PCSB
Patron
-
Posts
425 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Blogs
Store
Posts posted by PCSB
-
-
A quick update for anyone interested. The Auto Electrical bod couldn't help as he couldn't identify the make of the alternator. He thought it was a Bosch unit but I believe it to be a Mahle (they may be one and the same - who knows). He did find that the rectifier is burnt out - I never saw the magic smoke but you can definitely still smell it!
fwiw I've decided to get a replacement unit and will have an external regulator fitted. Hopefully Ed from Four Counties Marine will be able to do this fairly soon too.
-
2
-
-
I vaguely remember reading about a firmware update for the victron inverter/charger that brought in this functionality. If I'm correct then it is likely that the VE Config tools are the ones you need (they are software tools btw). Downloadable from here: Software - Victron Energy
You may need to buy a dongle too, it is this one: VE.Direct to USB interface - Victron Energy The destructions on how to connect the dongle are on the software page above. You will also need a standard RJ45 network cable any PC store will have them e.g. Currys PC World or of course Amazon.
Not sure it hels, but at least its a starting point.
-
10 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:
Difficult without the current, because the higher the charging current, the lower the voltage the alternator will produce. However, assuming may be 20 amps or less I would assume the alternator has a failed diode on one of the generating coils. Most large towns have an autoelectrical specialist who can test it for you and probably repair it. Let's have a rough location so someone local can suggests a company.
On the Macclesfield just outside of Macclesfield at the mo'. Will check the amps next time I start the engine (tomorrow now). fwiw heading up the Macclesfield towards Bugsworth eventually.
10 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:Where are you?
Probably the alternator but checking the belt and all the connections first is a good idea though if the light is going out its unlikely to be a connection off.
Check the charging current if you can.
Does the battery voltage rise with the engine running?
On the Maccelsfield, I did check the belt and it is in very good condition and tight. Connections also checked and tight, but will re-check tomorrow. No battery voltage rise.
Thanks both.
-
I seem to have a problem with the domestic batteries being charged. The batteries are lead carbon gel and are approximately 6 months old. So far I have not seen any issues with the batteries themselves, and as I type they are reading at 12.4v. I have not isolated them at this time so a current of between 4.5 and 8 amps was being drawn. The monitor is a victron smartshunt. Voltage and amperage readings were confirmed with a Fluke multimeter. fwiw I ahve 5 100Ah domestics. There is no split charge either.
The problem seems to be the alternator itself, it is a 175Amp alternator that is supplied standard on Canaline 42 engines. The output from it was only showing as 12.3v, I did not check to see what the amperage was (maybe I should). I have no warning light on the console, it does light before the engine starts, but as sonn as the engine is running it goes out. The voltage did not vary with revs, i.e. revving at 850rpm (tickover) or at 1200rpm or 1500rpm.
I believe the failure occured yesterday sometime. We ran the washing machine when we were cruising and I didn't notice any extra load on the engine, never thought to check then tbh. The previous time we cruised and did a wash the engine did load up as normal. I typically maintain a minimum of 1200 rpm when running the washing machine.
Advice as always much appreciated.
TIA,
Paul.
-
I believe it to be an Ordanance Survey benchmark. They are used to record a given height at given locations.
-
For the engine an oil filter wrench can be useful. A basic set of metric sockets if you need to adjust the alternator belt tension (there is usually 2 alternators) iirc 13mm ish (maybe 14mm or 15mm) but a decent entry set will have the right sizes. My engine is a canaline and the way the alternators are fitted means I need an extension for the socket as one of the nuts/bolts is hard to get at without.
For the gearbox the drain plug is 18mm, but I have heard that some differ so maybe others can maybe chip in here. The filler/dipstick is another one that I have heard has different sizes, the workshop manual states 15mm but I seem to think it is larger on my gearbox (also a prm 150 D2). I find having a couple of high quality adjustables gets me out of trouble most times. fwiw I've found Bahco tools to be excellent quality, maybe a bit expensive, but you only buy them once.
A shallow tray that holds over 2 litres is useful when draining the gearbox unless you wish to use a pump of some sort, I prefer to use the drain plug. Always clean the inside of the drain plug too, it has a magnet in there and it collects metal gunk. I'm assuming that the engine has an oil extraction pump fitted, if not then you will need a pump of some sort (pela or equiv).
My advice is to buy what you know you need first. One addition worth having to hand is a decent multimeter.
-
1
-
-
3 hours ago, blackrose said:
Maybe I'm not looking in the right place but I can't see any options for different shaft diameters? It doesn't even say what diameter the one shown is as far as I can see?
...
The 45 in the part number is the shaft diameter in mm - it is clearer in the part description on the euro website e.g. Spare part set - 35mm DLS "double lip seal" (vetusonline.com)
-
3 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:
I put external flaps on mine for a rough crossing to stop waves coming into the well deck.
Nothing fancy - a bit of milk carton plastic, top hinged with gaffer tape - to reduce water intake from waves but allow water out (mostly) as usual.
I don't think I'd want them sealed watertight though!
That makes more sense to me than sealing them.
-
1
-
-
3 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:
What has happened to the Jack Mitton
Don't know, sorry.
-
I didn't want to trigger any arguments but do appreciate the feedback.
I can understand the desire to keep pubs open, especially canalside. Sadly the Cotton Arms in Wrenbury is now closed with planning permission being applied for, if not yet granted, to convert and build dwelling houses
-
2
-
-
Good read, very enjoyable.
I noted he blocked his scuppers ... why would you do that? Surely scuppers are ther to let the water out! (at least they have been on the boats I've been to sea on).
-
3 minutes ago, IanD said:
It wasn't aimed at you, I thought that was obvious from earlier posts... 😉
Looking back over the replies, there are more positive than negative, and this stacks up with other reviews.
(the most negative being from someone who didn't get any food at all...)
OK, thanks for clarifying. No offence intended
-
40 minutes ago, IanD said:
The problem is that decent pubs are few and far between on that stretch of canal, and if the Willeymoor Lock closes because boaters are (unfairly?) put off from going there, there'll be one fewer... 😞
If this is aimed at me then you are out of order. We went there a year or so ago and the food was awful, in order to try and determine if it was just an off night I asked here. The replies of others have indicated it hasn't been great and some have said it is ok. That hardly breeds confidence to try again.
-
Thanks all, sounds like we will be cooking on the boat then 😁
-
10 minutes ago, IanD said:
If it's still the same family running it I'm surprised -- when we went in (twice...) in 2022 it was pretty good basic pub grub, mum/auntie (not clear which...) was doing the cooking because they couldn't get a chef in. Maybe it's changed hands (unlikely?) or they've got a not-very-good chef in?
It may have been because they had only very recently re-opened, it wasn't at all busy.
-
Anyone been recently? Last year when we went in the beer was decent but the food was dire, anyone eaten in there recently and if so how was the food?
TIA,
Paul.
-
As with any paint job, no matter what is being painted, preparation is key. With the better/best boat painters they prep the boat very well indeed then many coats of primers/undercoats before they get to the top coats. Proper prep takes time as does applying the various coats of paint so that is where the money is. It should with half decent aftercare last for a very long time. John Barnard has a series of painting videos on utube, worth watching imo.
-
1
-
-
Is the Mastervolt Alpha Pro any good, seems to be a lot cheaper at around £350 ish ...
-
The batteries on our boat have a recommended float voltage of 13.6 to 13.8. The victron multiplus has a feature called storage volatge which is fixed at 13.2v, as far as I can work out it can't be changed. But it can be switched off.
We are rarely on mains but occaisionally, like now, pop into a marina for a few days. Is it better to switch off the storage mode and leave it in float or leave well alone?
TIA,
Paul.
-
Run out of diesel maybe??
-
I've found anthisan the best for stings, be they from wasps or nettles! Glad theres been no adverse reaction.
-
35 minutes ago, haggis said:
It was quite a nice morning with just the occasional short shower till we got to the Middlewich locks when it started to rain in earnest. We decided to moor up and visit the Big Lock but I saw a post from the Halsall crew recommending the White Bear so that is where we are heading . It is dry now but I think it will be a slightly shorter walk.
Sorry I didn't see you. Iain is too well mannered to get close behind a slow boat and ask if we can pass . He helped them through Stanthorne then they moored.
The White Bear is very good, we had a meal there the other week. Beer is good too
-
1
-
-
3 hours ago, haggis said:
This was to be our last days boating this trip but a combination of following a slow boat from our mooring at bridge 13 to Stanthorne lock and an even slower one coming up Wardle ( boat at back of lock with much engine noise and lockwheeler lowered her paddle the two notches she had put it up every time the boat moved), a boat winding as we emerged from Wardle and we followed it down the 3 locks in Middlewich and the rain started prompted us to moor for the day.
It started off a lovely day too !
Back to the marina tomorrow and home the next day, whatever that is 😀
Passed you on the Middlewich branch today following a smallish narrowboat, Iain didn't look too happy, but I did get a cheerful good morning from him.
-
8 minutes ago, haggis said:
Ah, you spotted the error 😀. So many of the names down here are similar and I have no idea where Newbury is ! You must make allowances for the inhabitants of Haggis land 😀
Heavy rain here again tonight but at least we had a dry days boating.
Many, many moons ago I used to work in Newbury for a well known mobile phone company. The K&A runs through Newbury so it is a long way away - it was really rather nice back then, no idea now.
Just started raining here too, had lovely sunshine for most of the day so can't grumble, well I can but no one listens 😄
-
1
-
Charging problem, domestic alternator showing 12.3v
in Boat Building & Maintenance
Posted
He has been very helpful and patient!