Horatio Sprague

Hi Any recommendations for narrowboat insurance? Lots of people out there want to sell you a policy, but when it comes to making a claim......!

I am building a new boat and wondered if anyone knows of a good firm of marine plumbers in the Tewkesbury/Gloucester area to help design and possibly install my water/heating system.

I am building a new boat and wondered if anyone knows of a good firm of marine electricians in the Tewkesbury/Gloucester area to help design and possibly install my electrical system.

Since I started this thread after reading the article in Canal Boat online, I thought the only way to deal with this was to send Funky Heat a plan of my proposed boat and see what specification they come up with. It appears to be a free service, and will paste any reply received on this thread. The article was published on October 31, but as someone else has said, it may only appear online and not in the magazine (I don't have that). http://www.canalboat.co.uk/canal-boats/maintenance/heating-your-narrowboat-efficiently-and-comfortably-1-5240436

No, this is apparently "low surface temperature far infrared heating".....a thin heat mat using 24v installed above a insulation layer and below the floor covering, which can be timber laminate or solid flooring. http://www.funkyheat.co.uk/category/low-surface-temperature-far-infrared-heating/

According to Canal Boat, this article is the most widely read from the October edition. I'm surprised that they would have published it without some justification. I have contacted Funky Heat for further information. Anyone else who is interested in this idea should perhaps also contact them direct for the facts and figures in relation to use on boats with battery power as the primary source of energy.

Funky Heat have told me that a narrowboat cabin measuring 12.4m long by 2m wide and 2m high would need infra red heating mats rated at 1.24Kw approx. How does this convert to battery drain over 24 hours? This to produce 21 degrees C when outside temp 0 degrees C

The article implies that one of the advantages of this system is the very low power consumption running on 24v, and ability to combine well with solar generation. I will try to find out what this means in terms of battery banks etc.

I recently read an article by Funky Heat in Canalboat extolling the virtues of 24V electric infra red heating mat systems, which can be used for narrowboat underfloor heating or behind wall panels. Can be used as a substitute for conventional wet radiator systems on boats, and supposed to be highly efficient. The idea of doing away with a diesel boiler and radiators in favour of invisible heating is very attractive. Has anybody got experience of using these systems, in particular their drain on the electrical system and their ability to heat up quickly. Having had underfloor water heating in my home, they are very efficient if left running, but take a long time to heat from start up. The article link is pasted below......should it be taken with a pinch of salt?? http://www.canalboat.co.uk/canal-boats/maintenance/heating-your-narrowboat-efficiently-and-comfortably-1-5240436

Thanks for the advice....seems like 6-8 no. 110AH batteries would work fine. Probably OK with 6, as I have 230V "Travel Power" fitted on the Beta engine. Any recommendations on battery make around £100-120 each?

Sounds like good advice Smiley Pete!!

Thanks Ditch Crawler....I agree with the usage. I have deliberately overestimated many of the figures, so it looks like I'm coming down to about 6no. 12V batteries wired for 24V!

Thanks for your replies on this. It might help if I showed you my energy audit workings to see if I have got it right! The actual set up will have a 100amp 230V TravelPower option on the Beta 43 engine in addition to the 24V domestic alternator. I also plan a Victron Phoenix Inverter and a 200 Watt flexible solar charging kit. Boat will be used for continuous cruising. ITEM LOAD IN TOTAL TIME IN AUDIT IN AMPS AMPS HOURS AMP HOURS 22 NO 1.3 WATT LED LIGHTS 0.06 1.32 6 7.92 2 NO LED READING LIGHTS 0.07 0.14 2 0.28 2 NO FLUO GALLEY LIGHTS 1.3 2.6 2 5.2 2 NO BULKHEAD LIGHTS 1.3 2.6 1 2.6 1 NO 42 WATT TUNNEL LIGHT 1.6 1.6 1 1.6 WATER PUMP 2.2 2.2 1 2.2 SHOWER PUMP 1.6 1.6 1 1.6 DIESEL HEATER 1.5 1.5 6 9 FRIDGE 1.9 1.9 12 22.8 TV 1.9 1.9 4 7.6 TOILET 10 10 1 10 TOTAL 70.8 BATTERY CAPACITY REQUIRED A/H X 3 212.4

I have just done an Energy Audit for my new narrowboat which will have a 24 volt system. This indicates a daily consumption of around 80 amp/hours at 24 volts. How many 12 volt 110 amp batteries would I need wired together (to give 24 volts) to provide this power? Would it be 2 pairs of 2 batteries wired in series?? Any help appreciated!

I guess 2 sets of 2 batteries wired in series......but I will be working it all out in detail with a pro!

Thanks again. The Beta Engine I am having has optional 24V/12V alternator for domestic batteries and most of what I have read suggests that things are moving towards 24V. Seems that 24V or dual voltage equipment is now pretty common and no more expensive. I'll keep researching!

Thanks...that's just the advice I was hoping for! My only issue no is whether to go for 12V or 24V DC system.

Thanks for the advice.....Power Audit needed now!

I am thinking of installing a Beta 43 on my boat with the engine mounted 230VTravel Power option. Seems sensible to have one engine doing everything, and heard very good reports of TravelPower. I accept that I must run the engine to get 230V for larger uses like washing machine etc. but crazy to use it for things like TV. My question is if I have TravelPower, how many leisure batteries and what sized Inverter recommended to power less hungry appliances?

Thanks for all the advice. Apart from the convenience of having the engine installed in a box, the extra cost of £3500 would pay for the whole boat to be acoustically insulated with change left over! It seems like you can do a pretty effective job by lining the engine room with BOAK insulation for around £200. Also has the advantage of reducing noise from other items in the compartment, such as the diesel heater. Read Yachting Monthly article and try www.ecs-marine-equipment.co.uk Marine-Soundproofing-YM-article.pdf

Thanks for your help so far! Think I'll take the engine bay sound proofing route!

I am thinking of specifying a Beta 43S Super Silent engine, which is enclosed in an acoustic box and makes for almost silent running. Has any body had any experience of these or similar engines? Are they worth the almost £3500 extra on the basic engine price? Or would it be cheaper to insulate the engine compartment?