Watchkeeping, and the science of sleep

  • 29 Nov 2012 12:12
    Reply # 1148579 on 1116981
    Deleted user
    David and Paul

    Thanks for the suggestions regarding alarm alternatives for aging ears. Paul, your suggestion of the kitchen timer vibrating on the chest is excellent. Going to give that one a try. I have an Icom Radio and AIS. Will speak with the dealer in Lunenburg, when I get back there, to see if I can adapt the SeaTalk alarm to this unit as it seems to be ideal.
  • 28 Nov 2012 23:32
    Reply # 1148155 on 1116981
    David & Bob,

    Checkout Gadgetpool.de Frank has a external alarm that interfaces with Raymarine/Autohelm products but it also has a built in timer function and a connection that can drive a light/vibrator or loudhailer type horn speaker.

    That external conection alone, probly makes it worth having even if you do not have Raymarine/Autohelm products onboard.
  • 28 Nov 2012 02:23
    Reply # 1147406 on 1116981
    Being totally deaf I hear nothing of cause. What has worked for me is an ordinary clockwork type kitchen timer. I made a little harness that positions it on my chest, then when it goes off, I can feel it even though I do not hear it.
     
  • 28 Nov 2012 00:53
    Reply # 1147347 on 1116981
    Or perhaps a vibrator, Bob, as is fitted in cellphones? As one gets older, so the ears get less able to pick one particular sound out of the background noise, so we have to look at employing the other senses.
  • 25 Nov 2012 11:30
    Reply # 1145379 on 1116981
    Deleted user
    David, I'm very interested in what you come up with for a light to waken one. In addition to to watch keeping I've been trying to come up with a light for the AIS. Getting harder of hearing these days and alarms don't always wake me if I can hear them at all.
  • 24 Nov 2012 09:58
    Reply # 1144735 on 1116981
    Jeez man, why not just wire up a hammer to a clockwork timer, a la Heath Robinson, or, possibly, Wallace and Grommit?

    PS please note that the hammer has to be positioned so as to tap hard enough to wake up the somnolent receptor, but not to concuss same
  • 24 Nov 2012 01:04
    Reply # 1144534 on 1116981
    Steering us back on topic:
    I was finding that my little RadioShack clockwork timer, and my little digital kitchen timer, aren't loud enough to wake me when I've got down into deep sleep. What I need is a clockwork run-back timer, maximum time two hours, wired to supply current to a loud buzzer and a bright flashing LED. All in a neat little enclosure and wired into the 12V supply. I'll work on it, when I can find an electronics supply shop. 
  • 14 Nov 2012 21:17
    Reply # 1137594 on 1116981
    Deleted user
    Keeping an eye on 'you lot' (if you'll forgive the phrase), is impossible, so I give up (for tonight :-) Take a look at Bardens (UK), who still list Solarex.
    Last modified: 14 Nov 2012 21:17 | Deleted user
  • 14 Nov 2012 09:59
    Reply # 1137174 on 1116981
    OK, 'tother Gary, thanks for explanation.  I would willingly pay the shipping on a $50 solar panel.  My problem is that I want a semi-flexible (like Solarex used to make) because the extreme camber on my coach roof means that mounting a framed solar panel (SP :-)?)  creates an ugly, tripping hazard that neither my over-inflated aesthetics nor my under-functioning safety awareness can cope with.  Anyone know where I can buy one?

    Oops, sorry Mr Webmaster.  Have ambled Off Topic again.  Please open a new topic if this results in a flurry of replies.
  • 13 Nov 2012 21:46
    Reply # 1136618 on 1136111
    Annie Hill wrote:Oh, great!  Cool, awesome, wonderful!  And only $250!

    What's a PV?

    I understand Annie. I've done nothing but put my hand in my pocket since Thursday. Had just enough to buy a steakburger last night. Talking of sleep, I lay there last night and listened to the bilge pump kick in for about 10 minutes.
       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
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