24 Mar Back to Japan
Back to Japan
March 24, 2011
Note from Don: Go to “DON’S LOG” for additional articles regarding preparing for our passage to Hawaii:
“Getting Ready for the Passage to Honolulu” (1 February)
“Stretching the Fuel Range to Cross the Pacific” (9 March)
We are packing our duffel bags for the return to Japan on 29 March.
We anticipate that our departure from Japan will be around April 6 (?)
Survival suits, tiedown straps, etc.
Frequency drive, 10,000rpm angle grinder w/airhose
What have I forgotten to include in my spares?
1. I am assuming that our Naiad stabilizers will be getting the hardest workout since we started running Starr eleven years ago.
Current stabilizer spares already on board include: spare hydraulic ram, spare hydraulic pump, spare hoses and parker reusable fittings plus extra bits and pieces.
Today I will add to the kit a spare potentiometer and a replacement Datum display/ control module.
The potentiometer is critical to the system as it sends the fin position information to the brain box.
The wheelhouse Datum control module has only been known to fail very infrequently.
We will also back up the database in our current module, something we haven’t done in the past.
2. A 4” pneumatic air angle grinder with plenty of hose, and ten 4” cut-off wheels to be used underwater to cut away ropes or cables, or whatever might be fowling the prop or running gear. I am also bringing an underwater camera so I can photograph a problem under the boat, if I might need some time to find a solution.
3. Tie-down ratchet straps and bands for securing the fuel tanks on the back deck.
4. Two new survival suits, plus replacement inflatable life vests to replace defective ones on the four survival suits already on board.
5. A spare 8-port USB to RS232 Adapter, to be used as back up to the current SeaLevel USB to Serial Adapter. This adapter is critical to the operation of the Nav computer. We do have four back-up Nav and communication computers. Excessive?
6. A YASKAWA Frequency drive unit, as back-up to the Fuji AF-300-P11 which drives the engine room blower. These units do have a limited life span and ours is ten years old.
7. A whole lot of various spare gaskets, light bulbs, propane hoses, etc. You name it.
Won’t the customs guys have fun with all of this?
Don
March 24, 2011
Note from Don: Go to “DON’S LOG” for additional articles regarding preparing for our passage to Hawaii:
“Getting Ready for the Passage to Honolulu” (1 February)
“Stretching the Fuel Range to Cross the Pacific” (9 March)
We are packing our duffel bags for the return to Japan on 29 March.
We anticipate that our departure from Japan will be around April 6 (?)
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What have I forgotten to include in my spares?
1. I am assuming that our Naiad stabilizers will be getting the hardest workout since we started running Starr eleven years ago.
Current stabilizer spares already on board include: spare hydraulic ram, spare hydraulic pump, spare hoses and parker reusable fittings plus extra bits and pieces.
Today I will add to the kit a spare potentiometer and a replacement Datum display/ control module.
The potentiometer is critical to the system as it sends the fin position information to the brain box.
The wheelhouse Datum control module has only been known to fail very infrequently.
We will also back up the database in our current module, something we haven’t done in the past.
2. A 4” pneumatic air angle grinder with plenty of hose, and ten 4” cut-off wheels to be used underwater to cut away ropes or cables, or whatever might be fowling the prop or running gear. I am also bringing an underwater camera so I can photograph a problem under the boat, if I might need some time to find a solution.
3. Tie-down ratchet straps and bands for securing the fuel tanks on the back deck.
4. Two new survival suits, plus replacement inflatable life vests to replace defective ones on the four survival suits already on board.
5. A spare 8-port USB to RS232 Adapter, to be used as back up to the current SeaLevel USB to Serial Adapter. This adapter is critical to the operation of the Nav computer. We do have four back-up Nav and communication computers. Excessive?
6. A YASKAWA Frequency drive unit, as back-up to the Fuji AF-300-P11 which drives the engine room blower. These units do have a limited life span and ours is ten years old.
7. A whole lot of various spare gaskets, light bulbs, propane hoses, etc. You name it.
Won’t the customs guys have fun with all of this?
Don
Bob Armstrong
Posted at 11:41h, 26 MarchHello Don,
Thank you for the frequent updates on your friends in Japan, it really helps to hear first hand what the people are going through via the letters you share with us.
Since reading how you solved your fuel storage /bladder situation I have been seeing the very same containers that you will carry your fuel in being put to use at the Marine Group shipyard in San Diego. As you may know they have the second largest Travel Lift in the world (600 tons) and haul out some very large yachts. They use the containers for storing fuel, coolant, etc offloaded from these yachts. Your idea of using the container as apposed to the standard cumbersome bladder is brilliant!
All the best to you and Sharri, be safe and I am looking forward to the next update.
Bob Armstrong