robtheplod

You do indeed. This is why it took me so long to sort this as i was looking for a good way to fix without drilling. These seem fine, with 20kg pull each the panel is pretty much rock solid. I wanted to get the panels as low profile to the roof as possible to try to avoid wind issues, and these sit under the height of the mushrooms. Time will tell of course if these turn out to be viable and I'll probably be sweating when its windy, but early signs are good. Note my roof is 'smooth' so this helps!

Yes i was however surprised that it still worked whilst covered.....

All now fitted. Pleased with the results. Thanks to all who have advised etc!

The battery isolator has three pins, one input (where the mains charger and starter alternator connect) and two outputs, one to the starter battery and one to the BT battery, so the batteries are isolated from each other. I'm fairly sure one cant drain the other... The isolator is this one: Sure Power 702 Multi Battery Isolator 70A 1 Input 2 Battery : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

its the other end of the boat in the chamber itself..... i like simple methods, sounds good Alan!!!

Hi All You'll be amazed to hear I've got the kit and about to fit! I have a query though in that the MPPT obviously connects to the leisure batteries, so if i turn off the mains charger (marina based) then my starter/BT battery wont be getting any charge. I know this is a small issue as they'll be fine once moving again but thought I'd look to see if the solar could charge these as well. Below is a very basic diagram of my charging arrangement.. i'm struggling to see how i can do this and not mess anything up.... one idea was to just put a single jumper lead from the green spot to the leisure when in the marina??? any better ideas? thanks!! Rob

Sort of on the same thread... is someone doing a tour of the network currently blocking all the Elsans.... i seem to get a few emails a day now!! Maybe they need to change their diet..

ones enough...

doubt it....

No sense in adding USB sockets into mains sockets on a boat surely? you have to pop the invertor on to charge your phone?

This is what i used, although black. I too was interested in the Journey with Jono solution, but its not widely available (not made anymore) and its quite expensive. I have two of these directly above 'joists' below so i can see in two compartments with each hatch.

thanks for the feedback. As an aside here Venetian mentioned their washing machine was £5 per load, is that usual these days?

We were told its to make a difference between leisure and liveaboards, who pay more. The 'leccy is included in the leisure mooring fees so assume they also want to keep these down! interestingly they also said they offer a winterising service for only £250....

is this leisure or are you intending to live on it?

i can see a few areas of potential leak there!

So, we visited both Venetian and Tattenhall this weekend. Venetian was OK although the fact they don't permit you plugged into shoreline whilst away from your boat could be problematic for us. The marinas were very different, Venetian seemed to be somewhere you'd store your boat whereas Tattenhall was somewhere you'd like to stay with your boat - if that makes sense? The cafe at Tattenhall is great - good breakfasts and the people were very accommodating. The marina has excellent 4G mobile network coverage which is important to us (monitoring+TV etc). Oddly its a leisure only marina, but the carparks were suspiciously full and people on most boats - maybe the leisure bit is very flexible! We've signed up for Tattenhall so looking forward to doing some northernish stuff! thanks for all the help!

A big question is what is your timescale..... second hand boats available now, but timescales on new sailaways might be quite long?

Would it not be easier/cheaper possibly to focus on stopping the water getting in?

Interesting thread... I suppose it could be made to work with a relay also for those who can remotely control the relay? is it just short a1 to a2 and bingo or not as easy as that?

Visiting Tattenhall and Venetian this weekend.... we'll choose one and then move late March... thanks for all the comments!