Roger Crown

Hi Guys and Girls, As a fan of sanded roofs and gunwales I always followed the hallowed method from Phil Speight. I have seen a lot of my early boats, they go back to 2001 and have never been aware of a problem with the sanded areas. I always used kiln dried sand, the type used for block paving infil. Phil's words: "Never add sand until at least one coat of gloss has been applied." Meaning apply the sand to the second gloss coat. Loads of people used to sand on top of undercoat, as we all know now it is not waterproof, hence the majority of the problems. Happy Sanding Roger

Hi Richard Isolate as above ( justme) Open it up, if it is electrolytic capacitors that have failed they usually can be spotted by bulging or burst end caps. They are usually printed with the type and value and should be able to be sourced from RS components. It is fairly easy job for someone to replace them for you. Worth a try, capacitors are usually pence rather than the £150 for a replacement board. regards Roger

Hi, we seem to of stumbled across your banter, we are moored on the pilings just past the Navigation pub. What is the plan for today? Thanks Roger & Yvonne NB Fizzical Attraction

Hi Martin It looks like the Dog House has a ”dogs breakfast” for a battery set up You are resigned to a new set of batteries; I would suggest you get back to a simple and basic set up. 1 start battery and a bank of cabin/ house batteries. Charge each set with a designated alternator. Get rid of the split charge diode. Dependant on the size of your alternators you may wish to link the alternators then I would recommend using a Smartbank, preferably connected to a Smartgauge. With the poor batteries it’s not going to be possible to ascertain alternator charging rates. This can quickly be sorted when the new batteries are fitted. Regards Roger

Hi Martin I've just searched on Waterscape and their own website and both sites give the information. Because they are some of the good guys and deserve the exposure regards Roger

I rest my case Can you stop all this Bizzard, you are making more sense than any of us on here Roger

Sorry Nick, read this gobbledegook tomorrow and admit you haven't got the first clue, I think this is where I came in on the thread, somebody giving advice with no real knowledge. Regards Roger

Just to put this to bed as far as I'm concerned ( I have sent PM to the OP offering help) I didn't actually think a reply necessary to the "BSS's failure etc etc" because it is not a failure to consider as you put it. To comply with the BSS the domestic system remaining powered by the alternator after opening the isolator are all protected by fuses or circuit breakers. There really are some underlying issues of basics going on here.

Nick I got involved on this thread due to some thing Richard Hula said and I felt he was misleading the OP. I am assuming your reputable builder is the same one he has currently commissioned. Richard has on other threads stated that it is industry standard to directly connect batteries to the domestic alternator. If you are both quoting from the same builders methods, this is hardly industry standards. When any boat leaves a builders yard it should be in fit condition to pass any BSS inspection, even the ones that won't be bullied and turn a blind eye.

Allan I am in agreement with what you say in the main, though some pieces of equipment should not be isolated for good reason BUT the key point is they should be locally fused. regards Roger Nick, it seems to me there are many car fires daily, perhaps an isolation switch would aid the fire services. The very first thing they have to do in an emergency is crop the battery wires. Does your boat insurance company know you swap things about to suit yourself? regards Roger

What you say is true and there is worse that can happen. Never switch off a main isolator with the engine running, you would be lucky to get away not damaging the alternator. The correct way of wiring is through the isolator, I don't make the rules. I would be happy to look at your boat and advise you, it's not something that can be done sensibly without actually seeing the installation first hand. Where is the boat? Regards Roger

Hi Beagle@ Bodymoor Welcome to the forum, as you probably already know there is some great information and advise on this forum, unfortunately some advice given in good faith is not always correct. Re the BSS inspection I really can't comment as to why the boat has passed with the alternator/s incorrectly connected, it is very clear in the BSS guide that alternators should be disconnected by the main isolators. It is always possible that the large fuse you mention is in the alternator circuit, though I very much doubt it is and more likely for the Victron. Btw the mounting position of that fuse does not sound ideal so close to the batteries. I'm sure others will be along soon to help with the solar charging Regards Roger edited for not reading before posting

Richard you are very wrong and should not be giving advice like this until you better understand the requirements of wiring on boats which come under the requirements of the BSS. If an alternator was connected directly to the batteries, then for it to pass a Boat Safety Scheme examination it would be necessary to fit a suitable fuse in the circuit and also to provide written evidence from the manufacturer of the alternator supporting the decision to by pass the main Isolator.

The fan unit does not fit in a standard mushroom vent, so a separate position can be considered on the roof. The fan unit needs to be fitted in an overhead cupboard to conceal it and the flexible ducting connecting it to the cooker hood. If you wished to use your existing vent position then the "offset" could most likely be taken up within the cupboard allowing you to centralise the hood over the hob. I'm sure you would find this unit more satisfactory than a DIY solution, we would not want to be without ours. Regards Roger

Hi, we have fitted the Dometic CK155 to a few boats including ours. It is only 40cm wide but fitted over our full size domestic hob it works brilliantly, even when its my turn to burn the dinner. You are not going to like the price, it seems to have gone up massively since we were buying them. Linky 1 Linky 2 Regards Roger

Hi, I have also had this problem on a couple of boats, in both instances it was sticking brushes. Take care when removing the brushes from their holders, too much force and the connection lead will pull out of the brush itself. Once out you can determine if they are worn and need replacing, if OK, give the four sides that mate with the brush holder a good rub with some fine sandpaper. Make sure the brushes are a nice sliding fit in their holders and reassemble. My other recommendation would be to use the thruster on a regular basis, whether you need it or not. It will benefit from the use and you will benefit that it will work when you want to use it. Regards Roger

This recipe is delicious and is ideal for slow cooking on a back cabin range. Link to blog Regards Roger

Hi, I use one of these for just the purpose you are looking for, they are very versatile and reliable units with good technical back up if needed. They don't incur a phone call charge to operate them. regards Roger

What a cracking idea Dave. We are currently at Ellesmere on the beautiful, if presently damp, Llangollen canal. We are heading towards Nantwich this week. You would be very welcome to spend a day on our 65 foot live-aboard narrow boat. Regards Roger & Yvonne Olver You can email me direct from my profile.

You are welcome, hope you have many years of happy and safe boating, Roger

Hi Dave, for custom made mattresses we always used http://www.purr-o-lux.co.uk/ trading from Bury ,great service, nothing too much trouble and great prices. For dinette type upholstery then http://www.ncinteriors.co.uk/ near Bolton take some beating. My only connection with these guys is as a completely satisfied customer. Roger

Hi again, from the information you have provided it appears my initial concerns are well founded. I see you have done some research but cannot see a problem, I would strongly recommend you get your boat inspected by a professional A.S.A.P. to verify the hulls bonding arrangement and to ensure the Rcd will operate under fault conditions. Regards Roger

Hi Bottle It only confirms my initial views of a very poor electrical installation. I now cruise the network, from time to time I offer assistance to fellow boaters. I'm not saying I am the last word on electrics, this is my back ground, but I find it totally shocking to see what I now see on other boat builders boats. Builders who purport to meet tradition and technology for example, haven't got the first idea how to install equipment for long term reliability. Apparently when such installers are challenged by the guys who supply and install all day long, the reply is... we never have a problem. Probably don't, it will be out of warranty when the problem shows. Regards Roger

Hi, sorry for this. But extremely important ! At the lower right of your image it "appears" that electrical grounding point to the hull has been made on the engine rail. If this is the case then the installer wants hanging by his Bxllox from a great height. The engine mounts are effectively isolating this earth point from the hull. If I am right, this would suggest to me that the installer of the electrical system on this boat has no understanding of electrics and more worrying electrical safety. Removing the argument of parallel paths, this installation has the possibility to KILL! (my presumption is the green yellow wire is the 230v grounding element) My disclaimer is I could be viewing the installation incorrectly, please prove me wrong! Just to add the engine mounts look as though they are adjusted very low and the image would suggest that the angle of the engine rail will chatter against the engine beds. It could all be the trick of the camera of course Regards Roger Edited to try to ensure the wording gets the right reaction from the OP

We had the same problem with an MX40, on a residential boat hooked up to shore with Mastervolt Charger and Inverter on board. The customer insisted on 230v fridge and freezer. He would come home from work switch on the Mikuni, go in the freezer to start his meal and pop, spike from the freezer kicking in was taking out the glow plugs. Mikuni supplied a suppressor which cured the problem, I'm surprised they don't fit them as standard. Regards Roger