Kiwipeter

Speedseal http://www.speedseal.com/speedseal.html

Sorry I added a pair of 165 A/Hr to beef up the capacity (it is now 6 x 165 A/hr)

It is actually a 24V 2500 60 combi but I have never seen it put out more than 25A when charging. Normally bulk charges in the 28.6 area and floats at 26.15 (current reading Peter

It has been suggested to me that a 24V 30A (combi) charger isn't man enough for a 490A/Hr (24V) bank - any thoughts out there?

It is nearly freezing on the Garonne - 8 degC last night - unpack the winter duvet!

Belated response - I agree with Albion ref the disadvantages of a widebeam on the European canals (compared to say a barge). If you do go European the larger engine will be needed for the tidal rivers eg Sea Scheldt, Rupel, Saone, Rhone Peter

The batteries are charged using a combi inverter and are on float when mains power is available (most weeks)- otherwise they are charged by a mix of main engine/alternator or generator/combi charger when they may not get to the float stage.

The domestic bank on my boat has 4 x Vetus 165 A/Hr maint free batteries in a 24V set up, probably about 3 years old. They take a charge OK, but capacity seems very low ie they won't last overnight (with a fridge running) and you can see the voltage dropping once a load goes on (TV or PC). First thoughts are they need replacing but the telltales on the batteries suggest they are OK, charged to float (and disconnected) they will read 13.2V and after 8 hrs standing still read 12.8V which suggests they are OK?? I am loathe to splash out big money to replace them if they are OK (and it is something else) - is there any other way to test them - I am assuming I can't run an equalise charge on maint free batteries. Help Peter

Agree with Blackrose - heavy on electricity and water and unless you use them 3-4 times a week they start to smell - we therefore took ours out and gained more cupboard space

Moving the solar panel -ve connection solved the problem - many thanks Peter

Many thanks - I will go looking tomorrow with a torch. Peter

I wired the solar panel feed (from the MPPT) onto the +ve/ -ve bars of the battery bank - so how do I solve the problem Gibbo? Peter

I have a Mastervolt Mass unit with remote control panel which has stopped reading % battery capacity correctly ie I reset it to 100% OK and it gradually runs down to near 0% - any ideas? Yes the batteries are OK, recharge OK, perform OK in use. The only 'change' I can think of is I have wired solar panels into the 24V battery bank through an MPPT controller - could that have an effect on it?? Peter

One piece of advice - you are better off with a Dutch barge equivalent (rather than a narrowboat) if you intend to travel on the European waterways

Try here for a start http://www.barges.org/main.php?section=1 We have lived on a Sagar 17m barge for the past two years - starting in Belgium - now in the South of France. Any specific questions, I am happy to answer (if I can). Peter

I have a 10 yr old Vetus (on a Dutch Barge) no problems to date. Peter

Our rubbing strake to waterline was Comastic at new build (International Waterways below waterline)- then the last owners used Intertuf (which seems to be doing a reasonable job). Given the rude comments about Intertuf - when I repaint next Spring is reverting to Comastic an option (over the Intertuf) or should I stick to the Intertuf? Peter

You will find that a cream or off white is much better in the Summer as they reflect heat, whereas dark colours like grey can be painful to touch by midday (in France anyway). Peter

It is on a 24V circuit - thanks all. I will soldier on to the winter then get more aggressive