matthewd

Thanks - it may be the Steca doing a better job, as the batteries are shall we say not in the first flush of youth.. for quite a while I knew next to nothing about keeping batteries in good shape. The Steca controller is supposed to do fairly sophisticated charging (four stages) and it certainly does exhibit the specified voltages at various times - if the sun's out. Thanks - there's also this Lake Batteries Elecsol listing which claims *eight* stage charging! As far as I can see, it's still four.. Matt

Is anyone using one of these? Care to report on its effectiveness? I was also looking at more expensive chargers (pick a number, basically..!) but this and the Numax equivalent caught my eye. The Elecsol seems to be genuinely four stage but the Numax three, if you read carefully. Finally, I currently have a Steca MPPT charger, which seems (according to the Smartgauge) to be doing a good job of keeping the batteries charged. Come winter.. autumn for that matter, which is now :-(... I want to add a mains charger. The MPPT charger sits between the batteries and load - will a battery charger such as the elecsol coexist with it? Is there any danger that together they overcharge? Given how "intelligent" they both are, I would hope the answer would be no.. Matt PS I've just noticed the typo in the post title - don't think I can correct it.. d'oh!

By coincidence there was some Serpentoleum on special offer at my local Holland & Barrett, so I bit the bullet. It's amazing, and I don't think my alteranator will ever be the same again. I followed the instructions to the letter (including "rinse and repeat") and I am particularly impressed with the operation of the nanotubes. Thank goodness for science, and whatever will they think of next? Thanks! Matt

OK, I did anticipate that anything to do with charging seems to be a minefield on this forum. I hope you appreciate it's not always easy to see whether the question you're asking has already been answered! If I understand the article correctly, with modern alternator(s) and no mains charging it's unlikely that there would be any benefit from a separate charger. I assume my alternator charges at around 14.4v as I have measured that voltage on the batteries while the engine is running. So thanks for the speedy response. I can respond with make and model of batteries and alternators but I don't want to waste anyone's time! Matt

Hi, I have searched on this topic so apologies if I've missed an answer in the haystack. I was recently told that running the engine to charge the batteries may not fully charge them, and that special chargers exist which find exactly the right voltage to get them to 100% more efficiently. I suspect there may be a combination of truth and simplification in this..! I have identified various mains chargers which appear to fit this description, but: My question: if I am not charging from mains (I have no shore power) but only via the engine, does a charger exist which would fit between my alternators and the batteries to do the same thing? I.e. is there a better set-up than just alternators alone for charging from the engine? Thanks for any suggestions Matthew

Brilliant, thank you both. Matt

What does "tapping" mean - novice question I know. And some other questions about roof fixings... - what kind of drill bit is suitable for drilling into a roof? Do you need a high speed (i.e. mains) drill? - what kind of screws or bolts are best - how long should they be, i.e. to fully pierce the roof, or not? And is any special kind of material necessary, i.e. stainless steel screws / bolts, plated etc. Should they then be sealed or greased in any way? - and what is the exact procedure for drilling and then tapping the hole? I have searched and read a thread about different types of taps and lubricants but I'm none the wiser about exactly what is being *done*! Thanks, Matt

What would happen if you used lard?! Only kidding. But is there an environmentally friendly / biodegradable equivalent you can use? Matt

I thought that an RCD Annex III-a certified sailaway couldn't be resold within 5 years? Matt * edited to include the relevant quote *

I've just cruised my yet-to-be-fitted out NB from Napton to Oxford - a very sweaty, smelly (no shower yet, or any creature comforts for that matter) three days. Completely brilliant! "Love it".

Thanks Gary.

Hello! I am in a similar position, about to have a lined sailaway craned in. Regarding paperwork from the builder, I believe what I need is the RCD certificate of compliance: is this correct and is there anything else? Matt