helrow

And THIS is why this forum is such a godsend. Thanks so much all, I'll go through all these potentials and report back. I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats...

...so thankfully my boat has come up with her second for me. I'm so thrilled. Any guidance you wise people can offer would be hugely appreciated. There's a fair amount of water in my cabin bilge and I'd obviously like to figure out its source. Last time this happened a few years ago it turned out to be a leaky water pump - easy to diagnose as the thing was going off every hour or so. Replaced it and job was a good'un. This time, no such luck. The (second) pump was replaced in the summer after it stopped working completely when friends were on the boat. A new one was fitted and everything worked well after that - it doesn't go off now except when I'm using water, which seems right... The only sign that something might be wrong with the plumbing is the kitchen tap, which only works at a slow, almost non-existent dribble. Is it likely this is a clue? Or would the water pump be going off all the time if this were a leaky pipe issue? I only want to start investigating pipes etc. if it seems at least plausible that they're causing the leak. Otherwise, I gather condensation or rainwater could be the culprits... As I said, any help would be wonderful. Thanks in advance, Helena

And... I'm off. Piece of cake. Just connected the domestic and starter positives as instructed. It melted the long necklace I used instead of a boring old jump lead when I started the engine though. That was a (crap) joke. I went for the conservative jump lead over wet bit of old wire option...

I've got a big solar panel for my domestics and 4 110v batteries that only charge a few LEDs (overkill.) I'll get myself some cheapy leads and do as you said then, Mike. Thanks ever so much for your prompt reply.

Yeah, this thing is pretty eccentrically (if not dangerously) wired. I'll add that to the to do list! Thanks.

Excellent, Kevin. Thanks loads.

Hello all, Just after a very quick bit of advice. I managed to knock my headlight on while dragging my fold-up bike from the engine room on my way out for a few days and now have a lovely, flat starter battery. I'm gathering from other posts on here that it's possible to jump start my starter battery from my domestic bank... Is this safe or will I run the risk of blowing myself up? Does anyone have any tips as to how to do this safely if it is possible (I've jump started a few cars in my time but never a boat.) Wondering if I should just wait for a friend to cruise in this direction and get a jump from him... Any advice, as always, hugely appreciated. Helena

Thanks loads for all your helpful advice - I'll tackle this next week as per your instructions with a more electrically knowledgable friend.

Thanks for all your swift replies... I've uploaded a (quite blurry) photo here https://www.dropbox.com/s/zunrpyx9utjboxl/2014-09-11%2018.04.54.jpg?dl=0 as it's quite difficult to explain what I mean. The switch is part of the existing fitting, as you can see. Should I wrap the wires coming out of the LED bulb round the red and black wires coming from the ceiling and reconnect it all to the little white box with two screws? (Sorry about my complete lack of technical knowledge - told you I was a novice...) Or do I need to buy a new switch/something else?! I wish I'd listened in physics classes now.

Hello all, Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere and for my deep ignorance of all things electrical... I'm just getting round to replacing our relatively old school fluorescent ceiling lights with LEDs from bedazzled (the G4W 21L here http://www.bedazzled.uk.com/12v_LED_Bulb_Replacement.htm#G4Ttype). I've managed to connect the red and black wires coming through the ceiling with the two wires coming from the bulb (figured that much out!!), but am stumped when it comes to what to do about the switch?! Do I somehow wire the new bulb into the existing switch or should I replace it with a new one? Can anyone offer any guidance about how to do this and/or direct me to an online resource that might help? This would clearly take someone who knows what they're doing about 30 seconds to figure out... Thanks very much in advance for your help, Helena

No apology necessary - all very useful stuff for all. Thanks for your advice, I'll look at the Merlin system too... My question was more whether you think a battery management system full stop is worth splashing out on, or whether sensible maintenance and routine checkups of the batteries are enough? Could we happily do without one of these at all or is that asking for trouble?

Hello again all and thanks for informative discussion, So we've decided to go for 4 batteries and 2 x 100w panels. We were advised that the flexi ones heat up a lot in summer thus losing a lot of the energy they've generated, so I think we're going to go with framed ones (plus MPPT controller) after all. We've been advised that having a sterling battery management system is a good idea, but I'm wondering about the extra expense (over £350 once all the cables and stuff are accounted for). What do you all reckon? Is it worth the extra expense? The bloke we've been getting boaty/leccy advise from raves about his - he says it's saved him what it cost him within a couple of years. Could we just keep an eye on them using a voltmeter or is there a reason the sterling is that much better? Any thoughts/experiences much appreciated as usual! Helena

Pete - that's a brilliant idea! I shall scope out possible ways to make it happen and report back...

Thanks very much for that advice all. Very helpful. I've been looking at flexible/peel and stick panels as I like the idea of being able to walk on them and not having more stuff sticking off the roof for vandals to damage/nick. These seemed like a good deal compared to some of the others I could find in the UK, but clearly not - especially when I consider import taxes etc (which I stupidly hadn't thought of at all.) Plus I guess if they were faulty it would be a total pain in the backside to return them. I'm going to do an energy audit and take it from there. The ones at Best Eco Shop look like an excellent deal.... Happy new year to all, and thanks for saving me from a silly buy!

Hi all, We're thinking about buying this flexible solar panel kit from the States... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/136W-Battery-Charger-Uni-Solar-Package-Upg-272-watts-12v-applications-Unisolar-/271102950388 It's half the price of what appears to be the same thing here, but not sure if it's compatible with a 12v system here or not?? I think volts, amps and watts are the same everywhere(!) but wanted to check before we fork out in case there's something we're missing.... We're also going to upgrade our battery bank from 2 x 110Ah ones to either 3 or 4. We run only 12v stuff (laptop and phone charger are main draws apart from the obvious pumps), use only LED lights and don't have a fridge. Does anyone have any idea how many we may need? I've been told that the difference between 3 and 4 batteries is minimal by some people, is this true? Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom, I realise we'll probably be waiting a few days for any post NYE replies! H

Hello all, Not sure whether or not anyone is vaguely interested in our plumbing woes anymore, but (after a lovely long bout of flu and Christmas) we managed to identify the seal round the water pump as the source of the leak. We were away from the boat for a week and everything had totally dried out by the time we got back, so when we started using the water again it was obvious what the culprit was.... So a new water pump, rubber flooring, and RCR course for me are our new year's presents to ourselves. Thanks for all your invaluable tips and advice, and particularly to those of you who discouraged me from calling a pricey plumber in desperation. HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

Point taken. We tackled most of the replumbing in our house so we've got a bit of experience between us. Push fit = quite a lot like Lego! My boyfriend was a site carpenter before embarking on the epic that is architecture school, so he's alright with how houses are plumbed and the basic whys and wherefores - we're just on a rather steep learning curve with how boats (or our particular boat) is put together. An exploded diagram of the thing would be invaluable right about now! And he is at college 12 hours a day most days so the task is really down to me this time. It'll be very satisfying once it's solved though!

Good point. I think I was just feeling a bit daunted but I'm determined to figure it out armed with these suggestions! I'm away for a few days, will tackle the search when I return on Sunday. I don't have a cat/dog/incontinent boyfriend - unfortunate in that I'd at least be able to identify where the water is coming from. Great idea about food colouring/waste water... I'll keep you all posted as to how we get on.....

Paul - Hmmm, I'd say leaking window frames definitely not as we have only portholes. The only roof hatch we have is in the saloon which does occasionally suffer from a bit of condensation but is quite a way away from the wet patch. I will take the carpet up anyway…. Neil - What you say makes a lot of sense…we were planning on ripping the carpet up anyway and replacing with some rubber or vinyl because it is, as you say, a quite hideous thing to have in a bathroom, so hopefully all will be a bit clearer once we've done that. That's first on the plan of action followed by the cheap kitchen roll fiesta if necessary (thanks BlueStringPudding) Alan - Do you know that was the first thing that crossed my mind. It would involve a very powerful stream though and I'm not sure he's got it in him to be honest..

Dean - thank you! Really clear summary and very, very helpful…I think I need to pay more attention to the pump and its noises and take it from there... Blackrose - I shall begin the kitchen roll based tasks tomorrow, thanks again!

Bizzard - yes, the boat definitely has a slight uphill tilt, and the accumulator and water pump are all at the top of the hill so to speak. It would make most sense for the water to be coming from there, though it's definitely most evident in and around the bathroom... Blackrose - The bit I resealed was where the tiled wall and tray meet so hopefully I've covered that possibility- I just tried to put my hand under the drain with water draining and the shower pump switched on but my arm wasn't long enough and my longer armed partner in crime has a broken shoulder so can't lie in the necessary awkward investigatory position! The shower hose was re-looped just before we bought the boat so that its outlet sat higher above the waterline (new BS regs), I'd hope that the boatyard at the brokerage we bought the boat from didn't cock that up somehow.. The engine heats our water through a calorifier, and the other day it did start going when the engine was running, so I gather a freshwater leak is what we have. Do you think that narrows it down to the pump/accumulator under the kitchen sink? I need wine! O dear

Thanks very much for your helpful suggestions both.. I suspect this is a plumber job…any recommendations for one in the London area would be much appreciated. Hi Blackrose, I think we posted at the same time! We're not on shore power - we're on a towpath winter mooring so battery and 12v only. No immersion heater either. It has been making the odd pumping noise during the night since we've had the boat come to think of it, and the leak has only happened in the past week…. I'll check the shower and bath area thoroughly for a leak and get back to you….thanks very much for replying.

Yes - it sometimes wakes us up in the middle of the night. I gather this isn't normal?!

I just looked - one of these... http://www.mackengineering.co.uk/products.php?product=F2P10%252d19-12v-JOHNSON-FLEXIBLE-IMPELLER-PUMP- Is that a gulper or the rather cruddier sounding second one? Recently replaced a clogged up filter when the shower stopped draining and it did leak rather a bit of water. I don't think it's still doing so though...

Hello all, We've been on our boat a couple of months, and have recently noticed a gradually increasing damp (now sodden) patch on our carpeted bathroom floor and the bit of passageway floor next to the bathroom wall. It doesn't appear to have conveniently gone away on its own (funny that), so I'm trying to figure out where the water's coming from, which is proving much easier said than done. I put a new line of silicone round the shower in case it was just that leaking under the bath and spreading onto the floor, but it doesn't seem to have done the trick. I've run the taps and done my best to look at all the bits of pipework and can't detect a leak in any of them. I've contorted myself in order to peer under the bit to the left of the kitchen sink area with my head torch and managed to look at the pump, accumulator etc and it seems as if one of these may, repeat may, be the source of the problem. It is very wet under there and I thought maybe this is running through to the bathroom next-door, under the bath and becomes visible to us as a wet patch on the bathroom floor. When I run the taps they splutter a lot too, which also makes me think it may be a pump problem? I can't see anything clearly leaking when I run the taps however. Is it likely there is anything running under the bathroom floor which could be leaking which I haven't looked at? If anyone could give me a list of likely culprits to start examining and eliminating that would be a great help. Yours with wet feet and a bad back….