I was finally down to the last step of my rebuilding my H34 12v power. It was a simple task. I wanted to replace the 12 AWG wiring that went from the A/B/Both switch to the DC Power panel with 8 AWG. Simple, right… use the existing wire to pull the new one through. After pulling the wire about three quarters of the way through, I hit a snag. No matter what I did I was stopped in my tracks.
I decided that I needed to investigate what caused the blockage. The wire runs from the engine forward towards the bilge and from there turns to port and go in the (not sure what it is called) the raised channel that runs athwartship to and exits at the underside of the navigation table, the up and over to the DC panel.
I was unable to find a good viewing area so I decided I needed to drill. I removed the piece of teak that covers that athwarship channel (see picture) and cut a 2” diameter hole in the middle of where the teak sits. First problem I ran into is there was fiberglass on top of the channel. See Pic… so only half of the hole was exposed. I took pictures to both starboard and port. To starboard. This area must be the source of the foul water that finds it’s way into the real bilge. Nasty isn’t a word. I sucked out about a gallon or so of this water. I’m sure there is more down there… I also noticed that someone, PO, zip tied the wires for the Power Panel and bilge together under the sole. The PO turned out to be my nemesis. Could hunter have done that when they first built the boat???? Anyway… To Port I found a pipe hanging from a zip tie… I have no idea what this is….. Maybe a conduit.
(3rd Picture should be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise.)
I gently inserted my arm into the new 1/2 exposed 2” hole. I couldn’t reach to where the wires were zip tied together. I’ll need to make the whole just a bit bigger… OK.. just remove my arm…. OK just remove my arm… OK.. relax the muscles and remove my arm… OK…I’m stuck. I have pictures of the cities rescue department using their jaws of life to separate the hull from sole.. or to make wide slashing cuts to the boat with their Supersize Sawzall! I finally extracted my limb after about 5 minutes with only a minimum of blood.
I cut out another 1/2 a 2” hole and used my oscillating tool square it up. I was able to reach, slide the zip tie towards the opening and cut it with wire cutter. The rest was simple. I was going to run a messenger but in the excitement of getting it free, I totally forgot to do it.
Anyway, about 3 hours into my final step, the 8 AWG wire is now in place and the voltage drop has significantly been reduced. Now for some single malt pain killer.
BTW, I use some butyl tape around the hole to seal the smell from permeating into the cabin when I replace the piece of teak wood.
I decided that I needed to investigate what caused the blockage. The wire runs from the engine forward towards the bilge and from there turns to port and go in the (not sure what it is called) the raised channel that runs athwartship to and exits at the underside of the navigation table, the up and over to the DC panel.
I was unable to find a good viewing area so I decided I needed to drill. I removed the piece of teak that covers that athwarship channel (see picture) and cut a 2” diameter hole in the middle of where the teak sits. First problem I ran into is there was fiberglass on top of the channel. See Pic… so only half of the hole was exposed. I took pictures to both starboard and port. To starboard. This area must be the source of the foul water that finds it’s way into the real bilge. Nasty isn’t a word. I sucked out about a gallon or so of this water. I’m sure there is more down there… I also noticed that someone, PO, zip tied the wires for the Power Panel and bilge together under the sole. The PO turned out to be my nemesis. Could hunter have done that when they first built the boat???? Anyway… To Port I found a pipe hanging from a zip tie… I have no idea what this is….. Maybe a conduit.
(3rd Picture should be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise.)
I gently inserted my arm into the new 1/2 exposed 2” hole. I couldn’t reach to where the wires were zip tied together. I’ll need to make the whole just a bit bigger… OK.. just remove my arm…. OK just remove my arm… OK.. relax the muscles and remove my arm… OK…I’m stuck. I have pictures of the cities rescue department using their jaws of life to separate the hull from sole.. or to make wide slashing cuts to the boat with their Supersize Sawzall! I finally extracted my limb after about 5 minutes with only a minimum of blood.
I cut out another 1/2 a 2” hole and used my oscillating tool square it up. I was able to reach, slide the zip tie towards the opening and cut it with wire cutter. The rest was simple. I was going to run a messenger but in the excitement of getting it free, I totally forgot to do it.
Anyway, about 3 hours into my final step, the 8 AWG wire is now in place and the voltage drop has significantly been reduced. Now for some single malt pain killer.
BTW, I use some butyl tape around the hole to seal the smell from permeating into the cabin when I replace the piece of teak wood.
