Refrigerator   This project started four years ago. I used components from a household refrigerator to convert my icebox into a powered refrigerator. After four years, I had to replace the compressor with a 12V DC model, which I had planned to do from the beginning. So far, everything has worked well with an inexpensive Chinese-made thermostat like this one. Link to AliExpress    However, I went through three of these thermostats in four years. I think the main problem lies in the sensor and sensing circuit: moisture and vibration seem to make them unreliable. After just a few days, the latest one started showing +26°C when the refrigerator was cold and +2°C when the box was warm. Maybe interference from the AC power lines affected it, but I got tired of fighting this battle. Welcome to my life ;-) I decided to design my own solution with a 1-Wire digital temperature sensor, remote refrigerator control, a connection to my boat computer, a food safety alarm if the te...

  Sailing     Just picture for title   This trip was: Longest over weekend trip ever I did on Vira. Closest point Vira was from the REAL sea water.  First time in Galveston First overnight not in home marina.  Sailing in busiest commercial tragic spot I ever did. Practically used AIS not for fun.  First attempt to overnight w/o AC at 30C temperature (but then cheated at slip) First crossing shipping canal in Galveston Bay. First cooking under way First Absolutely sober sailing for a while ;-)        Early morning Saturday    Early morning in the marina  Getting out of Kemah about 10:20AM  Captain VicVic  Under way to Galveston, Peaceful cruising in 5-6 kn wind     Hiding in the shade of Genoa Found some motor -sailor in the Galveston canal  Beating hard   Wind is getting stronger  Coming closer to Galveston i clearly understood why i installed AIS transducer and how useful it in...

 Two days - one work on boat, one to have pleasure on it. Work day Mast adjustments again.  I readjusted  mast again using forward lowers to straight it. It was not easy, but at some moment i realised that top shrouds have BIG effect on this "natural", as I thought, spreaders level bend to port side. However i was able to play with forward lowers and top shrouds to make mast almost straight and without dramatic difference in tension. But sea trial showed the problem is not completely fixed but I have some progress. B ut now I’m starting to think the issue is more related to the top shroud settings. Monday I “confirmed” this with GPT chat ;-) The correct name for my rigging is: Masthead sloop with discontinuous standing rigging with single inline spreaders. Actually, it looks like my mast “virtually” has two spreader levels, but the upper spreader is absent. Instead, intermediate shrouds run from the spreader plates to about 3/4 mast height. That changes the whole mast adj...

 Day 206, New Fixed windows trim installation.   Interior (small things) Fixed windows  New trim around fixed windows made out of teak and installed. each trim piece made of 4 parts. all cut on my workshop CNC out of teak wood. Only thing left here - paint the gap between window and trim.    Other things done today Made and  installed Door-cover under the AC inlet. LPG sensor - alarm installed. I installed the alarm ind found it is alarming all time. I am pretty sure I have no LPG on the board.  I bought the sensor several years ago, and it was on the boat all the time and likely was "poisoned" by paint thinners fumes. Ordering a replacement. Other small things Replaced engine overheat dumb lamp fixture (original had rubber disintegrated) .   In attempt to tight engine (ignition) switch  I broke it, by break line it was cracked for a while.  Good to get it broken at the dock ;-)   Connected compass light back, added connector f...