Nige

The engine in question is a Mercedes 636 and the old alternator that was on I believe was a 24 volt one - no way to tell as its now deceased and had absolutely no markings on it. Thats whats caused the problem - it died and I've had to replace it. I was under the impression - wrongly as it turned out - that a 12 volt alternator was ok to charge a 24 volt bank. I dont think this engine would cope with a 12 volt starter, not sure. And as im selling the boat I dont really want to get involved to that level. I was hoping there could be a simpler solution that would allow the batts to be charged without major work involved Cheers, Nige

SO would I be right in thinking that the way to go would be a 24 volt alternator to charge the starter batteries, with some sort of split charge relay system to charge the leisure batteries at 12 volt ? Is such a system possible ? Cheers, Nige

Hi Folks - A very simple question here, if you have a STARTER motor that requires 24 volts on your boat engine, and have 2 - 12 volt batteries wired up to give the 24 volts required, can you also have an ordinary (65amp in this case) 12 volt alternator connected to them for charging? My chief engineer is telling me its a no.........and as im selling the boat on Friday I need a quick solution !!! Cheers all, Nige

Will definately take a rain check on that if I may - got a hugely busy weekend - and indeed week - coming up this week, so wont have a minute to myself I dont think. Where are you moored right now just in case I get a few mins and can pop down ? Nige

Hi Andy, Keep those fingers crossed as I might have a buyer for Discovery.......don't want to tempt fate though, so im not saying anything more just yet... Will let you know. And thanks to all those who posted information re the steel kits - it's given me much food for thought, cheers all. Nige

Hi all, Was just wondering if anyone else, had come across these kits:- http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=54905 It's one that appeals very much to me and something i'll keep my eye on over the next few years, as it appeals very much - both from a price point of view and from the looks and lines of the actual boat. Thoughts/ideas anyone ? Cheers, Nige

Hi Mike, Was just wondering if yourself or for that matter anyone else, had come across these kits:- http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=54905 It's one that appeals very much to me and something i'll keep my eye on over the next few years, as it appeals very much - both from a price point of view and from the looks and lines of the actual boat. Thoughts/ideas anyone ? Cheers, Nige

DEFINATELY OPTION 3 !!!!! What a Prat ! If you dont like it MOVE ON ! 4.30 in the afternoon is a perfectly respectable time to be running the engine, but some dont like it on at all regardless of the time. I had a do earlier this year with an "Alternative/Crusty" type who was MOST put out that I ran a Kawasaki suitcase generator from 6.45 pm until bob on 8.00pm. As I went out to switch it off, (At exactly 8pm dont forget!) he was just setting up a generator of his own, that he intended to - and I quote here - "Run until midnight to teach you a bloody lesson". He was reminded in no uncertain terms of the guidelines and told to go buy a watch ! But the network is big enough to find a quiet spot wherever you are, so there's no need to be near anyone either. Some people are just total S***S !!! Nige

These seem to be very good and are 3 pin 12 volt types:- http://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/ELECTRIC...KETS_B288B.aspx And as for the standard Cigarette lighter type I fitted two of these recently:- http://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/CIGAR-LI...SSED_A14M2.aspx and have been very happy with them. They have a locking collar on the inside - so you insert the standard cigarette socket adapter and then twist it. It locks itself in and wont pull out without you twisting it back again. Price is good too. Nige

Hi Andy, Cheers for that - thanks very much. Not been onboard for a couple of days, but a couple viewed Discovery last week and like her very much, but they are waiting for their house sale to go through. They found her through Apollo Duck though. Apparently their house sale is supposed to complete on the 21st September. I asked them to put a deposit down - but they said they couldnt come up with £1000 ! So I said in that case, yes you can have the boat if no one else comes along in the meantime... They seem nice enough - but I hope Discovdery sells before then - I want to get things moving. Any idea if/when you might be passing? I'll try and be onboard - you could stop for a brew! Cheers, Nige

I wouldn't cruise anywhere else !! And I know what you mean re the crazy weather - I was outside last thursday morning chopping firewood, as wednesday night was bally freezing !!! Just what kind of summer IS this???

MY GOD !!! You found a laundrette that still do service washes ! I have lived on Discovery for 2 years and hunted all over the place for such a beast !! Never did find one....................whats that smell................

I vote the meeting is held on Travis!!! Been dying to see aboard her for ages !!

Hi Guys, Im all at sixes and sevens at the mo - schedule wise, as Im doing temp work for a couple of agencies. They ring up pretty much anytime and say "Can you get to so-and-so?" And my finances being in the terrible shape they are at the moment I cant really say "NO" ! - The point being Im not sure when or if im going to be onboard.....Thing to do - if you pass Discovery and it LOOKS like im about, give me a shout and raft up! Nige

OOOOOOOOOOh you cheeky young scamp you!It might be because im not there EVERY day !Nige Hi Andy,WET ? We got bloody soaked ! What a miserable day to have to put a fun day on.By the time we got to Waynes at Lower Park, all we wanted to do was get in front of the stove and crack a beer ! Needless to say the Salterforth fun day didn't stand a chance of our attending....... Nige

Ahoy Travis ! I'll look out for you - Im helping my neighbour Dave take his boat "TWO CAN TOO" down to lower park marina this Sunday Afternoon, he's having a wind generator fitted. Get the kettle on! Nige

Initially it did - it was a typo on my part. I corrected it a couple of days back. Nige

What a wonderful time ! Why cant more people be like that and just take things as they come and enjoy life more..... (Answers not required...!!!) Nige

Hi there Heather,Im afraid Discovery is not a widebeam - she's a narrowboat. Im moored near West Marton with 7 other Boats very close to bridge 159.Cheers,Nige Thanks for that - hopefully over the next few years I can get the finances whipped into shape and get back afloat. I certainly dont want to loose touch with the water for ever.Thanks again - I'll keep visiting and if anyone wants to email me direct please do so on:-nigelhampson@hotmail.comCheers,Nige I totally agree heather ! Next time you pass if it looks like im aboard give me a shout and I'll get the kettle on!Cheers,Nige Thats what Im hoping for too. She's a grand old lady and deserves to be well looked after. It's breaking my heart to have to let her go.Don't you just hate it when the cold light of reality takes all your dreams and torpedoes them without warning.....?"Lifes a beach.......................then the tide comes in....."Nige

Hi Charles, Yes I had thought of that - but therein lies the problem. It would take approx £5,000 to totally finish her and it's money I simply dont have and cant secure (Believe me I've tried). It's a shame but hopefully things will shape up over the next few years and I can get back on the water at a later date. Cheers, Nige

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the folks I have spoken to over the last few years here, and who have proven such a mine of information. Much gnashing of teeth and banging of heads has been averted by the advice recieved here and im forever greatful. Lost my job earlier this year and managed to plod on throughout the summer (HA ! What Summer!?), but the finances are finally dictating my actions and Discovery has to go im afraid. I simply dont have the cash to finish her off - and am not likely to have for a number of years now. She's on apollo duck and a couple of other sites - and on here as well - just waiting for the ad to be moderated. But it's a very sad day for me today, very sad indeed. Cheers all and happy boating to everyone. Nigel Hampson

Hi Folks, Can anyone reccomend a car insurance company who are happy to deal with liveaboards and who have no bricks and mortar address? I use a PO Box for mail and the few quotes I've had so far are stupidly high - just because I don't have a residential address.. Cheers, Nige

Hi Folks, I've recently had the delight of removing the old GENERATOR from my Mercedes 636 as it had died some months ago. I have replaced it with a 65 amp ALTERNATOR sourced from the local scrappers, and have got as far as mounting it on the engine - no problems so far. But now Im at that point of much head scratching and gnashing of teeth.......as of course all the wiring that was on the old generator is totally different to whats on the new alternator and im totally stumped as to how to put the thing together. The question I have is can anyone reccomend someone in the east lancs region (Skipton area ideally) who could come and fit this damn thing up for me? Dont mind paying a few quid even! Just want to get the damn thing sorted - I dont know enough about what im doing to risk wiring it up incorrectly Cheers all, Nige

Thanks for that Gary - much appreciated. I'll be getting in touch when I get to fittiing out the kitchen (doing the bathroom at the moment!). Cheers, Nige

Hi Folks, Does anyone know where a 230v alternator can be found and if so how much are they going for? This system as described by Nick above is one im very interested in checking out for Discovery. Cheers, Nige