Acorn To Arabellavideo

Engine Maintenance & New Alternator Install - Ep. 310 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat

April 26, 2024 · 27 min · 46K views · Harwichport, Massachusetts

What this video covers

The owner of the wooden boat Arabella replaces the engine's raw water impeller and installs a new Balmar alternator to support an external Wakespeed 500 regulator.5:36 The previous alternator, which had been modified by a third party to disable its internal regulator, failed to charge the lithium iron battery bank correctly and caused galvanic corrosion issues.11:48 Because the new Balmar unit features a different mounting foot width than the original, the owner achieves proper belt alignment by fabricating a custom spacer using a stack of washers bonded with cyanoacrylate adhesive and accelerator.17:48 The owner also performs routine engine maintenance, including belt inspection and bilge cleaning, while the boat remains docked in Sakwatucket Harbor.9:46 The vessel is left under the care of a temporary caretaker while the crew departs for a two-week hiking trip in England.22:38 Upon their return, the crew plans to depart the harbor at the first available weather window.23:20 Proper belt alignment and external regulation are essential for integrating high-output alternators with lithium battery systems.

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More from Acorn To Arabella

We Stripped Our Wooden Sailboat Back to Bare Wood... AgainOct 2026Saying Goodbye to Newfoundland—and the Man Who Inspired ArabellaSep 2026Upgrading the Rudder and Another Trek To The CliffAug 2026We're Climbing a Wall No One Has Ever Climbed Before | Rock Climbing on Newfoundland's South CoastJul 2026

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