TheCrowsNest

Got it I think it was a loose connection to the battery terminal. I tightened it all up and its now running fine. Thank you to everyone who replied!

So I left the charger on all night and tested the voltage (~13.6V). When I tried to start the engine turns over but doesn't start. Anything else I should try?

I'm just concerned that the boat is being surveyed on Friday and I need to move it to be lifted. I need to know the engine is working or I'll have to get someone in tomorrow.

The spring usually "heats" up to glow orange when I turn the key to heat but its not doing that when I heat at the moment.

You were completely right. I pulled the charger from the leisures and put it directly onto the starter. It has been charging for about 3 hours and the voltmeter now reads 12.5V. I tried heating the spring but still nothing. The starter spins for much longer now though. Can someone please enlighten me as to what the spring on the top right does: Also, what does the HL and EL switches mean and should they be on or off? Many thanks!

I'm not good and want to learn the terminology so this is helpful, thank you! The campervan battery is 680CC and I guess from the markings I mentioned earlier that the one on the boat is a 700CC?

Hi, I put the voltmeter across the terminals of the 3 leisure batteries and it read ~13.6V but the starter reads 11.5V. I assume the battery is at fault here and its not just because it is a starter rather than leisure? I have a 2.5L diesel campervan, I was thinking about removing the battery from it and hooking it up to the narrowboat to see if it starts? From looking at the campers battery, it is a little smaller and I couldn't see any CC markings. Do you think this is a good plan?

Boat is getting lifted out this Friday for a survey. I thought I would run the engine tonight to test everything is working and I am glad I did because its not! When I turned the key to heat and held for 30 seconds the spring didn't heat/redden up. I tried starting the engine and the alternator spun for about half a second and then cut out. I replaced a few of the electric cables and terminals so I am pretty sure its not a loose connection/cable. I thought it might be the battery so I put a ammeter on to test and it gave a reading of 11.5V - As the battery charger is always on charging the 3 leisures and 1 starter in parallel I am guessing this battery is dead? If so, how do I find a cheap replacement? The marking on the current starter battery says: Schnapp Energy Gold - UK 644 - 95 AH - SAE 700 - 2010 Thanks for any advice you can give me

When I had mine done last Jan it was a scrape and measure job. Wasn't aware of other methods..

Thanks guys, good advice. I'll buy 1 x 5L and do what I can

Jan 2013 and they look fine although they might need a wire brush taken to them to clean. Yeah I know, fingers crossed its dry!

I am selling my boat and moving out in July . I have taken a deposit from a buyer and he is planning on getting a survey done over a weekend in a few weeks time. After the survey (on the Saturday) which I assume will involve scrapping sections of the blacking off, I want to put a layer of blacking on it before it goes back in on the Monday morning. The buyer hopes to lift it out again soon after the sale to do work on it but I want to make sure its protected encase he decides to pull out from buying it. A few questions from me are: 1. I assume from reading here, all I need to do it power hose it down a few times and slap a few coats of bitumen paint on with a paintbrush? 2. What bitumen based paint is inexpensive and decent? Would this stuff do the job?.. http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p88792 3. How much paint would be required for 1-2 coats on a 45' narrowboat? Many thanks for any help or advice you can give!!

Great advice, thank you. I will try that tomorrow morning.

Oh! hmmmmm.. Yes I did rev the engine but maybe not enough. Guess I need to check the wiring and try again then. Another job for the weekend Thank you both for the heads up!

Thanks all! I checked the wiring and found a loose connection in the D+ connection. The spring glowed under heat and the engine started and ran fine. The charge light stayed on so the alternator is also working I let it run for 30mins the the belt didn't make a noise at all. Glad it is all sorted!