Chris3
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Everything posted by Chris3
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Have 3 of these which are just entering year 4. Performance improved by better 'housekeeping' .. led lighting etc and installing a solar panel but otherwise fine. http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/190-ah-xplorer-leisure-battery/
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Is there something better Hunter Home Tec Vacuum Cleaner
Chris3 replied to Theo's topic in Boat Equipment
Bought the last years version of this. Thought it was a childs toy whe first unpacked ...... ' my first vacuum' ! .. but it is brilliant on the boat and at home. Not good on edges. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4838711.htm -
Thanks for the warning. I shall be careful. Plastic threads can be difficult.
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The pump I have has just failed. It came with the boat and the first owner has stuck sheet lead to the undersides of the locker and fitted rubber hoses to it in an attempt to cut down the noise. ! It used to make a noise like a demented wasp. Thanks for your reply, I shall order one up .
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Do they make a lot of noise ?
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I suspect prices have risen because folk have been cashing in their pensions and spending some, if not all, on boats !!?? I think also that narrowboat prices follow the housing market. I may be well wrong.
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I have a lockgate with backboiler. Would not have another through choice. Not cheap to run, dirty process to light and does not produce enough heat for a 57ft boat..
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Bigcol, my supplier calls it Newheat. I really have tried the lot and this stuff is streaks ahead.... totally clean burn, stays open so the fire at the bottom can ignite the gas on the top of the fuel stack ... no big bang ! Stays in overnight and is totally magic with the odd log. http://www.coalmerchantsfederation.co.uk/products/smokeless-ovoids
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I Use Newheat ovals on a rayburn but on land not on a boat. Can't recommend it highly enough. Huge heat output, lights well and produces hardly any ash. Strange smell when first lit ..... think the grains are formed into ovals using old plastic as glue !... only kidding. Have tried all others and this is by far the best. Wish I had a rayburn on the boat. I buy from a local coal merchant in Somerset but I see CPL have it listed. Good luck sourcing a bag. I buy 2 ton at a time and it comes out under £ 8.00 a 25kg bag.
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I second Mr Garland. He and his Dad made some covers for my boat on the K and A some years ago. They did a super job. Lovely story. His father as a young lad had lost his job and wandered down to the docks in Bristol for want of something better to do. A sailmaker spoke to him and offered him an apprentiship. From sails to boat covers. Can't go wrong with the Garlands.
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Not Reading I know but may be of help http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels/136495.aspx?stationId=7122 http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels/136495.aspx?stationId=7131
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Got to be courgette bargees ! These are delicious and freeze well . I cut back on the chilli as not a great fan. Many other recipes on the same theme. http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/16256/courgette-bhajis.aspx
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Brilliant, thank Mike. I am off to order one.
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No, I was wondering about delivery time, import duty etc ?
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Thanks for all the replies. Have you tried your spanner , Mike ? Did it come from China ?
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Want to adjust / repack the boat stern tube but have no suitable spanner and can't find where to buy one. Ebay has suggestions but they are listed as shock absorber adjusters. Any ideas ? Many thanks in advance.
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We have a 12 year old boat which we bought 3 years ago and it is fitted with the , at the time, 'state of the art' alternators and inverters..... no need for specifics. The boat is used for leisure purposes so we tend to cruise for a considerable time each day but despite this and a set of new batteries there were times when a visit to a shore line and a good overnight charge came in handy. Talking last year to folk with solar panels I decided to fit a beginners kit to see if it helped with the dwindling battery situation so at the tail end of last season I bought a 160w panel and suitable mppt contol box. Although the panel does take up a chunk of roof space it still gives room for walking around and space too for the use of the centre line. Results:- This year has been solar panel weather, clear skies and at this time of year loads of daylight. I made a tilt and point cradle for the panel and from first light to dusk we are putting useful amps and volt back in the batteries. Now, for example, if we stop for lunch and the 240v fridge starts the solar panel supplies sufficient power to prevent a current drain. The other plus is the controller which has revitalised the batteries with it's intelligent charging techniques. However, the biggest change of all has come about by taking a good look at what is loading the batteries. I don't know about you but I am guilty of plugging in all the mobile phone charges, the tv aerial amplifier, the ipad etc etc even if the devices themselves are not on charge. With all our kit plugged in on standby I found I was drawing 6 amps. So the rule now is only switch on charging devices when on the move. The difference is enormous. On average in the morning the alternator controller would switch to trickle charge after 2 hours of cruising but now it takes 10 minutes. Hope this is of some help to you if you are considering fitting solar panels. Our batteries are still good after 3 years . Chose these because of their size and terminal positions. We have 3. http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/190-ah-xplorer-leisure-battery/
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What's the correct name for this part?
Chris3 replied to Androo's topic in Boat Building & Maintenance
Didn't hence the '?' -
What's the correct name for this part?
Chris3 replied to Androo's topic in Boat Building & Maintenance
Skin Fittings With Tail - BSP 3/4 �, Hose -
I have had two Alde boilers on different boats and unless there has been a design change the header tank is a translucent bottle/ reservoir which is situated within the boiler casing. Remove the front cover and you will see It is at the top of the casing and contains about a litre of water only.. The circulation pump is an integral part of the tank and is attached to the screw cap which forms the lid of the tank. You will see the wires attached to the motor. Turn off the gas and electrical supply first and then unscrew the lid and carefully lift the body of the pump and the impeller out of the reservoir. I think the electric motor is on top of the screw cap and the shaft passes through the cap and the impeller is suspended below it. The bottom of the header tank is actually the body of the centrifugal pump. Top up ther liquid ... if it were me I would just add some water as I expect as a hire boat the anti freeze has had regular checks.... I had to do this about twice a year. Come the winter you can get the fluid checked if you are worried about concentration. Be careful when you refit the impeller as it goes quite a long way down into the bottom of the container. Turn on the electricity and any thermostats so the system is requiring heat and you will hear the pump start up. There are max and min fluid levels shown on the tank. I suspect you need to top up the fluid. They evaporate very easily and once the fluid level drops the pump fails to work properly as the impeller becomes clear of the fluid and I think this will be why the pump is not working and therefore not circulating the water properly. If you have been bleeding the radiators then addition fluid will be required too. There may be an additional pump elsewhere as I had two pumps on one boiler but the last boiler ( circa 2001 ?) only had one which ran the whole system. Excellent boilers. Wish I had one now. Good luck
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Similar subject but slightly off topic, please excuse me but how long does it take from Stourport to Tewkesbury. Can it be done in a day onto the visitor moorings on the Avon ?
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Thanks for the suggestions but I fear it will be at least a week. I spoke with Anglo Welsh at Wootton Wawen and they offered to raft the boat up with the hire fleet if they have room ! Are there any small yards or marinas close to Kingswood Junction that might help ?
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We are planning a route down the Severn to Tewkesury then up the Avon to Stratford and on to the Grand Union and beyond !. Would like to leave the boat on a safe mooring around Stratford so as to return home to cut the grass, change of socks etc., the usual stuff. Any ideas please. Thanks in anticipation.