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  1. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    Most LFP batteries do. Brand and Ah rating? Got any pics to share?
  2. 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.
  3. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    @redneck joe , About the LiFePO4 battery . . . > Brand and Amp-hour rating? > With nothing connected and no charging, are you getting any voltage reading from the battery (use a DVM to test it). > A charger with "0Volt charging" may be needed to bring them back to life. . . it looks like the...
  4. tpenfield

    boat trailer calipers vs auto

    My trailer has HydraStar brake calipers on all 6 wheels. According to the manufacturer's information - the piston, the mounting bolts, and slide bushings are stainless steel. The caliper bodies are "Dacromet" coated for rust protection, but I have found that they rust regardless, and the brake...
  5. tpenfield

    projects other than boats

    I'm enjoying seeing folks projects. . . Here is my current project: Hardwood flooring. . . . . It has been about 25 years since I installed hardwood flooring. I had forgotten how much work it is. Fortunately this stuff is pre-finished. In total it is about 725 Sq. Ft of flooring.:oops...
  6. tpenfield

    Seafoam vs. Marine Pro Seafoam

    I've always liked Mercury Power Tune over Sea Foam . . . it seems a lot stronger in terms of carburetor cleaning and combustion chamber cleaning
  7. tpenfield

    Where are the shutoff valves?

    The pump should prime itself from the water tank.
  8. tpenfield

    1979 Cobalt 18DV w/ MerCruiser 260 and Alpha 1 - No Raw water to engine

    I am wondering if there are additional clogs further along the intake line (hose). If you press a garden hose turned on about 1/2 way into the bell housing fitting, I am wondering if you will get the same trickle of flow up to the t-stat housing? You mentioned an oil cooler . . . I am...
  9. tpenfield

    Solar charging batteries

    I've learned a few things the hard way over the past few years with solar and LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries. - Expect about 65% of the rated watt output from a solar panel . . . A 5 watt panel is not going to charge a decent sized battery any time soon (weeks). Since LFP batteries can take a lot of...
  10. tpenfield

    Where are the shutoff valves?

    I've owned 2 boats with water systems . . . no shut off valves. the only thing you might find with valves are the lines to/from the engine to the water heater (if it has one). If your pressure pump runs continuously, it may be broken or leaking, as AD stated. Most boat water systems operate...
  11. tpenfield

    225BR hull construction vs. engine size... any differences?

    KDAT plywood (i.e. treated) started to be used in the early 2000's. I did notice that the stringer grid was attached to the hull with chopper gun mat rather than biaxial cloth.
  12. tpenfield

    Ooo! Sparkly! Redfury's Grinding again!

    Great to see one of the early members (2006) back. (y)
  13. tpenfield

    225BR hull construction vs. engine size... any differences?

    Don't read too much into it in terms of build quality . . . I like to search for factory tour videos to gain insight into a particular brand's build process. I found this one. . .
  14. tpenfield

    Connect alternator outputs of two motors to battery bank

    Might be a stator (on the small OB) vs. an alternator on the larger OB. It would be best to have a battery isolator in between.
  15. tpenfield

    225BR hull construction vs. engine size... any differences?

    Doubtful that Crownline or other manufacturers do differently on the hull layup per engine option. If a 7.4L was not offered on that model, then it might be a force fit. I agree w/ Scott on a 6.2 vs. the 7.4L
  16. tpenfield

    Starting Issue: 2017 Chaparral Sunesta 244

    I'm going to move this to the Mercruiser forum . . . (for now)
  17. tpenfield

    Trailer Tongue Too Long?

    Extended tongues are often used for sailboat launching. Usually the tongue extension is done at/near the ramp just before launching.
  18. tpenfield

    Trailer Tongue Too Long?

    I'm 4 years into my 37 foot trailer. I only tow it a couple time a year, but learning to make more subtle moves on the steering wheel, which is helping immensely.
  19. tpenfield

    Trailer Tongue Too Long?

    Learn to back up. . . The tongue weight will go up if you shorten the tongue. Not sure if the hinge will be OK with that. It may also prompt you to make other changes for weight balance. Could be a can of worms.
  20. tpenfield

    Happy birthday Bob_VT!

    Happy Birthday Bob! 🎂🎁
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