vicafloat

Hi Tony, The domestic alternator has it's own light but you are correct in that it is fed from the ignition switch.We will now consult your wiring diagrams but would appreciate your advice on what kind of relay and where would we obtain same;you are talking to enthusiastic amateurs here!!

Went to the boat today,armed with the resistor as suggested.Wired it into the circuit and the alternator kicked in immediately on start up! Problem solved we thought,but the plot thickens;the engine continues to run even when the ignition is turned off and continues to do so until the resistor is removed.We are therefore back to the head-scratching because we cannot understand how the introduction of the resistor could affect the solenoid which stops the engine. There must be a wiring problem somewhere but we would appreciate your views

I have checked withe the owner and the Kestrel has not been removed,just switched off;he will test with the unit switched on. Sorry if my original post was misleading! He will also try a higher wattage bulb; though this has not been changed from new. Will not be able to relate the findings until Thursday because my friend is on an IWA working party on that day,looking after those lovely visitor moorings we have on the Shroppie(well I think they are the best in the country!) Yes,the domestic alternator has it's own indicator light which refuses to go out unless he revs the whatsits off the engine! I have been next to his boat when this happens and it does nothing for the pollution control of this country!

Hi folks. A friend has a BMC 1.5 engine in his Liverpool boats 55 ft. Cruiser stern Narrowboat. There are two alternators;the 55amp one serving the starter battery behaves normally ie. the ignition light goes out immediately the engine starts and the ammeter shows a charge. However, the alternator (90amp) for the auxiliary bank of 4 110amp batteries refuses to kick in and start charging unless the engine is on maximum revs;this happens every time,not just on initial start-up. Once charging commences all is well. We suspected a fault in the alternator itself,but replacement with a reconditioned unit made no difference. We would be grateful for some advice from the electronics experts on the Forum! Incidentally,there was a battery management system fitted but this became faulty and has been disconnected.

The Smartgauge website has a good reputation;I have one 70amp alternator and a Smartbank fitted by Nick Bancroft of the Paintshed. This works fine but I have had problems with standard split charge relays over-heating.

We went through on Saturday 12 Jan & a front window had obviously been forced. The place looks very sad at the moment

I used a Megapulse for several years and found that it extended battery life by about 6 months. However,I now use Solar power (only a modest 30 watts) which trickle charges the batteries very nicely. Friends who have wind generators confirm that the Solar option is by far the best

I agree with your comment about terminal posts.One of the reasons I purchased Lucas LX31MF 110amp batteries 2 years ago was the fact that they have dual terminals.One is the standard and the other an M8 stud. No connection problems and I also spray with Damp Start to eliminate corrosion

Thanks Tim, I sort of thought that would be it but glad you could confirm it. I will now put the whole lot back together and forget about the plastic plugs!! Regards Vic Moses

Hi folks, I have an air-cooled Lister TS3 (1990) in my Narrowboat,and have currently got the inlet/exhaust manifolds off to install new gaskets.When removing the airbox,I had to first remove 3 plastic plugs,under which are small plastic reservoirs screwed into steel plugs which are themselves screwed into each inlet stub.I cannot see what function these reservoirs serve; can anyone out there enlighten me? Thanks Vic Moses

Many thanks for all the responses.I have down-loaded the diagrams and spoken to Nigel of Shire Cruisers.I have still not solved my problem which is where to fit a spacer after changing the drive plate,but, I have added to my knowledge and will,I am sure,be able to complete the re-build.Will probably talk to Middlewich narrowboats who run Listers but cannot find Baldock & Co.Can Tim elaborate? Regards Vic Moses

Hi Folks, The engine in my Narrowboat is a 1990 Lister TS3 air-cooled and mated to a Hurth 150 gearbox. I can find manuals and diagrams for the gearbox,but have failed to find anything for the engine. Tony Brooks at Canalboat suggested I raise a question on this forum.I would be grateful for any help. Regards Vic Moses

I own a narrowboat with a John South shell and completed in 1991 by Ian Cundey of Starline Narrowboats of Upton on Severn. Mine is 10/6/4 and is a good looking boat,well constructed. I agree with all other correspondents that you should not buy without a hull survey but age is not relevant,good luck!