redwing

Something like this https://www.kedel.co.uk/mixed-plastic-lumber/recycled-mixed-plastic-boardplank.html (never used them, so not a recommendation) Postage may be costly though

Great, thanks Nick. My setup is similar to Tony's, Valences charged by a 60A Sterling cupboard heater, so see about 45A at best at the batteries. This is fine on a long cruise but rubbish when staying put for a few days. I have spoken to Ed re a Mastervolt Alpha Pro which sounds ideal. They have a temp sensor which will look after alt on a long cruise. The alternative is to get another 60A cupboard heater. This would be much cheaper. Sterling have some refurbs in stock and I could fit it myself. One of my concerns is if they will be taking 120A plus out of the alternator continuously on a long cruise. Another feature of the Alpha Pro is slow? engine mode. I have no idea what this does other than protect the alt when going slow. Does the Sterling do something similar ? By the by, Sterling have a new range of B2bs, up to 120A. Wonder if they heat the cupboard as well

How many amps do you get from your alternator when its warmed up Nick ?

Have you considered a Mastervolt alpha pro instead ?

How is your alternator controller performing? If I was starting again I might have asked you if you could've helped me make one, but to be honest it looked at bit beyond my capabilities at the time. I'm assuming it does the same job as the Mastervolt Alpha.

Yep, but didnt think of that at the time.One of the lessons learnt. As I said everyone was concentrating on the poor woman in upper chamber and opening the top paddles averted the crisis. My point was more about things can sometimes happen beyond your control. I'm now more assertive but it can still be tricky when there are lots of 'helpers' who 'know' what they are doing.

Accidents will happen. I got a lesson at Bunbury a fair few years back. Nice sunny weekend with loads of onlookers, everyone enjoying themselves. There were a few boats waiting to go up or down and lots of 'helpers'.I can't remember if the vollies were on too, but there were lots of people and lots of noise. There were 3 boats in the locks, 2 of us going up and 1 coming down. As we were about to do the shuffle I felt my bows grounding on the middle cill so (thankfully) I reversed. The poor woman in the hire boat coming down was grounding and had dozens of bits of advice shouted at her. Someone opened top paddle so crisis averted but the issue was that one of the bottom paddles wasn't wound down fully so the locks were draining. I was singlehanding and it was difficult to get anyones attention re bottom paddle. Everyone was concentrating on what was happening with the young woman hirer. I shouted my head off and someone came and lowered paddle, and we all got through. It can sometimes be difficult to take control at locks with lots of 'helpers'. I'm sure plenty of us have had someone 'helpfully' open a paddle too quickly.

Same here. Peter, Bob, Nick etc.

Thought I'd give an update on how my setup is performing after 2 years (tempting fate ?) I have 3 2nd hand Valences, charged by 500w solar or 60amp Sterling BtoB. On the whole they are performing well and I've often got more power than I know what to do with. Washing machine, immersion, kettle and toaster etc. use is limited by inverter capacity, but I'm careful not to use them at the same time. I've now got a portable induction hob on board too. They are controlled by BMV and a motorised switch, and the settings on the BtoB and Victron solar controller. I still have them in parallel with LAs and have a switch to select either paralleled or charge by engine via BtoB It could probably be more user friendly but I'd disconnect them if someone else was using the boat(heaven forbid). Engine charging could be vastly improved using an alternator controller as the BtoB gets at best 40a/hr out of the 175a alt.. I'm not a liveaboard and turn them off when leaving the boat. I haven't plugged them into the software for ages as they we're always fine during the obsessive early days(months). All in all I'm happy with how they are performing.

I know it's sacrilege, but some lithium users plug the immersion into inverter and go play. I plug my immersion via a timer into a socket for 1/2 an hour a few times/day

I'm guessing he doesn't have a pump-out

The boat was in water when I passed this week, We did have a bit of rain last week though

@nicknorman has fitted his own alt controller and doctored the regulator for an Iskra 175, some details can be found here somewhere and Ed Shiers of https://fourcountiesmarineservices.com/ fits the Alpha Pro Let us know how you get on

Boaters' Update on lithiums https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/boating-blogs-and-features/the-boaters-update/boaters-update-19-nov-2021 (bottom of page)

Speedy Hire website suggests they will deliver 20litre fuelbox. No indication of prices though https://www.speedyservices.com/hvo-fuel