No Energy

Our second alternator cannot be repaired as the mechanic cannot find the voltage regulator part to fit.

So next week Layne flies to Miami and Key West where we are sending the parts from the factory in Missouri. We spoke with Adam, the owner of Nation’s Starters and Alternators in Cape Girardeau and he was very helpful. We even have the bar code of our particular alternator: 

Meanwhile we have to leave our cabin in the woods until Tuesday so we decided to take GANNET2 for a stroll to Isla Chiloé, said to be particularly beautiful. It’s a short ferry ride south of Puerto Montt to the 100 mile long island and we shall explore it over the weekend when lots of Chileans probably will too…

Ordinarily the delay finding the part to charge the house batteries with the engine wouldn’t matter much but of course here we are with our first deadline in a year and we suffer a breakdown. The irony is of course just perfect but this plan should get us ready for the Puerto Natales ferry December 2nd, with days to spare. 

Meanwhile we are getting GANNET2 ready to roll and moving out of our cabin for three days. We have reserved it from next Tuesday for ten days so I’ll have a comfortable spot with Rusty to wait for Layne to return.

Monica and Christoph, our German neighbors looked after Rusty for a couple of hours and he was quite relaxed when we got back from collecting GANNET2, proof positive he not only likes them but he likes it here too.

And why wouldn’t he? Meanwhile our German neighbors are waiting for news of the replacement axle they’ve ordered from Germany for their expedition truck. It’s supposed to arrive next week but as always who knows what will happen between Munich and Puerto Montt? That’s why Layne is flying to the US to pick up the tiny but critical part we need.

These are the nuisances we have to learn to deal with on the road. So far so good.