my PLB, call Coastguard to tell them what I am about to do, etc.

 

There are an infinite number of scenarios between and either side of these two, but the point I am trying to make is taking responsibility for one's actions, assessing the risks and being mindful of the potential consequences to yourself and others.

 

I don't think mandating the use of life jackets by regulation is appropriate because these are only one of numerous ways of managing safety on the water. If it were to be the case and we were to draw parallels with the use of motor vehicles then we should also require vessel registration, annual WOF checks, skipper licensing, and law enforcement resources and infrastructure (speed traps on the Waitemata?). Quite apart from those with civil liberties objections, NZ simply couldn't afford this. Fortunately the frequency of drownings off boats is relatively small compared to road traffic deaths. Therefore we should continue to prioritise our limited public resources on managing road safety, e.g. mandating and enforcing the use of seat belts. Because our public resources are limited, I believe we should concentrate on educating boat users to better assess and manage their risks (knowledge) and develop their experience. This would include reminding skippers of their legal and moral responsibilities, including criminal prosecution if they are found negligent - carrot and stick if you like.

 

Sorry, my 2 cents has turned into $20 worth!

[gori fploding prop]

Hi Tiller. Is your Gori folding prop still for sale? If so, it looks like it might be about the right size for my boat but I need to check a few measurements first. 

SR

[Replacing depth sounder transducer - what sealant?]

Thanks for the tips guys!

[Replacing depth sounder transducer - what sealant?]

Hi

I am going to replace an existing Airmar depth transducer with a new one - same size hole fortunately, 50mm, through the hull . Can anyone provide advice on what type of sealant to use between the new transducer and the hull? Some posts say 3M 5200 is the business, others say no way! Then there is 3M 4200, various Sika products or fixing it permanently with epoxy. Suggestions / advice from anyone with experience of having done this would be welcome ...