Archive for December, 2009

Kenyon All Seasons Grill – Great for All Seasons

December 15th, 2009 by Kevin Hannula and Nick Kroes

The days of lugging heavy bags of charcoal or tanks of gas to enjoy grilled food are gone. The Kenyon Custom All Seasons Electric Grill provides a safe method of grilling without the hazard of open flames associated with propane gas or charcoal grills. Simply touch the On/Off circle and then raise or lower the heat setting by pressing the + or – graphic on the sealed moisture proof ceramic glass panel and you are instantly cooking. The touch control activates the concealed heating element while providing visual indication of the heat setting. The nonstick grate imparts characteristic barbeque grill markings while sealing in the flavor and juices. A concealed electric element eliminates grease flare-ups while providing a controlled heat source. The non-stick grate and optional griddle are easily removed for cleaning between grilling. Also included is a disposable grease tray. The Kenyon All Seasons Grill is constructed of 304 stainless steel and is backed by the Kenyon three year warranty.

Kenyon also offers the built in Frontier and Rio versions of the All Season Grill. Their quality stainless steel constructions makes them idea for the marine environment. Electrically, these units connect to your boat wiring similar to a normal electric cooktop. Installing one on your boat would not be the simplest marine electrical project, but not the most difficult either.

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New Gauge System From Faria Instruments

December 12th, 2009 by Kevin Hannula and Nick Kroes

The Faria Bus system is the next generation in marine electrical engine monitoring instrumentation. This system gives the boat builder a Digital Stepper Motor driven instruments with all of the accuracy that today’s engine ECUs provide. The Faria Bus system connects directly to a wide variety of engine protocol buses. Yet the boater sees only the simple to read, streamline gauges that they are accustomed to seeing.

Tachometer and Speedometer are available in 5-inch and 4-inch sizes, with and without Warning Lights. Discrete functions are displayed on 2-inch systems gauges or can be combined into a Multifunction gauge.

Features:

  • Single twisted pair wire connects all gauges
  • Serial Bus reliability
  • Connectorized cases
  • Waterproof connectors
  • Can digitally display information
  • Available in many Faria styles
  • Simplified boat wiring
Posted in Boat Wiring, Cruisers, Gauge Panels, Harnesses, Harnesses-Dash, New Products, Pontoons, Runabouts, Signaling Devices, Switch Panels | Comments Off

How to Choose an AFI Wiper Arm

December 5th, 2009 by Kevin Hannula and Nick Kroes

Wiper arms are available in Standard, Deluxe, and Premier styles and
the primary construction material in all AFI wiper arms is stainless steel.
Standard arms are used with Standard blades and can only be used
with the line of Standard motors, while the Deluxe arms are used on
Standard and Heavy-Duty motors. When choosing arms (and blades) it
is very important to use only the recommended lengths for the motor
that you are using.

The arms are available in a wide range of sizes, in both black and
stainless steel finish, and regular and pantographic models. Pantographic
arms use a set of two arms joined together to give a flatter
and somewhat wider sweep pattern. The Deluxe arms are offered in
either with a polished stainless steel finish or a black powder-coated
finish. Premier arms are the top of the line product in this category,
utilizing heavy-duty stainless steel tubing and components, and they
can only be used with the Heavy Duty and Heavy Duty Plus motors.
Premier arms come in adjustable length sizes, ranging from 10” to 30”,
in both regular and pantographic versions. The longer length Premier
arms (25” – 30” long) have been designed for added strength and have
a tapered wiper shaft fitting made especially to fit the larger, more
powerful AFI-3.0 wiper motor. These arms also have a saddle style tip
for a stronger connection with the longer length Premier blades (26”,
28”, and 30” lengths).
Premier arms are also available as “wet arm” versions, with the water
hose and sprayer nozzle built into the wiper arm. All that is needed is a
water delivery system that the arm can be tied into. For those wanting
a windshield washer system for the Deluxe arms, there is a complete
washer kit system that is made especially to fit the Deluxe arms.

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How to Choose an AFI Wiper Motor

December 3rd, 2009 by Kevin Hannula and Nick Kroes

The motor choice is based primarily on the size of the windshield and where the motor is to be installed, either in an exterior or interior location. AFI motors are split into three categories, Standard, Heavy-Duty, and Heavy-Duty Plus, with the categories being
defined by the power range of the motors in those categories. Within the three categories, there are motors designed for interior
or protected installations, and motors designed for exterior installations. With the addition of the AFI-3.0 motor, AFI offers wiper
motors for all windshield sizes up to 45”, which could be covered by a 30” arm and 30” blade combination, driven by an AFI-3.0
motor..

The Standard motor category includes the STD, WMW, and AFI-500, which are all designed for light duty use, defined as being able to drive a 14” arm and a 14” blade. The differences in the motors relate to their casings and the appropriate installation applications. The STD is designed to be used in interior or well protected locations. The WMW, with its chrome-plated brass outer housing, provides protection for exterior, marine electrical installations that have some protection. The AFI-500, with its thermo-plastic, watertight housing, is ideal for any light-duty, external installation where the motor is constantly exposed to the elements.

When coverage of a larger windshield is required, AFI offers the Heavy-Duty motors, which are capable of driving a wide range of arm and blade sizes, up to a 26” x 26” Deluxe arm and blade combination, which would cover windshields up to 39” (the AFI-2.5). The MRV is built for interior or well-protected locations, and has the power to pull a 22” X 22” Deluxe arm and blade combination. It has two speeds, with adjustable sweep set and adjustable parking. The AFI-1000 can pull up to a 16” x 16” Deluxe arm and blade combination. While not as powerful as the MRV, it is waterproof, with the high-density thermoplastic housing offering complete protection from the elements. The AFI-1000 is a one-speed motor, with adjustable park and adjustable sweep settings. The third motor in this category, the AFI-1.5, is new to the product line, and has the power to pull a 22” x 22” Deluxe arm and blade combination like the MRV, but is waterproof and built for exposed installations. The AFI-1.5 has a powder-coated aluminum base and housing for greater operating efficiency and durability, with two-speed operation, and adjustable park and sweep sets. The fourth marine electrical wiper motor, also new to the line and mentioned above, is the AFI-2.5, which replaces the AFI-2000. It has the same features as the AFI-1.5 (waterproof, powder-coated aluminum housing, etc.), with the added power to drive a longer (26”) Deluxe arm and blade combination. The AFI-3.0 is the new motor that makes up the Heavy-Duty Plus category. A wiper motor for internal installations, the AFI-3.0 has an external linkage shaft drive that gives it the power and torque to drive a 30” Premier pantographic arm and Premier blade combination.

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Why Attwood LED Navigation Lighting?

December 2nd, 2009 by Kevin Hannula and Nick Kroes

A New Level of Efficiency

Attwood presents the most energy efficient LED navigational lights in the world. Through the use of proprietary optical design techniques, we’ve optimized our lens design to harness nearly 90% of all light being generated by the LED. In doing so, our line of LED series navigational lights exceed US Coast Guard requirements with the fewest and lowest watt LEDs of any navigational light manufactured today. Less energy used by navigational lighting means more energy available for powering your boat, enjoying time on the water, and safer boat wiring.

Engineered to Last

As the emerging leader in the marine lighting design, Attwood understands the demands of the marine environment. Completely sealed LED units resist water intrusion, electrostatic discharge, (during assembly) vibration and ultraviolet light (UV) radiation. Reverse polarity protection has been added to eliminate potential mis-wiring damage during installation. Our LED navigational lighting also features high quality electro-polished stainless steel covers designed to resist corrosion in even the most extreme saltwater, marine electrical environments. The result? Style and durability. Most importantly, Attwood lights are built to stand the test of time. Rated for 50,000+ hours of use and protected by a 10-year warranty, you can count on Attwood products to light your way for years to come.

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