DAMAGE CONTROL
02 July 2008 | Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
by the Ship's Electrician
what's left of the VHF antenna
I awoke at 4:30 a.m. ready to fight the good fight (I had to pee). The stern light works with a new bulb, there is power coming from the solar panels (I had to wait until the sun came up enough to give me something to read) and once Scott got up I could get the new 400 amp fuse. Dug out all the manuals and 'Nigel's' Book - our 'bible' but it didn't really help. Changed out the Solar Charge Controller and all the little lights went on, ie the panels are charging the batteries! Changed the 400 amp fuse but it didn't help. Starting calling people on the handheld for advice about the alternator. People started calling and now everyone knows with deep sympathies. Tried to make phone calls via Skype to double check about the alternator but the Internet has been down and it turned out we couldn't call with our lame computer. Scott got up his nerve (asked first) and downloaded Skype on to the owner of the establishment we were doing internet at('s) computer to call the engine guy - Stanley's GREAT!- very helpful. We will stay at least today. We can live without the VHF since we have the handheld, even the inverter (which we think needs to get sent back to the states for repair) but the alternator is 'muy importante!'
Everyone has been sympathetic- that's been helpful. And we have gotten offers for antennas and even an old VHF - should be just like the one we have!