June 3, 2016
Patience 12
Friday
I decided to mount the little solar controller near the companionway, where it’d be readily accessible for connection to the removable solar panel abovedecks, and also where I could run wiring conveniently (and out of sight) into the battery compartment for connection. After bolting the controller in place, I led wiring from the output side down behind the companionway steps and then along an existing wire run into the battery compartment, where I connected the leads to the battery terminals as required. When not in use, the connector for the solar panel could be easily tucked in behind the controller for safekeeping.
The owner requested a simple lead through the companionway for the wires, so I modified the top drop board in the companionway to accept the wire from the solar panel–it was easy to slip in and out on its way down to the controller, but allowed the sliding hatch to cover the opening.
With other work in the cabin complete, I installed the new cabin sole panels, and cleaned up any final remnants of the project.
Finally, I masked off and painted the bottom, completing the new appearance, and completing the project.
Total time billed on this job today: 4.25 hours
0600 Weather Observation:
56°, fog and clouds, light drizzle. Forecast for the day: cloudy, maybe a shower, 60s