Chugging On By

Hi All I'm repainting the roof in preparation for mounting solar boxes and due to unforeseen work commitments and recent bad weather I left the cheap masking tape I used on longer than I intended. It has now dried like cement and proving an absolute nightmare to remove. I've tried warm water, razor blades etc but these methods are time consuming, pull the paint off with it and are time consuming. Can anyone suggest any more effective solutions. Feedback from anyone who has experienced such a mistake and found a useful solution themselves would be most welcome. Thanks in advance. Russell

Thank you cereal tiller. You're absolutely right, this engine is an Excellent Machine!! What a machine it is!!!

Thanks for your input Tony! I understand you are a legend on this forum. But what do you mean by OP? Please explain and help?

Than you for your input Lady G. Unfortunately, I can't glean much advice from it but its constructive all the same. Yes the Perkins is a tractor engine. It was built in 1983 and marinised at 40000 miles in 1990. Its a bit too big for a narrowboat but its great on tidal rivers. And for your curiosity its 72 horse power!

Hi All I'm looking to become more electrically self-sufficient and need some 'expert' advice. I currently have a 3 Kw calorifier which only works when connected to mains power, a Perkins 4236 engine and Morso 4110 stove with no back boiler. I also have an old Eberspacher diesel central heating system powering 4 radiators (which currently does not work) and does not appear to provide domestic hot water only hot water to the radiators. I currently have a mooring and am connected to shoreline but am looking to go continuous cruising giving up the mooring. At present my hot water is provided by the calorifier / immersion heater which will heat hot water within 15 mins when connected to shoreline power. I can also generate hot water off the engine when cruising but when the boat is static and not connected to shoreline it takes between 3-4 hrs of running the engine to generate a tank of hot water. I have a doule socket in the engine room which is 240 mains only powering the calorifier / immersion heater and table top freezer. Can anyone suggest any self-sufficient possible solutions to generate a tank of hot water and power the table top freezer free of being connected to shoreline power and with the additional possibility of providing the battery bank with additional capacity within a budget of £2500 and without being reliant on running the engine or cruising to generate power for hot water and table top freezer. I also have a 3kw washing machine on board which is reliant on mains shoreline but this is not an essential requirement in my solutions but any advice would be gratefully appreciated. I have a Victron Multiplus 3Kva inverter on board which powers the majority of the 12v system but not the hot water, table top freezer or washing machine. Finally, concerning solar panes, I have quite a cluttered roof space with 4 vents, 2 houdini hatches and a pigeon box so not a lot space to spare. I've considered the options of solar water heating, solar panels, rewiring, back boiler installing etc. Any expert advice would be gratefully received. The boat was built in 1991, Thanks in advance for any constructive advice. Regards Chuggingonby

Yes. I confirm got them. They've downloaded perfectly. The D5W Repair Manual was just what I was after. Thank you so much. You're an absolute gent. Sincerely Russell

NMEA I've sent you a PM. Thanks

Thanks for the feedback fellas. This is really positive and very reassuring indeed. I appreciate the links and anecdotes, the story from Bargemast particularly. Yes, beleive it or not it is in a 57ft Narrowboat. I am disciplined with the speed of it on the canal and never really go above 800 RPM. However, it really comes into its own on the river where I cruise at around 1500 RPM. It was installed by the original owner who I beleive intended to do a lot of river cruising. Once again thanks for the feedback. Russell

Hello Has anyone got this engine on board? We bought our boat with this engine on board, approx 18 months ago, and have now concluded this engine is absolutely fabulous. I'm very new to marine engines but understand this was in Land Rover and possibly also Massey Ferguson tractors. Perkins was a British brand, unsure if it is still, but it certainly has the quality of 'Made in Britain', which is truly a rare feature today. I'd love to hear from any owners of this engine, or passionate enthusiasts, because this is one feature of our boat I am truly in awe of and need to understand intimately. Any support which would help me understand the characteristics of this engine would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Russell

NMEA Thank you for the kind gesture. I''d certainly be grateful for this info. However, as a newbie I have to make 5 posts to the CW Forums before I can send you a PM so as soon as I've done this I be back in touch. Meantime, your patience is appreciated. Thanks

Hello All First post to canalworld. I bought a 57ft boat last year and I've been enjoying boating ever since but the maintenance problems are now starting to appear. I've had the usual to contend with like new starter / leasure batteries to replace, an overhaul of the starter motor, changing the engine filters etc which are easy enough but I now come up against the Eberspacher D5W and in need of some useful advice. A picture of the particular version I have is available below: http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=60105&hl=eberspacher Last summer the D5W heating unit would turn on and off at will so I isolated it as a temporary measure. I've now just replaced the 7 day timer but the unit will not fire up. I've read various related threads, see the links below, and there is some great advice / links on fault finding and do intend to use this info. http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=45078&page=2 http://www.letonkinoisvarnish.co.uk/Eberspacher_Intro_1.html I know there is a You Tube video on how to service an Eberspacher at the following link which is regularly offered but this is not the same unit as the one I have - see above. Can anyone help me by providing a link to a service manual for this version of the D5W or instructional videos on it is serviced? Any useful advice on fault finding, servicing, cheap spare part outlets etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Russell