Nick D

Thanks Alan, I did wonder if they are reaching the end of their life although they are only a year old and I think I have managed them appropriately I.e always on a shore line/charger when in the marina, and charged fully each day when we are out. I don't have a 3a drain when nothing switched on. Overnight, with the inverter, fridge and cooler on it varies between 3-6amps.

They are sealed batteries, so can’t be checked unfortunately I did wonder if that was the case but have tried it with the inverter off overnight and it makes no difference. The problem is not so much how much electricity is being consumed but the fact that each day the batteries are draining quicker

Thanks, tbh it varies overnight between 3-6amps so maybe it’s a bit on the low side. I will check with the guys who fitted it.

When we first got the boat, I knew even less about battery management than I do now, and thanks to loads of advice from this forum I now know a lot more. Without going into a massive story, I am pretty sure that the previous problem is not related to this one. There is never a time when everything is turned off. The fridge and cooler are always on as in the inverter (in sleep mode) and the internet router. If you are saying that, bearing this in mind, 3A is still high then that does me cause for concern. Can you clarify this for me?

I’m pretty sure it’s not MOBICOOL and it definitely isn’t portable. However, I think folks are losing sight of the original point of the post. Regardless of whether I have a cooler or not, the point is that - on the same approximate daily usage - the batteries are losing charge quicker as the days go on. It would appear that I am charging them to as full as can be expected so I suspect Nickorman may be correct when he says that it could be the quality of the batteries. We have another 18 days or so left and in that time hope to ‘top up’ on a shoreline overnight so we shall see.

Yes, it is ‘Waeco’ and yes, it does have a thermostat. I don’t know the draw so will have to dig out the book but if my night time usage is between 2/3 amps then presumably it would suggest that this might not be the culprit?

Yes, we leave the charger on when away from the boat on shoreline. I don’t think they have gone flat in the last year though the marina electric did ‘short’ on our pontoon tho we sorted it in 2/3 days so probably not long enough to goose them. We have a 12v fridge and Waco ‘cooler’ also 12v. If I wake up in the night, the usage is normally reading around 2/3 amps. Maybe it’s the fridge/cooler? I normally leave the inverter on overnight as I have experimented with it on or off and it seems to make little difference We normally run the engine for about 5hrs per day. I suspect we might have el cheapo batteries although they weren’t actually cheap as they were fitted in an emergency and I didn’t have any choice!

That’s what I didn’t understand!

They are not very flat in the morning. 12.18v this morning. Thought that was ‘safe’?

Ok, sorry my fault. From what you have said it’s a BMV. So I am getting 14.4v and 4amps when I turn off the engine - that seems ok? It’s just that they don’t seem to be lasting as long each day

Sorry Tony, I don’t understand what you are saying From the Smartguage read out Sorry Tony, I don’t understand what you are saying/implying

The current is normally about 4amps when I turn the engine off

Sorry to set eyes rolling again but here goes.... Having taken your advice on my previous postings I had a Victron Smart Gauge fitted a few months ago and have been on a couple of trips since and am trying to get used to the various readings and what they mean. I know from reading others comments that I shouldn’t pay too much attention to the SoC, percentage and time remaining readings, so I have largely discounted these and concentrated instead on the voltage, current and consumed ah readings. We are normally moored on a marina with shore line (not liveaboard). When we left on our trip this time, the voltage was around the 13.6v mark which I believe means that the charger was in float mode. After the engine running for approx 5 hrs each day we are around 14.4v when the engine is turned off and are consuming around 100ah until the following morning. I think this means we are in the absorption stage. For the first few days our voltage in the morning was around the 12.4 mark but more recently, it’s hovering nearer 12.1v on similar, if not lower consumption. My question is why might this be? I have an idea that it might be that I am not running the engine long enough to go into Float but on reading some of the other posts, some people seem to think this might not make much of a difference. We have now been off shoreline for about ten days of a four week cruise. We are planning to visit a marina overnight in a couple of days time and I hope to go on a shore line overnight to top up the batteries fully. Is this a good idea? For information I have 4x110ah batteries which are one year old. any thoughts would be appreciated.

Do you know what the price differential is between the two marinas? Sounds like that could be the deciding factor.

We’ve been at King’s Bromley for a year and love it. There aren’t too many rules, facilities are good, the site is well maintained and you can get your car close to the boat. Not been into the marina at King’s Orchard but spoke to a boater who moored there and they said it was very windy as the site is exposed. Best takeaway look at both and then decide.

I’d second that. We’ve moored on the Wigan side of Haigh Hall Bridge a few times.

£29 today for 13kg Calor at King’s Bromley Marina

Thanks Rob, have looked at that thread and it answers my question too. Should have searched first but from previous experience it doesn’t always throw up what are looking for!

We are shortly to be heading south through Birmingham and I’m looking at the section between Minworth and Gas Street Basin. As this has 26 locks, it’s a bit more than we would normally cruise in one day but I’m not sure if there are suitable moorings in between. Canal Plan suggests we stop at the top of Aston locks but from memory many years ago, I don’t think this is wise. Any thoughts on moorings or should we just try to push through in one day?

Ian helped us on the same section last year. His help and advice was very welcome. I’m a Volly on the Gargrave/Bank Newton flights on the L&L and have to say that neither the Vollies or the seasonal staff are precious about which locks we work. I will go wherever needed and will often stay with boats through both flights if that’s what they want. However as a boater I have experienced what happens at places like Atherstone where some Vollies don’t like to move away from certain locks and I do find it a bit strange when there are several folks in one spot. Each to their own, but please don’t tar us all with the same brush!

Thanks. Are there any common pitfalls to look out for?

My first one is due next year. Where’s the best place to find out what they are looking at and how best to prepare?

I’d second both Westport Lake and Etruria Junction. Safe and relatively quiet.

We are 58’ plus fenders and have been through the allegedly shortest lock on the system (Salterhebble) with a little squeeze to spare if this helps

If it were me, I’d turn right at Wigan and go across the Penines and go to Leeds, then cross back either by the Rochdale, Huddersfield or Trent. Would be a fantastic cruise.