WiseOwl

January 7, 2019

Im a little confused with this apoligies. I thought I had followed everything right, I mean the BM-1 now works spot on again, and yes everything charges fine.

In the photo I attached showing the shunt, you could see other negative connectiosn to that pole of the battery, meaning its on the white/black side. I moved them to the yellow side, which I thought was the same as moving them to the next battery. As this is where the cable with the yellow wire goes.

Sorry for the confusion but I am happy with how it is working now.

Thanks

Jamie

December 30, 2018

Now working properly - thanks everyone!

The battery with the negative shunt connections had other connections as well, I moved them to the next battery, no more crazy readings when running.

Thanks

WiseOwl

December 28, 2018

31 minutes ago, frahkn said:

Ok, lets leave aside all the questions of trust, insurance etc, others will be along to discuss those.

I would (I'm speaking theoretically here) only be interested in such an arrangement in order to explore the northern network. My 70' boat cannot access those waters while a 57' one could.

So short periods - say a week - would not be of much interest to me. We are retired by the way.

Absolutely some crucial points here. As a minimum requirement it would have to be:

-BSS certificate

-Insurance

-Licence

-Proof of ID

I would not know what to suggest for trust. Letting strangers onto your boat or even home, to some may seem crazy but it should be rewarding for both parties. To be able to see new waterways and areas etc. I guess there would have to be some tractability needed; passport/proof of identification, trusted member on here maybe?

If both could accommodate and agree on the length needed then that would be great. I could probably just about stretch a week with time booked off work but I guess in this case it would not work for us both.

December 28, 2018

Would anyone be interested in boat swapping for short periods of time at all?

For example, a couple has a weekend on our 57ft boat moored near Normanton and in return we have a weekend on a different boat.

This may not make sense to some but I think it would be a great way to see different parts of the canals for people who are not retired and cannot cruise them all.

Personally, I would be happy even it was static only.

No cost involved from either end, just a clear set of handover instructions needed.

Let me know your opinions.

December 27, 2018

2 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

Just stick them on the yellow end of the shunt after isolating the battery.

Okay great, I will give that a try soon! Thanks for your help all

December 27, 2018

1 minute ago, WotEver said:

What are all those other wires on the battery negative post?

I honestly have no idea! I will find out, I guess this could be the issue?

December 27, 2018

21 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

Have you reinstalled it backwards?

From your diagram, I think the "Yellow" end of the shunt is battery side, not load side where it should be.

Photo attached of how I have it at the moment. Which looks correct to the diagram I think!

December 27, 2018

7 minutes ago, WotEver said:

Yes, the two small wires from shunt to display are swapped around by the sounds of it.

9 minutes ago, Robbo said:

Sounds like you’ve disconnected the shunt connections the wrong way round

Thanks both.

Do you mean at the shunt itself? The wiring is definitely correct at the terminal rail (choccy block).

I did move the shunt the other day, I did this so I could properly mount it.

To do this I had to use a negative wire from a different battery, maybe this other battery has other connections. Sorry I have only just noticed on the drawing it says no other connections to that terminal! Potential oops!

December 27, 2018

4 minutes ago, Glynn said:

Mine did similar once, I contacted them & they advised putting a load on it for a while.

Cheers Glynn. I actually did try this - I stopped the engine and turned on every appliance until it was reading a draw of 5amps. I left like this for a while but as soon as we started the engine again... crazy readings!

December 27, 2018

Hi

I recently installed a NASA/Clipper BM-1 battery monitor as we have no solar panels or hookup and wanted to ensure the batteries were not being run too low.

I followed the instructions and the montior worked great. Until I had to move it, which involved disconnecting it, I have also disconnected the batteries.

For some reason now... when the engine is RUNNING the percentage goes passed 100% and it says time to discharge, also shows it discharging up to 45A an hour!?

Then when you stop the engine, it seems to go back to normal again. Apart from the high charge percentage. Has anyone had this issue, is there anything I can do? Reset etc?

Photos attached (engine running), hope this helps.

Thanks

WiseOwl

November 5, 2018

Thanks, don’t quite get how I didn’t see that ?

November 5, 2018

Hi guys

Is there a selling category page on this forum?

November 5, 2018

Ok thanks for the reply guys.

Glad to hear its just these parts that need replacing - does anyone know of someone who can work on this based in Yorkshire?

November 3, 2018

Hi

We have a Bubble solid fuel corner stove.

The lower flue collar looks to be cracked, the flue has been installed at an angle.

Is this a crack and does it need to be replaced?

Or has the flue collar been adapted so it can be installed at an angle?

Photos attached to help explain.

November 3, 2018

On 01/11/2018 at 21:16, Boater Sam said:

Has it always done this? Is the boat new to you? Have you checked for loose drive coupling bolts etc?

Is there lots of backlash in the drive shaft or Python?

Have you checked the prop?

PRM120 is a mechanical box with cone clutches, if the tickover of the engine is too high it will engage with a snatch.

It’s a new boat to us so I cannot say, I have not checked for either of those but I can have a look when next at the boat. The prop is fine, it’s just had the prop nut tightened and split pin re-drilled.

I would say tickover is about 900 maybe this is too high? Thanks for your response

November 1, 2018

Hi all,

We have a Isuzu 33hp Narrowboat engine (IM4LB33) with a mechanical PRM120 gearbox - also a Python drive.

As we engage into forward or reverse gear there is quite a loud clunk! Everything works ok just concerned with the sound.

Has anyone else experienced this or have this engine/gearbox?

October 30, 2018

30 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Not so sure about the cable conductor cross sectional area. For the panel to controller it would depend upon the run length and if you connect in series, series parallel or just parallel unless they assume parallel and size accordingly.

The controller to battery cable can be assume to take the controllers maximum current but then it still needs the cable length considering.

I think the OP is right to be concerned about this but if he reads up on the options for connecting the panels, advantages and disadvantage. Tells us how he intends to connect them, the panes size and cable run length (out and back) then we would be able to advise.

For my first panel Run by the Sun supplied a length of 2 core 2.5mm mains flex as part of the "kit". Far from ideal in my view and contrary to the BMEA codes.

I think I would have been looking at 2 x 250w/50v panels wiring them in series (only because I have seen someone else do this). Great tips here for the cable sizes -Simple so far then, I just need to work out where I want them and how long the cables will be then work from that.

October 30, 2018

27 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Ok - so your answer as to "what he would prioritise" (question in post #16) was to just put down all the items in a random order.

I just wanted to know what needs doing straight away - I think this list covers it. Didn't need an order, was just looking at what to be done in one go to start off with. Thanks for your help ?

24 minutes ago, Robbo said:

Some may even be sorted the day before the BSS man arrives ?

I imagine so ?

October 30, 2018

3 hours ago, Tony Brooks said:

Try: solar panels -> isolation switch (optional) -> MPPT -> fuse close to batteries -> batteries

The isolation switch is to save you covering the panels or disconnecting them when the battery is disconnected from the controller for some reason. Disconnecting the batteries while leaving the solar input running may allow the controller to set itself to 24 volts.

Thanks Tony, this does confirm to me that it is pretty straight forward. Maybe even enjoyable haha

4 hours ago, WotEver said:

You just described it. What specifics are you unsure about?

I guess I would have been thinking about what size circuit breakers, fuses and size of wire to use but maybe I am over thinking it. If I get a kit I imagine all of these items will be the right size ready to go.

October 30, 2018

41 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

I'm glad I no longer have surveys - a surveyor who prioritises 'blacking the hull' ahead of safety issues such as multi-fuel stove and battery covers and even mechanical issues such as gearbox-clunking, and tighten prop-nut, would not be getting any of my money.

But I guess that's what you get from an 'industry' that has no qualification or experience requirements to 'belong'.

Any one can have a card printed saying 'Boat Surveyor'.

These are not in order by the way. Just the items from the list we should really get done, I just listed them in order of the survey - not importance!

If that was the case I would too be a little baffled!

37 minutes ago, alan_fincher said:

I don't think it has been suggested that it is the majority I certainly don't think that, and never intended to imply it.

However quite a few look like they should be. If the BSS expires in 2021, it will have been carried out last year (2017).

At least I have 3 years to get them sorted haha! The BSS stuff will get sorted straight away, also like Robbo said some of these are just from using the boat.

October 30, 2018

5 minutes ago, alan_fincher said:

I ask again......

Does this bat have a current BSS?

Additionally, when was it carried out?

If it is fairly recent, I think it would take some effort to believe that all the things in the survey report that look like obvious BSS fail points have been introduced since a BSS was passed.

Yes the boat does have a current BSS which expires 2021 I believe so cannot have been carried out long ago!

I am also quite surprised to see that majority of these are BSS fail issues!

October 30, 2018

1 hour ago, Robbo said:

To be fair, it's not a big list of problems, it's just a boat with a list of issues to fix, like every other boat has. @WiseOwl, be warned once you've fixed one issue, you'll probably be adding another two issues to the list as that's just boating life. ?

I must admit I would not have bought the boat if I thought the work was major or unreasonable. These are what I would believe to be small things to fix over time, apart from certain stuff which I am trying to prioritise which will get done as soon as possible! Im sure we will get used to the boating life, cannot wait!

October 30, 2018

29 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

So what would he prioritise?

Basically;

-Hull blacking

-Clearing aft drain channel blockages

-Tightening propeller nut

-Investigating gearbox clunking noise as gears engaged

-Replacing bow door glass with safety

-Terminal cover batteries

-Investigate why the water pump is cycling - find the leak

-Service the multi-fuel stove/ensure safe

-Repair Mikuni heater diesel tank outlet isolator leak

-Secure gas cylinders

-Replace gas locker piping

-Repair bilge pump float switch

-Energise bilge pump permanent

I have only asked on here as it's all new to me, I just wanted to see how other people who live on their boats would deal with these things. I am not phased by the work that needs doing, I am actually quite excited to get it sorted! The more tips/advice from experience boaters I thought the better!

Cheers

Jamie

October 30, 2018

Thanks for the advice all, I agree we should spend a while on our boat to work out what is essential. However, I just think you cannot go wrong with getting some panels. As long as they are installed properly etc. Glad to hear that 500w works for you, I think this is what we will aim for.

It would be good if there was a general guide for installations. For example, Showing 'solar panels -> MPPT -> batteries' type thing. I will just keep having a good look around.

October 30, 2018

Thanks for the advice, I have spoken to the surveyor who has now also gone through what he would prioritise. Just interesting really to see how others would prioritise - the long term plan is to resolve every recommendation.

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