Ancient Mariner

Sorry Jess but unable to help. The boat we went to see was less than impressive and we didn't take it any further. Now have a boat awaiting survey ... but not a Kendal!!!

Thanks for the info Kendal. Sadly I'm pretty sure that's not the boat we're going to see. If it was we'd definitely be making an offer!! Here's hoping it's at least something like that quality.

Many thanks for all your replies. I guess the only way to be sure is to go have a look which we'll do shortly, If she's anything like as good as the one Dave M. wrote we'll be making an offer!!! As always the forum remains a veritable fount of knowledge!!

Having sold our narrowboat last year and regretted it immediately we're looking again in what we know is a seller's market. We've seen a few boats but nothing that said "buy me" so far. Just seen another that looks interesting but I've never heard of the builder "Kendall Narrowboats". Having done a bit of research it appears they were based in Liverpool and built about 10 or 11 boats in all. Does anyone on the forum know anything more about them and/or their build quality?

Thanks for the "heads-up" on this GRLMK38. I haven't got round to buying the meter yet so I'll check out the one recommended by WotEver. Just a brief update on progress so far. I bought the Electroquest charger and fitted it a couple of weeks ago. It promptly sorted the uncertainty over the batteries as one (of my six domestic) immediately boiled and has now been removed from the bank. The rest seem to be charging properly and readings from the hydrometer suggest these are all OK although I haven't been able to get back to the boat for a couple of weeks to check. I also set about changing to LED's and bought some (relatively) cheap ones from LED Hut. Sadly these interfered badly with my DAB radio so I'll be going with Bedazzled EMI free ones in the near future. So, all in all things are slowly moving forward with many thanks to all for your help.

Thanks for the suggestions re hairdryer. Definitely cheaper than divorce!

Thanks to all for the swift and very helpful responses ( I particularly liked Naughty Cal's suggestion about ditching the hairdryer ... but I can't afford the cost of the ensuing divorce!!!). So, I'll be holding on to the existing batteries until they start to play up, changing to LED's and taking care with their usage, investing in a smart charger and looking at the Bimble site for a suitable solar panel. Oh and a suitable clamp meter. Above all though I intend to take Ianali's recommendation and just get on and enjoy the boat. If you see Johel's Cut out and about give us a wave. Thanks again.

Although a newcomer to both narrowboat ownership and this forum I have spent some time looking through previous posts about batteries and charging and, whilst some of my information is a bit sketchy I have reached some conclusions on which I would welcome the panels views/comments/recommendations. It's a bit long winded but I've tried to give all the information I have. Our boat is a 15 year old 57 foot Trad with an Isuzu 4LC1 engine and the following battery/charging set-up:- 6 x 12v 110 amp hour batteries make unknown (no labels) of 2007 vintage (yes 2007 as confirmed by the previous owner) plus one new 90 amp hour starter battery. There is an 80 amp alternator feeding through a sterling alternator to battery charger, a 3000w pure sinewave inverter made by EDPN Technologies (Singapore?) and a mains battery charger by Halfords when on shore power. The batteries gave us no problems during our 9 day trip from Mercia marina, where the boat was purchased, to her permanent berth at Crick marina but I am conscious that they must be reaching the end of their useful life. Our usage of the boat is likely to be occasional week/weekend trips with possibly a couple of 3 to 4 week cruises each year. Other than that the boat will be in a marina on shore power. As suggested by other posts I have attempted to complete a power usage audit as a result of which I am reasonably confident that, by changing to LED lighting our daily usage will be around 100 amp hours (no TV, diesel heating, gas cooking but with LEC 240v fridge!!). Screenshot attached My thoughts are to change the 6 old batteries for 4 x 110 amp hour (Banner seem well regarded), replace the mains charger with an Electroquest 30 amp smart charger and buy some kind of battery monitoring system ( again recommendations welcome!). Please be gentle.