Make Me Laugh Again

(posted 06/01/24)

Worked on boat
Went to pool
Went to potluck
Crocodile in water

This is what happens when we don’t update the notes the day of the event!

At least there is a picture!

(posted 06/01/24)
Up at 0600. Morning routines.
Plans for today, meet with Elisabeth Shanahan about watching the boat this season. This afternoon neighbors coming over for games.
We met with Elisabeth and cano about the boat. Prices have gone up quite a bit, in the last couple of years. Partly due to the peso’s value against the dollar, and partly due to increased taxes. Two years ago it was 20 pesos to the dollar, now it’s in the 15 pesos to the dollar range. This is good for the Mexican people, but it means our money doesn’t go as far.
This was Linda and Mike on MV Tranquilo, we had them down for drinks and appetizers, and talked for a few hours. Then we got our shoes on and headed out for a walk. We didn’t get far before we stopped to pet the cat and talk to Michael and Mellissa from SV Galapagos, we stood and talked, then invited them down and spent an hour or more chatting. When they left we headed up and got showers.

No pictures today.

 

 

(posted 06/01/24)

Since we are caught up and even a bit ahead on prepping the boat for hurricane season we decided to take a road trip. We hired a driver, Carlos, who came very highly recommended. He is an Uber driver but took the day off to drive us and another cruiser couple, Tad and Robin Foley (SV Bisou) to the cute little town of San Sebastián (about two hours north of Puerta Vallarta in the mountains). It is an old silver mining town, older than 200 years. On the way up we stopped at a distillery, more to see the view and stretch our legs than to get any information on how Raicia is made. We also stopped at a chocolate factory and HAD TO buy some treats there. Next we stopped at the coffee manufacturer and enjoyed a short walk and taste of their delicious coffee.

Once in San Sebastián we enjoyed a traditional Mexican lunch and then headed out to explore the town. Unfortunately, the town square had no live music (Carlos said it usually does). Also it appeared many shops were closed today. The streets were cobblestone and it was a mistake to wear sandals (Reneé did). We bought some peanut brittle. The handicrafts were very pricey (in my humble opinion).

We returned to our boat by 6 pm. It was a very nice day!

After dinner we walked to the showers (as we usually do) and on the way home we saw a raccoon just outside of the marina fence… that was a first.

(posted 06/01/24)
Up at 6, morning routines, today is figure out charging network issues and adjust voltages.
Lithium batteries are best left at mid range on charge. I checked with Battleborn to get specific values.
The charging system is networked to maximize performance and indication. The charger/inverter is connected to the two solar controllers and the shunt/battery monitor. The network display shows status of everything, and also connects to the internet. Which means that I can check everything from any where.
The network all connects at the same the device called a CERBO GX. The charger/inverter uses a standard network cable, the two solar controllers and the display use a “CAN BUS” network (might be proprietary). There’s also a device to connect via Bluetooth that uses a standard network cable. The problem I had was one of the two solar controllers worked as far as charging, and as far as Bluetooth, but wasn’t visible on the network. I called support and was told most likely problem was a plugged connection on one end of the other for the device that was not working.
Well, I tried the plug at the controller and no change. I started at the cerbo and was able to get the starboard controller viable, or the port, but not both. This CAN bus has three ports 1,2,3; my experience with networks says they are all the same. The three devices are port and starboard solar controllers and the display for the system. It took a few hours to figure out that the display would work when plugged into any of them, but the solar controllers would only work in 1 or 2. Part of the problem that made it take so long was I had to see the update on the internet to know if something I did had the desired outcome.
At the end of the day, everything is working, it’s all visible via the internet, and everything is set at the lower voltage.
We went to the pool and happy hour. Then dinner, showers, a game and bed.

No pictures today.

 

(posted 06/01/24)
Up at 0700. Much later than normal.
Morning routines, no VHF net on Sunday. Then off to church.
Excellent message, then a walk to lunch.

No pictures today.