IDS

These work well for me, good flow rate as well. just use ordinary water hose with a tap adaptor. Don't let them run dry though, prime with a drops of diesel in the ports before you start. http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tools/d40/Water+Pumps/sd3220/Drill+Pump/p23710

For a quick practical check of accumulator setting. 1. Taps closed, pump on. 2. pump off 3. open a tap and collect the water in a bowl until it stop flowing. 4. measure collected water. If you get close to half the volume of your accumulator, all is well. (ie for a 5 litre accu about 2 litres collected is fine) If you get a lot less than half, then let some air out of the accumulator. If you get much more than half put some more air in. You don't really need a pressure gauge. edit to add - if no water comes out, there may also be no air at all in the accumulator, check the valve to see that you can release some air.

Sound insulation also available from TW marine in Furness Vale, they are very helpful with installation tips. http://www.twmarine.co.uk/sound.htm If you get the self adhesive type and are mounting onto board, use some woodscrews with "penny washers" (about every 18" worked for me) to provide additional support to stop it peeling off. Also if there is a possibility of getting it wet (e.g. under a cruiser stern) treat the cut edges to a sealing coat of silicone sealant (the cheapest will do) to stop it absorbing water.

When you get the little cartridge filter out of the lift pump, if its black and slimy then its Bug. On ours a replacement filter would last a few hours before the problem recurred. You can get quite adept at changing thesefilters then back on the move in the space of a few mins ! Gets you to somewhere where the problem can be sorted if you have enough filters.

I have just repaired one (different model to yours) with a cheap microswitch replacement. (~£1.50) This is the likely culprit if it just stopped working and didn't blow a fuse. If its like mine when you take it to bits you'll see the microswitch.

Send them back, they are faulty.

Call Thorneycroft Engines in Preston, 01772 611144, they are very helpful at identifying spares for all their stuff, including control panels.

Just call them on 01772-611144, but I don't think there will be anyone there until Mon

Use a shackle and make the eye splice in the warp round a thimble eye to eliminate wear on the rope due to the otherwise small area of contact with the metal of the shackle. The shackle pin should be strong enough as it can be the same diameter as the chain material. I assume the other end of the chain is already shackled to the anchor.

Fabsil was the product recommended by our supplier (Tim Garland) for waterproofing the PVC backed material. No detrimental effects noticed. Water sheds more readily from the material so helps prevent the conditions where mould thrives.

I used Grangers "Tent and gear" cleaner, scrubbed, then pressure washed off, allow to totally dry then Fabsil to slow down the formation of the next generation green stuff.

10W-30 API CC is available from Barrus Shire, from some boatyards and chandlers, usually about £19 for 4.5 litres

Try this link for experiences with the Peltier type dehumidifiers. http://secretscotland.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/the-useless-world-of-the-peltier-effect-dehumidifier/ For home use we have an Ebac which I would recommend,together with its 5 yr warranty. Costs more but should pay in the end.

Use a drill pump from the likes of screwfix etc, and any electric drill. These usually connect easily to a short length of water hose. Will easily self prime and suck out the contents of your tank into your containers.

Phone 01772 611144 Good service

Alde in Wellingborough should be your best starting point for spares. They have a catlog price for all parts. You may be able to order direct. web site at http://www.alde.co.uk/contactus.php (cant make the linky thing work)

I'm told by my (house) chimney sweep, who sees a lot of them, that the Chinese copies do not last well. However I have a friend who has a Chinese one and is very satisfied with it. I am happy with Caframo, which was obtained from a local builders merchant at a discounted price, but still more than the copies.

It is indeed a great course, and passes on a lot of painting know how and tips. Gave me the confidence to have a go at various bits of painting with good results.

I hired a rotary scabbler from a Hire Shop in Northampton for doing my roof, and it did a great job. Looks like this:- http://www.refina-uk.com/acatalog/Plasterers_Surface_Scabblers.html Hire cost was about £40 for the day, which proved to be ample time. Do all your prep removing vents etc from the roof before you hire. Beware, you need quite a lot of 110v power, either a big 110 v transformer if you have a good mains supply or I used a 2.5 Kw Generator on the towpath. Finish of with an open weave "clean & strip" disc , or a flap disc in a grinder. Use wire cup brushes for hard to get to corners.

If you have a rocker cover with a breather pipe like this, then filling the rocker cover to the level of the breather will pass oil directly to the inlet manifold and hence into the cylinder.

I have used a 5 w panel for this purpose for the last 3 yrs and its been very successful. However I do have a very dry bilge. With 5 w or 10 w panels you don't need a charge controller with a 110 Ah battery.

Gayton Marina (Alvechurch) do blacking on hard standing, the crane appears to be in bits at the moment but I'm sure will be restored before the autumn as they use it for their own hire fleet. 01604 858685.

If you are near one of the hire fleet operators, try asking them nicely if they have any left over spares. They often used them before their cookers were upgraded. I found one at an ABC hire base. Good luck

To be a true weather nerd you need something more like 'This link'. They cost more but are frequently on offer at ~£69. With a usb computer connection, every time you turn on the PC stored data in the unit is downloaded and stored, and can be viewed as graphs. I've had a land based one for a couple of years,very good for the money. Get one onto your Santa list.