Another one of those things that I love about Amels

Yesterday, I tried to help someone with a refrigeration problem on a name-brand yacht. I was unable to get to the Danfoss compressor controller to do basic tests. The access panel the yacht builder provided was not big enough to get my hands through. I think that you probably remember my write-up on how to access the Amel refrigerator on a Super Maramu. One thumb nut and slide the entire thing out!

Today, our VHF radio suddenly quit. A check of the voltage, reflected no current going to the radio. The Sailor 6216 VHF radio is only about two years old.

\


I went to the DC-DC 24V to 12V Sailor transformers which I could access by removing two thumb nuts. They are mounted on a finished piece of mahogany plywood, with a long enough pigtail to set the entire thing on the nav-station stool. I noted the spare fuses Amel placed on the case of the first transformer, in case a fuse is blown. This is inside a fabric lined locker behind a mahogany door beneath the nav-station...open the door, remove two thumb nuts and pull the entire thing out to check fuses. Amel, yes...other boats, HA!



I opened the transformer labeled VHF. I found the fuse to be fine, but one of the power leads to the terminal-block was loose. The screw was tight and the wire-end properly soldered, but apparently when this was installed at Amel, the technician did not insert the wire-end under the screw before tightening. Clearly a mistake, but also easy to find and easy to fix.  I secured the wire and tested everything...OK. It took me a total of 5 minutes from start to finish. WOW!

Henri Amel is no longer with us, but the culture he instilled at the Amel yard will last forever...I hope! None quite like it!