Hamilton Marine is often cheaper, and very good.

Dan

On Jan 2, 2008, at 9:34 PM, Loren Busch wrote:

>  RE: West Marine
> West Marine is a great source for a lot of things for our rigs.
> But beware
> that their prices can be at the top of the list.  This is
> especially true on
> electrical components.  When I was installing the Norcold and
> wiring in the
> new aux battery I ended up buying from them because they were there
> and had
> items that I needed NOW! (never did have any patience in the middle
> of a
> project).  But later I found better solutions for far less money
> hunting
> online and found Items I'd purchased from them 20 to 50% cheaper.
> In their defense, one item they had and I wanted badly I found to
> be so
> unreasonable in price that I changed they way I was doing something
> to keep
> the cost reasonable.  Later, hunting online, I found the identical
> product
> from a very reputable dealer (McMaster Carr) and was surprised to
> find it at
> the same price as West Marine.  So not all their seemingly high
> prices are
> out of line with other vendors. BTW, I'm talking about a four post
> power
> buss, a copper strip with an insulated base and four screw posts
> with nuts.
> $75.00!!!!
> All that said they are a great source for things like we are
> talking about
> such as the Fire Port pointed to in the previous post.  I'll stop
> in to
> their store tomorrow or the next day (just a couple of miles away)
> and check
> that item out.
> But as mentioned before, if going with a powder extinguisher Costco
> (and I
> assume Sams Club) carry the size we need and at good prices.
> I'll look at the Fire Port and report back.  IO'm puzzled how you
> open it
> with a fire on the other side heating it up.