Bobbybass

These damp detectors that have saved me considerable time and money.. Under the bed with the calorifier and in near the water pump. The battery will last well over a year. The best tenner you will ever spend !! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FLOOD-ALERT-WATER-DETECTOR-ALARM-FREE-battery-incl-/170576464906?pt=UK_Safety_Alarms&hash=item27b7264c0a

I know I'm maybe drifting off topic here.... I have several of these flood detectors in crucial spots....under the bed with the calorifier....in the locker with the water pump...under the kitchen sink... The batteries last well over a year..... It was great when I had a sudden leak under the bed..(the pipes NOT me !!) ..it started squealing straight away... Not sure if this is the same type I have....but the one I have has a thin plastic strip with printed circuit type tracks on it. You put a screw through it and fix the plastic plate flush to the floor so that even the samllest damp in the flooring (not just background) sets it off. A tenner well spent !! Link : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FLOOD-ALERT-WATER-DETECTOR-ALARM-FREE-battery-incl-/170576464906?pt=UK_Safety_Alarms&hash=item27b7264c0a

I can't get the link today (maybe as the date rolled over and I 'exzpired' ) but it was March 2008 Waterways World. I'm no expert on this..I just wondered if anyone out there knew as I have used the foam in the past and found it useful. ...but don't want to get blown up ?! Maybe its a different type of foam...like the type you mix 2 parts ? As you can see from my previious post...someone did the same thing with their house. Happy New Year. Bob

The crayfish...thought that the freshwater mussel would get him a drink...but it didn't. It was just being shell-fish Boom Boom !!! Happy New Year... Bob

I knew I had read it somewhere... Its on the Waterways World site..2008 Said that 'methane given off while the foam cured caused the boat to explode'. Luckily the guy survived... Bob

I don't know what you mean by RCD ? All I know..is that I definatley read that some guy blew up his boat after using expanding foam...and so I changed my mind. He had used it in the day time and the article said that its was fumes from 'curing' As you can see from my extract above.....someone blew up his house.... I have had times where I could have used it..but have held back because of that.. I'm not being awkward...I'm just interested... Bob

I 'think'...that sprayfoam...as on hull...is different....as it has to be fireproof and not give off Co2... I found several sites that say that expanding foam....may give off Co2 ? I bought my present boat about 3 years ago...and had a can of expanding foam ready for some of the jobs... It was about that time that I read..some guy had done the same thing...and at night there was an explosion due to the fumes. I have looked for that article..but can't find it...but I abandoned my thuoughts of using it. Bob

Well....I do recall a narrowboat explosion from expanding foam...and I also found this on the 'net'...but it may be a different type ?.. I'm interested as I have been wary of using it myself...and it would have been handy. Smoker sparks house explosion TWO terrace houses were nearly destroyed when a cigarette triggered a large explosion. Five fire engines were called to Portland Road, Croydon, at about 7pm yesterday to tackle the resultant blaze. One person was slightly injured. It is thought that building work was taking place involving expanding foam a? used as a filler a? and someone lit a cigarette and ignited the vapours. The blaze took 90 minutes to bring under control and the fire brigade fears the buildings could collapse.

Isn't that stuff extremely explosive while curing in a confined space.....or is is there a safe version ? Bob

The book for my Beta 43 says every 250 hours...and the PRM160 gearbox 750 hours. Tend to stick to that...or less if I'm moored in a good spot and the sun is out !! I once had a FORD diesel car amd used to change the oil every 5000 miles...and oil and filter at 10,000 miles. Sold it at 240,000 miles and it still passed its emmisions test. I think for the cost....oil changes are key to long life and reliable service. Someone said 'tappets'...?.. Do you think thats important if they 'sound' OK....and anyone know what the Beta 43 clearance is ? Happy New Year. Bob

Its sad that two thirds of this forum item has been hijacked..? I thought I asked a sensible question about crayfish...and maybe...expect a few jokes to brighten our day..but its verging on nasty now... At least some people have been nice enough to answer...Thank you. Bob That sounds easy enough.... Simplicity once again being the answer... Thanks. Bob

Thanks for the replies...keep them coming. I did email the EA asking if the information/rules meant that you couldn't get a license if you were a 'moving' narrowboat...on a certain stretch of canal...but didn't get a reply. Bob

At the end of this season I was given a proper crayfish trap. I didn't get a chance to use it..but was told to stab some holes in a foil container of cat food and drop the trap into the water... Next season I want to give this a go...and DO realise the importance of destroying the American crayfish while protecting our own species. I also understand the legalilty of once caught...the US verisons should never be returned to the water (Like mink) I was told that..' in theory' you have to obtain a license which you cannot really do when on the move...as its only a license for one spot. I was also 'told' that people who want to license for one spot...never hear back from the EA so people just trap anyway.. Have I got this all correctly..?.. Has anyone ever obtained the fabled license ? Bob

Favourite Kit I wouldn't be without...? Air tickets to Spain from October until April !!

I always 'roughly' work out that for each amp you draw at 240 volts..(from invertor) ...you draw about 20 amps from the battery...at 12 volts. This is 'rough' as there are invertor losses etc...hence my 1000 watt immersion heater...I roughly say it will draw 80 amp hours from the 12 volts. From roughly Bob

I knew someone who turned their car into a sidestreet !! Merry Christmas....

I can see that driving down with Fido would add a lot to the cost. I take a cheap 'package holiday'...find somewhere to rent..and then tear up the return ticket...luckily though...the Spanish air traffic controllers went on strike..and they cancelled this return flight....and allowed me to rebook it in April !! Food is dear..but about the same as UK..but eating out is cheap...you find many cafes full of Brits.. As for the boat being safe..?...fingers...legs crossed...and touching wood !! Maybe I'll rename mine...'Frosty' Bob

I rent my house out....unfurnished...sold everything bar some photos...no council tax for me... I got rid of the car....no car tax or insurance... In winter...I go to Spain or Cyprus...and rent... Nice and warm...no council tax ..no heating bills...and about 350 Euros a month..currently in a villa...English TV...internet..pool.. When I go back....I hire a car for a few weeks..£200 ..and then will leave the marina permanently..thus saving 6 months...as I dont have to pay to keep the car there.. Each year I find space in whatever marina I am near to winter the boat...so don't have to trek back to the same marina. My health does not go well with the ice....and this works for me.... I'm not putting you hardy types down...just telling my tale. I love my summer 6 months on the boat and the companionship of my fellow boaters. Bob

I bought a radio from Ebay for £25 and someone on Ebay did the course. It said £80 or make an offer...so I offered £40 and they said OK. It was very easy...just learning proedure really...and I now have my license with my ugly mug on it. I did the Thames from Limehouse...and didn't know why I bothered with the license...but a woman in convoy ( you can travel in convoy with someone else with VHF) was overtaken by one of the big barges and the wash flooded her engine exhaust and she stopped. She then drifted at huge speed back towards a bridge. I think if you hit a bridge stachion mid-narrowboat..with the flow...you would roll over.. The radio was used and the police where there as if they had materialised !!. A line pulled her to safety and they moored her and the engine was dried out. It does have its uses. Bob

I take the plate out...and my wife holds a carrier bag tight under the flue...

I did that as well. I have 2 on each side and they concentrate the heat really well....although...I am now in Spain until April...which is my best recommendation for keeping warm !!! Bob