The Official 450 Express Bridge Owners Club

Brass? Annealed Copper? With saltwater? May want to rethink all of that.... Your boat may end up on the bottom if that is going below the water line...

All good thoughts, they make the same valves in stainless. Could also build a PVC manifold for fresh water distribution to the various sea strainers.

Additionally, could add manual ball valves below the motorized units to allow shut off if the motorized valve gets stuck. The motorized valves are normally closed, so they should default safe, but you could always have the back-up if necessary.
 
What failed? My experience has been either the control module or fan might be the likely causes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HFHLBP6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm not sure what the failure was. I figured at 23 years old, it was just time. I have been having a heck of a time finding a replacement with all of the supply chain issues. I wanted to go with another Vitrifrigo just to make it easy as the DP2600 is basically the same (it went from a 8.0 to 8.1 cubic feet). My local supplier in San Diego said they might have something by the end of this year, but likely March or April. I went on to Vitrifrigo's website and found the list of all of the distributors in the country and started making calls. I was about to give up after I kept hearing the same timeline, but I found one black model in Michigan and three stainless steel models in Minnesota. I like the look of the original wood doors, so I went with the black fridge to hopefully make it a plug and play swap.
 
Hi Jim, Yes she's 2 stateroom, black and gold interior with a Black Vitrifrgo DP2600.

Excuse the duplicate pics, couldn't figure out how to remove them>

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!

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Attached are pictures of my modified White Stamiod enclosure that was fabricated by Gioia Sails that did the original enclosures for Sea Ray. I asked them to modify the front panels using ANINA Premier. Since Gioia had the original templates they were able to do all the design work. I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

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Attached are pictures of my modified White Stamiod enclosure that was fabricated by Gioia Sails that did the original enclosures for Sea Ray. I asked them to modify the front panels using ANINA Premier. Since Gioia had the original templates they were able to do all the design work. I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

View attachment 116101View attachment 116102View attachment 116103View attachment 116104View attachment 116105View attachment 116106View attachment 116107
Art, your boat is beautiful! I found some of the original set of canvas in a bag on my boat with a inventory tag from Gioia Sails back in 1998. They do incredible work.
Here is the cabinet that I am trying to preserve that covers the Vitrifrigo. Its a little old school, but worth keeping original if possible.
searay450ebint.jpg
 
The Maple looks great! The DP2600 is a great fridge and if it's the same form factor as your existing unit it should fit. Did you install your existing Vitrifrgo?
 
The Maple looks great! The DP2600 is a great fridge and if it's the same form factor as your existing unit it should fit. Did you install your existing Vitrifrgo?
No, I believe it is original to the boat. When I swapped out the thermostat last year I was told it was the older 8.0 model.
4C75A2C7-38E6-4234-8239-85D0202C4839.jpeg
 
Attached are pictures of my modified White Stamiod enclosure that was fabricated by Gioia Sails that did the original enclosures for Sea Ray. I asked them to modify the front panels using ANINA Premier. Since Gioia had the original templates they were able to do all the design work. I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

View attachment 116101View attachment 116102View attachment 116103View attachment 116104View attachment 116105View attachment 116106View attachment 116107
Is Anina expensive like Stratoglass? Can the panels be removed and replaced easily? How (and where) are they stored? I have Stamoid bridge top and Stamoid bordered Eisenglass surround with smile zip-ups to roll up. I've had to remove some sections for zipper repair, somewhat difficult slide-out to remove from header tracks. Header tracks are riveted to the SS frames. Going the repair vs replace route right now as Eisenglass still in pretty good shape. Thinning above support rails of the top sheet is worrisome. Photo gives the best idea of the structure.
img_1_1637030447103.jpg
 
No, I believe it is original to the boat. When I swapped out the thermostat last year I was told it was the older 8.0 model.
View attachment 116142
Mine is a Norcold by previous owner but age unknown. Seems to be a good install, no issues....yet.
 
I've put some thought into automation. Going to use QDs for now, but if I get tired if that they make motorized ball valves (https://www.amazon.com/Motorized-Va...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276309506141&psc=1), here is a manifold (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007AGHPQE/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_Y91DCQ7DEJVTP6HD86EH, and SBMAR offers a garden hose through-hull https://www.sbmar.com/product/freshwater-flush-garden-hose-thru-hull-kit/).

===============

Seeing this manifold gave me a great idea.

Currently my flushing procedure is to simply run the hose down into the engine room.
I use an extension hose where the quick disconnects allow me to "plug in" the salt away mixer which is also plumbed with quick disconnects, and since I close the boat's seacocks, I have employed a TEE to allow excess water pressure to blow off into the bilge.

With the new (when it happens) 450DA I'll simply set up one quick disconnect on the deck to plug in the garden hose "supply" line, them run that line into the engine room - permanently mounting it to the salt away mixer, then into the 4x manifold.

At that point I can run each line to each connection at the engines, genny and HVAC, operating everything with the ball valves.

The CATS have bigger impellers and will likely draw more water than my current YANMAR diesels (look here:) www.trojanboat.com so I'll likely have to add a shut off valve at that tee to avoid sucking in air when flushing the CATS but will need to employ it when flushing the genny.

One last tip: don't use the cheap plastic quick disconnects. Get the metal ones available on amazon, they won't fail and will last forever.

Amazon.com: HQMPC Garden Hose Quick Connect Solid Brass Quick Connector Garden Hose Fitting Water Hose Connectors Garden Hose Disconnect 3/4 inch GHT (2Sets) (2Female+2Male) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

In my present set up I was advised to add a quick connect cap likel thie:
Amazon.com : HQMPC Garden Hose Cap with Washer Brass Hose End Garden Hose Connector Brass Cap 3/4" NH 6Pcs Garden Hose Female Fitting Cap : Patio, Lawn & Garden

as a safety measure in the event a ball valve got bumped, or inadvertently was moved.

RWS
 
===============

Seeing this manifold gave me a great idea.

Currently my flushing procedure is to simply run the hose down into the engine room.
I use an extension hose where the quick disconnects allow me to "plug in" the salt away mixer which is also plumbed with quick disconnects, and since I close the boat's seacocks, I have employed a TEE to allow excess water pressure to blow off into the bilge.

With the new (when it happens) 450DA I'll simply set up one quick disconnect on the deck to plug in the garden hose "supply" line, them run that line into the engine room - permanently mounting it to the salt away mixer, then into the 4x manifold.

At that point I can run each line to each connection at the engines, genny and HVAC, operating everything with the ball valves.

The CATS have bigger impellers and will likely draw more water than my current YANMAR diesels (look here:) www.trojanboat.com so I'll likely have to add a shut off valve at that tee to avoid sucking in air when flushing the CATS but will need to employ it when flushing the genny.

One last tip: don't use the cheap plastic quick disconnects. Get the metal ones available on amazon, they won't fail and will last forever.

Amazon.com: HQMPC Garden Hose Quick Connect Solid Brass Quick Connector Garden Hose Fitting Water Hose Connectors Garden Hose Disconnect 3/4 inch GHT (2Sets) (2Female+2Male) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

In my present set up I was advised to add a quick connect cap likel thie:
Amazon.com : HQMPC Garden Hose Cap with Washer Brass Hose End Garden Hose Connector Brass Cap 3/4" NH 6Pcs Garden Hose Female Fitting Cap : Patio, Lawn & Garden

as a safety measure in the event a ball valve got bumped, or inadvertently was moved.

RWS
Like to see your "saltaway mixer". Also, I have a bilge wash down spigot right in front of my battery bank at bilge platform. I suppose I could run quick disconnect hoses from it to my three strainers (engines & genset). Caps make perfect sense too. Or make a PVC manifold. Nice project for a plumber (which I'm not, hehe). Wondering if a tee on input side of strainer is better approach than a strainer cover connection. Is this flush cap a bad idea?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C04HD62/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_WP2JRTD55ZZ1GFY1M1BV
 
Is Anina expensive like Stratoglass? Can the panels be removed and replaced easily? How (and where) are they stored? I have Stamoid bridge top and Stamoid bordered Eisenglass surround with smile zip-ups to roll up. I've had to remove some sections for zipper repair, somewhat difficult slide-out to remove from header tracks. Header tracks are riveted to the SS frames. Going the repair vs replace route right now as Eisenglass still in pretty good shape. Thinning above support rails of the top sheet is worrisome. Photo gives the best idea of the structure.View attachment 116146

Anina is a brand name for an acrylic hard clear plastic. It is more expensive but not sure what the premium is nor how much is for the material and how much for the labor. I leave them on year round, they are somewhat flexible and install about the same as stratoglass panels, assuming your fabricator does a good job on the measurements and adds assist loops on the zipper pulls. I just realized you have a hard top and it looks like you have to slide the top of each panel into a track. I'm sure it is doable, just find a good fabricator.

Hope that helps.
Art
 
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Like to see your "saltaway mixer". Also, I have a bilge wash down spigot right in front of my battery bank at bilge platform. I suppose I could run quick disconnect hoses from it to my three strainers (engines & genset). Caps make perfect sense too. Or make a PVC manifold. Nice project for a plumber (which I'm not, hehe). Wondering if a tee on input side of strainer is better approach than a strainer cover connection. Is this flush cap a bad idea?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C04HD62/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_WP2JRTD55ZZ1GFY1M1BV


Here's the mixer.

I heard that the STAR BRITE mixer was better than the SALT AWAY brand so I use this mixer with the SALT AWAY product:

Amazon.com: STAR BRITE Salt Off Salt Remover Wash & Marine Engine Flush Applicator (094100) : Everything Else
 
My apologies if this has been posted before........


Comes in at 1:58 and dominates the show

450 at Haulover

Comments ?

BEST !

RWS
 
The new refrigerator quickly shipped and arrived yesterday via FedEx. It was almost a true plug and play going with the new 8.1 model. Apparently that .1 equated to the box being about a quarter of an inch taller than the old one so I did need to trim the opening slightly to get it to slide in. Other than that, it was pretty easy to install. I did have my 23 year old with me to do the somewhat awkward lifting up and down the salon steps. I’ll post a few completed pictures tomorrow once I finish the maple cabinet doors.
I did take a few pictures of the surprise I encountered once the old refrigerator was out.

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All of the trouble I had repairing the mixer valve in the master shower, cursing the Sea Ray engineers and low and behold, there is access! If only I had known. o_O
 
The Admiral would like to relocate to a new marina that has a few more amenities. We have been on a few wait lists now for the past year and a half or so. An opening came up so I was sent on a recon mission to Alamitos Bay. Turns out I might have new 450 EB neighbor in the future. :cool:
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