This picture was taken while I was working on an electrical project. I’ve been concerned about my alternator running hot when I use it to charge my new lithium batteries. So I ordered a new more powerful (250 Amp) alternator and brought it back from the US when we returned from Christmas. Since we’re in a marina waiting for our arch to get installed , I figured it was a good time to get the alternator installed except that it wasn’t a super easy drop in replacement. The output of the alternator was in a different place than the original alternator and modifications were required. With the help of friendly cruisers on the dock I was able to make a modification to the output stud of the alternator and use a slightly longer belt to give more room for the connections. All told this took me about a week. 3 1/2 days of work and probably 3 days of running around La Paz looking for one last part.
The picture above shows the space I had to work in. I have to close the door behind me or I can’t get into the engine compartment. I’m standing as far back as I can so my feet aren’t taking up the whole picture. All told I have about 4 square feet to operate in.
Today was a nice day to change the oil in the boat. I had the same size space to work in as pictured above. I don’t really mind changing oil but the spaces are pretty small, diesel engine oil is just filthy and I have to do it within oil flicking distance of a nicely made bed. Imagine doing an oil change 18inches from the pillow on your bed!
Just so it doesn’t sound like all we do is work on the boat – yesterday we took the dinghy across the channel to El Magote (the Mound) and let Riley run on the beach and Bev collected sea shells. Riley got to burn off some energy and we got a nice relaxing day in the La Paz sunshine.
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