Folk Dancer 27
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July 1, 2004
Just thought I'd mention that the company I work for, InforME, just launched the new and improved Maine.gov website. As the lead designer for the redesign of the State portal, there were hours upon hours of work put in to make it all happen. If you get a chance, take a look and let us know what you think. We appreciate your input.
As I've mentioned, there are a number of parts on Gandalf that need to be replaced. If I had the money and the time I'd redo at least 75% of all the systems. Right now I'm focusing on the essentials. This morning I got up early and went over to Gowen Marine to pick up the parts I'd ordered. I got a new ignition switch, impeller, gasket, 15W40 diesel motor oil.
After that I went over to West Marine to return a bilge pump I bought the week earlier and pick up some navigation lights and a 12 cigarette lighter adapter for the handheld VHF and cell phone. The reason I brought back the bilge pump, which I was told by a West Marine sales person was fully automatic and just what I was looking for, was because it was exactly what I was not looking for. Keep in mind I explained that my sailboat was up the coast, a 3 hour drive away from where I leaved and that I wasn't going to be able to look after her for a week. So I explained that I'd need a pump that would activate only if water was in the bilge. Since I don't have a solar panel or any other means to keep the batteries charged, I needed a pump that wouldn't seriously put a drain on them. The pump I was told to buy was the 500Gph, Automatic 12V Bilge Pump from Rule Industries. At the time I bought the pump I was in a hurry and trusted the advise of the sales person. I didn't read the product information that stated this state of the art pump had "an internal computer chip (that) cycles these pumps on every 2.5 minutes." Since I didn't know how much water Gandalf might take in while sitting up in Brooklin, I thought I get a pump that came on only if water was present, NOT COME ON EVERY 2.5 MINUTES! I'm not a rocket scientist but if it rained a couple days and water came in from the cockpit hatch as I found it does, my batteries would be spent. I'm not sure for whom these automatic "every 2.5 minutes cycle on" bilge pumps are. I guess if your half sinking, half million yacht, attached a power outlet at your slip in your private yacht club, than it makes sense to have one of these pumps. Why would your half million dollar yacht be half sunk? Anyhow, I don't make pumps or have the slightest idea of the advances in bilge pump technology, but my gut feeling was it's not a good idea to have anything, especially something like a pump which can potential draw a lot of power off your battery, come on every couple of minutes.
Okay, on the the new running lights I bought. I was going to replace the port and starboard running lights with the same type that are there, but decided to spend a little more money and get some of the new LED lights. They are suppose to use only 1/10 the power and last up to 5 years. I'm going to try and install them Saturday morning along with the ignition switch and impeller. We'll see how it goes. It's getting exciting.
