Time to GET READY for the BAHAMAS in North Palm Beach [E317]
December 1, 2024 · 16 min · 1K views · North Palm Beach
What this video covers
Anchored in North Palm Beach, Alex and Cory prepare their boat for a 24-hour crossing to the Berries in the Bahamas as part of a four-boat flotilla that includes the crew from Sailboat Story.10:41
The main technical work centers on equalizing three SOK lithium batteries that have been cycling unevenly due to mismatched cable lengths.2:14 Alex installs two bus bars — one positive, one negative — and cuts all battery-to-bus-bar cables to the same length as the longest run to eliminate voltage drop discrepancies between cells.3:53 While pulling the existing wiring, he discovers severe oxidation throughout the non-tinned copper cables, cutting back roughly two feet from each end before reaching clean wire.5:40 The shortened cables are then routed to the new bus bars rather than directly between batteries.7:33 A T-air power system supplies 300 amps AC and 606 amps DC, allowing induction cooking at 63 amps draw.1:09 Mysterious loud knocking sounds along the hull at night alarm the crew before departure; the cause is not identified on the video.8:53 Cory handles Bahamas customs paperwork through the Click2Clear system, which both describe as severely glitchy on mobile.13:22 They divide captain duties: Cory handles underway sailing decisions, Alex handles port paperwork and immigration.14:54 Pre-departure tasks include fueling with diesel jerry cans, changing transmission fluid, a final grocery run, and deck cleanup.11:32 Equal-length battery cables are essential for balanced cycling across a lithium bank.
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