Refurbish nameplates

Refurbish the Storebro Commander nameplates.

The nameplates are manufactured by using a router, carving out the characters/lines, and then the entire plate is painted with a white paint. After that they are sanded so that the white colour only remains in the characters/lines and then afterwards the plate is finished with several coats of clear varnish. The problem is that the sharp edge between the characters and the surface makes that the varnish doesn't becomes thick enough, because of the surface tension. After some years the varnish cracks, at the sharp edges, and the moist raises the varnish and
You have a problem.

Removing, sanding away, the old varnish from the surface was made by the guys at Inredo, who have the right tools. I removed the varnish at the edges of the plates by a hot air gun, spatula and sandpaper.

The only way to make the varnish last longer is to is to round off all the sharp edges. This was made by a mini drill and sandpaper

After sanding the plates, 340 grit, they where stained with Internationals mahogany stain in 3 layers.

The first picture shows the difference with no tint and one treatment with tint.

Then the final touch with 16 layers of clear car varnish was made by JSA Lack, and it looks even better in real life than on the picture

Hinge Jabsco toilet

Replacing hinge for Jabsco toilet, 37045-1092, lid

Sometimes it's easy maintenance, but the hardest thing is to find the right parts. After some Googling I found the part at Hjertmans with the Jabsco sparepart number 29098-2000

ST NG software update

Updating the software for the ST1 to ST NG converter, Raymarine E22158

The easiest way to find the right software is to visit

http://www.raymarine.com -Support -Software updates 

And for this case then -Networking -Seatalk NG converter

Since we have an E 120 just click on the link for E series Classic and the software will be downloaded.

Open up the folder where the software "landed"

and just move the to files, A713_201.PKG och autorun.dob to an empty CompactFlash Card and then the instructions from Raymarine

1. Power OFF the MFD.
2. Please make sure SeaTalkNG is connected to both the product to be upgraded, and the MASTER Multifunction Display (MFD), and that all are powered before starting the update procedure.
3. Insert the CF memory card containing the PKG product software update file, and the relevant Autorun file/s into the MFD’s memory card reader.
4. Power ON the MFD.
5. After the MFD has booted to its Raymarine Software Upgrade Utility screen, select the software upgrade package from the Upgrade Packages Available list.
6. Press the UPGRADE REMOTE UNIT function key.
7. Press the UPGRADE REMOTE UNIT ON ST2 (It may also say STNG depending on the current version of software you are using).
8. Use the Trackpad to highlight the unit you wish to update and press the UPGRADE UNIT softkey.
9. When the progress indicator's Overall bar reaches 100%, the Device's software will have been upgraded.
10. Remove the CF memory card from the MFD's memory card reader.
11. Power cycle the whole system.

The picture is showing the first screen when booting up with the upgrade flash card inserted.

After the upgrade it is easy to confirm, via the Garmin display, that the update is OK, which is shown at right in the picture

Soap dispenser

Swap from toothbrush holder to soap dispenser

We really missed soap dispensers, in both toilets, when we bought the boat and thought that a tooth brush holder, mounted at delivery, isn't mandatory.

So after some investigation we found the Smedbo HK370 which solved the problem and also cover the old holes for the tooth brush holder.

NMEA2000 GPS added

Adding a NMEA2000 GPS and add an additional cable to E120

So what happens when You add a NMEA2000, N2K, GPS to the network ?

Nothing much actually. No conflicts. The E120 is still "hocked" on the old Raymaring RS125 GPS and the Garmin GMI 10/20 shows the info from the new NME2000 GPS with some additional data compared to the old GPS.

The chosen GP:s is Garmin GPS 17X because it was on sale for just 20 €.  It is mounted behind the instrument panel.

The picture shows the GPS at the right and the ST converter in the upper part

I also consider to pick up N2K data from the two Volvo Penta D6 and display this info on the E120:s. After a dialogue with Raymarine the only way to do this is to attach the Seatalk 2, ST2, interface on the E120, to the N2K network. Neither the NMEA0183 nor the ST1 interface supports this engine messages.

So for this update I also purchased a Mareton cabel MARE-005 which is specially made for this purpose. Later on we will se if it works.

Link to the updated N2K network.

Berker outlet lid

Improving the looks with a lid

The boat is equipped with Berker Minikombi outlets/switches. These are not sold anymore but the series Berker Integro Flow fits.

So to improve the looks at the helm I purchased a Berker lid with hinge to cover the 12V outlet. Much better looking, right ?

Network diagrams

Network diagrams Seatalk 1, Seatalk HS, NMEA0183, NMEA2000

To get en idea how the network is configured please find the links below

The diagrams are divided into a Raymarine part, Seatalk/NMEA0183, and a Garmin part, NMEA2000

The respective diagram is vertically divided in 3 parts depending on location.
Helm, tecnical storage room and flying bridge

Boat network ST1, NMEA0183, ST HS

Boat network NMEA2000

Seatalk and NMEA2000

Raymarine Seatalk 1 and NMEA200 combined

The boat was delivered, 2006, with just Raymarine equipment with the network Seatalk 1, ST1, and some NMEA0183. My wish is to update and supplement with NMEA2000, N2K, from Garmin which I used on our last boat. Especially supplement cause You don’t just throw away two well functioning Raymarine 12”, E120, and a radar. In addition, for Navigation purposes, we use the iPad app iSailor that gets better and better.

The easy way to combine the two networks is to use the Raymarine Seatalk 1 to Seatalk NG converter, Raymarine E22158. Seatalk NG and N2K is the same protocol, with some dialectal differences, but have different cabling. The converter works in both directions. ST1 messages is converted to N2K and vice versa

The first test to this approach was to swap the mounted Raymarin Bidata ST 30 instrument to a Garmin GMI 10 N2K display (Really bought to our old boat but never mounted). The Garmin display was mounted in the same hole as the Bidata instrument but the Bidata instrument was still connected to the ST network due to that it receives depth and speed information which is distributed to the network. It was just hidden behind the instrumentpanel.

The power to the N2K network is supplied via the ST1 network.

The picture shows the GMI 10, well-functioning, and mounted in instrumentpanel. It also shows the newer GMI 20 for comparison.

The cable for connecting the converter to the ST 1 network is supplied with converter kit but an additional kabel was purchased connecting the converter to the N2K network, Raymarine A06046

Streaming to an old carradio

Streaming audio from a device with 3,5 mm earphone jack to an old radio

The boat was delivered with 2 Alpine Radio CDE-9848RB. One in the deck saloon and one in the master cabin. Its a god radio but sorry to say it lacks both bluetooth and aux input.

So for streaming audio to these a use a Linocell FM transmitter from Kjell & Company

Linocell at Kjell & Company

Just charge the transmitter, select a frequency on the transmitter and match it on the radio, plug it to Your device and stream

Linocell manual

USB charger

The boat is equipped with Berker switches and sockets. In the master cabin the outlets in the picture are placed at the end of the bed so its a god place to charge a mobile phone. You could use a charger with the cigarett socket but its nicer with a USB outlet

One way is to use the original Berker but it is both pretty expensive, just outputs 1 Ampere and have only one output.

Link to one supplier, SVB

The other way is to by a USB outlet, art no 43-221, from Biltema, or similar shop.

Link to supplier Biltema

Its cheap, just 7€, outputs 2,1 Ampere and have 2 outlets.



Dismantle the socket from the wall and take away the steel cylinder. Expand the hole with a rasp so the new USB socket fits and mount it to the frame. Attach the cables and mount the charger to the wall.

Huawei unlock

Unlocking the Huawei E173 modem/dongle

When changing the SIM card to another operator, from Telia to Comviq, the program ”Mobile Partner” demanded an unlock code. There was a prompt with ”Unlock the data card”. After some investigation, Google with ”unlock huawei dongle free”, I found a site.

Link to unlock tool

Here You could get the 8 digit unlock code without downloading any software. Just put in the IMEI number, klick on submit and You will have the unlock code.