pig

I hope we get more drone videos here. After the reaction to my Foxton Locks video, I was reluctant to post any more. Here's Cromwell Lock the other day:

The video on the Llangollen aqueduct is very good. Thankyou for sharing that.

I had the same trouble as the OP, with a new expensive cratch cover. The old cover did tend to catch on tunnel walls, so I made some protection with two fenders and a bit of rope going round the front, holding the fenders in position at the vulnerable corners. The only photo I have of it just about shows the setup. I have to agree with others about the LED tunnel lights, the problem has gone away when you can see what you're doing!

The link posted by BigCol is linked to his email address, so unreadable by anyone else. I got the impression that they weren't aiming to alter the global income from boaters, more asking suggestions how to alter the license fees payable by different types of boater.

Update: above mentioned friend came out with new alternator. Supposed to be straight swap but terminations different; needed to get busy with my crimping tool! Fitted and working. No more red light when running, voltages back to normal level. Thinking about it I think the alternator succumbed after a brief engine overheat (low coolant level, ahem). I also swapped over the feed to the leisure bank as suggested. Thanks for the advice.

We've gone from: TV aerial on a stick (meh) to satellite (bit of a faff), and now to an Omnimax with the RF booster (no mounting/demounting, feeds two TVs). Its a rare mooring where we get no TV channels. The key thing is the Maxview signal booster- without it it's cr*p. Unlike a previous poster we always retune at a new location.

Thanks everyone. New alternator ordered. Being delivered to a friend who can get it to me in case it fails completely on the way back.

What voltages should I expect at the B+ and D+ terminals on a replacement alternator?

Ok I hear what you're saying about the connection between the alternator and the batteries- it would be better to connect it to the leisure bank, rather than the starter battery, yes? If so that's an easy swap. But the alternator problem- the blown diode/unsoldered joint, is that in the (relatively easy to replace) regulator, or in the bowels of the alternator?

OK Tony, here are the voltages as requested, but first let me describe my setup; it's a simple single alternator feeding a single starter battery and 4 leisure batteries. The Albright contractor joins the two banks together when the engine runs, and drops out when it stops. There is no voltage sensing gubbins apart from built in to the alternator, no Adverc, nothing. I have a 500w solar setup (2x250w) feeding the leisure batteries via a 40A Tracer MPPT controller. The voltages are: 1 13.8v at starter battery, 13.3v at leisure bank. (These agree with the Smartguage readings) 2 13.9v at B+ 3 18.1v at D+ 4 4v between B+ and D+ 5 0.06v between B+ and batt +ve 6 0.05v between alt - and batt - These were read soon after starting the engine, now it's been going for about 25 mins, the battery voltages have gone up to 13.9 and 13.6 (starter/leisure), and the smartgauge has gone from 64% to 67% charged. The lack of sunshine makes me believe it's the alternator doing the charging! Thanks again Neil

Thanks again Tony, I am able to measure the voltages at the leisure bank and starter battery via the Smartgauge. With the engine running, the voltages are pretty much the same, about 13.6v. This makes me think the alternator output is down, normally I'd see about 14.4v or slightly above. I am thinking that if I don't get a repair done, the batteries are not in danger of overcharging, so I will rely on my solar setup to keep the leisure batteries charged, and hope the starter battery gets sufficient charge from the compromised alternator. Nevertheless I will have a mooch round S on A and see if there's a supplier. thanks Neil

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Stratford on Avon now, and heading back to Foxton. What will happen if I can't get a repair done? I'm not too concerned if I need a new alternator, but I don't want to bugger up the battery bank!

When I start the engine, the oil pressure warning light and the charging light normally go out. Yesterday the charging light dimmed, but stayed on, and glowed more brightly as engine revs increased. I have a Smartgauge and the starter and leisure batteries seem to be charging ok. i checked the wiring as best I could, and then measured some voltages- one side of the charging bulb is at 12v from the +supply, the other side of the bulb is fed from one terminal on the alternator, presumably as the alternator turns, the voltage rises and the lamp goes out. This terminal also supplies the split charge Albright relay- this works as normal. However the voltage at this side of the bulb raises to 18v as the revs increase, thus the bulb glows. is my alternator (a Lucas A127) knackered? thanks for any help Neil

Watch out Mike the drone police are quite active here ! Excellent photography.

Where was the boat?

I don't believe it!

Get a 6volt horn.

Here's me being helpful My boat is used for trips between April and September, for 4 to 12 weeks at a time. Before solar, I drove down to the moorings every week or so to run the engine. I decided to move the boat to a different area on the system, about 100 miles drive from home. Even though the new mooring had hookup, decided to install solar. Bought 2 x 250w panels and a 40A Tracer MPPT Controller from Bimble. Easy to install. Flat mounted on roof, no tilting brackets. Before this setup, I was changing one of the batteries in a 4 x 110Ah bank every 9 months on average. Since installing the panels, 18 months ago, I've not needed to replace a battery. The batteries seem to have a new lease of life, presumably because they are getting a decent charge. The main draw is a 240v fridge running from a 1800w inverter - pre solar the Smartgauge would drop very close to 50% overnight; now it's reading 75 to 85% in the morning. There's no battery drain when I'm away from the boat (everything switched off), and in the depths of winter it's great to arrive at the boat, press the Smartgauge button, and be greeted with the 100% reading. My advice would be to get as much power as you can afford/fit on the boat. It's the best thing since sliced bread IMHO. Cheers

He's been polishing his chopper. Fnarr fnarr

I've seen more dogs off lead on the towpath than drones flying illegally.

Well some people don't like dogs.....

Smartgauge should be connected to battery 4. Or not. Look, it's electrickery who knows...

Commercial operators have strict guidelines, and need permissions to fly, and a license. That's not the case for non-commercial flyers - their guidance is in the Drone Code: http://dronesafe.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Dronecode.pdf I certainly did not imply that hobby flyers should flout the rules that commercial operators obey. Sorry for the cringe.

Thanks paulmeds. Yes I have a Mavic Pro - it's video quality is not as good as the Phantom series, but it's portability more than makes up for that - you can be up in the air and deliver your drugs to the prison via the airport and be away in no time. I'M JOKING nicknorman

"What is a congested area? The Air Navigation Order defines a congested area as being 'any area of a city, town or settlement which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes'." Is Foxton Locks a city, town, or settlement?