Tech Net L-M-N

Lanocote is a heavy, greasy, saddle soap-like product that works real well, especially outdoors, as it won't wash off in rain. Use it as a barrier coat for dissimilar metal contact. (Dyad)

Use it on props as a growth barrier.  Works well when boat is not moving for long periods of time. (Valkyrie)

Use it to cover bases of outdoor lighting fixtures. (Salty Paws)

Use it on hose clamps. Product can also be found in spray form for hard to reach places. (Trumpeter)

Use shrink tube when you can, then use Lanocote on snatch blocks. (Zaftra)

The spray is good for electrical connections. (Shamal)

(also corrosion)

Issue: Replaced the propane valve indicator with an LED, but it burned out after only a few hours.
Comments:
You must use a resister in line for LEDs. Choose a resistor value to provide desired brightness. Don't use less than 100 ohms.
It can be on either side of the LED,  positive or negative.

Issue: The individual LEDs blow out on a cluster LED replacement bulb.
Comment:
May be pushing too much voltage due to inverter waveform.

The lights in the VDO gauges use a lot of power and get hot. We changed out to LEDs.  It was trivial to do. We used four simple Christmas lights in series with a 1k resister. (Dyad)

BULBS
Doctorled.com carries a good selection.  (Discovery)

Cruisingsolutions for LEDs. Very satisfied with their service. (Celebration, Mon Amie)

Recommended: LED Wholesalers.com. They carry replacement bulbs for halogen fixtures, and replacements for MR16 bulbs. (Salty Paws)

LED replacement bulbs for G4 back-mount fixtures were purchased on e-Bay. They came to $4 each (including the shipping) opposed to $10 each at store prices. [Dec 09] (Dyad)

If you've been looking for festoon style or automotive style LED lighting, Superbrightleds carries a huge variety of styles, colors, and warm/cool choices. (Salty Paws)

FLASHLIGHTS
Hockey puck style LED flashlights. They come in sets of three and use three AAA batteries. One bulb casts enough light to get around onboard at night and batteries last 'forever' due to low energy demands. (Salty Paws)

RESOURCES
How to Connect LEDs article by Rick (C_Language)
Idiots Guide to Marine LEDs pdf download.

(also cabin lights)

FYI:  Do not allow anyone to service or reprovision your life raft if they will not allow you to watch.  

Liquid Wrench now comes in a non-volatile formula. It won't work to start an engine, but it works for all other applications. (Salty Paws)

Query: What's the advantage to cooking lobster in a pressure cooker?
Comment:
It's quicker. Use 2" of water, bring to high for 3 minutes. It's done. You can also do this with lobster straight from the freezer. It takes a little longer to cook, but no defrost is needed. (Salty Paws)

Steamed Lobster in Lemon Juice: Easy and delicious. (C_Language)
Get recipe here.

(more galley tips)

Dinghy Locks
Issue: My dinghy engine lock is a Master lock and the key is lost. If sawed, it will probably damage the dinghy.
Comments:
Carefully dremel through the lock. Protect the dinghy with a wet towel.
Freon may freeze the lock, then it can be fractured.
Drill out the space where the key goes.

Maine now requires lobstermen to use sinking lines on their gear.
This makes it so much easier to navigate as the float stays closer to it's pot. However, the float can still be pulled just under the water surface. (Salty Paws)

Issue: Concern about malaria in the Bahamas.
Comments:
Use prescribed anti-malarial meds when in an area where outbreaks have occurred.  Follow instructions.  Mosquito avoidance is best.
More info about malaria.

(also insects)

Issue: Maptech won't answer e-mail; voicemail disconnects.
Comment:
Maptech Corporation has been sold.
Details here.

VIDEO
Query: What do I need to transfer a VHS tape to a DVD?
Suggestion:
Use Dazzle hardware, USB port, and a DVD burner.

AUDIO BOOKS
Download public domain audio books for free from LibriVox.

Visit the library website where you have a local library card.  Some libraries have audio books to download/check-out for their card holders.
They have expiring DRM in 7-14 days.

A single audio file I had was 8 hours long.  I used MP3 Direct Cut, a free program, to break the file into manageable smaller files. (Dyad)
Comment:
If you ever want to reconnect them, this can be done through DOS commands. (Salty Paws)

KINDLE
Kindle is a handheld device for reading e-books and it's wifi capable. Choose books to download through Kindle or through Amazon. Free books are also available.  You can subscribe to newspapers or magazines for a small subscription rate.  Kindle also plays audio books. (Mon Amie)

Many e-books are formatted in pdf, which Kindle can read, including Jimages books.  Pdf format can be also be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free to download).

Kindle has a long battery life. (Cat Tales)

There's a free application called Kindle for PC that allows you to transfer books to your computer. (Cat Tales)
Calibre is free software that will translate books into different formats. (Solitaire)

Issue: I need a new microphone for my Icom 802.
Comments:
Look on e-Bay.
Icom 802 specifically needs an 802 microphone replacement. It's connectors are different than other Icom models.

Issue: Microphone on  Icom 710  is not producing enough volume, but the radio has a strong signal.
Comments:
Check the owners manual.
Check the pin hole on the mike for blockage.
A twist tie has a small wire that makes a good tool for that purpose.

Issue: Speakers cut out after transmission Icom 710.
Comments:
The return spring sometimes fails to push to talk; brass clip/spring breaks.
Repair the clip/spring with a wire tie as a very temporary fix; then buy a new microphone. (Shamal)

FYI: Hand held microphones have a small hole(s) on the face for transmission. If it/they are accidentally covered by fingers, it will prevent communication.The grill configuration is fake; it's just there to maintain a traditional look and feel. (C_Language)

To prevent fingers from blocking the holes:
Place small pins facing upward into the holes.
Place small, raised tubes into the holes.
Move the interior elements.
Drill channels across the holes.
Place a raised rubber/plastic dot next to the holes.

THINGS THAT WORK
Garbled transmission problem was fixed by cleaning the microphone, checking the connections, and using WD-40 on all internal connections. (Naked Lady)

(also VHF, single sideband)

Issue: Moisture intrusion in display instruments.
Suggestions:
Isolate parts to see where the problem originates.
Place the instruments in vacuum bags and suck the moisture out.
Drill a very small hole with a dremel in the front of the instrument. Place it in the sun to dry and warm it vacuum bag it, then seal the hole immediately.
Open the instrument, put a desiccant pack (silica gel) inside. Desiccant packs can be dried out; reused.

Issue: How to remove mildew from dacron sails?
Comments:
Use Oxy Clean. Mix it in a spray bottle to use. Don't scrub the sails; it can damage the material. Don't ever use bleach. Use a sponge. (Shamal)
Use gentle cleaning around stitching. (Scaramouche)

THINGS THAT WORK
Borax. One tablespoon in 1 cup of hot water removes mold, stains, etc. Also prevents new growth by changing the pH. (Salty Paws)

Attach a longer line to a mooring pennant. Use a cow hitch to connect your line through the eye of the pennant, then add a toggle, as shown here:

The toggle can be made out of anything strong and smooth.  It's purpose is to prevent the knot from tightening under heavy load so it can be removed easily.

We used this configuration while holed up for hurricane Irene.  Even taking on 50 knot gusts, the toggle still allowed for easy knot removal.

(also anchoring, seizing).

(see jumping mouse)
.

(see solar energy)
.

FYI: Muriatic acid can out-gas even when capped in storage. Can etch nearby metals.  Store outdoors. (Barefootin)

(also heads; cleaning)

Use Noalox on connections between copper and aluminum.

Noalox helps assure electrical connection between bare metals. Also good for antennas, etc. Prevents corrosion. Home Depot carries it. (Zephyr)

(also corrosion).

Query: What's their average lifespan?

Comments:
It ranges from 4-10 years.  Much depends on your cruising ground climate.
Re-torque screws after one year as they may back out a bit.

FYI: Best place to buy nylon washers is Microfasteners (800-892-6917)
(Salty Paws)