PCSB
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Posts posted by PCSB
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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.
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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?
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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)
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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.
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3 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:
What has happened to the Jack Mitton
Don't know, sorry.
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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
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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).
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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
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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.
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Thanks all, sounds like we will be cooking on the boat then 😁
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Is the Mastervolt Alpha Pro any good, seems to be a lot cheaper at around £350 ish ...
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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.
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Run out of diesel maybe??
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I've found anthisan the best for stings, be they from wasps or nettles! Glad theres been no adverse reaction.
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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
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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.
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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 😄
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On 31/12/2023 at 15:31, haggis said:
Another damp day! After getting coal and kindling we didn't need to stop in Newbury so we pressed on to the Anchor- and as it was open we moored up and went in for a pint. Lovely to sit at the fire and chat. It is open later tonight so we might just find our way back .
2 hours ago, haggis said:I have lost track of what day of our trip we are on
Chickened out of going back to the Anchor last night as it started to rain and I didn't feel like ploughing through more mud in my wellies.
A good day today !! The sun shone for most of the day and we didn't see rain till just after we moored in Market Drayton. Met two boats in Woodseaves cutting and two on Tyrley locks. Probably the most moving boats we have seen in a day.
Oh, I nearly forgot ! A Happy New Year everyone!!
Blimey! Newbury to Market Drayton by narrowboat in a day, you must have been flying 😁
Sorry, couldn't resist ... Happy New Year and safe onwards travel
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4 minutes ago, haggis said:
Day 8
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this short tiller is hard work !
Can you perhaps cut a broom handle and lash/strap/gaffer tape it to the remnants?
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Thanks all. Sanity restored (well temporarily
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2 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:
1. That is a "zero volt drop" device but put a voltmeter between the + input and each output terminal in turn and measure the volt drop. From the data it should not be more than 0.75 volts whatever the amperage. This is to ensure it has not developed a fault. also measure the output voltages (both) terminal to negative to ensure the bow thruster side has not gone open circuit. All the above done at 1200 rpm or more to maximise current flow.
2. That cable might cause excess volt drop at high current flows because of the length of run, but as the battery charges the current falls and so does the volt drop. It is likely to work well enough as long as you charge for a few hours, not an hour morning and evening.
3. Yes, a charger would need permanent attachment, and it is no good unless you do have a permanently on inverter. I suspect your system should work, but the battery is sulphtaed and may even have internal shorts.
Thanks Tony, I'll try ad do the tests tomorrow but have a longish day cruise planned. As always your advice is much appreciated.
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34 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:
Hang on. Although the OP did not give us chapter and verse on the so-called diode splitter model, I think there is a good chance that it is a so-called zero volt drop diode, basically a box of electronic gubbins that works like an electronic split charge relay. Exactly what the OP has needs clarifying because if it is not a passive split charge diode (as the OP and others seem to think) then changing it for a Victron equivalent may not be the best use of money. I would what to look at cable size etc. If the boat has an always on inverter, then a mains battery charger close to the bow thruster is another possibility.
Its this model Split Charge Diodes 70 - 200A, 2 - 3 Outputs. – Sterling Power Products (sterling-power.com) specifically the 130 2 D130A2 if that helps. The table on that page seems to show voltage drops, though it is confusing (the table that is!!).
Also if it helps the alternator is rated at 75Amps. The splitter was installed by the boat builder fwiw, originally it split the charge from the domestic bank to bow thruster, I had them change it to starter and bow thruster. The starter is directly charged from the alternator. It has been in this configuration for a year or so now. I believe the cable is Hi-Flex 25mm2.
Hadn't considered a mains charger tbh, if I wet this route I believe it woud have to be permanently wired, i.e. no croc clips. Is this correct?
Symbol on bridge
in General Boating
Posted
I believe it to be an Ordanance Survey benchmark. They are used to record a given height at given locations.