NBDensie

The top vent on our squirrel stove has rusted. The knob screws off the thread rather than opening/closing the vent. Any ideas how to free it? If I could get in round the back I could use a spanner, but I cant see how to remove the cover protecting the vent. If you dont have a squirrel this probably doesnt make sense, but if you do, it might. Thanks , Mike

Toolbox with assorted screwdrivers, spanners, pliers etc etc. There is always something needing attention on a boat. Mike

If I fit an Adverc or equivalent battery controller to manage the recharging from the alternator whilst the boat is moving, what effect would it have on land line recharging through my Victron unit? Would the one confuse the other? Or can/should the battery controller be turned off. Thanks, Mike

When I went back to Densie after xmas I found the domestic batteries (4X110ah) were flat, and wouldnt recharge. Looks like I need new ones, the previous ones lasted 18months (about 5-6months solid usage). From previous threads and Tony Brooks website I understand that deep cycle 110ah would be appropriate. Most recharging will be done on the move using a modern 70amp alternator, no special controllers. The only reasonable price batteries I could find on the net were NUMAX L110s. Are these OK? Assuming they will fit would there be any point going for 135ah's. Are there any others people would recommend? Is there somewhere good in the Braunston area to buy batteries? Thanks for any advice. Mike

We use a T Mobile USB modem. It works brilliantly. No problem with a fast 3G connection in Oxford and all the way down the Thames to Reading and then on to Newbury. From memory at some of the small places further up the K&A we could only get GPRS. We found that data connectivity was much more reliable than voice. I think we always got some connection wherever we stopped.

Problem solved (hopefully). However I am not clear what solved it! Since I reported the problem.... 1) The inverter/charger was sent to Victron who reported nothing wrong. But the boatyard said that they have had previous experience of kit returned from Victron with no fault found, but magically working afterwards. 2) The engine battery failed and was replaced. The fault possibly had something to do with the alternator regulator failing and charging the battery at 19v. Or a duff battery broke the alternator? Could a bad battery upset the inverter/charger? 3) The boatyard set the inverter/charger max AC current demand to 10amp internally via the PC link. Previously it was set to 6amp using the dip-switches. Perhaps the dip-switches dont work? Whatever - last time I was in the marina I was able to connect to the landline and recharge the batteries for over an hour without any problem. Thanks again for previous suggestions.

Many thanks for all your responses. To clarify some points...... 1) RCD or MCB MCB I think - there are no test switches. It appears to be the normal kit marinas have in the power supply posts next to moorings. 2) Corrosion The boat is one year old. There are no signs of any corrosion. Of course there could be water getting in somewhere. 3) Shorts I dont see how this would cause things to work fine on occasion for about an hour and then trip. Having tripped once further resets cause immediate tripping. Other points.... Could it be relevent that I had the engine battery alternator regulator go after about 400 hours since new? I apprciate these can fail but it is a straw to clutch at. As suggested the only way forward looks like to get a marine electrician in.

People kindly gave me advice with an alternator problem a couple of weeks ago. Some collective wisdom on this one would be much appreciated............ When we hook our boat upto the land power supply the land supply trips. This can happen immediately or after up to one hour. In the latter case if we reset everything and try again, the cut-out is immediate. Also when we try a second time the next level up often trips (eg the marina, which endears us to our neighbours). The external power supply is fed into a Victron Phoenix Multiplus 1200 which distributes the AC, converts to DC and manages landline based battery recharging. It also supplies 240V Ac if the landline is not present. Apart from battery recharging, the only use of the landline power was to a 240V fridge and an automatic bilge pump which did not (and has never) switch(ed) on. The symptoms have been repeated in 2 marinas (one with a 10amp breaker and the other with 16amp) with identical results. We have also repeated the tests using a different power cable. If we take power purely from the batteries eg whilst cruising, we have no problems at all. Thanks for any thoughts. Our boatyard has not been able to come up with any explanation and is now proposing to replace the Victron. However I would be happier if there was a convincing explanation of what could be going wrong.

Thanks for the responses to our problem. It was diagnosed as a faulty alternator by All Aboard Marine Services at Newbury who replaced it Fortunately it was still under warranty. All seems to be OK now.

The boat is a New Boat Co Aqualine Manhattan, it has an Isuzu 35hp engine wth twin alternators. There is a victron multiplus invertor, but I understand this is only involved in landline recharging. As far as I know that is it.

thanks for your replies - I cannot change the voltmeters as they are built into the boat control panel. Further investigation shows the engine battery got fairly hot and that the electrolyte level is down. Cant tell how much down because the battery is very inaccessible. The domestic batteries are cold so it does look like the voltages are real. Will try to top up if I can get a spouted thingy to reach the battery top-up holes. (sorry dont know technical terms!)

Recently I have noticed that the engine battery voltmeter is showing a value of 17-18 when charging from the engine alternator. The domestic battery charging voltage is in the range 13.5-15.0. Should I be concerned? I havent had any problems with the battery starting the engine. Thanks for any advice. Mike

We use the new Web'n'walk USB modem with our new Vista based laptop. The receiver seems very good - we have always got a usable connection, either 3G or GPRS, during our current trip from Oxford to Bath, even when we couldnt get Orange phone connectivity. I would suggest you dont rule this option out.