Tonyl

Ahhhhh......!, I think I see the light (or the thermostat). I expected to see the temp setting control on the housing/head of the device. Something you could tweak and adjust to one's choice. Looking at the attached, I suspect that the " temp adjuster" is either under the cap, or are they generally pre-set to some safe non scold temperature ? The attraction of the timer was that, I do believe most of them immersion heater timers have a 1 hour boost/over-ride type function, which would really help me as I switch it on and usually remember about 3 hours later that I should have switched it off. We only generally use it by the way when on mains hook up in the marina. Regards Tony

Assuming she could lift an Iron ?. Last time I saw her in a mag, she could have doubled as an Ironing Board.

Hi Everyone, hope you all had a good boating Bank Holiday break. Great weather for it. Quick question for you, I had need to inspect my calorifier the other week for one reason or another, and happen to notice the 230VAC Immersion Heater is directly fed from the switch control in the control panel at the rear of the boat. I assumed their would have been a thermostatic control fitted in series. Anyone know of a reason why their would not be one ?.Apart from it being forgotten, not fitted because of cost,at the time of build, is their some requirement or regulation why a thermostat cannot be fitted. The boat is coming up to 3 years old now. If one could be fitted, I assume it is just a question of removing a bit of the tank insulation to make contact with the tank material, or is it more a question of changing the whole element with the thermostat integral to element ? Also, is their any reason why I cannot fit a timer device instead of the 230VAC switch ? Hope someone can help or offer some advice. Regards Tony

Thanks Everyone, All sounds like positive comments. If I had to question one thing, it would may be the Hire Boat situation, and the lack of respect that sometimes ( I stress, Sometimes) goes with the setup, ie, dis-regard for other peoples boats and privacy etc. (Anything to add ?). I think the fees are extremely competitive, considering what you seem to have for the money. I am currently at Crick and to move to Mercia Marina would only cost me £100/year more !, plus half the distance by road from home to get there. Space to manouver is certainly an issue here at Crick. I am seriously tempted, and will try and get a visit in the next week or two and check it out. Any of you kind folks that are moored there, know the mooring availability at the moment (for 57 ft). I have looked at the Web Site, but I think some "word of mouth" info speaks volumes. Thanks in advance Tony

Hi Everyone, anyone know anything about Mercia Marina in Willington, Derbyshire. Does anyone know "who they are" ?(Private or the usual big Chain), or indeed, if anyone on the Forum has first hand knoweledge of it ?. Thanks in advance Tony

In view of some recent articles on this forum about portable petrol generators, it has become apparrant to me that storage "on board" of said item when not in use is not advisable. I can see the problem (I think) due to possible petrol fumes/vapour building up at a low point in the boat. So, what do you guys with generators do with them when you leave the boat for a few hours or so. I saw the article about stowing on the roof etc, but then the security issue crops up again.Would storing the genny in an air-tight box inside the boat be out of order ?. Without giving away too many of your own personal security tips, do you have any advice please. Also, regarding the use of the generator say on the cut, how does one go about making that secure when say you are on board and the genny is working away outside. I did hear many years ago of a couple who were one minute happily watching TV, and the next minute the TV went off and the genny was being carted off down the road by some undesirable Tea Leaf. I guess the portability of some of these units are almost their downfall ? Thanks in advance Tony

Ooops Sorry John

Well...........! if you are really interested, what was going through my head was, the ability to empty and fill my waste storage tank at my leisure, probably with clean water. I am having problems with the tank waste level gauge accuracey, and would like to be able to empty and fill the tank in order to calibrate etc, if the pumpout kit was not over the top in price. Nothing to do whatever with the cost of the pump out fee. I tend to think it is money well spent, but at the moment, I think I am paying for less than half a tank to be emptied per pumpout due to gauge in accuracy. Regards Tony

Intersting !. So do I take it that storing/transporting a generator on a boat is therefore.....dangerous ?, even in the powered off state. Tony

No, I think the reply was reasonable. The thread got a little off course, maybe the way I worded it. One of the worst cases was having no battery power what so ever, and being stranded somewhere. Or perhaps I think I am really try to justify buying a generator. Thanks for the interest. Tony

OK, more good info, thanks Guys. One other question which sprung to mind whilst reading the replies. Assuming I am in my "worst nightmare" case, and all batteries were flat somewhere remote, far away from everything and everybody. Could I plug my Honda EU 20i generator (if I buy one that is),into the shoreline hook up of the boat and then switch on my boats battery charger system as if I were hooked up to my 16 amp supply in the marina. I appreciate the available current would be limited from the generator ( I geuss about 6 to 8 amps or so max from the 240 Vac output), but don't see why it should not at least charge the batteries. Am I way off course here or did I just miss the obvious ? Somehow never thought of hooking up a generator to the mains input of a boat ? Regards Tony,

Hence, The Question !

I was thinking if your boat was iced in and unable to move to a pumpout station. I recall the article mentioned pumping into a suitable container to dispose of as per cassette toilette. Tony

I read an article in Decembers (2010) Waterways World, page 94, the Boating Forum section. The basic topic was that some pump out station attendant became very upset, when the article writer had refused the addition of chemical Blue to the emptied tank, and explained he did not use it. This further inflamed the attendant when he realised he had emptied an untreated tank, and told him to clear off. (untreated with Blue that is) The article goes on to talk about alternative additives, and then mentions "self pump=out kits". Does anyone use or own such a kit. I could see the advantage from time to time, such as being frozen in etc, but I am curious of the practical pro & cons of such a kit and who would supply them ? Anyone ? Regards Tony

Thanks Everyone, all the replies give some added value and "food for thought". I just had this pessimistic thought of being somewhere on the cut, far from base and all batteries completely flat (starter,domestic and thruster). I guess the idea of using the generator to run a mains battery charger sounds OK. Also, the point that Roger makes about the quality and size of the jump starter device is probably what I had heard was not advisable about using such a device. As mentioned I assume one capable of starting a large diesel car/van type engine would be the best bet ?. I do believe these devices can be trickle charged from cigarette lighter sockets, so I guess it would be advisable to keep it on board the NB and fully charged ready for use. I should mention that our boat has all the usual, invertor/charger devices, but I am sure one can get caught out sometime away from facilities etc, the obvious one being unable to start the engine ?. Regards Tony

Hi Everyone,hope you are all enjoying the festive break. I have a question about portable generators of the the Honda EU20i type (2.0KW).Apart from the obvious uses of 240 VAC supply for mains devices, is their a practical use for the low voltage output (12 volt) side of the device. Are they suitable for battery charging etc, such as the domestic and starter/bow thruster batteries etc on narrowboats. Or is it not that simple ? Dont want to drift too far off topic, but do I understand correcly, that it is not safe or wise to "Jump Start" a narrowboat engine with one of those portable type devises that you can buy for about 50 - 60 quid or so from a Halfords type store. Hope someone can oblige Thanks in advance. Regards Tony

Thanks Everyone, great stuff as ever, and a great variety of info and feedback. I do like the look of the "Bedflex" system, which would seem to enhance either the foam (memory or otherwise) or the regular mattress option. As I have already bought and paid for my current "foam" mattress, I am leaning towards the Bedfex setup which hopefully will sort out my current problem, and if not, it would still be a sensible addition to whatever future setup I go for. Thanks again, and hope it has helped others with some great info. Regards Tony

Hi Everyone, Not sure if this is a "Done to Death" topic, but I did have trouble finding any info by "Searching". I am sure you kind folks will point me in the right direction, either by a link, or offering info of experience. We had a couple of night on the boat at the weekend, and noticed a definite damp feel under the mattress when removing the sheets etc for changing, after having slept in them for the weekend. I do believe I am aware of the science as to how it happens (warm moist air/sweat, coming into contact with the cooler bed board underneath and condensing), but I am more interested in the cure or damage limitation if anyone has gone through this. The bed construction is what I believe to be a typical NB double mattress of about 5" to 6" thick heavy duty upholstry foam with a memory foam top area of about 2".(it wern't cheap either) This lies over ply construction base-board with drawers under, but no other vent holes that I can see. I do recall reading many moons ago, that the best construction method was slats with plenty of air movement under. I am sure this would be a better method, having air flow under, but I have not really seen this method used a lot on your typical modern NB. (I could be wrong here, and may well stand corrected). I have a couple of idea's of my own to try and help the problem, but would be very gratefull if anyone has been through it already, and come up with a fix or at least a limited fix ?. Thanks in advance Regards Tony

Firewool between the chimney and the liner perhaps ? Tony

I can endorse the comments of Chris Smith. Great bloke, great work He made all my double skinned chimney and summer vents for the flu etc. Chris is based around Crick area (I think) and his numbe is 07814 176654. Regards Tony

I am sure you have it but just in case ? http://www.betamarine.co.uk/Templates/downloads_inland.html Hope it helps Tony

Nick, Have you tried to download the Beta Operators and Maintenance Manual from the web. I have the Beta 43 in my recent new build, but would have to admit, to not knowing the in depth detail you require. Perhaps its buried in there somewhere. Regards, Tony

OK, point(s) taken and I withdraw my caustic retort to Tims comments and apologise to him and others for any offence. However, I am still a little bemused at how a non specific title can cause someone to respond to comment ?. It takes more effort to post a comment than to click to the "ambiguous title" , and find out the content ? Perhaps I need a lesson on how to use the Forum ? I log on, look at the topics, as in General Boating, New to Boating, Equipment etc etc, click to link to a topic,look at what people have put there and choose to look at whatever. By reading their first post, I get the drift of their message and choose to read on and look at the rest of the 1 or 50 posts, no problem. At the most, one click to find out what the topic is. Am I missing something ?, is their a better way to use this site, is it so important ? I guess we are all wired up differently. I shall be more careful in future. Thanks to everyone that replied with the info I was looking for. Tony

Thanks for the informative reply, I learnt a lot from it. So, you read every thread that has a specific title ?. Too much time on your hands I would say !. Its a forum, not a ceremony, and thats what I like about it. Its informality and variety. Sorry to put you out having to reply to something you would not normally read , I guess I must be privileged Hope you have a Merry Xmas Tim. Thats on the 25th of December by the way, just to be specific. Regards

Sorry to bother you all, but could anyone recommend the best ( or what is seemed to be) wind up hose pipe for filling up the water tanks etc. I notice one or two are termed "foof quality". Is this important if purchased new ? Taking it that our boat is 57 foot, would it make sence to look for a similar/longer length of hose ? Second question, is there such a device like a box with 12volt sockets on it for plugging in say a 12v torch, a radio or whatever low current device, that could be fastened to either an outside bulkhead say under a cratch board or the like (semi-weather proof), and fused back to the 12volt boat supply ?. I have seen such devices based on the cigarette type lighter socket, but never seemed convinced about them. Can anyone tell me different Thanks in advance Tony