Staarek

It was some time ago so I cannot remember exactly, but it was bought of ebay. I'll have a look though.

In my previous boat I used to have dedicated 800w pure sine inverter that would be used only for fridge. 0.4 amps at no load, so adding less then 10amps a day.

I can confirm I managed to start two different models of fridges on 1000w inverter, one of them (rated at 50w) was drawing around 30 amps and the other one (90w) just over 40 amps on start up.

I've got 240V, 125 litres model with freezer compartment and it uses around 40AH/day. I'm not sure if I would be able to find more efficient 12V version. Also I needed integrated one which I couldn't find within 12V models. I will be also looking into installing fans to provide cooling air from the bilge as I've got deep & cold bilge.

haha good one!

Always glad to help! Answering your question about me not liking narrowboats, I suppose it's for the same reasons you don't like widebeams "I just really don't like the look of them". Also, not sure if you noticed but widebeams also come with "many different shapes, outlines, styles" As for OP sorry for OT, it's the last time.

I suppose it's all personal taste. I for example don't like the look of narrowboats but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Well said! If all the inventors would think like some of the forum members we would be still using horses for propelling our boats! I've seen this clip some time ago, maybe you will find it useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3x_kYq3mHM

PM sent.

Maybe she's planning to live on a river and/or is claustrophobic?

Reading this, can someone knowledgeable clarify if it's ok to mix new and old batteries? I've been always told it's not a good practice and it shouldn't be done?

As some people mentioned here XR&D & Colecraft have quite good reputation, I visited both and I really liked what I've seen. I decided to go with Blue Water (Warwickshire) though, and I would definitely NOT recommend them. I will send you PM. Where are you based btw?

It depends on a manufacturer, some of them "guarantee" 100% for 10 years and 80% or so after.

I found this one very interesting: http://www.yachtmailchandlery.com/essential-boat-electrics/ It's by Pat Manley and covers pretty much everything (in a nutshell). 12v & 240V inverters, chargers, batteries, power generating (solar + wind, fuel cells)

No it doesn't, unless it's MPPT and even then you won't get 31A at 12V. You will get 26-28 amps if you're lucky.

This is 125w at 16.6V, therefore 7.5 Amps. 7.5 x 3 = 22Amps. 30 Amp Controller is good enough, unless OP thinks about adding some panels in the future.

Similar thing was happening to me. It turned out to be caused by the fridge which switches itself off/on automatically. When switching on, it draws quite high current (50 - 60 amps) which (especially when batteries are not fully charged) causes significant voltage drop that "resets" telly.

City Basin lock is actually a good example. There is always someone moored in the lock landing. I've seen a guy not long ago trying to go through in his 70' narrowboat (single-handed) and he was really struggling, he couldn't double moor as there was this bloody dinghy attached to the boat closest to the lock. I ended up giving him a hand as it was quite windy and the boat was going all over the place.

No worries. At 11.8V are the batteries under a load? I'm asking as you shouldn't really ever allow them to get that low. If you do they won't last long. 12.2V is a minimum really, I never discharge my b.bank below 12.4V though. Coming back to equalization, I think the current is just below gassing voltage (close to it though) but I would have to double check it.

This is from Trojan's website. Equalizing is an overcharge performed on flooded lead acid batteries after they have been fully charged. It reverses the buildup of negative chemical effects like stratification, a condition where acid concentration is greater at the bottom of the battery than at the top. Equalizing also helps to remove sulfate crystals that might have built up on the plates. If left unchecked, this condition, called sulfation, will reduce the overall capacity of the battery. Some solar controllers can perform Equalization (manually or it can be set up automatically every 30 days for example). Otherwise you can get a charger with Equalization feature.

Are you 100% sure you need bow thruster for 45 x 9?

The one I bought of Kingslock had an inlet on the top and two outputs on the bottom.

I agree. In fact overstaying doesn't bother me that much, but points I mentioned earlier do.