Chris T

Yes, I definitely can't argue with that. We are stuck on the upper Macclesfield Canal so can only dream of doing locks.

As suggested, I filled in the CRT online form to report this today and have already had a reply. It sets out the 4 different levels of towpath clearing and says that the decision on which applies is taken locally, bearing in mind the conditions and the towpath usage. They asked for the location, which I have sent, along with photos. It's only one example of course, but only took a few minutes to do.

I didn't know that, how interesting, I wonder if that's what's happened here. There's no sign of a nest, just a decent sized hole with half a dozen bees in it. Just next to the evil brambles that have drawn blood.

Or else put a sign up 'danger, bees' nest'.

We have just moored on a fairly overgrown patch, stepped ashore and into a big hole, obscured by the vegetation, that had several bees mooching around inside it. I'm guessing that it used to be a nest that someone has removed. I do like bees, slightly less keen now that I've been stung in a rather uncomfortable place.....

Yes, where was this?

Well, today the Sterling has behaved as expected on all settings, so it's looking like all is well. Comparing the settings, the battery indicator was previously set as 'open lead acid', the factory setting was 'AGM sealed'. The previous owner had 'wet' batteries which we have replaced, so we're not sure if the setting has somehow been changed recently, or whether the Sterling was happy with the sealed batteries on the 'open lead acid' setting until recently (I believe they behave differently) perhaps as they've become older. Anyway, we seem to be back in business. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Well.... further contortions and photos in virtually inaccessible places to look for a model number resulted in us peeling off a big sticker on the back of the unit. Not only did this give instructions on how to restore factory settings, but a diagram that matched the inverter/charger, unlike those in the manual. Followed these instructions and although it tripped immediately after turning back on, it then started to behave and give readings as we'd expect. We are going to go back tomorrow and test it for longer in the various settings, but we are cautiously optimistic. And the model number was on another sticker underneath the one we peeled off! Fingers crossed and thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

No, that's just the CE marking on the top right.

Thanks, the equalization LED indicator isn't lit up but maybe it's trying to do something like that. And there are no sensors connected, he had seen the temperature sensor mentioned in the manual but have checked underneath the unit today. We will try calling Sterling although I imagine knowing the model would help! Thank you again for your time.

The Sterling wasn't fitted in the boat from new so the actual model isn't mentioned in the boat manual or anywhere else in the paperwork unfortunately. All I have is the Sterling manual that, as I mentioned, covers a few different models.

Hubby thinks there may be a sensor of some sort so will check that out. Thanks for your replies, we really appreciate it.

Thanks for your replies but we've given up for today and headed home so will have a look at the rest of the boat paperwork and will get back and try again asap. We definitely have two 12 volt alternators and we've had no battery problems when out and about. Life was much easier when we had a boat where everything was 12 volts

We thought that the unit would need to be on to charge the batteries on shoreline and also when out and about running the engine, but sounds like this isn't the case, so that's one thing learnt thank you. The manual tells you what the factory settings are but not how to reset to them. To be honest, we are struggling to follow the manual. We thought that the unit would need to be on to charge the batteries on shoreline and also when out and about running the engine, but sounds like this isn't the case, so that's one thing learnt thank you. The manual tells you what the factory settings are but not how to reset to them. To be honest, we are struggling to follow the manual. The indicator for equalising isn't lit up if that means anything.

Nope, no solar.

The booklet covers DAI 1500 C, DAI 3000 C and DAI 1500 C. I'll need to check the paperwork at home. Pic attached if any help. Thank you.

1. Not sure what you mean, sorry. Just when the engine is running and the sterling is switched on. 2. No, it trips when the engine isn't running and whether or not the shoreline is connected, when it's in charger mode. 3. Yes, and it seems to work fine in inverter mode. Thanks

Hello all, Having spent most of this lovely day bent double in the engine room, hubby is out of ideas and I'm hoping someone may have some suggestions. We have a Sterling 3 in 1 pure sine wave inverter / charger which although we use very little 240v items, hasn't been any problem until now. In use a charger either on shoreline or from the alternator, the voltage shown on the LED rises quite quickly to around 16 volts then trips out with an 'over voltage' warning. We have 4 domestic 110 batteries just over a year old and a starter battery (although suspect that we don't really need 4 as we don't use many appliances) which haven't given any indication of being flat and show 12.7 / 12.8 after a few days completely rested (tested with a multimeter). Recent service also tested and said the batteries were good. Terminal connections seem fine. Any ideas gratefully received, thank you

Mmmm... That's worth thinking about as we don't need to mount it very often. Thank you.

Not sure if I've done this right, but hopefully, link below about a car in the canal part way down Marple locks. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5125582634147853&id=479004765472353&sfnsn=scwspmo

Thanks everyone for all your comments. Bending and drilling an aluminium strip into an upside down U shape to use with the light (and possibly) bracket we've already bought seems to be our favoured option. It would be great to see a photo of yours if you get the chance next week Tonka.

Thanks for your reply. We did consider magnets, but didn't want to have the light up on the roof in case of low headroom, and thought that on top of the gas locker on the front would be a bit low down. Not sure where else it could go.

Hi Tonka, do you by any chance have any photos please?

Pics hopefully now attached. I thought that if I could attach the vertical part of the pictured bracket to another bracket that hooks over the top of the wooden cratch frame (after unfastening the cover) the light would then be hanging just below the top of the frame.