500/520 DB official thread

[tshannoz]

Alright. The new 6GPM pulp is in at 60 psi with no issues. My fresh water tank has been emptied and new water is going in as we speak. And I am going without the city water connection from now on.

Thanks again everyone. I am truly thankful that this group exists. And I hope one day to contribute as much as I have benefited from everyone’s collective knowledge.

Tom

 

[Alex F]

... To make filling the water tank easier, I cut about a foot off the end of a hose and connect that to my shore water hose, then put that end of the hose into the water tank opening so that I don’t have to hold it while it’s filling. I just put it in and walk away until it starts overflowing.

I use this type (link) of filter on the hose, when filling the metal coiled end goes in the tank, so I don't need to hold the hose. As you can see it solves two things, filtering the water and no need to hold the hose, allowing me to multi-task.

What PSI would you recommend for the system? I don’t want to raise and cause issues.

I'm using 55 PSI rated pump. Link

 

[tshannoz]

Thanks so much. 55-60PSI has been luxurious to say the least.

One additional question. Does anyone know what the left switch does next to the starboard side of the V-berth bed? I attached a photo below. Does this switch turn anything on?

 

[rlynch03]

What size BTU A/C Unit is everyone replacing their Master Cabin unit with? Mine came with a 10k BTU like most of the 52DB i suspect. I am looking at a 9k and 11K unit Marinaire offers.

I do think we have a lack of airflow in the bunk rooms so i would like to go with the larger unit if it doesnt add other dehumidifying issues.

Please let me know what you you guys are using and how it is working since?

 

[tshannoz]

Does anyone know what that switch does? If not, I may try to replace it with an outlet to charge my phone.

Also, what anchor would you recommend as an upgrade or replacement for my 500DB? My stock 60 lb plow is bent. I want to be sure the pulpit fit is good as well. Thanks so much!

 

[Jeremygavin]

Does anyone know what that switch does? If not, I may try to replace it with an outlet to charge my phone.

Also, what anchor would you recommend as an upgrade or replacement for my 500DB? My stock 60 lb plow is bent. I want to be sure the pulpit fit is good as well. Thanks so much!

I don’t have that switch so I am not sure about the switch. My anchor was bent when I bought the boat as well so went through the same decision. The stock 60lb Kodiak anchor fits the rollers well and has great holding. Upgrade would be polished stainless Kodiak. Roncna anchors are supposed to have superior holding power and I was thinking of going with one of those but I didn’t want to hassle with having it not fit the rollers well so I stayed stock and have had no issues with it.

 

[rlynch03]

Does anyone know what that switch does? If not, I may try to replace it with an outlet to charge my phone.

Also, what anchor would you recommend as an upgrade or replacement for my 500DB? My stock 60 lb plow is bent. I want to be sure the pulpit fit is good as well. Thanks so much!

I do not have the second switch either. It may be a three way for the underbed strip lights.?. Let us know once you figure it out.

We replaced the OEM galvanized 60lb Kodiak anchor with a polished Stainless Steel 52lb Delta. Fits perfect and has never let us down even in some strong storm winds. We do tend to let more chain out than typical recommended.

 

[tshannoz]

Great. Thanks guys!

And very interesting that you don’t have that switch. Is it an outlet in your boats?

Also, thanks so much for the anchor recommendations.

Tom

 

[ttmott]

Thanks so much. 55-60PSI has been luxurious to say the least.

One additional question. Does anyone know what the left switch does next to the starboard side of the V-berth bed? I attached a photo below. Does this switch turn anything on?

View attachment 145511

Port side - by hanging locker is a receptacle and under that a telephone jack. Port side forward is a single light switch for the lights over the bed. Starboard side no switches at all.

 

[tshannoz]

Very interesting. I love how each boat is so different. Thanks so much.

Tom

Port side - by hanging locker is a receptacle and under that a telephone jack. Port side forward is a single light switch for the lights over the bed. Starboard side no switches at all.

 

[tshannoz]

Just as you all suspected. It’s a blank switch!

Well, time to add a new Vimar outlet on the starboard side for my iPhone charger. Honestly the switch here for the lights behind the bed is super convenient.

 

[tshannoz]

Yacht Controller vs Dockmate

Has anyone installed one of these remote controls in their 500/520DB? Please let me know which one you recommend for a Cummins power plant with bow and stern thrusters?

Also, which model is the sweet spot for price/features? I am fine with a DIY option too.

 

[ttmott]

Yacht Controller vs Dockmate

Has anyone installed one of these remote controls in their 500/520DB? Please let me know which one you recommend for a Cummins power plant with bow and stern thrusters?

Also, which model is the sweet spot for price/features? I am fine with a DIY option too.

Reach out to Rusty @Carpediem44DB . He had a pretty good one he was building.

 

[tshannoz]

Thanks! I think I’m going to pull the trigger in on the Yacht Controller Maximo. They have some custom modules for the 500/520DB as well because if the hybrid analog/digital propulsion system.

I’ll keep everyone posted on how it goes.

 

[tshannoz]

One additional question. What is everyone using to monitor house battery power remaining, % charge, and rate of use? Is there something that is already installed at the factory? Or is this something I’ll need to add?

 

[ttmott]

One additional question. What is everyone using to monitor house battery power remaining, % charge, and rate of use? Is there something that is already installed at the factory? Or is this something I’ll need to add?

There is no true "house" battery bank in our boats. The Port battery provides power for the port engine, cabin loads, CO monitors, and a portion of the bilge pumps and a portion of the boat's lighting. The Starboard battery provides power for the starboard engine, helm and bridge loads, windlass, and a portion of the bilge pumps and nav lighting. With that said the circuit breaker panel in the cabin is powered uniquely by the Port battery. There is nothing installed OEM that provides battery status other than rudimentary voltage gauge.
Consequently, I monitor both of the battery banks. I have a Victron shunt on both of the banks and monitor via a Victron Cerbo. I can status the system on the Victron display I have in the cabin, on my NMEA 2000 devices including the chart plotters, and remotely (like on my smartphone and home computer). I also get alarms via email.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I didn't go to that level. I just put a 12 V gauge on the bridge that has 2 USB outlets too. Otherwise (at least I do) you have a switch in your power panel to toggle between the 2 batteries.

 

[tshannoz]

Ok. Very interesting. So the 8D starter batteries are also the “house” batteries? I also have 2 Group 31 batteries just in front of the port engine. Is this an oem configuration or is my setup different? What do these batteries do?

The PO of my boat owned a Sea Ray dealership, so I am finding a bunch of interesting differences (like the light switch on the starboard side of the V-berth bed).

 

[spikedaddy99]

The 31's are for your thruster.

 

[tshannoz]

Ok gotcha. This is very good info to know. I assumed that the deep cycle Group 31’s did house stuff. I don’t feel that great knowing that my starter batteries are also running all of the DC amenities within the cabin.