Denis R

My Candy Aqua 1000T runs off a 2.2Kva Briggs & Stratton genny. However, it really doesn't like the dirty sine wave and the spin cycles don't work correctly except on the 32 min quick wash cycle (which I use mostly anyway). Through my Victron 1600Watt inverter it works a treat, although the maximum load warning often flashes on the heating cycle. If I can't be arsed to get the genny out, I run the engine at the same time. A quality 'suitcase' genny like a Honda will probably sort the spin cycle and my neighbours run a full size washing machine off a 2Kw Honda with seemingly no problems....

Not quite. I think the Victron Mk2.2B comes with the USB/RS232 Converter cable, if I remember correctly. You'll need in addition the comms cable from the Mk2.2B to the Victron unit. Give one of the Victron Agents a call, they'll confirm for you. The socket for the comms cable is under the cover of the inverter, you can't access it without removing. You may have a bit of fun with the correct software driver for the USB/RS232 Converter if your laptop doesn't recognise the converter straight away. Mine came with a million variations on the CDROM - in my case it turned out that the most 'basic' driver was the one needed. Saying that my latest laptop recognised it immediately without recourse to the CDROM.

The Victron manual shows an older version of the user screens. The illustration shows "AC Waveform Check". On later versions it's called "UPS Function". You need to uncheck this box. The interface from Victron is USB to Serial and you'll need the Victron cable to connect this to the inverter, so your order will be for 2 items. (Actually the interface to inverter cable is a bog standard cable, probably cheaper elsewhere but I can't remember its protocol). With UPS Function disabled my Victron runs successfully with a really s****y waveform from a Briggs & Stratton genny.

You could send it to the office where the death was originally registered with a short note of explanation - or give them a bell first to see if there's a specific protocol.

Exactly, the difference in wear rate of the cylinder bores between filtered and unfiltered air can be orders of magnitude. OK, it could be argued that in the canal environment the difference in engine life is not extreme and something else will kill the engine before bore wear, but in my days of engine development we made darned sure that the engine would get the cleanest air we could give it.

My question to those advocating the removal of the air filter would be, if a marine environment isn't dusty what's clogging the filter and where's whatever it is going to go if there isn't one?

In our dreams I'm afraid 'Leven mile pound?

Our vernacular: Thetford cassette, when nobody will volunteer to empty it = s**tbox Any instrument, the name of which doesn't immediately fall off the tongue = oxometer Anyone of either gender suffering indecision or generally faffing about = Dithery Kate Mobile phone (of which we have plenty, many without chargers) = telling bone (from Catweasel) or Zauber Knocken (German lit. 'magic bone')

Our local patrol officer's gizmo features a GPS system and he uses it to record the position of the boats he checks. I infer from what he was saying that it generates a log of the movements, or lack of, of the continuous snoozers, giving BW the ammo not to renew their licences. There certainly seems to have been some 'bird scarer' effect recently, in that many of the local 'landmarks' have been moving about a fair bit before returning to a new roost a bit further along. Edited for typo.

I had a read through the lady's blog and her circumstances appear to be somewhat different to those of the, for example, 'doctors' and the Patio Set in the parallel thread. I think she makes a good point about expecting a 'what's going on?' visit from the EA and not getting one. I'd cut her a bit of slack on this one. I'd be deeply p****d off too to have to have the gearbox out twice, especially as it seems that it's to travel some distance for repair. I was a bit surprised that the manner and delivery of the GOBA guy didn't moderate a bit after hearing what read to me like a reasonable explanation. If the poor chap was that aerated by the episode, he'd be the last person I'd want to accept a tow from!

Well if we all go out and do it chaos will descend. And I don't think it's OK to say that it's only a couple of boats. They're either visitor moorings or they're not. If they are keep them free for visitors. If they're not, fine but make it clear.

Well maybe it's time to mow the lawn. Of course, BW will prevent themselves from clearing up the garden, quoting H&S and liability constraints, whereas they could quite reasonably pile the junk back on the boat. Or in a skip, except it doesn't look bad kit. And the tomato sauce might not be date-lifed yet.

And? What b****y difference does that make BW? (Conjecture as per Snibble) Great, BW have introduced a hierarchy of undesirability now. If you're a paragon of virtue you get to buck the system too!

"For insurance reasons". Hmmm, that's a bit tenuous. if the 'squatter' has paid for a licence and can show a receipt or record of the transaction, the fact that they don't have physical possession of the licence itself probably doesn't invalidate their insurance. Unless of course they've not paid the insurance, perhaps under the pretext of having to have the licence in their possession before they can insure their boat. Good wheeze, they could keep BW strung along merrily on that one. The Hi-Di-Hi holiday camp set up alongside is a right p*** take and I can't see why the local patrol officer can't move them on. A little bit overstaying is one thing but that's almost verging on aggravated trespass.

Well it saves on ballast and there's a school of thought that says thicker the baseplate the better. (Did I hear of a fad for 20mm baseplates at one time?). Interesting to hear from the welding experts if you can get really good weld penetration on a 14/6 'T' without edge preparation, because I'd be surprised if they've got the time/money in the job to prep all the edges. Regarding builders diversifying into 'bread and butter' repairs - needs must and so on, but that assumes that the 'bread and butter' repairs market isn't saturated too.

My son helps out on a coal/diesel delivery boat from time to time and they always close the gates and paddles as a routine. Getting them to move off the deep channel when loaded "ring 'ole deep" might be a bit more of a challenge mind you....

The trick here is to try to find out what the core engine is. Someone at Beta will know which Isuzu unit it's based on and then it's much easier to go searching for parts. Chances are the engine was used in excavators or generators or whatever and most of the core parts will match yours. Some while ago I was helping a business with fork lift truck spares. A customer had a 'grey' Nissan forklift fitted with a very sweet little 3 cylinder engine, the like of which hadn't been seen in the UK market and the forklift division knew nothing of it. Transpired it was the same engine as fitted in an excavator and all the parts were readily available from Nissan's industrial division. Often in such cases, once you know the core unit designation, Google is your best friend.

I didn't/couldn't get anywhere near Raymond to look her over, probably because of their off-script antics, but have the latter addressed any of the former in the intervening years?

The plan was to have one parade on Saturday, starting at 11:00am because last year the morning parade was just about drawing to a close as the afternoon parade started. I wasn't there on Sunday, but it was planned to run the parade at 12:00, which I presume happened. Although young Tom was scurrying back and forth with a list of runners and riders, I'm not convinced that everyone was aware of their intended position in the field. Getting the assembled throng out the basin seemed to be giving some challenges and it appeared to be closely followed by some unexpected off-script extra activity from Nutfield and Raymond, which added to the general melee before the boats in front of Butcher's Bridge could get going. As a result, those the other side of the bridge appeared to be left in even more of a shrug-shoulders mode for quite some time....

Absolutely right m'Lady. I'm sure if he'd had the time, Wilf would have knocked up a suitable contrivance to simultaneously circumvent the obstructions, manoeuvre the boats and insert the rough end of a pineapple up the hapless landlord, during the conception of which the fascinated onlookers are entertained by a brisk stroll through the youngsters' picture gallery, jauntily accompanied by the much-loved signature tune music....

I guess they kind of expected that, if it's the 50th anniversary of launch - in which case why bill the event a Middle Northwich Re-union and not a 'Raymond 50th Anniversary' gig? I think far more exciting for me was Carl's news from the week before that Lucy now has a future! The commentary was pretty dire this year, whereas in the past I think we've suffered a bit of commentary overload at times!

What was the general consensus about this year's event? I was there Friday night and Saturday and I dunno, I felt a bit flat about it all. Dunno what it might have been, but I didn't feel so 'into' it as last year. Maybe because I didn't get a ride round this time and most of the (few) people I would have loved to chin-wag with were pretty much pre-occupied with things whenever I was about? Edited to say: take (few) in context - I don't know many of those involved so it was those unknown to me whom I'd have loved to chat with that i never seemed to be around at an appropriate moment.