Can we fix it?

Attitude of mind is more than half the answer when you’re confronted by a technical problem on the boat or ashore. Here’s how I came to this conclusion, illustrated by an example of successfully having a go.
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[@thaddaeushalsmer9202]

Completely agree that you have nothing to lose if it’s already broken. It’s similar to the principle of saying yes to opportunity. And to the idea that experiments never fail.. at a minimum you will learn something from trying that will help you in the future. Excellent video! Thank you for sharing this!

[@iainhunneybell]

As you say, “It’s a state of mind”. Just how difficult can it be, and this case, it’s simply an old potentiometer and dirty contact. Excellent Mr C 😊

[@robinbennett5994]

For things like that, when it's broken, you can't make it any worse by taking it apart. Even if you don't fix it, you'll learn about the insides.

[@andrewwheeldon3027]

The right to repair is a very important thing and something I hold in importance when make purchases! So often manufacturers with old information and more importantly spare parts which then reder things obsolete! If we are really looking to a sustainable future and saving the planet, the right to repair is fundamental! Well done!

[@patrickhorgan8389]

My Yorkshire friend (RIP) had a wonderful expression.... NEVER BE BEAT, BY NOWT THAT CANT SPEAK.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

That would have gone down well at the bar of the old White Bear in Masham where I Used to drink Theakston's bitter at less than a pound a pint back in the 80s. Cheers Mate!

[@lubberwalker]

Just the right amount of double negatives.

[@a.s.3693]

Thank you for this video! It gave me the courage to have a go at fixing my new electric acoustic guitar. I voided the warranty in doing a self repair, but became wiser in the process. Thanks again!

[@paulmargan2620]

Excellent, if only more youngsters would just have a go, all too easy to throw stuff in the bin. I remember my folks replacing and electric cooker many years ago, and I noticed it had what I thought was a nice clock set into the control panel. So I removed said clock and mounted it in box I made, and that clock became my bedside clock. It was probably a death trap being 240v back then, still it worked, and I learned something - well done Tom !

[@SeabreezeRJ]

'ave a go! best advice ever... thank you Tom & Fam for this reminder that we can!

[@stevesteel6066]

Tom, looking at the age of the components, it’s a variable potentiometer (Variable Resistor) that limits the current to a control circuit to the heater. Easy fix, an eraser will remove the degradation in the track temporarily, however much comfort for you and your wife!

[@TCGE08]

I love fixing things until well past their supposed lifespan. Thanks sharing for your positive attitude!

[@kenlinnington4771]

Excellent! That is just the way to attack all problems. Things made by a person can probably be repaired by a person. Love your content and your outlook on life. Cheers!

[@timallen6025]

Things I have removed ( and not regretted removing ) from boats include: Diesel hot air heater, fridge, pumped water, inboard engine, multiple seacocks, seatoilet.. With some success in terms of purer sailing I suppose. Still carried the comprehensive toolkits though 😂. Great ‘ think it through’ result there. I reckon The Right Attitude is key, the well lit, uncluttered chart table/ work bench, a comfortable seat, cup of coffee, time.. and a tool or two..

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

I agree. Stay positive.

[@stephenmundane]

He who dares wins Tom. I've been using a Glen fan heater for the past 30 years: made in Northern Ireland -- enough said.

[@DWAJarrett]

I believe your new terminology of a volume control on a heater is correct. The cost of electricity around the world has lead to instructional volumes starting low… turn the damn heater down…to much higher volumes of…. TURN THE B@#$€£ THING OFF to even higher volumes. Nailed it as always Tom👍

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Hi Jarrett. Thanks for your generosity of spirit. I did think afterwards I should have called it a rheostat but the times they are a'changin'.

[@wholness3672]

Good stuff, Tom. I help moderate the tech forum on the Moody Owners' website and it's very noticeable how many new owners these days ask first about problems rather than have a think about maybe fixing them. I might add that I would have said at the start of that fix, "always pull the plug out before you start!".

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks for this. I'm on the all-American Mason owners' group and I must say they are a highly practical hands-on crowd. Good point about the plug!!! The Darwin Awards spring to mind...

[@nickwebb9290]

Lovely positive little video Tom and you’re absolutely right 👍

[@jonelliott9553]

Jack of all trades, master of none. But we make things right again without alway throwing it in the trash bin. Nice work!

[@nicholasbell9017]

Bang!

[@charleselertii6187]

First Rate Tom! I have two classic cars that have points/distributor ignition. A 1930 Ford Model A pickup and a 1974 Triumph TR6. Of course I have used sand paper and emery boards to clean up points. I am 66 years old. Several years ago I went to 3 different Auto parts stores in California looking for a proper "Points File". The clerks did not have a clue what I was talking about. Then I went to a NAPA auto parts store where the gent about my age knew exactly what I was talking about and they had them on the SHELF! I think I bought two of them for total cost less than $4. Many older voltage regulators had points in them. Old Power Plant Electric Motor starters had contactors that look like large points. Everything works a bit better with a little clean up. I love equipment that has NO electronics. Can make them last forever. Cheers, Chuck in Jensen Beach, Florida.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Too right Chuck.

[@ende421]

The Shards have documented the build of Distant Shores 3. The electrical system on a modern cruising yacht makes me wonder, how complicated it is to diagnose problems. There's a 12, a 24 and a 48v system, hundreds of breakers (albeit very well organized), a bus system for lighting, a bus system for navigation (NMA2000), a bus system for tank levels etc, solar, regen, dock charging and whatnot. Certainly lots of desirable things but - at least at first glance - hard to understand in its entirety.

[@markmiller6817]

Inspiration , thanks Tom .

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zeilgenot]

Good job and a good alternative 220v heating while plugged in ashore!

[@advantagemarine7305]

Well done mate! It's the same attitude I have to life, courtesy of my Grandfather, he was tighter than a ducks backside. I once heard a woman should seek marriage with a wealthy man or a man that can fix things!

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Mrs Cunliffe say she had to settle for the latter!

[@advantagemarine7305]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns well she’s a smart woman. They can’t tax you on money saved!

[@858493]

Awsome little video thanks Tom regards Doc from Down Under in Australia

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Cheers Doc

[@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101]

You're the best Tom. Thanks a bunch.

[@mrstephenthomas100]

If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you wont!

[@adammccarthy2157]

I once had a pickup truck that slipped a bearing , my mate said come on then and it was stripped and all parts ordered in 2 hours , went back together and worked for years but without him I’d have scrapped the old girl

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks Adam. Just goes to show.

[@thomasheaney2087]

👍

[@duncanandrews1940]

And, if once apart and yoiu can't fix it - just look at all those little Nuts and Bolts small screws you can 'salvage' for another job. I'm a Yorshireman, like a Scotsmen but with all the generosity kicked out of us!!!!

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

I love this stuff. See above for Yorkshire comment...

[@skerminkel9971]

Newly married young man looking under the bonnet had me side tracked for a bit there... Anyway, I am sure Mr Cunliffe tried running that fan a few times without the cover and then did an extra take with the cover replaced before the health&safety prefects banned him to the internet naughty chair.

[@williamtilt8991]

If you don't have a go You'll never know. Catchy, you mind if I use that? I'll attribute it of course.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Delighted. You are more than welcome

[@lubberwalker]

On my my notion of thru hulls. Would you do the simple speed log tooth brush clean or just do without it on a local sail or if you were offshore (and maybe a long passage) ? In fact Tom. I'd like a whole video discussion on risk management and risk assessment. What do you think?

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Good idea. I'll think on...

[@lubberwalker]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns add this to the risk management segment. Since asking you for it, I'm looking at months of recovery (ripped quadriceps) after jumping the big berthing gap.... when I obviously didn't need to.

[@SirPrancelot1]

Please turn the volume up Tom.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Can't help you with that I'm afraid. Sorry if you're struggling. I use good gear and most folk seem to manage OK

[@arnekvinge6073]

"If you want to learn someting, dig in and get your hands dirty".

[@colsmith7257]

Yes that's what pomes do. But the day is coming when posting videos like that will get you in hot water. Remember how motorbikes use to come. With instructions to adjust your tappets, well now they come with a warning not to drink the contents of the battery. They put something similar on plants, do not eat the potting mix. I told my kids about that mindset, I buy my daughter tools, she's got more kit than the blokes at her work and fixes machinery. The old tradesman there are either up building her or bloody incompetent, probably a mixture of both. You are always encouraging and up building Tom.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks for the support. I love the remark about the motorbikes. Tappets aren't difficult, but many today don't even know what they are.

[@chhindz]

Does that heater go to 11. Also saw old Jaguar fuel pumps had points like that.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

You're right about the Jags. They use SU Fuel pumps, same as my 1949 Bentley and my old MG TC. IF they fail, give them a tap and they usually have a second try, but in the end it's the points that need attention.

[@markpeter1968]

Nelson would be turning in his grave if he saw a fan heater on board ship

[@mrstephenthomas100]

And another one ! Do "try to" do it, just do it..

[@lubberwalker]

Your success was to accidentally find something old enough to be mechanically controlled and thus fixable. As opposed to a circuit board, chip, Bluetooth, WiFi, a server in Beijing or a blackbox. After 44 years in technology from mainframes to clouds, I am able to hack some things that boot up and love today's networked marine instrumentation. But really? I'd much rather mechanics like windvane or a self steering sail/bungee setup and things bi-metallic strip or variable resistors (aka volume knobs).....although jammed seacocks, cross-threaded speed logs and well, anything thru-Hull make me a little nervous.