Jus73

Thanks for that. I shall try the local refuse tip. And I admit it!! I have probably been tightening them to much, but the caps were tight when I purchased the batteries so i presumed that was how tight they should be!? (thats my excuse anyway) My screws and nuts are in perfect working order (if you pardon the pun!).

Does anyone know if you can buy spare filler caps for batteries. The cross heads on the original filler caps are becoming worn and they are increasingly more difficult to remove when topping the batteries up. Also is there a special tool to remove them with? Many thanks Justin

I'd prefer the 'push and hold' type as the pump makes a lot of noise! I've not got round to fitting one in the cubicle yet as I need to drill a hole through both the tile and waterproof cement board as well as a 19mm thick mdf bulkhead! Therefore i also need a switch with a fairly long thread otherwise I'll have to countersink the rear of the hole so i can tighten up the switch. I can see now why I've left it!! Justin

Hi Chris After seeing a successful wet room on a narrowboat a few months ago I would also consider this if we had a new boat built. The owners had a stainless steel tray fabricated to the shape of the room. This had raised edges all the way round to form a large sort of tray. The raised edges (about 30mm high) where covered by the wall tiles with the exception of the door entrance which was covered by a hardwood strip, you had to step over this when entering into the room. The tray was also fabricated with steel strips welded to the back to form the slope to the drain hole and section of pipe at one end. A hole was drilled into the floor and presumably the pipe went into a sealed container with float switch that pumped out the waste. This was accessed from the floor of a wardrobe next to the bathroom. The room looked great and provided loads of space. Although the chap did still use a special swimming pool tile adveshive which he said had cost more that the mosiac tiles! Hope this gives you confidence to go for it! I would!! Good luck Justin.

Hi Justin I'm currently in the same process. I've used a fire board behind the tiles, you'll be able to purchase this from a local Builders Merchant, It looks very much like asbestos sheets but a little thicker. Ive attached this to the plywood lining using a gripfill adhesive and then tiled on top. The only problem I encounted was that the board isn't flexible and therefore i had to apply it in small sections to allow for the curvature of the boat. Not to sure about the type of tiles to use although my stove is a little Arrow Acorn so hopefully cracking will not be a problem! Great name by the way! Justin

I'm trying to discover if i have a faulty pressure release valve. My brother recently borrowed our narrowboat and was awoken at 2am by the release valve emptying water over the side. This was obviously causing the water pump to kick in and fill with the tank with fresh water. The only way he could stop it was to flush the loo! I can't understand why the value would have released, when both the boiler and engine were not running. Surely the pressure would have been dropping if the water was becoming cooler?..and why it didn't shut off once the pressure was released? I had noticed on a recent trip water shoot out the skin fitting for a couple of seconds but then stop. Should the water shoot out or just drip? Any Ideas? Cheers Just

Hi Stuart Yes i used a standard shower waste trap. This was connected to a fixing i bought from Screwfix, which has a hose connection on one end and a screw thread on the other. The only reason i did it this way was because i couldn't find any domestic waste fitting with a hose connection attached. i found this the case with all my waste fittings, i think i spent about a week trying to track down the parts i required! Cheers Just.

Thanks for that, I think i'll ponder a little longer and make do with very brisk showers! Although i do have a 2.5kw inverter and therefore may look into some sort of electric heater, if i can find a one with a low power consumption? cheers Justin

Hi Stuart My shower is situated on the centre line of the boat so i had maximum head room. However the shower screen was tight on one corner (clearance of around 15mm) due to the roof curvature. I managed to gain a little extra height by purchasing a shower waste from Wickes, their's was the most shallow i could find. The waste pipe (clear plastic to easily spot blockages) runs from the shower waste fitting through a side bulkhead into a cupboard between the shower cubicle and the side of the boat. The pump is situated under the removable cupboard floor for easy maintenance. The water supply pipes also are contained in this cupboard, these run halfway up the bulkhead to tap level. Hope this helps Justin.

Now the winter is fast approaching I realise that the Bathroom is a bit nippy! We have radiators on board but these are all Starboard and the bathroom is Port side. However i do have my hot water supply running Port side, i was wondering if i could tap a small radiatior into this? If not, what would you recommend to take the chill out of the air.

I have a Sterling 2.5kw modified sine wave inverter and i have no problems running a Microwave. An 1.8kw inverter should be fine, sounds a little strange but why not borrow a microwave just to make sure before investing in a 12v model or perhaps contact Sterling direct for advice. By the way I have an Hinari microwave with manual controls. May be worth a try!

Having looked at shower trays at a local Chandlery, I decided to go for a domestic 760mm square tray made by Coram. This was a lot sturdier and has adjustable legs (similar to a kitchen cabinet). It also has 3 upstands around the perimeter to prevent leaks and came with a click-on plinth for easy access to the waste. On this subject has anyone fitted a waterproof switch in the shower cubicle? I've fitted mine outside the cubicle, which means hopping out to empty the tray if i want a particularly long shower! Justin.

I used both cork tile adhesive as well as a flexible wall tile adhesive (which i had to order from a local tile supplier). The cork adhesive was very smelly and awkward to use. The flexible adhesive was much better, just the same as using a standard tile adhesive. In my shower cubicle i decided to tile onto Aquapanel which i'd screwed onto the bulkheads. This has provided a bit more flexibility and will still be water tight, should any water manage to creep through.

I have a Vetus water lubricated stern gland that supposedly needs no maintenance. So far so good! Apparently these type of glands are used frequently on sea going boats?

Name: Aqua Narrowboat Hire URL: http://www.aquanarrowboathire.com Description: Six berth narrowboat for hire, new in 2004. Located near Fradley Junction on the Trent & Mersey ideal to explore the Shire Counties.