Rob99fla

Yes, I have one. The 2.2kW model (HY2000SI 2.2kw Digital Inverter Generator). I have found it works fine. It is a bit bigger and heavier than the Honda. It runs quietly (probably not as silent as the Honda) , especially when on low setting. I use it to charge the batteries via the Mastervolt charger (40 amp) and the 1KW immersion heater. It runs in fast (normal) mode until the immersion heats up then it slows automatically when just charging the batteries. I have not had a Honda but at twice the price, couldn't afford it anyway but I am happy enough with the Hyundai. It starts easily as long as you prime the bulb and put on the choke and seems frugal on petrol. So you pays your money and takes your choice. I am happy. Hope this helps Rob

Hi. I have a Lister Canalstar LWPS4 engine with a 45 amp hour alternator. I haven't looked at the make yet. There are 3 x 110 amp hour leisure batteries (new last year) and 1 x 80 amp hour starter battery. There is an Ampower box managing the charging. Can I easily upgrade the alternator to perhaps an 80-90 amp hour? I see a few places on Ebay that sell them (re-manufactured) as I guess the alternator is an A127? Also I have heard of Middletons of Manchester. I can send photos when next on the boat. Silly question but if I upgrade the alternator, will it charge the batteries any quicker with the Ampower system in place? i.e. 15 minutes on, 5 minutes rest at stage 2 charging (main charging cycle). Anyway, all suggestions appreciated. Rob

No, its actually fairly old. The boat is 1996 but I think it has been added since. The charger works fine but gets hot due the fan not cutting in. Its just that in my business, seized fans due to dust ingress is common (in PC's etc) so I thought I'd have a look. Nothing to lose but I wondered if anyone has done this before. Many thanks for the help of any kind. Rob

My Mastervolt IVO Smart 12/40-3 seems to work OK (new boat) but the fan doesn't cut in so it gets very hot and I am sure that is not right. I wonder if anyone has changed the fan on this unit or similar. It looks like a computer fan or some sort although I haven't take the lid off yet to see. Thanks Rob

48 Posts now - no it doesn't

Hi I have just bought a Henry vacuum for my narrow boat. It has a Mastervolt 1200W Inverter with 3 x 90 amp hr leisure batteries (I think they are as only just bought boat) Anyway, the Henry runs at half power (600w) and this worked really great as the boat required a good vacuum. I did not even try switching it to 1200w. I was using the Henry for at least 2 hours with no great drain from the batteries or though I must admit, I did have the engine running for some of this time and I also have a solar panel (not sure the output but probably around 60-80 watt - its about 1' x 4' in size and is made by Siemens. Anyway, in my long experience with Numatic Henry's, they cant be beaten in any way. You can keep those over priced plastic blobs called Dyson although I take my hat off to James Dyson for bringing out a vacuum for three times the price of a Henry ans managing to sell it. By the way, if you can beg, steal or borrow a Makro card, the Henry is £69.99 in there at the moment (plus VAT about £84) Hope this helps someone. Rob And they are manufactured in the UK too (Hentry's that is, not Dyson's now) Rob

Hi. I posted this on NB No Problem blog the other day.... Hi. I have just bought my first boat, Beatrice and having completed my first journey from Sawley to nr. Oxford, I can now report on how the internet connection was. I work in the security industry so have a little knowledge remote connections for CCTV cameras. I used a professional 3G wireless router in the boat powered off the 12v with no problem and a high gain external (as a temporary solution the cable went out of the window) with a magnetic base. I travelled down the GU Leicester section and across to the Oxford canal. Everywhere I had at least GPRS with enough speed for emails and internet access, albiet a bit slow (best to turn off pictures) but near any built up area, I had good 3G with around 3.5 megabytes (faster than I have at home). I guess the Oxford canal is very rural so can You expect any more as 3G is normally near built up areas and main roads. One of the advantages of the wireless router is you can have your laptop anywhere (I use a Macbook). Also, the router has some professional features such as VPN which might be useful for business users. I hope this helps. By the way, I have a Vodafone 3G SIM with 3GB data. Regards. Rob Perhaps this will help? Regards Rob

Yes, it is the Alchemy moorings. Do you know them? I need somewhere to moor thats not too far away as we live in Dorset. Rob

It was Dominic from Rugby Boats Ltd, of course. Can I say what fantastic and professional service I have had from Dominic at Rugby Boats. A few weeks back, I bumped into Sue & Barry (nb Esther) at Hungerford when he was polishing his beautiful engine and I was walking by on the towpath (on my way to Oxford to see my son). I didn't know them but we got talking and he recommended Dominic from Rugby Boats. There we are! Rob

Oops! I think my warped sense of humour about the air gun and catapult (probably because I am a southerner!) has been taken too seriously. I was only joking, honest. In my job, I normally can get on with young people whatever they are like. As you say, trying to be friendly to them works better. Thanks for the advice from everyone on here. I feel very humbled that everybody has taken an interest. Regards Rob

Hi there. What am I letting myself for! I thought having a narrow boat would be a peaceful experience? No, really, I do understand that there are problems with kids/teenagers in some places as I have been reading blogs and books for some while. I much appreciate all the advice anyway. I might even have an experienced volunteer to do the trip with me now (found off here) As a standby, can I take my air gun or is it not allowed to brandish a weapon! Perhaps a catapult or more sensibly, a video camera. I have spent many years doing CCTV in my company and the one thing these kids hate is being juvenile delinquents is being photographed. Many thanks for the suggested alternative route. Regards Rob

I agree. Clayworth was great but a long, long way from Dorset. Hence Oxford. My son is there for about 3-4 years so he can keep an eye on it occasionally and only 2 hours from here. Thanks for the interest Rob That all sound very good advice. I will need to do a similar thing as I can't spare 2 week at the moment. Later on I will have more time to spend on the boat. Many thanks Rob Hi I too, had my eye on Beatrice for weeks. I was soon to come into some money so was sweating a bit! The boats is as good as the pictures and the maintenance record is second to none. Absolutely everything accounted for for since the very beginning. Sorry, I am making it worse for you! Thanks anyway. I will look after her. Regards Rob

Many thanks, Tone. Everyone is confident except me. I am sure it will be a great adventure. Many thanks Rob

Hi Tim That could be correct. Its moored on the Chesterfield Canal so goes up and down the Trent often. Should be starting the journey in around 3-4 weeks. Many thanks Rob So did I, Caprifool. I didn't have the money for 5-6 weeks so hoped she wouldn't be sold. Every bit as good as the pictures and the maintenance record is unbelievable! Many thanks Rob

Hi there I am new to narrow boating and have just bought a 46' narrow boat to be collected soon. I have my own security business specialising in CCTV systems so plan to look at narrow boat security cameras and 3G access to the camera(s) as we have a good knowledge of this on terra firma. Once I have my narrow boat, I will be testing new equipment which could and should do the following:- Internet on you narrow boat using normal wifi like at home. Use your laptop anywhere on the boat. Power off the 12v system too Excellent quality 3G reception (where a 3G signal is available but much more chance than a dongle) Your own choice of 3G card or 3G card supplied A CCTV camera of extraordinary quality located inside or possible outside your narrow boat (a fair bit more expensive) that can be viewed by PC or iPhone The camera could have sound and local recording at the camera which could be accessed remotely If anyone is interested in my findings once afloat, let me know. This is a bit experimental for now but it's about time canal users had a good reliable internet connection!

Hi there My name is Rob and my partner is Caroline and we are from West Dorset (no canals here) Have just bought a lovely 46' Trad from up north but the owner will take her to Sawley for us. We(I) then need to take her south to Kidlington, near Oxford where I have arranged a mooring. Now the interesting bit. Call me mad but the only narrow boat I have been on is a hire boat back in the 80's so I have very little experience. I have looked up the journey on CanalPlanAC. Looks like a 9 day journey but I guess it will take longer. I dont think we can do this in one hit and I might have to be single handed for a bit. So, all you experienced narrow boaters out there. Come to our rescue. Will I be OK? Is it OK to leave the boat moored for a couple of weeks and come back? Will I get lost?? Looking forward to any replies but please not "what do you think you are doing - you must be mad". I already know this. Here she is. Perhaps someone knows this boat? Many thanks in advance Rob & Caroline