Ahhhhh….. He Found Me!

After 50 years my Best Man at our wedding reconnected with us in Perth.

We had a significant amount of catching up to do in one day.  Bill has had an interesting and varied life.  Always interested in flying, he currently owns two aircraft and retains the same passion for flight.

I'm not sure when we will physically next meet, but the internet will enable us to stay in contact.

Meanwhile, I've continued with the trailer kitchen light project.  I wanted to complete the project using whatever I already had at hand.  A little like the engineers of Apollo 13 or Macgyver from the TV series of the same name.

I've previously mentioned the left over length of aluminium 'T Track'.   Searching around in the garage I found partial remains of a metal shield from an old switchboard.

I also found a length of steel rectangular tube. 

I could make two mounting plates from the switchboard case and by cutting 90mm off the end of the tube and then removing one side I could form a piece of 'C Section'

I cut out the mounting plates using the angle grinder leaving a lip on two sides of each plate to increase its rigidity. I don't want the plates to flex under load.  The 'C Section was then bolted to one of the plates.

The plates were then secured to the rooftop tent mounting channels

The length of 'T Track with the light at one end swivels 180deg when in use and is held across the back of the trailer when not required.

Not fully extended as the trailer is too close to the fence.

The light power cable was secured using cable ties.

Next I drilled two holes in the end of the trailer for the light power cable and a switch.

I used Sikaflex to seal the power cable conduit to the trailer.

Rumbling through the drawers and jars in the workshop I found a 12V push switch with an led backing.

It was then a case of wiring it all up into the trailer electrical system

Well the led is correctly wired

The 12V pond light is multi-coloured.  I've set it on orange in the hope this won't attract the bugs.  If orange doesn't work I will change the colour to red.

There should be sufficient light over the stove to cook at night

 

Annoying and At Last!

The computer inkjet printer has stopped working and I can't fix it.  This is both annoying and disappointing.   Annoying because we recently purchased a new set of ink cartridges which are now as useful as hip pockets on a singlet.  Disappointing because my sister gave it to us on our return from the UK and it's only lasted six years.  I shall have to ask her if she still has the warranty card! 

We had no other option than to purchase a replacement.  The cheapest inkjet printer with a scanner that I could find.   Eventually I settled on an Epson XP-2205 with a price of $65.  Of course it will have those initial inkjet cartridges containing a very small amount of ink.  A standard set of cartridges costs $80… $15 more than the cost of the printer!  Obviously Epson intend to make their money from the sale of cartridges rather than printers.  I have a cunning plan….

At Last

The optocouplers for the DIY yacht electronic box have finally been delivered. 

They were order from Aliexpress on 25 Aug and left China on 28 Aug arriving in Australia on 1 Sep.  It has taken the Australia Post blind, three legged tortoise 18 days to transport it from the postal centre in the adjacent suburb to our house.  We do miss the UK where you could order something today and it would be delivered tomorrow!

The optocouplers are the final components required to complete the project.

Relief

After an absence of many decades I returned to cycling two years ago, almost immediately discovering two physical issues that nagged away at me.  The first was my back, which quickly starts to ache if I bend over for more than 10 minutes.  This was partially resolved by me fitting a stem extension to the bike which raised the height of the handlebars.  The second problem was pins and needles in my fingers which eventually extended to numbness in the hands.  It would reach the point where I lost all feeling in my right thumb preventing me from using the gear change lever.

Upon thinking about the problem I realised these issues all revolved around the position of my arms and hands.  If a human stands with their arms by their side the palms of the hands rest against the side of the body.  However the straight handlebar on the bike meant the palms were at 90deg to their natural position.  Moreover the bike handgrip was round which meant I was either gripping it or resting my palms on a round surface.

I started looking for a handlebar which would raise the height of my hands and move them to a more natural position.  Eventually I found what appeared to be a suitable bar on Aliexpress.  It was delivered yesterday.

It appeared to be well packed with little sign of damage.  

The welds and powder coating looked OK.

The next step was to check whether it had been deformed in manufacture.

 

Nothing wrong!

I also ordered a different style of handlebar grip.  The replacements have a flat section where I can rest the outer ball of my palm.

The swept back shape has moved my hands closer to my body allowing me to sit more upright whilst the new grips provide a comfortable resting position for my hands.

Previously, I'd usually experience the onset of pins & needles after 10km and; unless I stopped for a rest; that condition would remain throughout the ride.  Today I rode non-stop for 60km without any of the previous issues.  I think I may have solved my issues!

Let There Be Light!

One annoying thing I'd noticed about the offroad trailer was the lack of light over the kitchen.  Obviously only an issue when attempting to cook in the dark but I seem to do a lot of that! 

A suitable light is required and it must be either red or orange light.  White light attracts insects.  The light also needs to be LED, cheap and 12V.

There was no problem in finding a 12V LED light.  However finding one that produced either red or orange light proved more problematic.  Eventually I found a light on www.Temu.com that looked promising.  It was designed and constructed for pond lighting which was a bonus.

The light arrived today

I hadn't anticipated it would come with a wireless colour selection remote control.

The next step will be to mount the light on some type of moveable arm that can swing out above the kitchen when required and also be safely stowed when not required or in transit.

Whilst searching for something to use for the arm I remembered a surplus length of 'T Track' from the router lift project.  

Now to design a pivot mounting and a storage catch.  Time to go back though all the "stuff that might be useful one day"

Size Matters

I've stated it before….. Size Matters!

In this case it's the size of the clips purchased for the trailer canvas awning from Aliexpress.  The online image looked so big, but when the clips were delivered I realised they were tiny.

The black clip in the photo below is one of the 10 originals I purchased.  The pen is to provide an idea if size.

I did attempt to use the black clips to secure the guide lines to the canvas awning but they didn't have enough grip.  Today the second order of larger clips from Aliexpress was delivered.

Much better!

Hopefully this resolves the matter.

Modifications and Preparations

In 2018 I had settled on the make and style of off road trailer I would buy.  I would then modify to my own requirements.  I'd already decided to carry the required equipment and supplies in wooden boxes which I promptly made from plywood.  The boxes were actually made prior to the delivery of the trailer.

Roll forward the clock four years and I'd identified a problem with my initial box design.  They all have top lids which meant they needed to be removed from the trailer to gain access to the contents.  This actually wasn't an issue with two of the boxes as they contained equipment I rarely required.  However the box closest to the tailgate and immediately behind the kitchen contained my cooking pots.

It would be much easier to gain regular access to the contents of this box if it was front opening.  Moreover it wouldn't need to be removed from the trailer.

Over the last couple of days I made a new box.

 

Making an internal top drawer has  given me more storage

Now the contents are accessible inside the trailer

Taiwan

I'm returning to Taiwan for another cycling holiday.  This time there will be some changes.  First, I will endeavour to go slower and see more of the people and country.  Last year I was too focussed on circumnavigating the island! 

The second change is I will not take the one wheel bike trailer.  On the last trip I took a tent, sleeping bag and air mattress in anticipation I might need to use campsites.  That never eventuated once I realised accommodation was plentiful, clean and reasonably priced.  This time those three bulky items won't be taken.  I've also now weighed the empty trailer and realised it takes almost half my airline checked luggage allowance. 

On this trip I will take a rear bike rack and panniers.  Both items purchased from Aliexpress.

The rack has quick release catches for easy installation and removal.  It's also rated at 100kg.  Not that I intend to carry that much!

The panniers are made by RockBros and have a capacity of 17 litres each.   They have a quick release system.

    

Apart from my laptop, the panniers have been filled with everything I will require whilst cycling.  I'm now cycling around the local area to see if the new setup works for me.

You might also have noticed the twin red water bottle holders behind the saddle.  During the last trip I carried my water in a bladder which was inside a small backpack.  It didn't take me long to realise the pack made my back very sweaty. 

The bike has now travelled almost 10,000km and I decided to change the front and rear hydraulic brake fluid.  I used the 'gravity' method.  Fresh brake fluid goes into a small reservoir attached to the brake handle.

The wheel and brake pads are removed.  A special brake block is then fitted to ensure the brake pistons don't pop out.  Rather than purchase one I made a block from a small plywood offcut.

The old fluid is captured in a plastic bag which was secured to the bike with a length of wire.

When the valve the the brake pad end is opened the fluid drains into the bag and is replaced with clean fluid from the reservoir.

 

I was quite surprised how clean the original fluid was give it's been used for 10,000km.

The final pre-trip maintenance task was to complete an oil change on the Alfine internally geared rear hub.  That oil was dirty!  I've been replacing the hub oil every 2000km although the manufacturer recommends every 5000km.  It only takes 50ml of oil and I bought a one litre bottle for $14, so the oil change is very inexpensive.

Black Box Progress

My lively sense of humour!

Two failings with version two of the diy yacht navigation system.   The AIS (Automatic Identification System) for ships hasn't been working.  I bought a second USB TV dongle after I suspected the first was unable to tune to the required radio frequency.  Subsequently I took the 'blackbox" and home made antenna to the coast (three times) in an effort to receive a signal failing on each occasion.  I finally realised the second cheap USB dongle might have the same issue as the first. 

A third dongle was then purchased online.  This one was more expensive and I was optimistic.  Unfortunately this one was stolen in transit.  All I received was the torn brown envelope.  Fortunately the seller agreed to send a replacement.

The second is was the size of the case.  Version 1 of the case proved to be too small.  I then bought a larger case.  That also proved to be too small.  In the end I made a case from scrap plywood.  

Front Panel (L-R)  Volt/Amp meter   Fan switch  Fuse holder  Main switch

Rear Panel

• Four USB ports
• Audio jack
• Ethernet port
• Two HDMI ports
• External sensor socket
• AIS antenna socket
• 12V input socket

In order to create some interior room for my shaky fat fingers and poor eyesight I've mounted the Raspberry Pi on a plinth

Every component or module that might fail has been mounted using Velcro.  The idea is this should make replacement easier.

Inside

There are two outstanding tasks.

1. I need to test the AIS module and confirm it can receive signals and display ship position data.
2. I've ordered two optocouplers which need to be installed.  One will be for the existing yacht depth sensor and the other is either a spare or for a second sensor (eg, anemometer).

Yes, the wiring does need to be tidied!

Grandson's yacht is old (1991) and the current depth sensor used the 'SeaTalk' communications data protocol.  This was a propriety protocol developed by Raymarine.  Eventually SeaTalk was replaced by a new protocol, NMEA0183.  This has now be replaced with a canbus protocol NMEA2000.

The 'Blackbox' uses the NMEA0183 protocol and an optocoupler is required to convert the SeaTalk data to a NMEA0183 compatible format.

Hopefully the project is nearly finished.

Fault Finding

As usual; any long outback trip results in a very dirty vehicle.  Moreover the fine Australian dust permeates the interior.  The division of post-trip activity meant I assigned myself the mundane tasks of cleaning whilst Carlin took on the more complex tasks of repairing the trailer suspension and our Kipor 2KVA generator.

I'll write nothing further about my cleaning efforts as almost everyone knows how to clean a vehicle!

Carlin has a very good knowledge of practical mechanical engineering and after stripping the damaged side of the trailer suspension identified the root cause of the broken suspension arm bolt.  The bushes installed during assembly were too small!  The consequence of this was the bolt "flogged around" inside the end of the suspension arm with all the pressure (compression) occurring on the head of the bolt.  This is why the head had sheared off causing the suspension arm to collapse.

The trailer is well outside the warranty period however we visited the Perth distributor to discuss the problem.  The business had been sold since I bought the trailer and; of course; the trailer has been superseded.  Fortunately the new owners were able to source four replacement bushes of the required size from a bin of old spare parts out the back.  Carlin then needed to elongate the mounting holes in the suspension chassis bracket in order to allow the new (larger) bushes to be installed.  The trailer wasn't assembled in China.  That was done in Perth.  I suspect the original Perth distributor fitted the smaller (loose) bushes when he discovered the correct sized bushes didn't fit in the mounting holes.  Smaller bushes probably aren't an issue for trailers that rarely venture off road.  However that isn't the type of terrain I want to travel.  Hopefully the replacement of the small bushes and the new shock absorbers will be the end of my trailer suspension problems.

For more that a year the Kipor generator hasn't worked.  I had already replaced the spark plug and there was a spark.  Fuel was making it to the carburettor but it wouldn't start.  Carlin thought the spark was weak and we bought a new coil.  That improved the strength of the spark; but it still wouldn't start.

  

With the air filter removed Carlin squirted small puffs of carburettor cleaner into the air intake whilst I pulled the starter cord.  The generator started but would only run if continual bursts of cleaner were squirted into the air intake.  No fuel was making it through the carburettor. 

Carlin removed the carburettor and I submerged it in a container of new petrol before placing the container and carburettor into the ultrasonic cleaner for two hours.

This appeared to resolve the problem as the generator started on petrol once the carburettor was refitted.  To test it, Carlin wanted the generator to run on maximum load.  The nearest device I could find was the DeWalt bench saw.

The generator ran until the fuel tank was empty.  Another problem solved!

On reflection I think I probably caused the problem.  I had left the generator for a lengthy period with fuel in the tank which had likely gone "stale" allowing varnish to gum up the carburettor.  That's a mistake I won't repeat.

Carlin has now returned to New Zealand where he is commencing his preparations to take his yacht on a south-west Pacific voyage.  For my part; I need to complete the construction of his yacht electronic chart plotter and boat monitoring system.  I'll leave that for another post.

Kalbarri Gorge

From our campsite to home is a familiar route as we drove it on the last trip.  Therefore I won't write much about the drive except to mention we detoured to Kalbarri Gorge.  It was the first time Carlin had seen the gorge.

Arthropod tracks found around the gorge suggests they once lived here.

Although now extinct Arthropods roamed the earth for nearly 200 million years.  The largest of the more than 250 species reached lengths of 2.5 metres and were carnivorous.

The Window

Reputedly better than the one at the Bungle Bungles

Time for one final look and then we headed for Perth.