Quarter-ton of lead to add lifeboat ballast, and new USBs. Expedition lifeboat conversion Ep104 [4K]

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EPISODE 104
Alan was rated to weigh up to 12 tons. Stripped out he was only 2, maybe 2.5. This means he sits, even with added equipment and ballast, too high in the water, which makes sea handling worse than necessary. So, I've got hold of yet more ballast - lead this time - to add. But I'm still looking for more. I'd like Alan to travel at a good 4-4.5 tons 'fighting weight'.
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!
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[@MarkInArizona]

Go make a visit of the various automobile (or semi-truck) tire shops near yourself. Lots of removed lead wheel "balancing" weights sitting in 5-gallon buckets that are a headache for them to dispose of. Usually free for the asking. You can pack them into really small areas easily. And can be easily removed to facilitate space access later.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Interesting

[@PsRohrbaugh]

​@@AlexHibbertOriginalsin the states, this is how my friend makes his own bullets. He gets used tire weights, melts them down, and casts bullets by the hundreds. Then he loads them into shells with powder etc.

[@SEKCobra]

In this episode: Smelting Lead from tire weights

[@Jehty_]

​​​@@AlexHibbertOriginalsLead weights have been banned in the EU for almost two decades. So I assume that the only ones you probably would find in any quantity are made out of Zinc.

[@Pathfinderxr]

​@Jehty21 I didn't think about that. They're still heavy though 👍

[@PsRohrbaugh]

2:21 Alan is three times a gentleman.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Ha!

[@raymondfox1444]

Try steel ball shot used in the shot blasting industry. It comes in nylon bags and forms to the shape of the hole and its VERY heavy.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers - the cost per kilo looks better than I've seen from other sources.

[@Leightr]

Lead shot is also available, though I don't know how available in the UK., edit: Ah, I see someone else in the comments already pointed that out.

[@The_Duck_Pond]

The return of sparks … well at least one spark. What about lead shot shell pellets? Priced above scrap but they would conform to any shape and with a stronger Hoover could be vacuumed out in times of repair and desperation.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Next time, I promise!

[@thecompactworkshop6883]

Hi Alex, If your looking for a quick hack to change the depth of your jigsaw blade depth; you could attach a block of wood to the base of your jigsaw to minimise the blade cutting depth. Hope it might help save you a journey in the future.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers. I find that you get knocking from the blade's end though.

[@philgray3443]

Good idea for future problem. I need to cut within a short gap to my hull. No room to get that wrong.

[@evangatehouse5650]

(1) if you ever use bigger lead ingots, drill and tap each chunk of lead to thread an eyebolt in to it for future lifting (if the lead is too heavy or awkward to get hands around and lift out) (2). If you do seal in some steel/cement, seal with epoxy resin. Do it in 3 layers because pinholes will occur with each layer. Because if water gets to the steel it will rust. And then expand. Then bust the seal letting in more water. So you need to really seal it well. (3) oscillating multitools are very handy for cutting fiberglass or wood without sending dust in all directions like a grinder. Slower but a bit more controlled.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

That much bulk epoxy is an exotherm issue,but the principle I agree with!

[@evangatehouse5650]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Hmm, I meant a few thin layers of epoxy to seal the ballast not a thick pour to secure it. Mechanically fasten with some cross bars. etc

[@modernwoodboatbuilding]

Would a deep pour epoxy be suitable? I've seen guys use it to build tables.

[@evangatehouse5650]

@@modernwoodboatbuilding Yes, but lots of $$ to do it. If the goal is to encapsulate to prevent rust then a thin coating of epoxy is fine. If the epoxy is the only way to restrain this ballast, then yes you could do this. But you are NEVER getting it out short of a pneumatic chisel or jackhammer.

[@hurdurdur7rl696]

Nice jeans. And good work on the boat.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers

[@ManxAndy]

Ahh…..a Sunday evening perusal around Alan….👍👌🇮🇲

[@willcharlt1993]

The propeller shaft gland is the word you're looking for. "Stern tubes" are what submarines have for torpedo.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Don't give me (Alan) ideas...

[@teeanahera8949]

Alan is getting torpedoes. For those pesky icebergs……

[@skaraborgcraft]

Er no. Shaft glands are what goes on each end of a "stern tube", which is what the propellor shaft runs in. If it was a wooden boat, the stern tube itself would be running through a "shaft log". People will understand if he calls it the white pipe with the propeller shaft inside. Its called a stern tube because that is where the propeller is on most boats, at the stern/back/aft end. Has nothing to do with submarine "torpedo tubes" wether at the bow or stern.

[@realsonnysullivan]

what skara said.

[@richardzehrung9776]

Gland goes at the end of the stern tube.

[@lesbutler5458]

Air conditioners are useful in winter also. For conditioning the air.

[@ptonpc]

I was thinking that, keeping the interior air dry.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

It's huge and bulky if just to be used in that mode.

[@jabjab1010]

I have removed foam at this level and you did it the right way. . .cut igloo blocks (I think you know how to do that) to get them out, and then grind the rest out (or not). Good work here.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

It's never dust free, but yep it worked. Plus many blocks are large enough to be reused.

[@barclayhamer8777]

My first thought for the nut access would be to bond in some of that pvc black tube around them. Then you can access with a socket and also fill around. Another vote for shot pellets here too.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I considered that, but any fail in the seal and it would flood - a nightmare to dry out.

[@Pathfinderxr]

Good song that.. "ive had the same jeans on, for four days now" 😂

[@zolar7a]

"Stern tube" is the term you're looking for. You could also call it a "Shaft log" and boat people would know what you're talking about.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Pipe it is!

[@willcharlt1993]

The propeller gland is the word you're looking for. "Stern tubes" are what submarines have for torpedo.

[@ptonpc]

It's all progress. Nice to see the mini grinder is still giving good service. No I don't have any meaningful comments, it's for the rhythm of algo.

[@machinist5828]

A friend of mine always mounts a cheap rechargeable flashlight and charger in his boxes when possible. Its always there when the fuse blows. Cheers Terry from South Carolina USA

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers - yes I have a couple of mini PIR magnet LED lights in my electrics box.

[@Carsonktm420]

A bit of ply under the jig saw

[@MrButtonpresser]

Some say it’s just a load of old ballast. I found it quite interesting.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Take a look at the manual for the air conditioner. Many models need oil lubrication. The oil is mixed with the refrigerant. The units are designed to be vertical with the pump at the bottom. Your unit is laying on its side. If the model needs the pump to be lubricated, laying down would result in the pump not having sufficient lubrication. Worthwhile to check even if you are intending to sell this, better to be able to show that the unit is still working.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I've never run it, but will let it sit upright and rest for a few days, then test it.

[@SYKOMORF]

Worked for tyre shops.all weights removed are thrown away,and new ones charged for ... obviously.lol.

[@djcishere]

Hey Alex, Love the work you put into this. I just find it amusing that in how ever many thousands of years into the future, human beings are no longer here, and aliens are gonna rock up and find this weird orange floaty thing with the name Alan in immaculate condition somewhere on the planet :D Everything you do to him is to the extreme and you should be way proud!

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

A thousand year Alan. 😐

[@chrislaunders8283]

Fix everything in with spray foam, will hold everything but can be easily dug out.

[@chadstinson9886]

I have the flu so not much to comment but I thought I should say something because it helps so here it is.

[@pjjarmain4475]

Mate, never lay an air con on it's side like that. The compressor inside comes off of it's springs and causes the unit to sound like a bus motor

[@PsRohrbaugh]

This is true. It's also worth mentioning that the unit should sit upright for a few hours before being used, to allow the oil to settle inside the compressor.

[@MrJimbomanx]

Might be worth putting Duralac Anti-Corrosive Jointing Compound on the bolt heads to reduce likelihood of any galvanic corrosion from having different grades of metal close together

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yep that's good stuff

[@jackfntwist]

fill it with GOLD, baby - Austin Powers accent. LOL

[@VanskyAlleria]

I love it, a hoover. :D We called it the same thing in South Africa, but here in the USA of course, it's just a shop vac.

[@monami5201]

If you have a keel you can unbolt, why not put the extra ballast outside between the keel and the hole. The ballest will be lower and have mire effect. The only disadvantage is that you will have to shape the ballest for it to sit along the length of the keel.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

The keel is glassed in and part of the shell.

[@teeanahera8949]

There can’t be an external keel, as such, because of the need to keep the hull’s ability to ride up when the sea freezes over, at least I think that’s the principle. Anything that can get broken off or caught in a freezing sea is to be avoided.

[@wilgarcia1]

I wonder if someone will invent a Lead epoxy to fill the very bottoms of hulls with. Make it heavy and strong.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

You can fill casting epoxy with lead powder or steel powder, but it would be exceptionally expensive.

[@teeanahera8949]

Of course lead based paints have been banned in most countries. Pretty nasty stuff to let loose in the environment.

[@evangatehouse5650]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals It the 1970s lots of sailboats had internal fixed ballast of "boiler punchings" and polyester resin mix. Boiler punchings are little coin shaped pieces of thick steel from the manufacturing of boilers. Cheapest is cement by a large margin.

[@pepperspray7386]

an interesting problem to have when one's boat floats too good.

[@itsConflan]

AC units double as a air dehumidifier so might be worth keeping around

[@PsRohrbaugh]

Personally I find the idea of you crossing the arctic circle with air conditioning on board amusing.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

You've already got a heater for crossing the equator.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Certainly ready for all eventualities Paul.

[@louisfkoorts5590]

🔰 - A torque tube - 4.27 minutes in A system with a stationary housing around the drive shaft, often used in automobiles ... For instance a Unimog (Mercedes Benz) Then again. Maybe this is not true in this instance. Because in the case of Allan's current "propshaft pipe", it is perhaps just a shaft cover or tube. 🤔

[@teeanahera8949]

When you need to link to a particular second of the video just use a colon instead of the full stop between the minutes and the seconds. It then becomes a hot link.😊

[@jonflanagin6682]

Maybe to late , but think about PVC around your bolts in the prop shaft area then epoxy and lead shot for ballast.

[@SYKOMORF]

Wheel balance weights... every garage has buckets of old ones..cut off the steel tabs and chuck em in. Will be like gravel...you can put a pipe in to drain it occasionally.and when you need access,just take em out.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Apparently they aren't lead any longer.

[@salamander5703]

Zinc ones might still be useful as its nearly same density as steel, 2/3 density of lead. The ones on my car don't seem to corrode even in wintery salted roads. and they would be free!!@@AlexHibbertOriginals

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Wouldn't garages sell them for scrap if the quantities are that high?

[@robertscholz4486]

Just a suggestion ... why not make a plaster casting of the bilge section in question, then adjust the shape and make a mold. You can then use the mold for a hot pour of the lead in the predefined shape to perfectly fit the space (add rebar loop to lift out of the way for maintenance on the bolts below). Due to the density of the lead you will likely need less of it than the concrete and steel.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

That would undeniably work, but the cost of materials and time would be vast. I don't have any of the gear/consumables needed to do it, so would need to buy it all.

[@dancarter482]

_excellent!_ ~ Substitute plaster with silicone. Get some cheap sockets to fix to the nuts so they are protected and ready for adjustment.

[@RandomNooby]

I used just over 1/2 a ton of lead carbon batteries in mine for ballast with a nice energy storage bonus, just a thought...

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I'm not sure where I'd fit any more!

[@greentoast9125]

You could mix in some lead shot into the cement too

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Or steel shot. Yep.

[@busslayer4790]

Maybe sandbags would be useful as ballast. Cheap, conforms to shapes and can be removed relatively easily. Not as dense as metals, but it would fill up spaces without leaving gaps.

[@teeanahera8949]

Lots of media have been extensively discussed. I think sand just doesn’t have enough mass for its volume and there’s the problem of water ingress. Wet bags of sand would be a mould problem.

[@Pathfinderxr]

Im also in the market for masses of ballast 😊. Ive just bought a very similar lifeboat, but the 29hp bukh version. Mines a hatecke. Ballast is what im most concerned about as i need to fit under certain bridges 😂. We'll figure it out ....

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Try eBay for job lots of spare steel bar, or scrap lead from the fishing boat industry.

[@Pathfinderxr]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals brilliant thanks for the response. I'll be following you closely. Wish me luck 🫡 cheers ...

[@LorenTedford]

Rather than steel why not use 48v 100ah Lifepoe4 batteries let's say a bank of 16 or so high. This way you can have as much energy as you would ever want plus the added weight would be used to help with Ballast. Also if that isn't enough you could always install two fresh water 100 gallon tanks and with an electric water filtration unit you could fill the tanks while under way etc. I do understand the steel / lead is the cheapest way of doing things at the immediate moment but in the end does it really come out cheaper?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Water isn't dense enough and lithium batts are crazy expensive and not that heavy. Even lead acid would be tricky as I'd still need access and a complex BMS.

[@davidsachs4883]

I’ve Never crushed lead foil, however compared to hammering it, it seems driving over it, crushing it with the car’s tire seems like it would have been easier

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I tried that, but it kept moving the lead instead of climbing on top. And I risked damaging the bodywork of the hire car.

[@davidsachs4883]

Thank you It’s better to learn from another’s mistake then to repeat it yourself

[@gordonbradford4054]

Be aware those new USB sockets are switched off when not illuminated. I had a problem wondering why there was no power to one in my MoHo until I realised it was switched off!!

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yes indeed. Cheers.

[@Will-Parr]

I know how he feels.

[@sirkyoj1]

I kind of feel like you did need the safety specs. You ever get dust in your eye when crawling under a table?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Alan is a dust free zone. Clinically clean. Nah, I do wear them sometimes...

[@PsRohrbaugh]

Remember that fuel tanks slosh. You can have some nasty situations arise where the slosh matches the rolling of the waves. This can actually sink tanker vessels, but even on a craft like Alan it could be unpleasant. One of the solutions are fuel bladders. Just something to keep in mind when getting Alan tanked.

[@teeanahera8949]

Did you listen to this episode where Alex mentioned moving Alan’s fuel bladder out and getting under the area to place the lead? Previous episodes have shown the bladders and discussed them in some detail.

[@realsonnysullivan]

there was also that episode with the tank baffles to control the free surface effect in tanks.

[@Ruairi.C]

Im never a lover of "useless balast" Would it be more usefull to get batteries or ancor chain into spaces? Does the same job as the balast and has another use.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

In principle I agree with you, but in both of these zones I won't have access, so don't want anything there I need to maintain.

[@pidogs]

The voiceover in the episode sounded weird again. I did some looking and it looks like the audio only on the voice over is doubled and offset by only 7-8 milliseconds = 0.008 seconds. I hope this helps with future episodes.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I really don't understand this. It's just a straight forward track, with a little gain and a little bass. There's no doubling up. What might cause a tiny offset? Also, it sounds fine to me.

[@pidogs]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals I wonder if the microphone is being recorded in stereo and then being mixed down to mono but one of the tracks is being offset for some reason. Are you listening with speakers or headphones? What microphone are you using?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

It's an SM7B with mono output. I mix in Audacity and just create a stereo from the mono, then a tiny bass tweak. I listen on headphones and my home hifi to check the noise floor sounds ok. I just can't hear the issue you describe. Maybe the bass boost sounds like non synced channels? The channels are perfectly synced in Audacity.

[@pidogs]

Very strange. Maybe it is just my setup. Although Ep103 voiceovers sound fine. If you don't mind me asking more questions what ADC (the xlr to USB) are you using?

[@teeanahera8949]

Sounded perfect to me on an iPad.

[@monami5201]

Sorry should say keel and hull, not hole.

[@lutomson3496]

steel is going to rust...especially with contact with cement

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Steel's been reinforcing concrete/cement for a very long time!

[@elliot999]

Why not add a bunch more lead acid car batteries? Increase your electrical range should you ever need the electric propulsion.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

That would be a clever investment, but the bilges aren't large enough, so I'd eat into currently apportioned space, and I'd need to keep maintenance access, so they couldn't go below fuel tanks.

[@Leightr]

Ah, someone else who uses the word "yoink"

[@skf957]

Genuine question: Does the removal of foam and the addition of steel/lead impinge on the unsinkable-ness of Alan?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

A little. But the % of foam removed is probably single digits.

[@JG-hi6by]

Why not Lead shot?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Steel grit is a lot cheaper, so a density/cost question.

[@WikkedDonkE]

You should just add 67 people.

[@teeanahera8949]

Brilliant! 😂

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

This is the sort of common sense I try to foster on this channel. Bravo.

[@gafrers]

Always improving and tinkering. Great 👍👍 I do prefer Real Alex to Voice-over Alex...sorry 🤣🤣

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers! It's a win-win for me I guess. VOs really are to tighten up the episodes, as in so many videos, KZbinrs spend 90% of the time speaking to the camera whilst nothing is being done.

[@gafrers]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Tis a joke. You are absolutely right

[@Easy-Eight]

It's *my* fault that Alan does not have all stainless steel fittings. I confess my sins.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Don't let Alan bully you into self-admonishment. Cheers.

[@benderbender1233]

✌😎

[@d.p.2680]

Why reuse the plywood, instead of just cast in concrete. A boat are not unpleasant when rolling because of how much it rolls, but because of how fast it rolls, to much weight in the bottom will not roll slower, more like a childrens cup, it's better to have the weight distribution all over the boat, also why old wooden fishing boats are more pleasant than modern ones.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

The ply and vinyl provides the flat surface and moisture seal. Agreed on the roll dynamics. Alan is stable already and I'll add to that, but the frequency of roll is to be reduced by passive stabilisation. This ballast is merely to set Alan lower in the water closer to his specification.

[@JonMadsen70]

:)

[@outlawflyer7868]

Don't be stupid with your health. Whenever you cut into ANYTHING, wear a respirator.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I just scared the living daylights out of my neighbour. I was cutting courgettes in my kitchen, following your advice, and then forgot to remove it when taking my bins out.

[@outlawflyer7868]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Sure you did but hey. it's your health. Fuk the world for caring.

[@ysesq]

dumbness this episode - putting ballast and wasting space instead of lifepo4 packs, putting a AC unit instead of a 12v DC reverse cycle HVAC, not fixing a leak, cutting without n95 mask, raw unencapsulated lead bashed with a hammer and dumped in the boat, spaghetti wiring.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Your grammar could do with some attention this time around.

[@ysesq]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals true. but you try typing on your phone with one hand with your head stuck inside a 600V transformer cabinet. at least the wifi works underground.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Sounds rather dumb.

[@teeanahera8949]

You know that Alan is designed to take 68 people, I think. Alan is high in the water because 67 more would be a pain. There are life jackets but rumour has it that they’re not so good at emulating 68 people. Had you watched the episode you would have been overcome with relief with the knowledge that the air con unit is not being installed. You would have also learned that the leak has a future with a fix planned. Alex doesn’t have all his tools etc right now and a few drops of water over a voyage all the way to Scotland is not going to sink the boat. An N95 is essential for avoiding Covid but overkill for a bit of plywood cutting. Spaghetti wiring! Well they won’t starve then, just add water. Remember Alex has a job, he explains, to those who know how to listen attentively, that various jobs will be attended to soon, it is unfortunate that your gabber is flasted by some quite sound wiring that will be tidied a little one day just not on the day you specify.

[@ysesq]

@@teeanahera8949 all the excuses are worthless when the ocean judges you and decides to kill you because you were sloppy or stupid. dont be either. read vigors black box theory - he explains it far better than i can. good seamanship starts before the boat - or you - touch water. and yes, i know alan is completely unsuitable for the purpose he is using it for. the bulbous shape of the hull will tell you the boat payload is completely unsuitable for purpose.

[@ericlebrun2416]

you have a lot of determination but i am afraid that this project is a tragedy in the making

[@teeanahera8949]

Oh, you’re that troll in the comments section that was mentioned in this video! 😂 Just imagine if no one was ever silly enough to want to … invent the wheel, fly to the moon, fly a helicopter on Mars, invent a hovercraft, create an electric car, build this new fangled thing called an aeroplane, create the steam engine, harness the power of water….. Alan might become the new polar exploration fad! 😅 anyway, it’s called derring-do, fun and possibly highly practical for the frozen north. If it all fails then so what, Alan II will prevail with the lessons learned.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I think this one is new. Give him a chance. Maybe he'll be constructive or helpful with a later comment.

[@SEKCobra]

Those sorta mobile ac units suck(literally!).

[@deeznutz-bn9sl]

In the nuclear industry we use a very dense sort of concrete for shielding purposes, part of how heavy it is comes from the thousands of steel balls we mix in with the cement. Maybe try cutting up your steel/lead and and adding it to your concrete before you pour so that you can be assured everything is evenly dispersed.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I looked at buying bulk steel powder, but it's crazily expensive.

[@deeznutz-bn9sl]

not powder, just in chunks. @@AlexHibbertOriginals

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I'll have a look, but that would be time consuming with a lot of cutting, or tough to find for sale.