Day 201 Half way there.

Yesterday was spent for the most part trying to install the wiring for the  DuoGen wind generator.  We started ripping up the main cabin and threading wires over, under and around the bilge.  Unfortunately, the wire I bought ended up being to short.  I'd bought 25 feet figuring that would be enough to get from the stern of the boat to the main cabin.  Not even close.  So we started threading the wires that were to go from the generators regulator to the diversion load gizmo(bleeds off excess power once the batteries are charged) in the engine room.  I'd gotten 20 feet.  Nope too short too.  We were getting no place quickly.  Off to West Marine for more wire.  We've been there enough times that they know us by name.

Since they were having a sale, if I had to screw it up, at least I wasn't going to have to pay full price to get the replacements we needed to do the job.  Back home and back under the cabin floor boards.  This time they went in just fine with even a bit to spare.  Connections were made and sealed and wire were strapped to others to form a bundle and give support.  The regulator was installed with lots of wires going into and out of it and we got about 2/3s of the way done.  We still have to drill the hole in the deck for the primary wires from the generator and seal it up.  Then lead those lines to the regulator and grounds.  A few more connections and fuse installations and we will be done.  Sure hope it works.

We installed a few pieces of stainless steel hardware on deck for better organization and safety.  We attached two rings to the shrouds(wires the hold the mast up) that will hold the boat hook.  This way, it will always be in the same place when we need it.  It goes up through the big ring at the top and then sits in a smaller ring at the bottom.  Gravity should hold it in just fine.

The ring that is just to the left of the boat hook in the picture will be used for our "Jack Lines".  These are nylon straps that run the length of the boat so that when we are off shore, you hook your safety straps to it to make sure you don't go overboard should a big wave hit you while on deck.  Some people just lay them on the deck from the stern to the bow.  We like the feature of having them at shoulder height.  This way we don't step on them and perhaps trip on them as we go forward.  Just another thing that needed installation.  The list never really gets smaller.

The harbor is currently fogged in with fog horns blowing all around us as boats pass the marina.  No Sun but no rain either till Wednesday.  Another cloudy day here in the Pacific Northwest.  I know there is a Sun up there, but we sure don't see a lot of her.  Perhaps later today.  Meanwhile, back to running wires.

Have a great week everyone!