The
following list includes only gear that has failed to perform as advertised,
what the problem turned out to be and the reaction of supplier/manufacturer.
1. Dr LED anchor light on top of the main
mast failed immediately. Jane went up the mast to replace it with a standard
bulb but the led came apart preventing its removal. We ended up without an
anchor light on the masthead as a result. Backup lighting was used instead. A
backup anchor light will be installed on the mizzen and some garden lights with
replacement super bright LEDs will be used at deck level. The Dr LED unit was
pried from the mount and repaired. I’ll try and use it again in 2012. Still
need to test the reported VHF interference.
2. Internet amplified antenna from
Bitstorm failed due to a missing gasket allowing the unit to fill with water
and short out. Once the unit was replaced and sealed from water intrusion it
worked perfectly. Badboy needs to commended
for their service and technical support.
3. Nikon 18-200 zoom lens finally
failed to focus either in auto or manual mode. Don’t waste your money on Nikon.
It has been sent in for repair.
The lens came back from
repair and is currently being tested. The problem was with the front element.
4. Stainless steel swivel for the
anchor lost the retaining bolt even though it was installed with Locktite. If you can’t use seizing wire it doesn’t belong
on your anchor.
5. A standard Windex flew off the mast
in 50 knots. The reason for the failure has not been determined since all the
parts are in the ocean.
6. Newport Diesel Furnace … fuel needle valve
leaking (new in 2005) … need to carry spares … A new valve unit costs $200 but
a repair kit for units made before 2005 is available for $100.
7.
Xantrex C40 Diverter (diverts electrical current from
charging full batteries to heating water in our hot water tank) (new in 2005) …
Permanently in Load Control mode … failsafe systems failed. So
far we have blown all of our Xantrex equipment due to
design failures. The unit will be replaced with a much better one from TriStar.
8. The plastic (nylon?) fitting (outlet side) from the bilge pump snapped off. The pump is the original and has worked without problem since 1983. Luckily replacement parts were available from HMP.
9. The main sea chest Vetus s/s strainer basket has finally worn through and I
have not found a replacement. Repaired with high temp sealant (red) since I’m
interested to see what sea water does to it (copper in silicon on s/s).
10. Ball valve on holding tank discharge
outlet has seized (6 years old). I have not found a way to break it free. At
least with tapered valves you could loosen the business end and whack it with a
hammer. So much for modern technology
1
Sanyo
Xacti – The camera is rated for a 5 foot immersion.
Trust me … there is no leeway. At 5 foot 2 inches it leaked like a sieve.
Luckily the card survived so I could watch the death throws.
2
Ipod Touch – We purchased the 30GB version to hold
music, audio books, podcasts, medical programs and lots of lists. It was an
upgrade from the Palm Workpad which served us well
for a decade. The transition was and is still difficult. The Touch is geared
towards single track music not opera (sequential playing of multiple CDs),
games not data storage (no sudirectory support for
notes or photos). The separate alpha/numeric keyboards are difficult to use
when trying to input passwords or list data. Internet access is poor even with
a strong signal. It can’t be used for navigation since there is no GPS or
serial/USB interface. Web browsing is difficult due to the small screen size.
Better to get an open IPhone if they only supported
standard size SIM cards. The new IPad looks cool but
would it survive an Atlantic crossing.
3
IBM T43 Thinkpad –
First went the USB ports then went the PCMCIA dock. I had to install a docking
station to regain use of the USB ports. The T40 and T30 failed in much the same
manner. The systems were powered via a regulated 12v supply made for the T
series so it is not a matter of dirty power. I suspect that corrosion due to
salt in the air has more to do with it. We are now left with a flaky T43, a pair
of semi functioning 600s. Hope they will last till we get Pilgrim back to North
America. I had a look at some Netbooks but they seem
very flimsy and may not survive a crossing. Picked up an ASUS netbook for email in England. Works perfectly but is slow
due to limited memory and Windows 7 starter limitations. Replaced the 1GB
memory with a 2GB stick and started using the SD card as a paging cache device
(ReadyBoost) and picked up a second unit for Brian.
4
Nikon:
18-200 Update – The Nikon 18-200 zoom lens continues to have a bad habit of not
autofocusing between 30-55 mm (poor performance for a
$700 lens). Dealer recommended constant cleaning to keep the units working –
doesn’t work. Image quality is not as sharp as expected in fact it can be quite
muddy at times even if the filter is kept spotless. I spoke with a number of
other 18-200 owners in Europe. ALL had the same issues with lens creep,
autofocus issues and lack of sharpness. Finally failed totally in 2011. The
unit has been shipped to Nikon for repair.
5
Xantrex 40 Amp Battery Charger, Xantrex
Echo Charger both units installed in 2003 both failed in 2009. Fuses remained
intact but internal components were found to be melted and/or burned. Aside
from unit failure they could have created a fire situation.
6
Powerpulse and Solargizer
battery conditioners have not proven effective. I can’t prove they don’t work
but I can’t prove they do either.
7
2
Trojan T105 Batteries (installed in 2003) replaced with Deka
Promaster GC15 batteries in 2009. The other 2 Trojans T105s have also been
removed and were replaced with Dekas in 2010.
8
Canon
A570
a. I seem to be having no end of
problems with Canon cameras. The A570 started to show unfocused spots on the pic. I sent it in for warrantee repair only to have it
returned without the focus working … but luckily the out of focus pics didn’t show any spots. I bought the camera with an
underwater case, a very expensive purchase since the case will not fit any
other Canon camera. The camera is no longer sold and is unavailable in Toronto.
Don’t buy an underwater case unless you buy at least 2 cameras that fit the
case. I have given up on Canon and have switched to Nikon. 2011 update … Nikon is no
better … now what? Just picked up a Canon SX130IS for $150 since it has a 12x
zoom. Compared to the D60 the colours are muddy but
it has better resolution than the Nikon.
9
Nikon:
D70s/D60 2009 Update – Remove the lens every week to clean the electrical
contacts and check the sensor for dust. The Nikon 18-200 zoom lens has a bad
habit of not autofocusing between 30-55 mm (poor
performance for a $700 lens). Dealer recommended constant cleaning to keep the
units working.
2011 update … 18-200 zoom no longer works … junk lens.
10 Standard Horizon CP300i Chartplotter
a. I bought the unit to replace a
Garmin V and PC setup (that still work perfectly) to bring the chart image
closer to the helm. Big mistake. The Chart plotter has Newtonian rings on the
display during the day and the screen brightness can’t be varied during the
night (night mode is far too bright to be usable and the display is unfocused
during the day). If you ask the system to show the track the GPS position
randomly resets to garbage which causes spikes in the track line and randomly
takes you to the garbage location. The unit loves to randomly reset the zoom
level sometimes even returns you to where you started. I have sent a request to
Standard Horizon and hope they will respond. The unit would provide a great
navigation aid if only it were stable.
WASS is NOT enabled.
b. Update: 2009:
i.
I
contacted Standard Horizon US and was told to return the unit to the place of
purchase (England). Standard Horizon in England told me to return the unit to
the place of purchase if I wanted any warrantee work done. In other words I would
have to sail from Sweden back to Ipswich, England to get the unit repaired.
Pity.
ii.
I
spoke with the Standard Horizon folks at the Toronto boat show. They turned me
over to the C-Map folks at the show since the CP300i software is supported by
C-Map. The C-Map folks told me to call the USA tech line and ask to borrow a
software update cartridge which needs to be returned. I’ll update the entry
once all this is done.
c. Update 2010:
The tech line wanted $150 deposit before they
would ship the card so nothing was done. In September the unit toggle failed
and stuck in the downward position rendering the unit unusable. We managed to
navigate using a backup PC (IBM 600) and Garmin GPS (they rarely fail). The
CP300i was shipped back to the repair facility in England. They have replaced
the keyboard and keyboard pc board. It will be tested next April when Pilgrim
goes back into the water.
d. Update 2011:
The unit sort of works. It will fail to start at times
unless you power up without a card installed. Once the unit is powered up the
card can be reinserted and things work. I would not recommend this unit.
11 ICOM HM-127W Remote mic for
the M402 VHF radio.
a. Random failures, weak transmission
modulation, random squelch failure. All of the problems turned out to be a bad
cable at the mic end. The unit was taken back to the
retailer who sent it back to ICOM who said they repaired it. The unit failed
within an hour. I took the mic head apart and found a
couple of bad wires in the molded cable end. This was a manufacturing defect
that was not properly diagnosed or repaired by the retailer/manufacturer.
b. The radio was replaced with an ICOM
422 and Commander II mic. Both units have worked
well.
12 Whale pump 12v
a. The pump was installed with a filter
and was used to pump water from the low spot on top of the center fuel tank to
the bilge. The pump ran for less than an hour in total (5 minutes at a time)
before failure. The motor would run but the unit would not develop a vacuum. I
dismantled the pump head and found no contamination or debris. Cause of problem
is still unknown and the pump has been replaced with a manual unit for a lot
less money.
13 Kingston Davits
a. Bent the tube on the port side with
a 9.5 foot inflatable and had to have braces welded on to keep them from
collapsing. The turning blocks on the tube ends chafe through the lines if
there is any side-to-side motion of the dink. Kingston was willing to replace a
tube at 75% of the full price of the unit. I plan to replace with real davits
once I get to Halifax.
b. We replaced the Davits in Annapolis with ones made by Kato. Superb. They even
hold the dink with motor.
14 Flashlights
a. 7 LED Streamlight
4AA made by Streamlight Inc failed due to salt water
intrusion into the switch assembly. The unit was supposed to be waterproof and
certified for use in hazardous conditions. The switch can be bypassed and the
unit can be turned on/off by screwing in the lamp element.
b. LED headlight assembly 2 red and 3
white LEDS, unknown make but has Carolina on the headband,
switch failure prevents use of white LEDs.
c. Fox 40 dinghy kit contains a
flashlight that uses steel components. Guess what … they rust. Check the
flashlight every month. The case is not watertight so don’t leave it in the
bottom of the dink.
15 IPOD
a. 30 GB IPOD will not work from the
internal battery after becoming being exposed to a salt water environment. The
unit works if left in the charger. The IPOD did not get wet and was in its
case. It turns out that the problem was a dead battery (lasted 6 months). The
battery was replaced and the new one failed in 5 months. The unit has been
confined to the condo in a charger. We are now trying out an Ipod Touch to see if we have any better luck on the boat.
16 Canon S2 Digital camera
a. E18 errors if there is any dampness
in the air. The camera works well if warm or in a very dry environment … not
great for Ireland or England.
17 Delta faucets
a. Carry LOTS of spare parts. We have 2
active units on Pilgrim. They all leak after 6 months of use. The repair kits
are available free in Canada but not to be found elsewhere. I have replaced the
galley unit with a Moen ceramic cartridge faucet and it has worked well for the
last year. I’ll be replacing the other 2 Deltas as required with spare Moens.
18 Garmin
a. I hate to say it but the Garmin GPS
units I have been using have finally failed. The GPS II + still collects data
but the display is missing lines … ok if interfaced with a laptop which is how
I am now using it. This unit came with the boat.
b. The GPS V is very erratic and like
the Standard Horizon will put us randomly in the Middle East thus screwing up
the track facility. Luckily the Garmin and Standard Horizon seem to fail at
different times. This unit works well in every other respect BUT I can’t depend
on the location data for anchor watch or even a consistent track. This unit was a reconditioned model bought 2
years ago. WASS is NOT enabled in case you know about the WASS problem.
19 IBM T40 laptop
a. The unit was bought as a reconditioned
off lease unit and works well except for the USB ports. One USB port has
totally failed and the other one is marginal. A MB replacement which would fix
the problem costs more than a reconed laptop. Using a
port replicator is not an option since the USB port is slow (V1) and more than
2 devices overloads it. I bought it to replace a T30 that has a serial port but
needs a new MB.
b. Don’t buy a laptop without V2 USB
ports or better still buy a unit with a serial port if you have a serial port
GPS.
c. End of an era … we are now using netbooks (acer Aspire one … 2GB,
250GB … S7 starter (boo)) for personal use and a T60 for navigation software.
The T60 WiFi card is broken so it is a perfect fit
for the nav station.