David W

How do you charge them?? I've always been told that you should have an alternator giving out in amps roughly 1/4 of the value of total Ah of the bank. 1440 Ah = 360A alternator...

Looks like they're from Tim at Onboard Solar... http://www.onboardsolar.co.uk/index.php

Hi both, Thanks for your responses. Yes, we have an inverter - am just trying to see if I can come up with solutions where it doesn't need to be on very much (using up power just by being on)... We have quite a large battery bank - it'd be able to deal with the draw, and we're having some solar panels installed which will also help. The small inverters - I thought about that, but my experience of them is that they make quite a bit of noise with their cooling fans and they're really inefficient. Happy to be corrected on that one, it's been about 5 years since I used ours. I'm hoping that someone has some ideas around converting a 240v TV... Am sure there are some electronic wizards out there! D

Morning all, We're considering taking the plunge to live "off mooring" for a while to try and save some money. We've got 12v outlets all over the place (following some advice read on here) and our intention was always to replace our (now aged) 240V 32" LCD TV with a 12V LED jobbie... When we had the boat built, we built a cabinet for the old 32" TV. The space is actually big enough to fit a modern 42" TV (the old TV has a large frame around the screen). We'd like a 12v 42" LED TV. I've done quite a bit of internetting and Google and I are no longer getting along(!) Which leads me to my questions; 1) Is it possible to get a 42" 12v TV? I've not found any, so I wonder it the electronics actually physically allows it. I realise I will need a voltage regulator... 2) If it's possible, does anyone know where I can get one, or if anyone would be able to convert one from 240v to 12v for me? Thanks, in advance for any help! David PS - I know it's a big TV, but we have a big fat boat...

I think you missed the point of my comments. We too have 12v everything as much as we can, and have made significant adjustments to the way we live. I won't explain it to you any further as my continued "bleating" may irritate you as much as your misplaced sanctimoniousness has me.

Thanks for (some of) your comments folks. Whilst I understand that some of you balk in horror at the thought of change and advancement, there are some of us who embrace technology. If you want to sh*t in a bucket and wash in a tin bath, that's up to you. I have no wish to live like that. I have a 1200Ah battery bank and have most modern conveniences you would have in a house. Just because I live on a boat does not mean I have to live in the dark ages. But then I live on a widebeam on the Thames AND I have a pump out toilet - not sure it even can be classified as a boat according to some definitions on here. As it turns out, the issue is that my alternator isn't big enough.

Hello everyone, Since we took delivery of our boat, we've been up and down the Thames quite a bit (red boards allowing). One thing we've noticed is that once back on mooring, the batteries don't appear to have charged much (if at all) whilst we've been cruising. Once plugged back in to shore power our inverter/charger goes spends quite a bit of time (over an hour) on "absorption" before making it back to "float". This is even the case after 4 hours of cruising. We did run the dishwasher for a 30 min cycle whilst out though. I realise this is a stoopid noob question, but is this normal or should I get the builders back in to have a look at it? Any help gratefully received. Cheers David

Brilliant, thanks. We've been doing that if we're away from the boat for any length of time - which hasn't been much since we got her 3 months ago...

Hello all, I have a question about inverter/charger usage. Whilst connected to land hook-up, should I leave the inverter/charger on? Or should I flip it to "charge only" It's on and showing "float" all the time at the moment so it's keeping the batteries topped up and we're using current from the mains (apart from all of out lights, which are 12v). I've spoken to Victron who have confirmed that it's not going to damage the inverter by being left on. My concern is about shortening the life of my batteries. Thanks for any advice! David

Thanks guys - MtB's right, we're only going to be on the non-tidal Thames... 70kg is huge and, I agree, it's pointless if it can't be deployed. More so if there's also 75kg of chain! I appreciate that the shape of the anchor is important and that some less weighty anchors of differing shapes may have a stronger holding power. The three things I'm trying to weigh up (pardon the pun) are; 1) The weight - it's got to be usable. If we have to get a winch for this then so be it. 2) The shape - what is the minimum weight for the shape of the anchor for it to still be effective? 3) Cost - I know this shouldn't be a consideration where safety is concerned but I don't have an endless supply of cash (unfortunately).

Well, it seems like I've made a gaff on buying this one... Thank god for distance selling regulations. So, pulling together the info you've provided (thanks for all your contributions) it looks like I need a minimum of 70kg anchor, 25m of 12mm chain and a f*ck off winch to lift it all.... And a lotto win.

Soooo, after muchos research and reading I worked out that for our boat 70 x 12 widebeam and approx 40 tonnes we would need a huge anchor and a lot of chain to be super safe on the Thames. It's just been delivered to my office - and it's MASSIVE! I didn't really pay attention to the dimensions on the website (stupidly). Am now hit with the quandary of where to store the bloody thing... I'm thinking the roof somewhere. Just not sure where or how... It's a 30kg Danforth "style" from here. Bit of a bargain, actually. I also got 15m of chain for it, additional rope on order elsewhere. So, to my question - does anyone have one as big and, if you do, where and how do you keep it??

Thanks for comments folks... Stupid question, perhaps, but why does the tank need a treatment when it's emptied on a regular basis?

So, we've taken delivery of our lovely boat - v pleased... We're on the very steep learning curve right now, fully expecting that to continue for a few years! One thing I've not been able to find the answer to is what cleaning products I should use when cleaning the loo. It's a Jabsco pump out with a macerator... Any suggestions? Ta! David

Thanks guys. Had no idea about Sunbury - will give them a bell tomorrow. Dagenham - my experience extends to canals and the odd river. I'm finding the thought of the non-tidal Thames daunting enough, but thanks! IWHC in Jan - should help though...