On the manuals I've read, they recommend changing the gear oil before winter storage...you can imagine what would happen if there was some water mixed in there and it sat all winter. I had to correct my brother-in-law also. He has a recent model 50hp Honda and thought he could just drain the old gear oil out in the fall and refill in the spring. My 60hp Big Foot Mercury manual says not to do that... because of possible condensation problems. On Sat, Oct 20, 2012 at 12:04 PM, Sandy <sandyal55@aol.com> wrote:
Sure it can stay outside. Flush out salt water and cover it with a soft cover to prevent scratched paint. Over that put a waterproof cover for the elements. Change the lower unit oil in the spring.
-----Original Message----- From: denko@broadstripe.net To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sat, Oct 20, 2012 3:54 am Subject: Re: M_Boats: Mounting a Solar Charger on an M-17
Can motors be stored outside without harm during the winter? It gets down below freezing sometimes and snows about 2 weeks. We have a motor mount on the trailer and it would save space in the garage.
Thanks, Pam On Oct 20, 2012, at 6:23 AM, Wcpritchett wrote:
I've had a 5 watt Sunsei on a 100 amp deep cycle battery for about 6 yrs here in Florida...hooked up 24x7x365 in the elements. Not using a controller and the battery is still going strong. I checked the output when I first bought the panel and it was pushing more voltage and amps than advertised...I don't remember the values because it was so long ago.The only problem is the battery clamps started to rust quickly. They are cheap plated types and can be purchased at my local Walmart.
Bill P.
-----Original Message----- From: Joe Murphy <seagray@embarqmail.com> To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <
montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com
Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 1:57 pm Subject: Re: M_Boats: Mounting a Solar Charger on an M-17
I have a Sunforce 5w from WM. I haven't used it yet, but was wondering if there is any kind of conversion kit that I can use to directly charge up some of my boat toys, i.e., handheld VHF, spotlight, GPS, cell phone, etc. Joe
----- Original Message ----- From: R.K. Graves To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 10:34 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Mounting a Solar Charger on an M-17
Hi Rich,
We have a 1988 M17 and I mounted a 5 watt Ganz solar panel atop the forward hatch. This Ganz panel has an aluminum backing and rubber grommets in the 4 corners for mounting. The instructions say to leave an air gap under the panel and the grommets raised it up enough to suffice. Centered the Ganz on the hatch cover and used stainless steel machine screws, washers, and lock nuts to mount. Drilled the 4 holes in the location of the grommets and mounted. The Ganz is tough enough that you can stand on it. Two seasons of use and so-far so-good. I ran the wires along the inside of the hatch lip and down the compression post to a battery.
One unexpected advantage of mounting the panel on the forward hatch is that you can raise and lower the hatch a bit the catch the early or late sun. Not really needed as like your Sunsei are amazing at putting out a charge even in minimal conditions.
What has been your experience with the Sunsei?
Randy Graves
On Thu, Oct 11, 2012 at 6:15 PM, Rich Makela <richmak@makelaperformance.com>wrote:
Have any of you M-17 owners out there permanently mounted a solar battery charger on your boat. If so, where did you mount it and how did you secure it? I have a Sunsei Model SE-400 that I put on the cabin top between the mast and the handrail while at the buoy, but I'm leery of leaving it there when underway for fear of someone stepping on it. I would like to find a permanent home for it.
Rich Makela
M-17 #233 - Harmony