Spring14 Miles

Last week I was tasked on a DPH drive service. The drive turned out to have water in the oil and bellows. I learned how to pressure and vacuum test the drive and make the necessary repairs. I also had the opportunity to drive a boat with Volvo's new IPS system on it, familiarizing myself with the all in one joystick control. It is an impressive system and the experience will help me in future situations guaranteed. More basic info on the IPS system here and here:

w: 36
t: 69

It might go fast......

Understanding diodes

Spring14 Miles

Last week we started class again studying electronics. We diagnosed a handful of test boards for voltage drops, opens, and shorts. I really began to understand diagnosing for shorts and how I can use an amp clamp to find them. At work, I mounted a nifty outboard bracket for a customer along with a skag pad on the deck. 

w: 33

t: 33

Laying out position of outboard bracket.

Bracket mounted with port hole to access the carriage bolt nuts. 

Test board results

Winter14 Miles

Last week I serviced my first Onan genset and v8 8.2 liter four stroke Detroits. As stated many times before, I really like familiarizing myself with engines and equipment I haven't worked around before. It's always a learning experience. I also have been doing a lot of parts locating and cross referencing. In the case of the picture below, I was unable to locate the paper gasket I needed for a Sureflow seawater pump in a reasonable amount of time so I just carefully traced and cut out a custom gasket. And of course, it didnt leak ;)

w: 38

t: 415.5

Winter14 Miles

Last week I did some odds and ends on a boat we have been working on for a while. I fabricated and mounted a bilge pump float switch, plumbed and wired the bilge pump and installed an additional Rule switch for it on the dash. Also on the same boat, I diagnosed a malfunctioning bilge pump. I had to trace wires back to rats nest of butt connectors then proceeded to fix the problem by running a new section of wire, eliminating the unnecessary connectors and incorrect wiring. On the same boat, I learned more about servicing Volvo DPH sterndrives and the different malfunctions that can occur and what causes them.

w: 35.5

t: 377.5

Winter14 Miles

Last week, consisted of basic maintenance projects on a couple different boats. One piece of maintenance I did on a sail boat was replacing the shaft strut. It was a simple but new procedure to me. The Port purchased a larger travelift (105 ton) and was delivered last week. Here is the link to an article from the Skagit Valley Herald: http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/marina-s-weight-limit-lifted/article_41457c33-fb17-5b48-85af-f13446edcd31.html   

w: 32

t: 342

Finishing taping off for fresh caulk around the windows

Winter14 Miles

Last week I was able to practice load testing batteries like we learned in school. It always nice to put the things I learned in class to use in the industry. I also helped hook up a new Volvo in a sport fishing boat. I specifically hooked up the power steering system and was able to familiarize myself with the plumbing of that system. I also modified the raw water pickup circuit to have a sea strainer integrated into it. 

w: 34.5

t: 314

Load testing 8D's

Sea strainer I mounted, plumbed and grounded.