Search results

  1. tpenfield

    How do I get that last inch?

    Bunk trailers have a tendency for the boat to 'pull-away' from the bow stop as the boat/trailer are pulled up the ramp. This happens because with the trailer on the ramp and the boat still floating, the hull contacts the forward part of the bunks. As the boat comes out of the water...
  2. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    BTW - if you want to check out the DIY solar forum ( https://diysolarforum.com ) there are a few not-so-kind posts about the CHINS batteries.
  3. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    Those voltage readings look a bit suspect. It will be interesting to see what you get with the batteries at their 'resting' voltage (charger disconnected) after a day or 2 of charging. Those are 50 Ah batteries, IIRC, so they should charge in a day or so. I know my AGM batteries, which were...
  4. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    @alldodge - temporary oak spars, part of the finishing touches will be to replace with 2x lumber when I true-up the uprights. @redneck joe - Snow maybe in January . . .
  5. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    And so it begins . . . I built the gantry over the past few days. I was initially thinking about a 10 foot tall structure, but I went with 12 feet tall just to make sure the engines would clear the deck. Doing so, I up-scaled the top beam material to 2x12's and everything else is 2x6. Of...
  6. tpenfield

    1995 Chaparral 2550 SX Refit and Restoration

    Nice video . . . What time of year was that? The place looked deserted . . .
  7. tpenfield

    Is this engine oil good?

    Here is the rear labeling . . .
  8. tpenfield

    Trailer Load musings

    IIRC, my sailboat trailer had passenger tires . . . not a heavy boat . . . around 2K lbs.
  9. tpenfield

    Trailer Load musings

    Interesting article/video. . . . My triple axle trailer is torsion style, but not much that I'm going to do about it. :LOL:
  10. tpenfield

    Trailer Load musings

    Doing some quick math on the actual load vs. 100% of trailer capacity . . . I should inflate my trailer tires to 70 psi . . . (I'll do that . . . they are currently about 60 psi vs. 80 psi max rating)
  11. tpenfield

    Bellow condition??

    @Wave34 . . . the sight of your bellows makes me feel a whole lot better about the ones on my boat. Those bellows scream borrowed time. :oops::eek:
  12. tpenfield

    IBEX 2025

    An IBEX is where Scott goes each year in the Fall :LOL:
  13. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    Sort of like this . . . . :ROFLMAO:
  14. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    Are these what you got? . . Picture sort of looks like 2 x the 50 Ah battery . . . Are they both dead?
  15. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    Running 2 LFP batteries of different Ah ratings are 'outside' of general best practices and manufacturer recommendations. Not sure if the BMS within the batteries are going to like that. . . probably not. A few pictures of the batteries and your set-up may help us better understand what you...
  16. tpenfield

    Trailer Load musings

    As for musings . . . My Tri-axle trailer's tongue weight is at 9%, which I think is a bit on the high side for a 3-axle set-up. Maybe 7% would be better. I have thought about some re-engineering, but there is not much wiggle room of the bow-stop, axles, bunks, etc. I did approximate that...
  17. tpenfield

    boat trailer calipers vs auto

    Fresh water should be fine. You can always test the brakes (disc brakes) by disconnecting the electrical to the trailer and backing up a slight grade. Probably a good thing to do now & then, if you don't trailer often. The tandem trailer that I had for my 24 footer had a great set of brakes ...
  18. tpenfield

    Charging a LiFePO4 via an Inverter

    Sorry to be late to the party . . What is powering the inverter? (Engine battery(ies) ? I assume because of the mention of a Suzuki) Is this a one-time need, or will it be on-going? If a continuous need, I'm with @bruceb58 on this . . . get a DC-DC charger. My 'rule of thumb' is to stay...
  19. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    Most LFP batteries do. Brand and Ah rating? Got any pics to share?
  20. tpenfield

    boat trailer calipers vs auto

    Did you find the Kodaguard held up better? I dunk in salt water a couple time a year. After a couple of years, the HydraStar calipers were not having it.
Top