We arrived at Ixtapa yesterday finally about 4:30 PM. On our approach to Ixtapa we found that the refrigeration was not working. I tracked this down to a low battery voltage condition, and eventually traced the problem to a defective voltage regulator which was preventing the engine from charging the batteries. I managed to be in touch with technical support at Balmar (which makes the regulator and alternator) via Single Sideband Radio. That would have been bad enough, but as we pulled into our slip at the marina in Ixtapa, the engine oil pressure alarm came on. I shut the motor down and checked the crankcase oil -- it was 2 quarts low, but not low enough to trigger a low oil pressure alarm.

So today I had a diesel mechanic come out. We decided the oil pressure switch was highly suspect. The boat doesn't have oil pressure or water temperature gauges, just idiot lights. So we decided to install proper gauges for these two items and in so doing determine where the problem was.

Sure enough, the oil pressure gauge is now in and it tells us we have normal oil pressure. And we have a real temperature gauge.

Meanwhile I asked around and found another boater with a spare voltage regulator. I installed that one and our charging system is back up and working. And so, likewise, our refrigeration has returned back to normal.

Ah, such is the cruising life!