p6rob

Had a note from Martin Kedian to say they have completed the overplating of my boat. Just got to complete the engine rebuild and fit it before 2nd May. Can't wait to get back on the water and not worry about sinking every time there's a scraping sound! Also... Sent the forms off for the BCN 24hr challenge.

Thanks carlt, that's very helpful information. I've just got the machine running and planning to spend a few months practicing on various bits and pieces before actually doing anything for the car.

Do any of the available machines have a walking foot? If not does anyone know if it's possible to convert a Pfaff 136-6 to walking foot and or where to get a new table top for the same machine? I want to try doing some of the interior trim on what was my dad's Armstrong Siddeley Siddeley Special and bought this Pfaff 136-6 but not sure it'd be the best for a novice sewer to get good results with. Tia Rob

Compression test and advance the timing? Also my current engine starts easily after 20 seconds of glow plug, check you're getting voltage at each of the glow plugs. I'm in the process of rebuilding a BMC 1500 for my boat (used to belong to Bunny) Re-sleeved bores, new pistons, crank ground. You're welcome to pop to Brum and see it in pieces if it'll help.

Well, it's done. The snow wasn't as deep as it looked this morning. Not the most pleasant of journeys but it's been good to go this way again. Now in the boat inn having a punt before the taxi turns up.

My boat is being lifted out on Wednesday for overplating. Between where I am in Radford Semele to where it's been lifted, Stockton top lock, there are 6 miles and 20 locks. If it still stands, I had an offer of help for today but that might change when they see the 3 inches of snow. I'm tied up with other stuff for the next three weeks, so can't delay the lift. Do I move today or hope for better weather between now and Tuesday? I should be at work and would have to single hand. Rob

I normally use a dustpan and brush, however, some time ago, BSP sent a link to some offers and I bought a handheld, bagless, cordless VAX vacuum. Can't remember the model number and am at work now, so can't check. It doesn't get much use but seems to cope ok. Certainly doesn't shoot the ash straight out and I tend to empty it and bang the filter out after each use.

Fire's gone out. Went to empty ash pan and instead of bringing the ash bucket to the fire like normal, decided to carry the ash pan outside to the bucket, spin around and promptly dropped the ash pan onto the sofa. Have vacuumed it up as best as possible and now waiting to see if the sofa starts smouldering. Wonder if I should just go back to bed before there's any more minor disasters.

I could be looking for a small crew. I'm not very competitive, so, as long as we participate and finish, I'm not bothered about scores. My boat is going for overplating next month and had been planning a trip up to see my sister in Cheshire, with a detour across the Pontcyslltte aqueduct once it's done but other things mean that trip is being postponed. I'll also be part way through a refit, so it might mean sleeping on camp beds but, if that doesn't put you off, I will send off the paperwork.

Thanks for all the advice and to answer the questions: The alternator charges at 14.2 Volts through a split charge relay. The starter battery is on the permanently connected side of the relay. I intend to change this at some point. The current batteries are Super Batt Silver 9000 basically cheap off ebay. The previous ones were whatever Midland Chandlers sell. No not sinking at the moment but the cruiser stern does let a lot of rainwater into the bilge and each side of the engine bearers has a separate automatic pump. I have been wondering about reducing the number of batteries. Solar keeps up very well for about 8 or 9 months but it usually takes me a week or two to adapt lifestyle when the nights start drawing in, I suspect it's this that does the most damage to the batteries. Do AGM batteries survive poor maintenance better then FLA? The reason I ask is that my Smart Car, with an AGM battery, stood for three years and I was pleasantly surprised when it turned over and started without needing the battery charged. Rob

It's coming time to replace my 3 110Ah sealed lead acid batteries. Like the previous two sets, they've lasted two years. Whereas I don't mind accepting the relatively short lifespan, if possible I'd like to increase the time between purchases. At the moment, I have two solar panels which I think are 300watt each and a 60amp Outback MMPT controller. The solar provides charge from about March til about mid October. The rest of the time, I run the engine to charge the batteries with a 70amp alternator, usually a couple of hours every few days and a longer 6-8 hour charge one weekend day. I'm a fairly light user of electric and although I live on the boat, don't get to spend that much time awake on it. The lights are all LED, there is an inverter and TV, which rarely get used and when they are, the engine is usually running. The water, shower and bilge pumps are probably the biggest, regularly used current draws. Although not an insurmountable issue, accessing the batteries to check acid levels is hard enough to be easily 'forgotten' if it's wet and dark. So if they need checking more than monthly, I'd probably not do it enough. I'm wondering if changing to AGM or maintainable FLA batteries would suit and would the alternator need changing for AGM? Thanks for any advice. Rob

Not sure how true this is but... I was told the karcher pressure washers sold by b&q are different to similar looking models from other outlets, same casing but inferior working parts. This apparently is to make the consumer think they are getting the same model significantly cheaper by buying from b&q. It could just be a conspiracy theory but the source was reliable.

I've been moored there for the last few days. I must admit, I've been a bit pre-occupied (plus, it's generally dark when I've gone past), so hadn't noticed the bridge control position had changed. However, this morning, while I was rushing to work, there was a C&RT contractor doing something with a junction box which is mounted on the railing facing the road. Unfortunately I was very late, so didn't stop for a chat but it looks like the control position is, or will be significantly different. It'll mean you're facing the pub side traffic, whether traffic the other side will be easier or more difficult to see, I don't know. Rob

I came from Bimingham to Shirley yesterday and thought it felt a lot better than previous trips. There was one spot where the boat rode up and over something. Can't remember where, somewhere after Lyons boat yard though, but it wasn't near a bridge hole. Rob

Not sure I understand what you're looking for but try these: https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/. I've managed to get quite a few obscure electrical connectors from them.

To whomever re-tied my boat in Birmingham, many thanks. I've been away for the last few days and assume it had been cast adrift for someone's amusement. Rob

Thanks for all the replies. I was going to get all self righteous and indignant about a few of them behind then I thought, "what if they are right and I'm not as infallible as I should be". My boat definitely has an air of neglect about it. I prefer to think off it as a carefully crafted look, that says "this boat isn't abandoned and there's probably nothing worth nicking on it. Let's move on to a different target". Anyway, the thick layer of ice on the solar panels seems to have prevented untapped volts and amps causing havoc. The batteries are back in and there's an additional 20 litres of fresh diesel. Too late to try running the engine, so that will have to wait for another day. Rob

Yes.

This is quite long winded, so, the short version is: I removed all my batteries this morning while it was dark. Thinking it was going to be a dull day, I didn't do anything about covering the solar panels. As it's been quite sunny, will I have damaged the mppt controller or panels as there isn't a load. Thanks in advance. Rob. The longer version: For the last week or so I've been having issues with the boat engine (BMC 1.5) and electrics. Since trying a few additional electrical devices, it's overheated a few times, the fan belt was a bit loose but that's now been tightened. and then, separately, the alternator stopped charging. The ignition bulb wouldn't illuminate and I assumed the alternator was at fault but it turned out the bulb had blown. So, thinking everything was sorted, I went and ran the engine for about six hours and for most of that time, the inverter, a tv and console were in use. When i got bored, I went to switch the engine off only to discover the temperature was right over the red and lifting the engine covers showed steam venting out the Bowman header tank. Once it had cooled down a bit, I topped up the coolant and checked it would start, which it did. Breathing a sigh of relief, I thought I'd been lucky and got away with it. However, yesterday, when I attempted to start charging, it wouldn't go. The glow plugs all have voltage. I dipped the tank and there's a good few inches of fuel and also drew off some fuel which looked good and clear.. Whether there is enough fuel to cover the tank outlet, I don't know but it was running when it overheated, before I realised it was overheating I had noticed a few stutters which might indicate low fuel level. I've just gone and got 20 litres of diesel and will take the fully charged batteries back later this afternoon and see if it'll go but am now concerned the solar system might be damaged as well. Thanks if you took the time to read this and more so if you can offer some glimmer of hope. Rob

I can take them. I'll still be moored in Cambrian Wharf then, so not far away.