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Post by phoenix on Aug 19, 2017 6:18:36 GMT
The isolation transformer has failed not sure why will investigate further at the end of the cruise, but as it is encapsulated I doubt much ca be done even the slow start device is potted.
Whilst we are cruising I have bypassed the IT so that the mains including earth is connected straight to the boat's system.
We will only connect every other day for a few hours for charging washing machines etc (we are in Europe where mains is often available!)
so probably about 100 hours total
Does the team think this length of unprotected exposure to stray currents will cause any significant damage?
The leccy is on a timer when it cuts out is it safe to leave the lead plugged in or should I remove it to cut any connection to shore earth?
Thanks in anticipation
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Post by tonyb on Aug 19, 2017 6:42:17 GMT
Easy bit - unplug it to break the conductor between the mains earth and the hull.
Hard bit - it all depends upon what voltage difference there is between the mains earth at the hull bond point and the actual soil/water. The "conductivity" of the water also has an effect.The greater the difference the greater the likelihood of damage. My Gut feeling is in the vast majority of cases would be hardly noticeable damage.
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Post by Robbo on Aug 19, 2017 13:32:40 GMT
Which IT was it, they rarely fail.
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Post by phoenix on Aug 20, 2017 5:46:50 GMT
Tony - thanks
Robbo - Airlink, will investigate further and speak to them at the end of the trip and report, it is tripping the breaker and there is signs of burning near where the primary circuit wires enter the encapsulation so some form of short there, I suspect maybe just the slow start device but everything is potted so not accessible.
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Post by JohnV on Aug 20, 2017 5:57:53 GMT
Phoenix, I reckon you're probably spot on with your diagnosis. The only time I had a fault with a large toroidal (in equipment not a stand alone) it was the NTC thermistor had burnt out
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Post by Robbo on Aug 20, 2017 6:51:09 GMT
Tony - thanks Robbo - Airlink, will investigate further and speak to them at the end of the trip and report, it is tripping the breaker and there is signs of burning near where the primary circuit wires enter the encapsulation so some form of short there, I suspect maybe just the slow start device but everything is potted so not accessible. That’s interesting, my Airlink didn’t last long either but I didn’t install it straight away so was well out of warranty when it failed even though it only lasted a winter. Not done any tests on mine to see what and there was no burning smell or marks but I’m guess it was the slow start as well. Airlink used to be recommended but I don’t would anymore. |
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 20, 2017 7:28:55 GMT
Are these Airlink devices by any chance Made in China?
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Post by JohnV on Aug 20, 2017 7:39:27 GMT
the transformers are probably wound in the UK. but the NTC thermistors that are used to keep the inrush current down could be made anywhere in the World. Lots of electronic parts are made in such varied places as Malaysia and Mexico.
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 20, 2017 7:54:07 GMT
People should be paying a reasonable/fair amount for products that are made to reasonable/fair standards. It's the desire to save money by buying cheap that is the cause of it in all.
It should be made an environmental crime to produce poorly designed goods.
A decent wage for a decent job - then we could all pay decent prices for decent items.
When I see prople wanting a pint of decent beer, value £4, but wanting it for £1.50, it seems clear to me that 'the Environment' and 'Saving the Planet' don't really score high in their minds.
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Post by JohnV on Aug 20, 2017 8:01:56 GMT
People should be paying a reasonable/fair amount for products that are made to reasonable/fair standards. It's the desire to save money by buying cheap that is the cause of it in all. It should be made an environmental crime to produce poorly designed goods. A decent wage for a decent job - then we could all pay decent prices for decent items. When I see prople wanting a pint of decent beer, value £4, but wanting it for £1.50, it seems clear to me that 'the Environment' and 'Saving the Planet' don't really score high in their minds. I think you are off beam when talking of electronics parts and labour costs in the same sentence. Virtually all electronic components are made by fully automatic processes. Labour costs are a minor part of the equation, far more important are tax breaks/environmental restrictions/government sweeteners for relocating etc etc. Incidentally I don't know any prople but I for one object to paying £4 for a pint of Doombar when I can get it at my local Weatherspoons for £2.40 ...... I don't mind some variation .....but there are limits |
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 20, 2017 8:20:46 GMT
Doombar is mass-produced brownish water with alcohol thrown in. Made in Burton-upon-Trent. As are nearly all the Tescos-buy-4-for-£6 labels.
I often compare prices as to how many hours work I have to do to pay for something.
My haircut in Rishton £5 in June - same costs £22 in Himanka. I think £12 would be fair & reasonable.
Will China be the world leader soon? Is Russia waiting in the background, or are they all vodka-soaked depressed goons who will never really invent anything of their own?
It looks as if the Sun has set on the UK, Japan and the USA. Where are all the American tourists these days?
Helsinki Airport is certainly one big gateway between China and the West.
Can only keep an eye on others' reviews when it comes to wanting to buy a product.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2017 14:53:22 GMT
My airlink is of2006 vintage, however its been without a varistor since 2007. Still works just as well........
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Post by bodger on Aug 20, 2017 16:53:25 GMT
Are these Airlink devices by any chance Made in China? I challenge you to identify any complex appliance or vehicle that does not incorporate some components that were made in China. |
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 20, 2017 17:30:40 GMT
Are these Airlink devices by any chance Made in China? I challenge you to identify any complex appliance or vehicle that does not incorporate some components that were made in China. Nuclear missiles made in the USA? Cuckoo clocks made in Switzerland? My Dawes Galaxy bicycles. You cannot deny, though, that I have been so many times dismayed when I have used products that don't work properly and on turning them over see Made in China moulded on their backs. Whether the Chinese can sometimes make decent products is one thing, but the Chinese government is also certainly happy to see the world being filled with absolute crap that's Made in China. Buy it, works for 5 minutes, throw it away - not really good the environment, is it? This is the state of the world now. The Chinese have become enormously rich - we've never before seen so many of them on the move, have we? Now, would you prefer to buy one of those narrowboats-in-a-shipping-container from China, or something that Norton Canes, Piper or Hudson have turned out? I try to buy goods of quality - SnapOn and Bahco and Draper and Fiskars tools, for instance. Preferably Fiskars made in Finland, as that sneaky firm has been having its stuff made in far-away cheaper-labour countries too. Bahco also has some gear made in South America. Many products made in the USA are of damned good quality, by the way. Perhaps it was watching Seven Years in Tibet (the movie) that helped to give me my attitude towards the Chinese. Riding the Iron Rooster is now dated, of course (the book by Paul Theroux), but still gives a picture of what China was and still - probably - is. The 'average Chinese person' always suspects the government is keeping tabs on them. |
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Post by phoenix on Aug 20, 2017 21:17:48 GMT
As it happens the Airlinks are made in Harlow (apart from the varistor of course) It looked a soild piece of kit, weighed a ton and never appeared to get unduly hot under load. But encapsulating everything is a major design fault - when I replace it I will look at whether that has/can be changed or buy elsewhere,China not excluded.
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