grendel Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 yes the world is full of these clever devices nowadays this is the power meter https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-DC-Watt-Meter-12v-24v-48v-Voltage-Current-Battery-Monitor-Solar-Power/254103933935?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=553443570910&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 they also do one with a shunt to read up to 100A, i recently bought usb output boards that can take just about any source and outut 5v 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Thanks for the link Peter. I had just found that supplier and they do click and collect too. Being as we live on the island at Thorpe the likes of Hermes are not very reliable. I think one of those will be going inline with our solar charger. We already have aNasa BM1 but that shows the net charge and battery %. I shall look forward to seeing the finished model. Colin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 I shall look forward to seeing the finished model. You and me both mate Griff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 The final parts have arrived for the conversion to lithium batteries, these are the low voltage alarms, basically they are set to alarm (quite noisily) if any of the batter cells drop below 3.3volts, they measure this across the individual cells of the battery, so will alarm if only one of the cells drops below optimum, normal cell voltage is 3.7v and peak is about 4.1v. I now have these, the 10 ah lithium battery (which as we have measured the load in the water at 5amps, allows for two hours continuous use flat out) running at 11.1 volts means we can retain the existing systems for speed control. The lithium battery is about 1/3 the weight of a 9ah lead acid battery, so ballast will be needed, but this can now be adjusted to trim the boat for level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upcycler Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 On 17/09/2020 at 14:49, grendel said: these are the low voltage alarms, basically they are set to alarm (quite noisily) if any of the batter cells drop below 3.3volts, they measure this across the individual cells of the battery, so will alarm if only one of the cells drops below optimum, normal cell voltage is 3.7v and peak is about 4.1v. Are these alarms a bit of an overkill for a drain on a battery, small that it is and for a model boat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 1 minute ago, Upcycler said: Are these alarms a bit of an overkill for a drain on a battery, small that it is and for a model boat? not really lithium cells do not like being over discharged, it can cause problems when you o to charge them again, these units were about £1.50 each and give an audible alarm when battery cell voltage drops below a certain value (3.3V) this gives you time to head back to shore. that and this size battery (10 Ah) is neither small nor cheap 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 So what do you do on a rainy day, obviously you make deck fittings, no way would i be able to do them in stainless steel, but i have some nice aluminium i could use, first it needed to be turned down to size from around 14mm to 10mm then mounted in a collet chuck so the other end could be brought down to size then a very slight taper was put onto the end after that it was shouldered down to 6mm and then parted off 4 are needed for the model, so I made 5, Then it was a case of over to the milling machine to put the slots in the top Then a 6mm hole in a piece of scrap aluminium, so that i could hold them to file off the short piece of waste left from parting off in the lathe the finished articles ready for the model after that it was a case of positioning them on the model ready for installation, Fortunately while on board on lads week i had taken note of where these deck fittings were situated. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 I just need to drill a 6mm hole 2mm deep into the deck to accept these fittings and then glue them in flush to the deck. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 Lovely work as ever Grendel and nice to read an update 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 well i tried fitting one in the hole in the scrap piece of aluminium to polish it on my polishing wheel, ping, it was gone into the nether regions of the workshop, so i made another 4 for model #1 and then polished them using my dremel type drill, a lot gentler. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 I had considered threading the part and making working deck fittings, but i really think that might have been a step too far (not to mention difficult) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 You mean there's no holding tank? Fresh water, diesel? You're absolutely right!!! 🙂👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnm Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Just make sure the slots are all nicely lined up fore and aft 'Bristol Fashion' to go with the raised fenders and cheesy ropes insisted on by the Griffmeister 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 39 minutes ago, johnm said: Just make sure the slots are all nicely lined up fore and aft 'Bristol Fashion' to go with the raised fenders and cheesy ropes insisted on by the Griffmeister Well, I wouldnt say all of them are aligned fore and aft. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 37 minutes ago, grendel said: Well, I wouldnt say all of them are aligned fore and aft. IMHO that would have been too over the top! Looks just right as you have done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 4 minutes ago, Happy said: IMHO that would have been too over the top! Looks just right as you have done it. thats not the model, those are the pictures i took while aboard BA so that i could position the deck fittings. I will post some as installed on the model pics later. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regulo Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 In other words, the model is better than the real thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 22 minutes ago, Regulo said: In other words, the model is better than the real thing. Not at all, mine went on the model at random orientation too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 1 hour ago, grendel said: thats not the model, those are the pictures i took while aboard BA so that i could position the deck fittings. I will post some as installed on the model pics later. My mistake! No wonder I thought the 'pump out' sign was very good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairTmiddlin Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Happy said: My mistake! No wonder I thought the 'pump out' sign was very good! That is his next Mission Impossible. Should he wish to take the task. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 The signs are the easy bit, 7mm x 5mm labels with 1mm printing, i will redo them in card before i stick them on, just like the real traffolyte labels. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted November 19, 2020 Author Share Posted November 19, 2020 and now i set my sights on the stern navigation light and the port and starboard ones, i have previously obtained some red and green LEDs, so first to make the housings, since i find stainless steel difficult to machine they are being made from 1/4" aluminium rod. this is a multi stage project, first shaping the ends on the watchmakers lathe, this is just a case of doming them over, then onto the bigger lathe to make shoulders and drill through for the lights, then its onto the mill to cut the slots for the 'glass' the rear light has 180 degree visibility, and the side lights around 90 degrees. i now need to find some 2.5mm acrylic to make the lenses, in preferably green, red and clear, after which the leds will be added. i can fit the acrylic a bit large and turn it down to fit. i cant emphasise just how small these are, so i put a ruler in shot. i do know that somewhere i have some coloured filter material, i just need to recall where it has been stored. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 I can feel a "wow" coming on 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 I'm just impressed at his having such a big Ruler! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finny Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 9 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said: I'm just impressed at his having such a big Ruler! Is it a Ruler or is a rule finny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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