Eddie b

Did you manage to get to the bottom of this problem, and how easy is it to get to the main relay (assuming it's within the heater body)

Well that what got me into this boat thing in the first place, less than an hour from home is a very simple site called woodbine cottage it sits on the side of the river weaver by Northwich, the pitch is right on the river bank (are you getting the picture) watching the boats going along has me hooked.

The motor home is a lot different to a boat in as much as you move from site to site, and most camp sites have electric hook up, but still governed by 16amp max, which most vans split 10 and 6 amp. My van is as low energy as I can get, led lights TV etc, I run 2 110 battery's on a split charger, I have 240watts of solar panels on the roof, so in summer the batteries manage via engine and solar, cooking is gas via a tank under the van, and when on hook up obviously the 240 equipment comes out.

Okay, got off to a bit of a bumpy start lol, but some good input so thanks to everyone for your help, and yes I am now considering the used option a little more now, so I will look for that magical bargain whilst continuing to look for a possible plot to work from, I will also read, read, read to get a bigger understanding of what I think will be a great future pass time.

Sorry didn't mention the idea would be long term holiday 3/4 months at a time to start, then see how things go from there. We are in the Crewe area.

Now this is ideal, but alas the cost would sink (did it again) me, finding a place to put a boat out of the water for the time needed to fit it out and for the right price is hard.

I have no doubt you were trying to offer good advise, and I have no doubt you have a vast experience of the topic, but as mentioned it was quite condescending. And as also mentioned before thank you for your advise.

Sorry guys not as clued up as most on here, but I have read a little on RCD needs, and if I go along the self fit route I will follow to the letter.

I actually witnessed a guy trying to use a spirit level in a van parked on a hill, he scratched his head for a long time before his error was pointed out to him

Dr Bob that sounds very re assuring thank you, haggis yes I can understand that people can be trying to help while being quite condescending, and Alan de Enfield lol thank you also. A forum is a great place to gather information, re assurance and fun. Many thank

Yes I think I can agree with you and TheBiscuits (and I'm sure she who must be obeyed would also agree) one of my main thoughts are having 10mm under me and 6mm around me, and having read a little on steel problems and the good and bad of over plating I'm a little unsure about used.

Well it seem that every forum has one or two, I posted my first question simply to ask advise, within minutes I get an answer telling me I'm not the man to plan a build, and not to try re-inventing the wheel. If I did not need help or advise then obviously I would not be on this site and I would not be asking. I thank each and every one that has answered my question and left me with positive feed back ( and before I get another smart remark I can take negative response as well as positive) but I do feel that as a newbie to this forum comments as above are not the best way to get others interested in canal boating.

Wow, right well I will always bow to experience, and I'm assuming you have "boatloads" of that (pardon the pun) but as I thought I have hinted towards I am not about to attempt building the arc after a god like vision, and re- inventing the wheel is not my intention, that's the main reason for seeking advise on this forum. I am looking towards doing something that has been done many times before both professionally and DIY. For information my life experience to date built 2 houses, built my motor home, by built I mean built total with no other professionals.

Thanks for your input, can you expand on your reasons for not buying a new shell, I understand that while buying a used boat you can see what you are buying, but surely you can plan the whole layout of a new shell.

So, my wife and I (Eddie and Barb) have a motor home at present and our favourite site is located on the edge of the river were a lot of canal boats pass through, always giving a wave or a hello, anyway I now have it in my head that I want a narrow boat, and being a bit handy with a tool box I fancy a new shell or a saleaway, this obviously gives rise to the need for a place to work from which I am looking into, barb feels we should be looking at second hand and getting right in there. Going my way means a lot of time and at 63 and still working it will be a "lot of time". Best advise so far has been to try it out first, so we have a hire boat booked for start of april, then if it is for us, and I am convinced it is, then we need to get started. So any tips and guidance anyone can offer would be great. Many thanks Eddie.