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Bimbly1

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Everything posted by Bimbly1

  1. Sorry that your time has come to leave the cut. PLenty of memories to keep you warm. Best wishes to you both.
  2. Queues are not uncommon at Turner's Garage on the Shroppie at Wheaton Aston. Last week the base price was 56p/L and you are free to declare whatever you wish.
  3. The bus services are excellent, with stops near most moorings around Milton Keynes.
  4. Thanks Tony. On that thought, I bought and fitted new batteries. Still getting odd readings. 15 volts from back of alternator and at bank. Have cross checked using three different meters with same result but only have one clamp meter. At bank; range of 1.14 to 2.16 amps on neg cable; -0.5 to 0.46 amps on pos cable At alternator; 0.20 amps on neg cable; -0.14 amps on pos cable at the alternator, when I read the pos cable, no matter which way round I clamped it, I got a negative reading. Considering getting a sparks to look things over and/or taking the alternator off and letting Ken Cox & Co have a play with it.
  5. I usually have to pay extra for the birch treatment Having fully charged the bank via the landline, when the engine was started, I got the following readings from the correct cables: Engine: 1600 rpm Alternator: 15v, +ve 0.53amps, -ve 0.99amps Battery bank: 15v, +ve 0.68amps, -ve 0.85amps. A marine engine electrician of some repute suggested that the voltage may well be just within an acceptable range, providing the amps are low. I don't want to but it may be prudent to demount the alternator again and have it checked in greater detail to see if these results can be replicated on a bench test.
  6. Thanks for that thought. I confirm that the cable being read is in the centre of the clamp-meter and not in the jaws. However, I had a "light-bulb" moment this morning. I balanced the bank a few years ago, so the +ve & -ve feeds are at opposite ends. I have been reading the -ve from the wrong end. Shame and embarrassment , should have checked more closely. I am a complete and utter cretinous numpty and must do better. I've put the charger on to top the bank up and tomorrow I'll check the alternator output again, with the bank fully charged, the clamp meter on the right cables, (one at a time), the right way round anda post the results.
  7. Thanks for that. I agree with Loafer's comment and need to get this sorted before a battery redistributes itself around the engine 'ole. I caught more than one wire in the clamp on the neg but unclamped it. Maybe I didn't reset the meter properly. I'll try again tomorrow and post the results. Should the readings from positive & negative be the same, regardless of whether taken from the back of the alternator or the battery bank?
  8. I have returned from an enforced absence, (not at HM pleasure, honest) and have now let the domestic bank discharge a bit. Situation is as follows: Batts left off shoreline charge for 3 days. Reading 12.9v. Discharged to 12.6v. Engine run @ 1600rpm Alternator readings 14.4v; 4 amp on +ve lead, 0.2 amp on -ve lead. Bank readings 14.4v, 1.8 amp on +ve, 1.0 amp in -ve. After six hours cruising: Engine rpm 1000 Alternator readings 15.2v 0.5 amp +ve, 0.2 amp -ve Bank readings 15.2v 0.8 amp +ve, 0.25 amp -ve. I suspect that this may be a problem with something in the alternator, not picked up on the automotive bench test last October. Any other thoughts please?
  9. Agreed. Pleased with mine overall. Some blind spots, often in unexpected locations but sure beats trying to line a dish up through trees, hedges, building etc.
  10. If you go for a commercial dehumidifier, made certain that it will fit through the doorway. I nearly got caught this way a couple of years ago. Was only when I saw the size of an industrial strength one that I realised!
  11. Road Traffic Act 1988 S192(1) defines road as "any highway and any other road to which the public has access and includes bridges over which a road passes." The Highway Code says that it is important to note that references to "road" generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land, including many car parks. No mention of waterways or boats. So the definitive answer to the OOP is no, the RTA does not cover waterways.
  12. Yes, so long as it isn't a Brazilian puff brush.............
  13. I had a hydraulic BT. I never used it when going ahead because it adds nothing to the turning effect of the tiller & prop. The controls were adjacent to the throttle and I only used it when reversing, ('cos it made keeping in a straight line and cornering very easy). A couple of years ago the tube leaked, so I had the ends capped. Haven't missed it.
  14. Thanks Pete, I'll be looking further when I return. Bob.
  15. Thanks for your thoughts and everyones input. I'm away for the next six weeks but will run the bank down a bit on my return and post the results again then. Bob.
  16. Yes, a Clamped Ampeater, which I am told can measure waterflow too
  17. Pics as requested. I couldn't find any make/model/part no etc either on it or in the Barrus manual. Meter readings as follows; Alternator Battery 1300 revs 14.6volts 14.6volts 900 revs 15.0volts 15.0volts 1600 revs 14.6volts 14.6volts Amps at Alternator: + cable -ve cable 1300 revs 0.62A 0.12A 900 revs 0.48A 0.26A 1600 revs 1.61A 2.42A Amps at Battery 1300 revs 1.4A 0.6A 900 revs 1.2A 2.45A 1600 revs 5.8A 1.2A Battery bank fully charged on landline prior to disconnecting to conduct this test. I hope that the presentation is clear enough. I have no idea of what the figures might mean! Bob
  18. I don't know about the regulator set up but I will take a couple of pics if I can't find the part no.
  19. Thanks for that info Richard. I'll let you know if I find anything. Bob. I see, I thought that it was due to having other stuff like the fridge on, so the bank was never fully charged; i.e. some going in but a little going out, if you see what I mean!
  20. Yes Pete, sealed. They have remained cool to the touch after running for 2 - 3 hours.
  21. It started recently. Earlier this year it was charging at 13.8, rising over a couple of hours to 14.2volts, although the bank performed perfectly on this regimen. The boat and engine installation is 8 years old and charging has previously been at 14.6-8 volts. The bank is fully charged via land-line. I turn the selectors to off, disconnect the line and start the engine. I would expect the higher voltage of 14.6-8 but it doesn't drop to 13.6volts as the land-line charger does.
  22. Yes, a separate 50A alternator for the engine batt. I'll run a few more checks in the morning.
  23. Thanks for your responses. Analogue meter reading from the bank, digital clamp from the alternator studs. Both give the same readings. Bank connections checked and sound. Seems to be the same at alternator and bank. No external regulator/booster. I'll run some further checks in the morning, (it is hissing down at the moment), and post the results. Bob.
  24. Having previously found my Barrus 110 amp domestic alternator consistently charging at 15 volts, as measured from rear of alternator, I removed it and had it bench tested. Nothing untoward was found. I reinstalled it, separated and cleaned all connections, near and remote and checked the condition of all crimps. Having fully charged the battery bank, (4x 110Ah batts, new in June this year), I fired the engine up. Initial output was 14.7volts, dropping within a few minutes to 14.6volts and remained so for an hour at 1200 revs. When I drop the engine speed to tickover, 900 revs, the charge rate rose to 15volts, dropping to 14.6volts when I increased the speed to 1200 revs and higher. I expected either no change in charging rate or a slight drop at tickover. Is this normal or is there something not right? Anyone got any constructive thoughts please? Bob.
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