420 DA Thread

Was anchored just off shore but everyone got off pretty quickly thankfully. When we got there it was an inferno. I'd met the guy a few times over the years but didn't know him that well.
 
If you have a new thruster charger that is "smart" you really don't need to spend a bunch of money on expensive batteries. The demand on them is low and infrequent. It is your boat do what you want....You probably already know this but you will be buying 2 batteries at 12 volt to fix your boat.....

copy that and I did get a promarine 24v smart charger and yes 2 12v batteries combined for 24v. My thinking on the "output" issue is that with the usage I want a battery that will deliver the max power for the short uses and long lasting with no maintenance issues - to good to be true?
 
Was anchored just off shore but everyone got off pretty quickly thankfully. When we got there it was an inferno. I'd met the guy a few times over the years but didn't know him that well.


So sad, but it can be replaced - glad everyone is safe - same vessel as I have, yikes...
 
copy that and I did get a promarine 24v smart charger and yes 2 12v batteries combined for 24v. My thinking on the "output" issue is that with the usage I want a battery that will deliver the max power for the short uses and long lasting with no maintenance issues - to good to be true?


You are over thinking it. 24v is 24v and you would likely burn up your thruster motor before you could drain the batteries.
 
You are over thinking it. 24v is 24v and you would likely burn up your thruster motor before you could drain the batteries.


Yeah typical - I try to think of all the variables, getting in the weeds. My main question was really the best type of battery for the thruster, AGM, wet etc.
thanks for the reply..
 
Well with the ProMariner charger, you can get any of those batteries you want. Be sure to set the charger with the type of battery you get.

Master Tech at my marina likes to keep things simple. He prefers wet acid batteries. I added the water system for the wet acids which really makes it easy to top off with distilled water. I use this one...

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV2000-Pro-Fill-Battery-Kit/dp/B001FCAXT0
 
Well with the ProMariner charger, you can get any of those batteries you want. Be sure to set the charger with the type of battery you get.

Master Tech at my marina likes to keep things simple. He prefers wet acid batteries. I added the water system for the wet acids which really makes it easy to top off with distilled water. I use this one...

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV2000-Pro-Fill-Battery-Kit/dp/B001FCAXT0


Have you had any luck buying batteries from Amazon?
 
Yeah typical - I try to think of all the variables, getting in the weeds. My main question was really the best type of battery for the thruster, AGM, wet etc.
thanks for the reply..

Just my $.02

I would stick with wet Interstate Cranking Batteries. Because they aren't "mission critical" I wouldn't spend extra money on the AGMs. You'll want cranking batteries (not deep cycle) because you want the most power at the front end, and likely won't be taking them to below a nominal voltage.
 
Just my $.02

I would stick with wet Interstate Cranking Batteries. Because they aren't "mission critical" I wouldn't spend extra money on the AGMs. You'll want cranking batteries (not deep cycle) because you want the most power at the front end, and likely won't be taking them to below a nominal voltage.


exactly that is what I was thinking good cranking batteries that can take a discharge and charge to maintence and last a good long time! I will look into the interstates - thanks
 
Based on the insight from a lot of people on this thread, I wanted to share my experience with restoring the finish on my 420 that literally was all chalk topside when I got it a few weeks ago. When you washed it, you would see the white residue from the severe oxidation run down the hull sides. 5 step process using 800-3000 wet sanding, then 3M Finesse it III, then finished with Smoove's White Cloud High Gloss Polymer Protectant. 70 hours later-this is the result. Water wouldn't dare stick to it. Very impressed with Smoove. The boat is mirror like now.

after.jpg
b4.jpg
 
Based on the insight from a lot of people on this thread, I wanted to share my experience with restoring the finish on my 420 that literally was all chalk topside when I got it a few weeks ago. When you washed it, you would see the white residue from the severe oxidation run down the hull sides. 5 step process using 800-3000 wet sanding, then 3M Finesse it III, then finished with Smoove's White Cloud High Gloss Polymer Protectant. 70 hours later-this is the result. Water wouldn't dare stick to it. Very impressed with Smoove. The boat is mirror like now.

View attachment 59424 View attachment 59425


Very nice, i had mine wet sanded this year and what a difference it makes - not cheap but if we are going to keep these aging vessels, might as well take care of them - at least that is what I tell my wife!!!!!
 
but if we are going to keep these aging vessels, might as well take care of them - at least that is what I tell my wife!!!!!

Hmmmm......not sure which way to take that statement but if it referred to your wife I sure hope you have a comfy couch! :)
 
Master Closet Light LED Conversion

I just converted my master closets to LED:

1) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.12.18 AM.png For $13.98 on Amazon I purchased a five pack of "New generation 12-24v !Super Bright Low Power !5 x 650 Lumens 1156 1141 1003 3014 54smd Led Light bulb Use for Back Up Reverse Lights,Brake Lights,Tail Lights,Rv lights White" - got to love the ridiculously long Amazon titles.

2) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.15.15 AM.png I felt like I was opening a box of jewelry - very fancy box.
3) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.18.11 AM.png Comparison of size of the existing bulb vs the LED.
4) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.19.45 AM.png New LED installed in the closet fixture.
5) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.20.45 AM.png New closet LED with cover back on. Note this particular bulb was a "cool white" vs the "warm white" LED's that I put elsewhere in the boat. However since this was just a closed light I didn't really care.

STEP LIGHT LED REPLACEMENT

1) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.25.48 AM.png Based on comments on Clubsearay, I purchased these LED bulbs off Amazon for $6.99.
2) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.28.02 AM.png Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.28.16 AM.png However I should have checked first as either Searay or the PO must have already converted to LED.
3) Good thing Amazon has a liberal return policy!
 
OVERHEAD COCKPIT LIGHT BLUE LED CONVERSION - in progress
This one is not complete yet - but at least I am (finally/hopefully) on the right track!
1) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.30.46 AM.png - Based on other comments in this forum - I mistakenly believed my overhead lights were bayonet style - so I purchased this 10 pack of blue LED's from Amazon for $10.99.
2) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.32.51 AM.pngScreen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.33.16 AM.png - However I discovered after taking apart the fixture that instead of the expected bayonet style bulb - it was a "BA15D" base. Again - lucky Amazon has a good return policy.
3) Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 11.51.26 AM.png - I went to superbrightleds.com and ordered blue BA15D base type "1142" bulbs for $6.95 each (item number 1142-B12-G). Hopefully this will work!! I will post updated pics once they arrive. I ordered blue because I really liked the blue look in @BigAL0213 post as well as @bracketracer and @Jeff Delbuono conversion as well.

Will let you all know how the conversion turns out (and post pics of how it looks at night!
 
Just curious...why does everyone do blue? I kinda like the soft yellow white color. Actually replaced two of the bright white LED lights the PO put in with regular incandescents.
 
I"m not a fan of super white, almost to the point of being blue lights. Whether they are incandescent or LED is irrelevant to me. I always search for lights in the 2700 Kelvin range. That is the warm white end of the scale.

Jaybeaux
 
Just curious...why does everyone do blue? I kinda like the soft yellow white color. Actually replaced two of the bright white LED lights the PO put in with regular incandescents.
For me ... I just liked how it looked on those other boats. My boat has the Navy Blue hull - so I figured - if I was going with colored lights - that blue would look better than red or green. I haven't told the Admiral what I am doing ... so we'll she how she reacts the first time she see's the blue - probably when we are entertaining friends. The other alternative would be the color changing LED's - but I figured this was a less expensive first option / try. I'll post some pics once I get them installed. I'll either get in trouble or she'll really like it ... sometimes there seems to be no in between.
 

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