Lots of little questions

[cwagne]

I have started working Miz B myself! A big Ca-ching happens when the Marine guys come out - and they don't come out when they should.

So, a few weeks ago you all helped me with a wiring diagram when I thought my electrical system was shot as the breakers kept braking. I was able to take the breakers out, drive 50 miles to a big boat guy - and he said - it's your air conditioner! Yup, rooftop air is busted.

So, called Marine fix-it guy a month ago, sure, put it in in two weeks. Four weeks later - no A/C. So - the width of one of the windows above the stairs JUST fits one of those 6000 BTU Frigidaire window units if you put it on a little box to miss the curves. Runs super quiet, plugs in up top. Ta-da!

1) Now, to my first question - when I yank out the roof-top A/C - , I am supposed to have a 14 X 14 hole. Can I install this http://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fa ... SP-28.html - vented roof-top fan, 12V - comes with a battery because I don't think the 12V wires are up there. It's 14.25 X 14.25, so a little filing, it should work, right?

2) Second question - the temp gauges downstairs don't register, on top they register perfectly. Would it be smart to assume it's the gauges and replace them? I think I can get to them in the little cover in front of the lower berths.

3) Third question - same location, the Hummingbird Depth Finder registers like 450', 500'. I think maybe someone stepped on it and it's measuring the shoreline. Can I follow the lead down to the bottom of the boat somewhere and see what the problem is?

And, I have one solution! My grinder in the potty broke and I read somewhere that a person thought it was overkill to have a grinder, etc. and to have to drag the boat down to have it pumped, etc. so he got a porta potty. Thetford has a new, really streamlined porta potty that snaps on to a floor plate, is very stable and the right height. The other potty unbolts and is one enclosed piece. So, I bundled it off the boat and stored it, just in case. The Thetford fits in the same spot and looks like the old one. So - I had one contribution to all this. http://www.thetford.com/product/porta-potti-curve/

Any and all help would be appreciated. I figure I am now about $2400.00 to the good and with a boat, that never happens. Christi

[prowlersfish]

1) You could use it although it maybe a little light duty for marine use and may not do a good job keep water out under way . Will it fit ? you got the boat so measure it and the hole and hope who ever put the AC in cut the hole square . Also make sure the surface is flat .

2) are all the lower helm gauges not working ? if so look for a power or ground issue . If its just one it could be the gauge .

3) You can look at all the connections and transducer . Best to look to Humming bird for trouble shooting

If you want a porta potie that looks like a good choice .

[cwagne]

Thanks, Prowlerfish!
The only gauges not working are temp. RPM, gas, etc all work, but it is both temp gauges - suspicious! Maybe it is a wiring problem since it's both of them. Or maybe someone knocked the sensors or whatever they are off the engines as they prowled around in that tight space.

I am asking the hatch people about the vent, but they are steady at 60 MPH, but I am almost certain they have to be closed in travel - but - 5-10 knot cruising? Still thinking on that one, but it covers the hole and would vent the boat for non-swimmers

[Big D]

What boat model are we talking about? What engines?

Have the gages ever worked for you since you owned the boat?

While some RV accessories are okay to use in a marine application, a vent hatch isn't one of them. Is this vent for the cabin top or the cockpit hardtop? There's a reason why marine hatches/portholes are expensive; they're designed to keep the water out, and by that I mean BIG water. If you're ever unfortunate enough to be caught in bad seas, you'll want one of those expensive marine hatches instead of that RV vent that will break like a twig the first time it gets hit by a wave breaking over your bow. In bad seas, that will sink your boat as you now have a big gaping hole there. If that thing breaks in an RV during a storm, no big deal, you can pull over and the worst will be the RV gets wet inside. If that breaks in a bad storm on a boat while you're on the water, you can't just pull over and you might be going down if you take on enough water. Worst case scenario? ya but sometimes the worst case happens and I'd rather be safe than sorry with my life and everyone else's on board. I'd think twice about that vent.

[cwagne]

Yipes - I'm not a big seas kinda girl but I hear you. I actually finally went with a deluxe Fantastic Fan with rain sensor and etc. You can also get a hatch cover for it, but I'm waiting. I kind of like the sun shining through although I might change my mind if I have to buy another cover..

I have a 1971 Trojan, Chrysler engines, and, no, I don't think the gauges have ever worked. Makes me nervous because if those old engines overheat, that could be big bucks! Right now someone sits up top and keeps an eye on the gauges. Since they are both non-functional down below, I'm thinking the sensors have been dislodged at the engine end. We're going to try and figure out what they look like and where they go in.

[prowlersfish]

you could swap a upper and lower gauge and see what happens , but check power and grounds first

[Big D]

I agree with Paul, check the simple things like whether they're actually hooked and there's power to them. The other possibility is that the previous owner disconnected them because the wrong senders were installed. By that I mean single station units were installed instead of dual station. This would result in a bad reading at both stations.

[cwagne]

The thing about muddling through and having no idea what one is doing - is that I never thought of swapping out the gauges I would have just bought two more and said - crap, these don't work either!! Simple solutions are so helpful, thanks!