Don't Explode, Get Electrocuted, Or Call MayDay - Boat Life DIY | EE 135

[@georgeklesel1161]

You both have an extreme amount of common sense!

[@ernestgephardt6135]

I love this style of video! As somebody who also works on sailboats and engines a lot, it is really fun to see someone else doing the same thing as you do. Keep the videos coming! Thanks!

[@johnrussnogle7627]

I noticed in your video that you have the voltage monitor mounted close to the engine in the engine bay, contrary to Balmar installation recs. That might be part of your problem. I presume you’ve called the Balmar tech reps. If not they’re great folks to work with. I did a similar, although much less complicated upgrade on my sailboat and they were really helpful when I called them. Love your videos, regardless of topic. Total admiration for how you’re living your lives.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Great video Brett and Jade. Appreciate the running explanation as you worked through the install. Have a great week you two and hugs to the puppies.

[@benbedward47]

Great job! Given the engineering and just number of sailors, RVs, and Tiny house projects your house battery company is involved in it might be worth contacting them on a controller that charges your engine battery first then the house batteries at a higher amp. Like an MPPT charger does with solar panels. I appreciate your values in helping other in need when you can, your willingness to learn new thing, and video production skills! Thank you for sharing the experiences! 💜

[@mac-doien9298]

100% prioritize the starter battery bc it is a priority but has much less capacity so it's not a big deal to maintain, but it is a big deal when the engine dies 👍

[@marandam6019]

I learn so much just by watching your channel. Ya'll have an awesome mix of entertainment, knowledge, and adventure. Enjoy the journey and may the winds be kind to yall

[@Sharon-hn9wn]

Missed you guys! Welcome back. 😎 Bret , you are so good with mechanical and electrical jobs. 👍 Like Jade, you are so talented. You both compliment each other. So happy seeing the fur babies. ❤❤❤❤

[@blackjackjoe7]

Hey Bret, Love how your dog was first looking at you, like, "WTH are you doing now?" "Do you have a clue what you're doing?" But then you get a lick in the face saying, "it will be alright."

[@AndyandKirstin]

The Balmar alternators are great! When we updated our electrical generation system, we decided to go with the double alternator setup. We retained the OEM style 80 amp and installed the Balmar. Our 80 amp directly services our AGM system (engine starter and windlass) and the Balmar directly services our lithium house bank. This eliminates the need for the Balmar Duo external regular/charger and you can instead use the much less complex Balmar Max Charger. Then for peace of mind and redundancy, we have a Victron Orion dc-dc charger on a switch so that in a pinch we can pass a charge between the AGM bank and the lithium bank (or vice versa) should one of the alternators die. It's been a fantastic system. Oh and the Balmars are able to spin in either direction. So, if you ever decide to move to a double set up, you can mount the Balmar "backwards" if needed for space issues. I've talked to the techs about this, and they indicated the only down side is that the alternator will likely have a 10-15% efficiency loss in reverse.

[@billywhizz26]

Mount Alternator backwards? So let me understand this - You mean looking at the front of the engine the alternator back is towards you? Could just mount the other side and then it still spins the same way.

[@adudley18]

I stumbled randomly across 1 video and then started your series from start to finish - and I'm hooked! What a journey to experience and share with the world. Good on you guys. You guys are smashing life goals and your style of vloging is just simply refreshing. Keep up the great work and keep doing what you're doing. When and if you hit Australia, specifically Victoria I have some cracking coastal destinations to reccomend that you wont want to leave!!! One request - keep the videos coming please!!!

[@mykgrauss9872]

Great video Brett! Great job Jade on mounting your Guage. It looked factory. Good job with the power Brett, I would use the old alternator for the house battery. You already have it. Also a spare belt will let you sleep better. Love you both and fur babies. Hugs, Myk

[@ilonacrooks5899]

Hi from Australia, I am 68 and just started watching your content, I found you through watching Jake and Nikole, I am retired live on 20 achers with my 75 year old husband, we love our peaceful life, watching you guys reminds me of my younger years...thank you for sharing

[@marcomoretto1332]

An this episode of Home Improvement, Eva Addition. Awesome job Brett, keep the these kinda shows coming too. You guys rock !

[@ExposingReflections]

Great to see, again, how seamlessly you two work together. You both are great partners for the other. That's the best. Admitting little foibles, like the "missing one is talking to the other because you're too focused", is epic. We all do that now and again(but sometimes are too proud to admit), and it shows how real you two are. Very positive for us viewers. Great troubleshooting skills, Brett. That's a deep dive into the mystic heart of electronics territory. Great job on the job and the editing. Jade, the fear is real, about floating away. Your watchful eye, helped you arrive just in time to save lives, if it had been required, with the other boat and the bridge. Don't let the fear control you, but let it inform your actions. It's there to keep you safe. Thanks again for another great vid.

[@CharleyGeorge]

About 11.5 minutes in Dingo pops in the shot with a look of extreme concern on his face. Really hilarious and cute.

[@mattfrombyron]

Hahaha!! I was thinking exactly the same thing!! Dingo definitely had that look of judgement on his face!! 😂

[@grabasalad5945]

Absolutely , it seems like Dino is a reincarnated engineer and he is expressing his opinion on proceedings… Bret , good job , you share the vexations as well as the solutions…

[@mymortonisms]

I feel for people held captive. Good luck Brett.

[@zackbean2149]

Love you all, yes of the dogs to. Seen before but just watched Jake and Nichole. Great videos all the way around. Ive been learning a lot from Jake and Nichole over the years. I'm sure we will learn a lot from both you and Jade also. What a blast. If only I were 40 again. Stay on Top.

[@SaundyB]

I mounted my smart regulator outside the engine box, helps to keep it cool, had a previous boat with belmar reg in engine compartment and it cooked itself, had some smoke and sparks, not recommended.

[@reyarmas7]

Hello how are you? Yesterday, I was remembering that you guys lived in Hawaii. I hope your family and friends are doing well after the tragic fires. All that remains is to pray for the souls of the disappeared and ask the relatives and survivors for strength... a big hug from Venezuela, may God bless you

[@morrisvanderslice1735]

Looking forward to more footage of you as you transition from eastern Atlantic to Mediterranean. Cheers!

[@juergenzenner4219]

Slowly it’s get confusing where you are, are you alone, still 3 onboard…

[@barryhockenberger2367]

Brett, I'm too old to sail any longer, but I have really enjoyed your weekly videos from rebuilding your boat and your recent installation of a new alternator. Your skills are really amazing. I didn't realize your boat had a bow thruster. Was it covered on one of your first videos when you repaired your hull? Thank you and Jade for helping me to relive my sailing years.

[@JWW60]

I really enjoy watching you guys. Looking forward to you guys back on the ocean sailing.

[@snipinmonsta]

as much as i love your random trips and passages i gotta say i have missed the good ole Jade and brett on a boat footage.

[@owlspiritreiki]

Same!

[@mikemoxley9477]

Same

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

This!

[@leroysmith8203]

I so agree…

[@oaneschriemer2724]

Where are you???

[@capicolaspicy]

Most commonly running a serpentine belt also using a belt tensioner pulley - might ask the mf'r about that also. Great job! No sparks, no flames, I call it a win!

[@giles-df9yu]

If I had seen your. Post I would not have said the same thing. The maker of the engine probably have updated tensioner. I am sure they no.longer use the v belt. What concerns I have are that he will over charge the starter battery and the other none house batteries. They just need a tiny bit of charging to maintain them. Other wise they can be damaged

[@Greg-pc7yw]

Love Dingo!

[@17pool]

Your first pronunciation of Deutsch was correct. Widely used -sealed connection system - excellent range of applications. High quality.

[@cggnow]

Also the word for "German" in the German language. So if you wanted to ask someone if they speak German, you could say "Sprichst du Deutsch?" (sprichst = speak, du = you) I'm thinking maybe the connector type came from Germany? It would be weird if they weren't somehow related.

[@kevinpotts1521]

Thanks for sharing so much, watching you really helped my wife and I pass ASA 101, 103 and 104 with a 99 average. Now our adventures begin keep up the great work

[@ae5784]

My comment is "it takes allot of work to maintain and keep the boat right and good", I liked the technical aspects what you said. Why to use the alternator, redundancy, why it is critical to have power when you need it. I liked your negative positive comments at the end too. The Atlantic crossing had dead time or times when you needed the engine and needed to keep the engine batteries charged. I remember thinking during your crossing, "what if you didn't have a motor during the slack days of no wind, would you drift with the current until you got wind...carried out to sea! What if a storm came during that time?" I suppose the old-time sailors had to paddle...:)? I started watching some other sailing channels sense your crossing and have settle on a couple of individuals who have set out to cross the globe alone. Each of these two sojourners are doing constant maintenance, refitting, planning, hauling out, fixing sails, tired when they have to stay up for a couple of days to keep the rigging adjusted in storms. It has helped me to appreciate all you two have done to prepare, the teamwork aspect you have, and the ongoing work you're doing to keep Eva in good shape. Keep up the good work!

[@SirCarlosMusicBMI]

Tons of love and respect, Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😊🇺🇸 Keep on keeping on my KZbin friends.

[@sherriemetcalf7120]

Brett your skills with technological stuff and machines is amazing, way over my head, but I love watching your real experiences.

[@richardjohnson1261]

Well done, Brett. I've changed out alternators. I've torn down alternators. There's some real skills shown here. I'm not sure that everyone realizes how skilled you guys have to be to do what you do. I loved sailing. The sense of freedom. The knowledge of the water and the environment, how stuff was working together to create the situation and how you were going to use it for moving your boat forward. For me, it was racing... defined end in sight. For you and Jade, it's your entire world. So again, well done. Fair winds and following seas.

[@SailingAurora]

Great video, I am actually doing the same installation right now with the Balmar XT-170. There is one thing that needs thinking about and thats a sudden disconnect of the Lithium bank. If your Lithium BMS has a charge disconnect or a battery disconnect like mine does and the Lithium batteries are suddenly disconnected when the current is high, your alternator has a high chance of being damaged as the voltage will spike and the diodes will blow. Balmar recommend taking from the BMS a charge disconnect signal, which will tell the regulator to stop charging before this happens. it's something I have been thinking about. Another way around this is to hang the starter battery of the alternator, probably through an isolator so there is always a load on the alternator. One problem I am finding here is that most are limited to 200A and you will need to think carefully about the voltage sense cables. I will also be doing a video on this shortly, so thanks for some ideas :) cheers, Chris

[@thesamsons9683]

1/2”drive battery impact makes engine work so easy. Waited forever to get mine and I can never go back lol. I’ve even used it to change tires in a large truck. Lithium has changed battery tools forever lol. Love the videos.

[@tgriffin8179]

Thanks…great story and review of an essential element of your power system. Fun to see the Brett side of life occasionally.

[@bobbob8765]

Great work Brett, the Victron DC-DC charger is a great unit and should integrate well with the colour control for information. Nice to see the more technical videos again. 👍

[@Just_Your_Average_Guy]

So cool that 3 of my favorite channels represented in the same video; Jade is wearing a t-shirt from Dan and Kika, and Brett is wearing a MJ Sailing shirt. 👍👍👍

[@JohnDoe-jq1br]

If they would have had Onboard Lifestyle, they would have had mine too.

[@Tim8mit]

just saw an episode of sailing Atticus they were having alternator over heating problems with a high output one while in Greece in the summer , solution was to add a blower and take cool air from the bilge and blow it on the alternator...worked like a champ

[@robertsloane1268]

found your channel this weekend awesome adventures and learning curves .

[@AIPilot-Boda]

Subscribed last week and have binged the entire sailing series. I also liked all of them, I think, may have missed a couple. You guys are great, can’t wait for more! Safe travels ⛵️

[@ExpeditionEvans]

Thanks!

[@CharlieDoubleWhiskey]

Great in-depth boat work video. I truly enjoy these.

[@DebraKing-u4m]

I love seeing the two of you figuring it out!!! Best video from the two of you in a long while.

[@davecundiff3663]

As a former automechanic/electrcian/firecontrol tech(weapons electronic tech-Navy) this is a complicated setup, great job understanding and finding a solution.

[@DaveBeckwith]

Just for your information, a "shunt" is a very low resistance resistor which allows for reading current in a line by reading the very small voltage across the shunt. So the current in the wire can be calculated with the equation "current = voltage /resistance", where the voltage will be a few millivolts and the resistance a fraction of an ohm. This is simpler, cheaper, and more accurate than measuring the current using a a coil around the wire (which can't measure DC accurately).

[@lincolnhall1598]

Most serpentine belts have a spring loaded tensioner pulley putting the correct tension on the belt

[@paulpaul9914]

It would be nice to have a spring loaded tensioning pulley for correct belt tension without guessing & another idler pulley to assist with getting better belt to driven / drive pulley angles which gives better pulley wrap & traction & so results in a lower belt tension requirement but wouldn't be easy to do on that engine.

[@zoltankorossy2957]

I really enjoy the "Brett's Projects" videos. They have a very specific and unique vibe, and it's a really fun change up.

[@ronkanoff]

Great to see you’re both doing well Brett. Flying for FedEx now and loving it.

[@kennethkellett3474]

Omg when did Brett start for FedEx flying. I thought he was on the boat in the Azores. They got there and didn't even make the European continent. What went wrong on their passage for him to leave altogether good grief.

[@bettymajor7279]

He did really hot to work did he?

[@jimmerriman6920]

Those engine compatements are tight! No wonder the heat ceeps up at full power. But you'e contollering what you can control, and that's all you can do. Great job! And an interesting video too.

[@brendanhayes2752]

You should hook up with “Flying Doodles” and keep flying! Keep your skills alive. Love the mechanical stuff.

[@DYoung-vt8pq]

Love boat work with Brett! Safe travels ❤️

[@davidt1621]

I agree that having a second alternator would be ideal. I'm assuming you kept the old alternator, so next time you're in a marina or have some shore time and need to replace the fuel filter, you could fix the new alternator off to the side and put the old one back on. You'd need to adjust the filter and your wiring, but I agree that the old way is probably better. They always did have a good reason for the way they did things before, and overheating of an alternator not made for the job is probably that reason.

[@sergiobecerrill8291]

Those that work on their own boats know that any project literally needs blood, sweat and tears! Great videos, keep em coming.

[@jeremykamel9655]

Order a new extra belt from Balmar. Then make sure to notate the number. Belts come in standard sizes. X number of grooves, X number of inches long. Also it’ll have a manufacturers number on it. Most autoparts stores can cross reference that number to the number they use. Over time, hopefully you can find the balance that allows you to put out for example, 75 A continuous for a longer period. Or maybe that will end up being 65 A are 50 A. Either way as you play with it. Hopefully you’ll figure it out. That being said, see below for a tip on cooling. I’ve seen other people take a bilge blower for an inboard, gasoline, engine, boat, and duct it to blow right on the alternator. If you also set up an extraction fan out of your engine area, that would help reduce the temperature. The cost benefit would probably work out. Because your engine bay would stay cooler, and he would put out more power because of that.

[@rayray5195]

Nice addition to the boat guy's good move.

[@Russ-Moat]

Just watched everyone of you’re videos, best week ever we’ll done all.

[@ExpeditionEvans]

Seriously? Thanks!

[@roberthardy2013]

As an engineer I can appreciate your blood sacrifice on this job, the great gods of broken studs will appreciate it.

[@edgarmuller6652]

Great electrical setup. Looks very professional. Thanks for the post install review.

[@ballomni]

You need more bilge pumps backups and backups, hooked up if you have a leak from anything having the batteries in the bilge gives you very little time especially if you are not there. And it can and will happen.

[@shawnmoore9380]

Great install. We learn as we live!!

[@kerra7386]

Hope all is well! I miss seeing your videos! I’m sure the break is well needed and deserved but don’t forget us! Lol seriously I miss your videos ❤

[@BrianPetersen-l2w]

Excellent electrical troubleshooting! Very helpful information.

[@FringanSthlm]

A DC|DC converter will also introduce a wanted/welcome bottleneck for charging the house batteries which helps to keep the alternator cooler and running more efficiently

[@Buck1954]

Great troubleshooting!

[@DG3ACM-Marc]

Hello Brett, I watched the video an my suggestion is to swap your connections or you will frie the new Alternator. LI-Batteries are much more thirsty then old Lead Batteries because of really low internal resistance. They will start with the full current they can get and Lead Batteries with their higher internal resistance will drain less current during their charging. (look at the charge curves of both types) If you don`t want to frie your Alternator you should think about a higher power DCDC Charger and connect the starter battery directly again and the DCDC Charger between Alternator and LI-Batteries. They should be available with higher current then 30A. Quick and dirty solution, mabye connet 3x 30A between Alternator and LI-Bank. Cheers Marc

[@Zimms-g4u]

The under drive pully may be incorrect for the rpm you are running. Late seeing just a thought.

[@DeborahWilliamson-v1s]

Love you two. I learn so much from you.

[@billhooghuis6819]

Boathowto recommends that you toss the cover. It will run a lot cooler. The Balmar controller cuts power by 50% when it gets hot. The Wakespeed controller is a lot smarter. It uses a PID algorithm to ramp the current down the exact amount required to not exceed the max temperature you program. You end up putting a lot more power out that way.

[@diyalternation]

You said it right the first time on the deutch connector.

[@rogpen81]

The big difference hat I can see is the old generator had a 'fan' to pass air through it, where as the new one did not, could be why it is over heating in the confined area.

[@johnjunior6101]

What a nice way to end my night watching another nice video from the 2 of you. Thanks

[@ti.mythril]

Awesome mechanical work.. well done ! Maybe find an attachment fan blade for the pulley? Add Holes in the cover?

[@wow.sailor.]

Wow Sailor 👍

[@owlspiritreiki]

Yay back to the boat!

[@samuatrc7504]

lovely

[@P-J-W-777]

Captain Rick had to install cooling fans that blow directly on the alternators. Yes he has two massive alternators instead of just the one. Check out his install and solution.

[@marcericdavis]

install a fan to cool the alternator. then you can get more charge current from it.

[@jesuschrist-alphaomega]

OK guys really getting concerned? Miss you guys. No matter what we all love you. Hope all is well can't wait for your next episode.

[@maxnex7676]

Great review on an honest install, thanks

[@JChadWard]

sorry confused, azures ... you flew to cool people in pacific nw Canada. Now you are back at boat. are you still in the Azores?

[@guydriver]

Very cool. Glad you gave the rundown at the ending. Answered my questions. I play with ham radio and computers but what you figure out would send me spinning. 😅.

[@krisk9987]

Thanks

[@upinsmoke48]

As always, enjoyable! What more can I say!

[@codegame027]

swapping your bow thruster battery and engine start battery to Lithium would be advisable. If you need advice on this talk to Ryan and Sophie Sailing. He's part owner of Dakota Lithium and is ABYC Electrical certified too. Also, you absolutely should have a spare serpentine belt.

[@chrismcdee5024]

You two are such a talented couple, loved your show.

[@RichWork]

Haha, It was a great video Jade!!!!! Nice job Brett!!

[@SirCarlosMusicBMI]

I’ve been really enjoying your last couple videos but I’m really curious as to what happened with your “Third Leg” ? Where is she? And how is she? You guys are a great couple and absolutely compliment each other in so many ways. You’re such an awesome team. Keep safe and healthy my KZbin friends. Blessings, Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😊🇺🇸

[@richb313]

The hardest part about watching this video was understanding no matter how much I agreed or not it did not matter it was history. Great job with the install and explanation.

[@swatsullivan]

Nice job! I feel like this is a little bit of a cross between boating and an RV. Happy sailing!

[@RealGenX]

I love the dog watching u work like she may be approving but may be disappointed

[@greglynch3662]

I was hoping you would post a video of the technical upgrades and instrument installations. Thanks I enjoy watching!

[@joelbrown4110]

Awesome.

[@PaulKling]

Great video as aways. Brett you mentioned getting thermal limited. Are you sure it isn't the regulator getting limited and not the alternator? I have seen a couple high output alternator installs and they always install the regulator in a cool location and not in the engine room. They also mentioned that it was important to do so.

[@LastAdventureClara]

I agree with this - as also an commercial pilot (helicopter), I wouldn't want to fly in these conditions - remember!

[@mattmeiners985]

Always love your show...

[@NoDogLicks]

I have enjoyed your videos from the beginning. You have inspired me to start my own KZbin channel (No Dog Licks). Keep up the adventure and best of luck.

[@mikemoxley9477]

Yes…Yes love this series.

[@BeerStache71]

Great project video. You guys are great.

[@anthonyelam2257]

Glad to hear that you have more electric producing capacity ... more the better ... maybe extra couple of high watt producing solar panels would be good ... a wind turbine generator ... you both are wonderful people and are living an adventure that we share with you ... thank you for that ... ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊

[@darrinnorman]

your diesel engine will not use any electricity from the battery once started, unlike a gas engine which requires electricity for the coils/spark/etc. , your diesel engine only uses compression to keep running. so no worries about engine battery draw while running. great video!!

[@jackdbur]

Modern diesel engines do draw some power while running they have electronic injection & monitoring.

[@darrinnorman]

Their boat has a 2008 yanmar, which is all mechanical, fuel pump, high pressure injection pump, etc. @@jackdbur

[@ashtonchilds]

Excellent!

[@aldrindelacruz6198]

Bret i think your rubber belt is quite lose a bit, sometimes it does a minimun scratches to your belt when u herd squiring sounds, they must be pulled properly by pully so it wont rub alot when you go higher idle in you're engine,.. Very cool job you got there same as schacha and john's work with their upgraded batteries 👍

[@glennburch1081]

Yes, Deutsch (Kinda like Doitch....... phonetically speaking. You pronounced it properly the first try). Love your channel, you guys are AWESOME! Thanks for sharing.