Ex Brummie

Unless the Manufacturers Instructions specifically discount installation in a boat, then BSS has to assess the installation complies with them. There is a list of 'usual suspects' that makes reference easy for the examiner when completing the paperwork. And yes, for liveaboard, there should be a commissioning certificate, but that applies to all gas installation. I bet there's not too many have that as the boat is probably not liveaboard at the time of inspection

Have you done any calculations to estimate the heat the coil is likely to produce in relation to the heating load? With so much exposed pipe in the coil it is likely to be very inefficient. A solution could be to insulate the coil and sheath it in another tube.

Thermo syphoning will not be effective downhill, you will get some conduction, but nothing significant. You can install a small pump on the backward leg that you can control with a pipe stat. so that when the back cabin gets hot, the pump will switch off until your lower setting is reached. Your horizontal run may work, but will take a long time to warm up. I have just installed a pump controlled by the flow pipe temperature to assist a thermosyphon over 40 ft which is almost horizontal and has run satisfactorily(ish) for 28 years on 15mm pipework. There was only one radiator which omly ever got 1/3rd to 1/2 hot. I installed the pump on the return to the boiler, controlled by a thermostat on the flow pipe, set at 65oC. The radiator now gets hot all over within 5 mins, and the pump runs for a couple of mins at a time every 10-15 mins. Once the boat is warm, the pump can be switched off. Your difficulty will be that you probably need 2 pumps, unless you can put a pump on a commoned return into the boiler.

With regard to bridges framing bridges, a contender must be the Staffs & Worcs between Aldersley and Autherley Junctions, if you count the pipe bridges into Barnhurst Sewage Plant. There are & if I recall correctly.

Whilst my Morco is working, I'm not going to spend £170 + extras (and more work). But if this is all that is available, then there is no option. A perusal of the installation instructions says " Ensure the 1.5v batteries are installed with correct polarity, so my guess is that there will be 4 cells in series equating to 6volts. Easily supplied from the normal 12 volt circuit. I see there are 10 and 14 litre versions which offer greater performance than the Morco.

The data shows flame failure is monitored by ionisation. In practice, this is faster than a conventional thermocouple. Muck on the probe would stop it lighting, not keep it lit. This must mean the battery is an integral part of the control circuit, and one wonders what batteries are used, and how long they last. Having said that, it would not be above the wit of man to adapt the 12v power on the boat to power it direct, or replenish rechargeable batteries.

I would have thought a layer of soot around the pot would have been detrimental to efficient combustion, as it would impair the heat build up in the pot that is required for efficient vaporisation. Clean pots and catalysers make them so much better.

After 28 years without membership, I joined last year. Pre RCR, the worst I had was a failed starter motor, which on Perkins 4108M is an out and out special, I was lucky to be in Lincoln and a short bus ride away from the Lucas Main Service agent. As we now cruise longer and further, (and the knees and back are not so supple), I reasoned that having a 'one call' number from anywhere in the country was an advantage. Silver membership also gives replacement parts cover, granted with some caveats, but this is still a good deal. You can't blame RCR for conditions, as there are always some who will push the boundaries bordering on fraud. Being a member does not stop you being responsible about boat ownership, with regular servicing, carrying first line spares, and carrying out minor repairs without their involvement. I accept there are some who would take the attitude 'If I'm paying for it, they'll jollywell provide it' but that is folk. I know some folk who carry a spare wheel in their car, but would still call the AA for a puncture.

Diesel stoves can be difficult to light if the combustion chamber is closed off immediately. The only combustion air that it can get is through the burner base, and if the flue is preheated, then it will 'lift' the flame from the fuel. If you leave the door or top loose for a few minutes, then the diesel has the chance to reach vaporising temperature, so this is what burns instead of neat fuel.

Why do you wish to replace the screws? Bolts can be overtightened causing distortion of the cover. As long as the gasket is sound, screws should suffice.

I bought from Amazon an XCsource pump for £14.99. High performance with good temperature rating. They are currently out of stock, cheapest I can now find is £67. Just seen on Ebay for £22.95

I only ever use the gasket, making sure the mating surfaces are flat and clean, and tightening just enough to stop any leaks. Using the 'o' ring where you are screwing down offers a moving surface to the ring and often distorts it. I am also inclined to a turn or two of PTFE on the threads to facilitate demounting. Any form of sealer on the threads is a big no-no, as removal can become impossible.

The problem is with the compressor lubrication rather than the refrigerant. A few hours will let this settle before use. You wouldn't turn your generator on its side and expect it to run trouble free.

Have you thought about water tanks that run dry, unlike mains supplies? Have you thought about batteries that go flat, leaving you without lights? Have you thought about gas bottles that run out in the middle of cooking dinner? You've already been reminded about toilets. If you get frozen in, you cannot get to pumpout. Have you thought about where to live whilst having the bottom blacked? All these things can make you sicker than the soporific rocking that most boaters enjoy.

Bought one 3-4 years ago, and replaced the sucker with a magnet. The antenna connection on the unit parted company with the PCB quite quickly, and was difficult to repair. When I bought a new TV with freeview, I invested in a Mercury amplified aerial, and have all the channels I could wish for.

It's worth checking the oil level in the gearbox, if it is low, it can cause intermittent loss of drive.

The Bio content has a negative effect on the lubrication property of the fuel. This manifests itself in reduced life of injector pumps on engines, and burner fuel pumps on pressure jet burners. The reduced sulphur content causes the carbon to 'drop out' at a lower temperature in vaporising burners, reducing service intervals, but after 12 years since that reduction, we've had chance to get used to this.

35 sec heating oil has lots of bio content these days. Farmers and building contractors who use de regulated fuel insist on FAME free product. Apart from the propensity of bio fuel to attract water, there is a lack of lubrication to injector pumps, and many seals in filters and pumps are attacked by the bio content. With regard to the Refleks stove, vaporising burners have a hard enough time with diesel without being diluted with bio content, which does not vaporise, but burns dirty.

And a man who has never seen the failing 'O' ring seals from the vibration marine applications cause.

Make sure your prop is not to worn or damaged. My old 24ft Burnham went from 2 1/2 hrs/gallon to 7hrs on canals with a replacement prop.

I had to smile at the comment about removing early payment discount as late payment is now not a problem. DER !!!

Are you sure the knob is moving the spindle of the water governor? It sounds as though the knob is just rotating on the spindle. Pull it off and check the profile of the hole.

Spiders are the sign of a dry boat. Why get rid of them? They kill flies and other flying nasties, and are most entertaining to watch in the evening when the tele is slow.

An accumulator properly set up helps my Morco work better. The pulsing of the pump without an accumulator really b****rs up the diaphragm action.

I'm pretty sure you can get fuel at Calf Heath, but 30 mins later at Gailey. They service the hire boats and timeshares and if buying bulk into the boat, they're competitive. Best price is Turners up the shroppie, and you self declare, nil propulsion if you want. As the man says, they report but don't police.