Supertramp

Just for the record, - Eddie has changed the style of the Boatman in the last few weeks, and it now includes a airwash control at the top, and a baffle plate below the flue. - I'm sure the O/P stove will not be one of these newer types, but it might help someone thinking of upgrading their stove. Tony

Thanks bottle and CT, just what im looking for, - anyone help with Excel and anthracite?

Thanks everyone, went for the Aquapanel from Wickes, £16 a sheet, job done!

Everyone seems to have their 'favorite' type of SF, and reading alot of topics here I see that some are 'better' than others, some produce too much ash, and some burn too hot and destroy the grate!! Can you tell me YOUR experience of a particular make of smokeless fuel? heat, ash ease of lighting, ease of keeping in etc? Then I and others can actually compare your experiences and make an 'educated' choice Thanks! Tony

Thanks guys, - had a look at Wickes, looks good stuff, the Jewsons website isnt showing me the fireboards, (or I'm looking in the wrong place) so a trip to their local branch is in order. - I must admit the 6mm one mentioned sounds right for me. Tony

Everyone seems to agree that fireboard is the right medium to put behind stoves, but it's not the easiest thing to get at a 'reasonable' price? Do any DIY stores stock it so I can simply go and buy a sheet, or is it all internet online ordering. My stove is a good 15cm away from any walls, could I use an alternative 'cheaper' option, (forgetting the 'advisory' future rules for a moment and just using good old common sense) What happened to Asbestolux?

Halfords do an 'Advanced' anti freeze lasting 5 years, (Clicky) but I noted a comment by one of the reviewers that might be a bit worrying? quote" Pros: does what it says on the tin Cons: check compatibility- will eat old radiators "Does what it says on the tin, however check the compatibility of this coolant, If your car has soldered copper/brass radiators and matrixes it will eat away at the solder and make them leak, I have got to replace the heater matrix in my Volvo 940 along with the water pump, and radiator as the antifreeze has found leaks in them, along with corroding them away, mainly the matrix. However a superb product. Worked down to 40% concentration even in this cold." My question, - will that eat the solder in my copper pipe fittings???

When I was asking Cow Roast about prices earlier this year, - they quoted me £400 month for 'high usage' rate, as I was after liveaboard/Residental, but they didnt have any spaces, Apsley Marina have 16 true residential berths at around £500 month

BWML (yes I know) marinas at Hemel Hempstead and Uxbridge have residential moorings, - the Hemel one is small with 60 boats of which only about 16 are/should be residential. all usual facilities, shower, laundry, shop, even landline phonepoints on the residential berths. Very secure and safe. ETA - not cheap by any standards tho - local trains to london attract commuters

Thanks for the replies so far, - although I'm not sure I've got an answer yet. I thought it was a simple question, - perhaps I should add more detail. Back boiler stove at front of boat (yes I know...) flow and return pipes feed 3 radiators down the boat,a 12v pump half way down runs continuously when the fire is in. and then into the engine room where the calorifier is. The flow and return feed into one of the calorifier coils, (almost like an 'end of line' radiator) Just before the calorifier, there is a link pipe between flow and return with a stopcock on it, - it's normally open, thereby (i think) bypassing the calorifier, closing the stopcock would force the flow/return through the calorifier. I dont want to switch off the pump, I just want a way of the water being directed into the calorifier if it's hotter than whats already there, and more important - not to pump cooler water around the calorifier when the fire is low, Surely it's a common request? Tony

Thanks Alex, - from the long list, - is it Therm-22 22mm thermostatic mixer valve £45.50 ? - I'm still unsure how it plumbs in?

Recent topics have helped with planning my boiler change, and mentioned thermostatic valves to stop the system working in reverse when the fire is low, otherwise the hot calorifier will try and heat the radiators and stove. Simple question, - what type of valve, and where does it go? (solid fuel stove,> 3 medium rads,> 12v pump,> calorifier with twin coils and immersion heater, mostly 240v hookup available) Thanks Tony

Thanks BEngo, Thats another option, although my pipework is already in situ. I'm looking at possibly putting a Boiln pump in now, but they seem to be over £200 ? - is that right?

Found the bit about clip in and manufacturer fitted, Generally, integral back boilers (those fitted to the fire, or stove by the manufacturer) are the most efficient. They have a high heat output and are quite capable of handling hot water and central heating needs of a small to medium sized property. Clip-in back boilers are also available, although they generally have a lower output than those fitted by the manufacturers. from the British Gas website I knew i'd seen it somewhere... - any thoughts on how it relates to boats?

I see your logic, - however I'm sure i've read recently that welded in boilers have a higher ouput than clip in ones, - perhaps based on the fact the the heat is transferred from the whole stove (sides, top and bottom anyway) to the boiler. I will try and find the article. Why is nothing ever straight forward...

Just when I thought it was sorted.......

Just what I needed to hear Bizzard, - Thanks The boatmans back boiler is welded into the rear space where the back fire bricks would have been (according to Eddie) so no loss of space in the combustion chamber, I guess this means I dont need to worry about checking spaces around it for cleaning? (the puffin has a 'clip in' stove and would be what you were warning of i guess.) And as you confirm it stays in all night (with experience) it's my choice! Tony

Interesting twist, - others have thought the reverse, - I hope your right !

Thanks Bizzard, - guess where the stove is already placed? - by the side of the front doors. - no real alternative in the existing setup. The Boatman is a steel bodied stove with cast iron door, not sure if the ash pan area is larger or smaller than 'average'. As an additional 'problem', the existing bubble is a corner stove, and I doubt I can find a replacement solid fuel corner stove in my budget, so a small square stove is my only option.

Thanks Blackrose and Alan, It's an existing pumped system with 3 rads and calorifier on a 58' NB using a diesel bubble stove. I'm looking to change the bubble for a solid fuel, maybe the Puffin, or possibly one of Eddie Brooks 'Boatman' stoves as they have a higher boiler output. Although both these stoves are small, - does anyone have experience of actually keeping them in overnight with a pumped back boiler taking away most of the heat, or will they simply burn too quickly and I need to look at a bigger stove? thanks Tony ETA - Great picture innisfree, - !!

Some good ideas to try, - thanks to all. I still cant work out if having a back boiler will force the fire to work harder by cooling it? - but Blackrose has a good point, Any experts want to put their twopeneth worth in? Tony

Simple thought, - does a pumped back boiler make it harder to keep a fire in overnight? I'm guessing the water will cool the stove, and burn the fuel faster? - or is that too simple.... ETA - I'm looking at a Puffin with b/boiler.

Other causes include TV transmitters and mobile phone masts, do you know if a new mast or upgrade has happened near your home? - some of the GSM transmitters are mounted on street lights - the bulbous sections at the top are a giveaway...