n.b.Goldie

Moored below Slapton lock last Wednesday. Cannot seem to be able to upload pictures at the moment. Regards Ditchdabbler

Until about five years ago or so, the bridge was one of the few where navigation had right of way. After a campaign by locals BW changed it so now the bridge has to be left closed to navigation. Some locals are quite aggressive about this and swinging the bridge across the canal after it has been set for a boat is not uncommon. Regards Ditchdabbler

Try cleaning with brick acid (available from wickets etc.), it only needs a wipe over for even badly tarnished brass, wash it off then apply clear lacquer. Regards Ditchdabbler

I agree, my lister canalstar operators manual gives dire warning of filling too quickly with resulting hydraulic lock and potential damage. Something to do with the recirculatory crankcase breathing system of the canalstar. I wonder what engine the op has. Regards Ditchdabbler

Being a beta 38 it will have two alternators, they come that way as standard. Perhaps some confusion over the op's wording "The system is a simple alternator feeding directly into battery bank". Perhaps this leads us to assume it is a single alternator whereas this simple alternator is the domestic, the engine having its own.

Not all stainless steels are equal. Some will rust. Marine grade stainless screws are available on ebay for not a lot. Regards Ditchdabbler

Re your first picture, it is an air-cock and provided the threads are the same as the one you removed it would have been ok. To fit it you would need an Allen wrench of suitable size and ptfe tape. Undoing the square bit in the middle by a couple of turns lets the air out. Anyway, what you have fitted will work so no big deal. Regards Ditchdabbler

I have in the past successfully used short fat self-tapping screws. Regards Ditchdabbler

IME cyclists treat pedestrians just like motorists treat cyclists. I always let the cyclist by as it is less trouble than provoking an argument. I do however always step away from canal side thus ensuring the cyclist passes closest to the canal so that if anyone is going in it is not me. Very few step off their bike when passing and many look worried when they realise it is them taking the 'risk'. Regards Ditchdabbler

I changed from a solid fuel Squirrel to a diesel stove. It was an unmitigated disaster. Regards Ditchdabbler

1500 hours seems a bit low to me. 3 or 4 thousand maybe. Could just be unlucky or there could be an underlying reason for the apparently premature failure. Perhaps folk such as Tony Brookes or Bizzard or RWLP might have some ideas Have a look at the PRM 150, a more robust box used by many hire fleet operators. If the cost of a 120 rebuild is near the cost of converting to a 150 it might be worth it. Regards Ditchdabbler

Toolstation are selling 5lts of the above for £14.41 inc free delivery. cheapest I have seen so far. Regards Ditchdabbler

Only 1.5 per year compared to the thousands of stoves etc. in operation. Not an unacceptable risk I would say. Probably riskier to cross a road but that is a subjective view. If folk are stupid enough to bring a live BBQ into an enclosed area it might be better if their genes are removed from the pool. Regards Ditchdabbler

Bet it is the alternator. Regards Ditchdabbler

Two possibilities, both of which happened to my LPWS. 1. That the glow plug relay has stuck on so the plugs are permanently on when the motor is running. It took me a while to work out where the power from the alternator was disappearing to. A new relay (the big black one with Ford marked on it) sorted it. Expensive kit though at some £90 IIRC. 2. The connections in the white plug on the back of the alternator becomes Iffy and gets hot which causes the volts a problem because of resistance. I took a connection from the B+ post on the alt direct to the starter motor and disconnected and isolated the thick leads from the white plug to the starter motor leaving the white plug to the do just the thin wire. Regards Ditchdabbler Ps. The light on the control panel does not tell us power to the plugs has ceased, only that it is time to turn the key to turn the motor over.

Sorry, don't know how much he paid for his new PRM 120. I do not know what is involved in changing types but PRM would be able to advise you I would think. Regards Ditchdabbler

IIWY I would take note of Tony Brooks advice, he knows what he is talking about and does not make it up as he goes along. PRM mechanical boxes use ATF. PRM hydraulic boxes use ENGINE OIL. A fellow club member had a new PRM 120 mechanical box last year and it came with a label on it stating, in big letters, ATF fluid only. Also, talk to PRM if you are unsure. a.margrett@newage-prm.co.uk; Regards Ditchdabbler

What fuel have you been burning? For example Excel can ruin grates etc. fairly quickly. For this reason burning such stuff invalidates the guarantee. Regards Ditchdabbler