Pete-T

Marine diesel fuel complete

Thanks for the reply Tony, how is the fuel tank drained ? not sure how the bug has got in as I add Marine 16 everytime I fuel up?

While doing a service on my Beta 43 engine I drained the agglomerator. On opening the drain screw black fuel came out for around a minute, but the fuel in the fuel filter was clean. Not sure what this means, is it normal as in the agglomerator doing its job or is there a bigger issue I need to address?

The mini labels on my distribution board are worn to the point of illegibility. Is there anywhere I could either get them made bespoke or alternatively hire a labelling machine, they are expensive to buy for just a single task?

A 4 burner worktop hob please.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a quality 4 burner lpg cooker hob for a canal boat. We would like to replace the existing old cooker but want a quality unit rather than the flimsey looking (Thetford) items which seem to be common in many Chandleries.

Great, thanks folks that's cleared it up nicely. Canal boat internet here I come!!

So if I bought a Smarty sim card say 15gb, does that mean I can use it until it runs out before I pay to buy another one?

Thats all great info folks which will be invaluable in choosing the right provider but it still leaves me with the same question. Can I avoid paying a monthly fee for the card when we will not be using it every month, only when we are on board?

Thanks everyone for the advice and guidance I've now got an antenna and router, just need a suitable data sim. Apologies for asking what maybe a rather "duck egg" question, but all the data only plans I've found seem to come with a monthly fee. As novice leisure cruisers we won't be on the boat all the time so it would be a waste to pay monthly, are there sims you can buy for a set price and then just use until the data runs out?

Can anyone recommend a wi fi package (router and antenna) for a boat. As a novice the choice out there is mind blowingly confusing! We are not continuous cruisers and just need internet to keep up with e mail and browsing/you tube etc. entertainment in the evenings when out cruising. I have found some information online but it seems to be a few years old and I'm conscious that there may be newer equipment out there. Thanks Peter

Alan Thanks for your help with this, I fear as a relatively new boater that I can't answer all of these questions fully. However. 1. when cruising we move every day and the engine runs for about 6 hrs. 2. How do I do an electrical audit and capacity test? 3. our engine is a Beta 43 but I don't know the alternator size.

The batteries are connected to a marina shore line when the boat is moored for any length of time. They charge off the engine as normal when the boat is travelling. They are monitored via a voltage indicator on our Whispergen system. The Whispergen however is defective and does not charge the system as it should, its only the voltage indicator whic works.

Following a full days cruising (approx. 6hrs) and despite minimal use of lights and other electrical equipment (no tele.) during the evening, my domestic batteries are very low the next morning to the extent that my fridge warning light is on and the Eberspacher will not start due to low voltage. I've checked the batteries with a multi meter and they are registering 12.5 volts. Are there any other power saving measures anyone can suggest (turning off the inverter for example?) to make the batteries last long enough for the Eberspacher to come on?

Thanks for the advice, will do.

Red boatyard diesel bought in 2021

I keep a 5 gallon jerry can of fuel as an emergency supply in the front of my boat. Is there any time restriction on how long you should keep fuel before using it?

Just to round this topic up for anyone having similar problems. I can confirm that regardless of what is said about there being no need for a pump, my system does have one. I checked it as Tony suggested and it is working fine. I must commend Lockgate stoves for suggesting solutions for the lack of fuel problem via e mail, when these did not work I was contacted by an engineer who talked me through the process of stripping down the regulator and clearing the internal valves and filters. Stove now works perfectly. So I would recommend anyone with stove problems to make contact with Lockgate they have obviously upped their game for customer support, I have nothing but the highest praise for them.

I had my canal boat blacked around 12 months ago, but the majority of the paint above the water line has now turned grey. Does anyone know what has caused this and could I just put another coat of black over the top?.

I'm having a problem lighting my Reflex Stove. I follow all the manual instructions, however cannot see any fuel being released into the bottom of the pot initially. All the necessary fuel cocks are open and my fuel tank is full but I suspect the pump may not be working as I cannot hear it or feel any vibration . Does anyone have contact details for a Reflex engineer in the Warwickshire area who I could call out to help?