[Mikuni MX40 Diesel Heater]

Mine indicated the circulation pump. Duly removed striped, found to work on the bench.....turned out to be a fuse....opps

[Is my alternator/controller dying?]

I will not be back at the boat for about a week.

I will monitor the voltage at variuos stages and load up with lights etc if the problem persists

I will post back on here the results

 

Thanks all

 

I will not be back at the boat for about a week.

I will monitor the voltage at variuos stages and load up with lights etc if the problem persists

I will post back on here the results

 

Thanks all

[Is my alternator/controller dying?]

Thanks for the replies.

I've re-checked my description and it's just as it happened (see end para.). I had checked and cleaned the battery stud and the battery conections.

The buzzer stopped IMMEDIATELY I put the headlight on and returned IMMEDIATELY when the headlight was switched off.

So I left it on (covered with a woolley hat as folks kept telling me it was on!!)

With overnight use the battery SOC 76% it all worked,no buzzer or low volts indication even with the headlight off.

The only thing that was different was a new Numax shore powered charger.I think the voltage at 100% SOC was 13.5v

Could this be having an effect on the voltage in the batteries.i.e. being in a totaly full charged state, and the engine charging system shuting down!! as it detected mabye too high a voltage.

I did omit, to keep it simple, that it happened two days running both times after an overnight shore line battery charge. It was only on the second day that i tried it with the headlight on.

[Is my alternator/controller dying?]

Thanks for that Wot Ever.

 

So much to learn so much time! now i am semi retired

[Is my alternator/controller dying?]

http://s1136.photobucket.com/albums/n483/bimble100/

Thanks for the prompt reply Gibbo.

 

Hope the pics will post its my first time with Photobucket!

 

Its the green wire on the back of the alternator which goes to the stud with a heavy red wire that goes to the domestic battery bank

[Is my alternator/controller dying?]

Barrus (Mitsubushi) 80 watt alternator, Stirling advanced regulator - both about 8 years old, 1700 hours.

 

I noticed while cruising along the domestic voltage on the Smart guage was reading 15.2v, also the high voltage light was on on the controller. Stopped the engine, re-started, no problems, normal voltage but kept rpm low. Back in the marina found a small wire from the back of the alternator, which connected to the main battery feed stud, had not been crimped correctly and was loose. I remade the connection and cleaned up all alternator connections. Ran the engine for about 10 mins at various revs, all normal.

 

I have a battery charger on shoreline and this keeps the SOC 100%. This weekend took the boat out and after a few minutes at low rpm the low voltage buzzer came on and stayed on, and domestic voltage was down to 13.5 from approx 14.4. Stopped the engine, re-started, buzzer and voltage still misbehaving. At 1200rpm, buzzer beeped every 2 seconds or so. Rechecked all connections and found satisfactory. Found by putting the headlight on the buzzing stopped, even at tickover and voltage was normal. SOC 100%.

 

Next day, after using the inverter overnight, SOC 76%, buzzer and voltage normal, even when SOC up to 100% and no headlight on.

 

Do I need the alternator or Stirling regulator tested? Any other suggestions? Thanks!

[jumping in with two feet]

Well done, good luck, keep practising.......and enjoy!!

[Whos got what planned for next year]

I intend to leave Napton down the G.U.and go up the Thames from Limehouse with the St Pancras Club then back in at Oxford in May. I am doing it with another narrowboat owning mate,after one of those "what you up to next year" conversations. We are both quite excited about the idea. We are both doing a Marine Radio course this Sunday in preparation, not really necessary I know,but we are both aviators so like to tick another box. We have been impressed with the information available from the St P club and B.W.available online. Our good ladies have declined the opportunity so will be onshore camera crew.

[Stoveglow, is it any good?]

Its Stoveglow for my Becton Bunny!

I have tried most other brands. I keeps in better overnight,not as much ash, and i "seem" to use a lesser amount.

[Adjusting "ticky tappet"]

I would adjust them all. Its tight or no clearance, that can cause expensive problems

[Surveyors near Northampton]

Hi,

 

Eddie Freeman AIIMS

01604 891481

07775 852308

 

Advertises in the mags

 

Used him for a survey when we bought the boat and for a recent BSC

Thought he was very comprenhisive and capable

[Water in bottom of narrowboat]

depends on whether the water is increasing or not, if not (and assuming you haven't refilled it) the leak is in your water tank or a pipe you haven't found yet - some of them can be tricky little buggers to find.

 

if the water is increasing then it may be a split weld but either way if it's new new the builder will still be responsible.

 

 

I should really add that you should be au fait with your bilge system and whether it could be rain from the back/front deck running through the cabin bilge - although this would very rare in a modern boat.

 

Assuming its fresh water it might only leak when the pump is puting pressre in the system

I agree builder should sort it out

[Lambordini 4cyl engine]

A small number boats I've clocked on the net are fitted with Lambordini 4cyl engines.

 

This is not a name I'm fully familiar with any body on here got good or bad info. about them.

 

Done a forum search an un-earthed little if any thing.

 

Thanks in advance

My experience with a Lombardini 1204 fitted to our previous Canal Boat:

The engine is well made, light and responsive, ideal for small plant, diggers etc and generator sets.

NOT ideal for canal boats.

1:- Cam belt to be changed every 2500 hrs. As it's at the front of the engine (no room at all on our installation) it was a case of either removing the engine, or as I did, cutting an access hole in the bulkhead and making up a bolted watertight strong sealed panel.

2:- At about 4000 hrs the engine began to run roughly and have black smoke from the exhaust, indicating that the injectors needed serviceing. So sent away for serviceing.

To refit the injectors required EXPENSIVE setting and test equipment, to get the injector timing correct, and balancing to get all injectors to deliver a balanced fuel flow at 1500rpm.

I have quite a lot of experience with Truck/Car and Aircraft engines which helped.

I have the very comprehensive workshop manual from Lombardini which covers various models. I also purchased some, and made up some, of the necessary equipment.

Quite a procedure to set the engine up correctly.

If anyone would like to borrow the equipment or chat about how to go about it please contact me.

[SPOT THE TOWPATH]

Can you find it..?

 

Is it a pic of Fenny Compton Tunnel?

[vinyl lettering, decals etc]

I have used vinyl for 2 bow and 2 side names on two boats plus scrolls from Cut Signs (look on their website for designs)and was very pleased with the results. Prepare the base, follow their instructions and take care. You have to be careful with the edges when you clean them, I use auto glim polish with light pressure and then lightly cover them with a good amount of polish. The signs look good and have lasted well.