JamesLeeds

Hey, Sorry yes, I also did that.. Well, my cooling system is currently powered by a 12v pump, that I turned off about a minute before stopping the engine, last time I run it. I didnt add new antifreeze into the internal system this year unfortunately.. but, it already had some in. Considering fitting one of those tubular 120w heaters in the engine room, seems like a good idea to keep it a bit warm. Hey maybe I should stick an immersion heater in the main water tank too!

I'm a little worried recently, after reading about the cooling water inlet (Seacock?) I'm in a narrowboat, but my cooling water works the same as a typical GRP style setup, with water coming in underneath, passing through a heat exchanger, and out the exhaust. Until now, I have never done a thing with it, or even turned it off. The setup is: Hole through the hull with a tap on it, a riser pipe extending from this, to about the waterline level, a small resevoir top on it, with a weed filter, and then a pipe of that too the engine. (Yes, its annoying.. Most cruises on the L&L involve pushing a coathanger down the riser to clear the reeds sucked up) I went down there today, and turned off the tap, I also noted that although the pipe was full, the resevoir on the top had plenty of space for some 'Expansion' should it freeze. Can anyone else think of anything else I should do, or what could go wrong.. As I dont like sinking..well, who does!

I use http://www.boatmail.co.uk/ despite having a residential mooring address (Seems only about 20% of my mail there comes through anyway!) And as I have said before.. I like abstraction

Thanks for all the advice people Have finished setting up the stove now, And got the door seal glued on last night, I'm now sat in front of a nice warm fire.. The flame is now burning lovely, and no smoke at all.. The vents actually have an effect now too! Im only mildly cheating in that I started it with one of those wax logs!

Worst journalism I've seen for ages: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-barge-blaze.6625842.jp

Sorry, I mean the British Waterways mooring agreement says smokeless fuel only. Probably due to there being many apartments directly above

Thanks for all the info and advice everyone!

I was just thinking about carbon monoxide, and what the risk with a stove is. I have a battery alarm on the wall, but was just looking at digital ones, do you have the one that has a constant PPM reading?

Ahhh Operating manual.. Got it now! (After simple identification of my stove) I guess the stove isnt as old as I thought it was! I'm using logs bought from one of those string bags from a garage, they tend to be a little smokey though, and as Im in a smokeless zone I use coal more often (Smokless of course). Now I know what all the nobs and buttons do, should be able to experiment a bit and get it just right. I think the lack of door gasket is just making everything burn odd so will get that fitted tommorow and hopefully it will be easier. No idea why, but a guy I had doing some work on the boat removed it, so the fire burned 'better'

I think Its new chimney time after the winter.. Theres more rust that chimney at the moment it seems!

Aha, it is! No idea why I thought it was a damper.. After a messy inspection, I can now see it lets air blow down the glass.. Must be for the 'Airwash' feature.

Thanks, I should probably do that asap then.. as I suspect its well overdue!

Also, Does a stove chimney need 'Sweeping' at all?

I have a Hunter Hawk stove, its got a few bits that I dont know what they do (I'm an ex fiberglass owner) and not fully sure of the optimum settings to burn things too, so was looking for a few pointers. It has the following knobs and things; Theres a 'Switch' at the top right, it can go left or right.. and a bar seems to go in from it, to the chimney throat area. Ive read that this might be a chimney 'Damper'.. Is it? and what does it do? The grill bars can be moved by a tool on an external bolt. Seems it can be open or shut by it. Am I right that open for coal closed for wood, and its used to get rid of ash from the grille? Air vent at the front bottom, under the grill bars level. Presumably this is to regulate air intake, and therefore heat / burning. I burn either wood or coal. I keep finding with logs they tend to 'Smolder' as opposed to burning well.. not quite sure why. I ordered a new door rope for tommorow, as the current one seems to leave a gap around the door.

Bilge Pump, Tupperware, and a float switch.. I made one, but it was pretty rubbish and kept needing a kick. The £80+ one is much better and does the job well, The float switch seems high quality too, its the vertical float type, instead of the tilt sensor. The washing machine drain goes into it too.. and since I put it down there, never had to worry about it (And its wired onto the same line as the waterpump)

Gmail supports offline sending (Using a tool called Google Gears) Plus nothing stops you using it just the same as your ISP's email with outlook or whatever. I never use an ISP's email, its one thing thats certain to change every now and again.. and I like abstraction

Just walked past it now, whilst taking some things down to the bin.. Made me feel sick seeing it First time I have seem people in the house right next to it too (The one on top of the sanitary station) Always been quite a mysterious boat, never seen anyone on it, but they were in the dock just a few days/weeks ago, perhaps out there because the gates were closed to the dock. Does anyone know the owners? Kids do hang around there quite a bit, but usually the harmless 'Goth' ones since the corn exchange 'Changed' and through the day it seems home to 'Smack Heads' with cans of beer sitting on the moorings, asking what its like being on a boat.. Wouldnt have expected anything too dodgy down there though, I'm often round there on a night getting the car or going to the bins. Pic of fire

Ah currently have directors chairs.. Deffo looking to Slob.. Slob, and Slob some more! Cheers will check it out! Although just got rid of an ikea Klippan sofa, as it just felt far too large

They sold me an 'Anti Implosion Valve' also. I dont like implosions

They must be all different.. Mine is a BW one, and it just has a metal nozzle, and a rubber ring round the top, to seal it. A big handle, and even a little window to 'watch' through! Cone ones are probably better as they should fit all deck fittings.. The deck fittings are not expensive however, if your local pumpout was to have an unusual fitting. I did a bit of research at the time, into the standard.. The problem with standards, as usual, is which one to choose It seems that different countries have different fittings, and ship globally. My old boatyard had a lot smaller fitting, and they used to seal it with a Sponge.. Im glad I never got too close to that sponge

The fittings are 'Sort of' standard, although its not uncommon to see the pumpout hoses wrapped with gaffa/inuslation tape.. or people carrying round various rubber 'converters' I bought a Vetus stainless steel fitting, it didnt fit the pumpout hose here.. I swapped it for a chrome plated one.. and it fit Self pumpout would be where you have the pump and pipes, and put the other end down a porta potty disposal point or similar.. Tends to smell sometimes, but some people swear by it!

Hey All, I would be very grateful if anyone could reccomend some cheap, but comfy chairs that are suitable for a narrowboat cabin (2) and where to get them. Ive seen some nice examples in pictures in mags etc, but I cant seem to find anything suitable, either that or they are £200+ each!

Haha, thats true.. It rocks much less that up there on the boat too!

Well, When I said flat, I meant 30th Floor penthouse I never exected the narrowboat to compare, but I guess I have always seen the narrowboat as a ladder to a nice new big widebeam Right now Im just working towards accelerating the purchase of said widebeam

Aha, thanks for the idea! yes I have an isolation valve on the tank connection. There is an accumulator, right after the pump.. I might take a look at that if I dont get anywhere with the above. Thanks