I wanted to install a backup bilge pump with a trickle charge solar panel. I have read too many horror stories of boats taking on water due to a bilge pump failure, so my next project was to install a backup bilge pump. I began by installing a small solar panel on the top of the cross-member of the tube that connects the dodger to the bimini. (please see photos under Carpe Diem Updates)
The next challenge was to run the wires to a dedicated 12V battery that I located aft of the engine, on the port side under the floorboard. (this cavity is known as the 'Hell Hole,' a descriptor borrowed from aviation.) This battery is solely dedicated to servicing the backup bilge pump. That way, in case all of the house batteries are dead for whatever reason, this one would still be working.
I secured the battery in place by using some short 2x4s, so it would not slide around. Then I ran the wires from the battery, and from the second bilge pump, to the Rule three-way switch that I mounted on the bottom of the settee, along with a 12V meter to have the ability to viaually ensure that the solar panel is charging properly. After that was completed, I installed an anti-siphoning loop in the discharge line and placed it in the area under the sink. Finally, I ran the hose under the port side of the galley to terminate at a thru-hull on the transom. This latter turned out to be the hardest part of the project.
Now, the solar panel keeps the battery topped off, and I never have to worry about water in my bilge. ;)
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
Sorry, Glenn. I was not able to find the source of the Carpe Diem updates.
I don't recall ever hearing of a dedicated solar panel, battery, bilge pump before.
One caution is with the type of battery. Best would be a sealed one where no hydrogen would be venting.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Posted just yesterday on the C36IA home page is a new article, [B]Glenn Druhot's Upgrades to Carpe Diem[/B].
FYI, I used my wife's computer to get on our site last night, not signed in as a Member, and I did not see Glenn's article there (or the other new one I posted about the LED Lighting for Ritchie Compass). Signed in as a Member on my own computer this morning, both articles are plainly visible. Now that I check, again, there are NO maintenance or upgrade articles visible to non-Members on our homepage. We made a change recently, but this wasn't quite our intention. We want the Maintenance and Upgrade libraries to be accesssible to Members only, as you would expect for an association such as ours that depends on Member dues for its existence...but, we'll see.
Thanks for raising the website issue, Duane.
UPDATE: I was able to resolve this issue. Two recent Upgrade articles and one recent Maintenance article are now back on the site's Home page; but they are not, however, in what will become their final home in a month or so: the Upgrades and Maintenance sections under the Technical tab. While they are in their present location they are accessable by anyone coming to the C36IA's home page; in their final libraries, they will be accessible by Members Only...that's Association Members (capital M), not Forum members (small m). Visitors (Non-Members) should note that when they click on Upgrades or Maintenance under the Technical tab, they receive a message stating that there are no posts on those pages. This is not true; what it intends to say - but we don't know how to make it say it - is that there is a huge library of articles under Upgrades and Maintenance that are accessible by Association Members (capital M) only.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Thanks, Larry!
Glenn, I just gave a quick look at your article. You and your wife should be very proud of the many upgrades you have done. The motion detector battery light is a great idea for the head that I will likely copy.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Duane, I just LOVE that little motion detector light in the head; it produces just enough light to maneuver around during the night. I believe I found it at Lowes, it was only about $15 as I recall.
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
You had noted the motion sensor LED light some time earlier in a post. I went to Lows shortly after and serveral times since and can only find 120 volt lights. Having them for use at the dock may be handy but power consumption saved by LED's is not my biggest worry when attached to shore power. Are yours 12 Volt?
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Steve, I believe without looking, that it takes 3 double AA batteries. That's the best part, it doesn't drain any battery onboard.
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B