500/520 DB official thread

[Jeremygavin]

Did you notice a difference after you greased the seacock for the first time? I ask because mine don’t have a zero fitting. However, it does have a screw that can be removed and I believe to add the fitting. It’s been on my list for a while.

Yes, I did notice a difference. I added the grease fittings because the seacocks were a little stiff when I bought the boat. The grease helped loosen them up.

 

[Alex F]

...I ask because mine don’t have a zero fitting. However, it does have a screw that can be removed and I believe to add the fitting. It’s been on my list for a while.

That's the idea. Remove the screw and add something like this.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/roughneck-grease-fittings-kit-8-pc-metric-75453?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Fuel%20Transfer%20%2B%20Lubrication%20%3E%20Grease%20Guns%20%2B%20Accessories%20%3E%20Hoses%20%26%20Valves%20%2B%20Fittings&utm_campaign=Roughneck&utm_content=75453&ogmap=SHP%7cLIA%7cGOOG%7cSTND%7cc%7cSITEWIDE%7c%7c%7c%7c%7c19587324868%7c146139011420&gclid=CjwKCAjwvfmoBhAwEiwAG2tqzPUXRbtjifxWggg5zBfv1na-7bPQ6nYQ4nDQQbXQBVADDK0uEgcrjxoCxeMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[tshannoz]

I recently added SmartShunts to monitor my starboard and port 8D’s and this has gotten me thinking about adding overall capacity to my system. What if I upgrade the 24V battery bank to LiFeIon to not only power the thrusters, but also all current and future 24V appliances (fridge, HVAC, TV, USB charging, etc).

I would position this new bank where the current thruster batteries are (anterior to the port engine) and add a new 24V charger to replace the current one next to the washer.

Has anyone done this yet? I spend a fair amount of time on anchor and replacing the 24V thruster bank seems to be the easiest and safest solution to having a more off-grid capable boat. What are everyone’s thought about this plan?

 

[rlynch03]

I recently added SmartShunts to monitor my starboard and port 8D’s and this has gotten me thinking about adding overall capacity to my system. What if I upgrade the 24V battery bank to LiFeIon to not only power the thrusters, but also all current and future 24V appliances (fridge, HVAC, TV, USB charging, etc).

I would position this new bank where the current thruster batteries are (anterior to the port engine) and add a new 24V charger to replace the current one next to the washer.

Has anyone done this yet? I spend a fair amount of time on anchor and replacing the 24V thruster bank seems to be the easiest and safest solution to having a more off-grid capable boat. What are everyone’s thought about this plan?

I looked at doing this as well. We replaced the (2) 120v SubZero's to the Vitrifrigo Drawers units 12v / 120v Ref/Freezers and also like having downtime without the generator running.

Ultimately what kept me from connecting to the bow thruster bank was the long recharge times (8+ hrs) after running those batteries flat I ultimately decided to tap the Ref/Freezer off the main panel box which is fed from the port 8D battery. This set up works surprisingly well and I can run on that battery for about 5 full hours before the wet cell 8D is down to 50%.

 

[tshannoz]

Thanks for the info. Did you also look into upgrading your thruster battery bank to 24V Lithium? This is the only tapping into them with additional appliances would work.

I agree, utilizing the current deep cycle flooded batteries would not be efficient.

 

[ttmott]

Thanks for the info. Did you also look into upgrading your thruster battery bank to 24V Lithium? This is the only tapping into them with additional appliances would work.

I agree, utilizing the current deep cycle flooded batteries would not be efficient.

Consider your house loads (DC to DC converter for 12 volts) plus inverter loads (if installing one) plus using the thruster. It would not be very practical to switch off all connected loads to use the bow thruster. You'd have to have quite a lithium battery bank to manage such a large current draw and not trip off line.

 

[tshannoz]

Great points Tom. And I have 2 thrusters. That is a ton of current. Ok, back to the drawing board.

Maybe leaving the 3 flooded banks alone and adding a separate 4th Lithium battery bank could be the easiest option (to run higher wattage appliances). There is plenty of room anterior to the starboard engine for this potentially. This is certainly a brain bender and I appreciate everyone’s wisdom.

 

[rlynch03]

Great points Tom. And I have 2 thrusters. That is a ton of current. Ok, back to the drawing board.

Maybe leaving the 3 flooded banks alone and adding a separate 4th Lithium battery bank could be the easiest option (to run higher wattage appliances). There is plenty of room anterior to the starboard engine for this potentially. This is certainly a brain bender and I appreciate everyone’s wisdom.

I am easily getting 5 hours out of the one house Port 8D wet cell which for me is almost good enough but if I added one more 8D Bank I should be able to get 10hrs + out of the house bank before getting down to 50%.

Not sure where I would put it… I like the idea @tshannonoz suggested of adding one Lithium bank if it’s ok to mix.

 

[tshannoz]

Yes, there is plenty of room anterior to the starboard engine for a separate Lithium bank. And I stress “separate” because you never want to mix LiFeIon and flooded batteries. I would have a separate 24V or 48V charging system and only run the high wattage appliances with it (since my refrigerators and AC/heaters will likely need to be replaced in 2-3 years).

I would also love to have a few solar panels on top that would only charge this separate Lithium bank. With this setup, 2-3 days on anchor could be possible without using the generator.

 

[ttmott]

Yes, there is plenty of room anterior to the starboard engine for a separate Lithium bank. And I stress “separate” because you never want to mix LiFeIon and flooded batteries. I would have a separate 24V or 48V charging system and only run the high wattage appliances with it (since my refrigerators and AC/heaters will likely need to be replaced in 2-3 years).

I would also love to have a few solar panels on top that would only charge this separate Lithium bank. With this setup, 2-3 days on anchor could be possible without using the generator.

Before you get too far down the Li road, read your boat's insurance policy. Some policies are inserting language on the batteries. Mostly around toys and tools using the cobalt based technology but some do not discriminate. NMEA now has requirements for the use that you should also review.

 

[tshannoz]

Before you get too far down the Li road, read your boat's insurance policy. Some policies are inserting language on the batteries. Mostly around toys and tools using the cobalt based technology but some do not discriminate. NMEA now has requirements for the use that you should also review.

Great points, Tom. I will look into both of these requirements.

And yes, I hope I can find a safe way to build this future setup.

 

[j98052]

I added 2 additional 8D AGMs in between the poop tank and the Glendinning cable store.

 

[tshannoz]

I added 2 additional 8D AGMs in between the poop tank and the Glendinning cable store.

J,

Did you add a separate charging setup as well? Are you running 12V or 24V?

Also, what appliances are running off this separate 8D bank?

 

[Micj81]

Had the same issue on my 48. My issue was looked good when we pulled it out for hull survey then sea trailed and I bought it. Next week take it to the yard and wow there is a blister. Yard boss cut into it and showed me it was just a bad layup spot and it was common. $1500 later it was better than new. This year when I pulled it out all was good.

I have a 48 that was pulled this week. It had two large blisters / bubbles, pt and stbd, same location just forward of the bulkhead between salon and aft cabin. Where were yours located? I had the boat surveyed when I bought in 21. TIA

 

[tshannoz]

What gelcoat shade and/or brand best matches the white OEM gelcoat? I have a few small areas that I need to touch up.

 

[j98052]

Hoping for some creative ideas - I need to replace the starboard engine vent cover (the photo is of the port side). I've called SeaRay (no help), emailed some salvage yards and a variety of websites, but no luck. Talking to a couple of local fabricators, but looking to be 4-6 months out and a lot of cash.

Any ideas?

 

[ttmott]

Hoping for some creative ideas - I need to replace the starboard engine vent cover (the photo is of the port side). I've called SeaRay (no help), emailed some salvage yards and a variety of websites, but no luck. Talking to a couple of local fabricators, but looking to be 4-6 months out and a lot of cash.

Any ideas?

missing or broken?

 

[j98052]

missing or broken?

Missing. Long story.

 

[ttmott]

Missing. Long story.

Yea, that's going to make it much more difficult to lay up / fabricate.
About the only thing is to pay someone to use theirs to make a mold then lay up a new one from the mold.

Or pay someone to scan the other side then mirror it and print a mold then lay up another new one.

Ca Ching....

 

[Todd Sevier]

I got a email from Amazon last week. There was the white plastic vent cover and screws for sale on amazon