blodger

I was warned off using a diode to derate a 1kw immersiion element to 500watts using a diode. They reckoned it would knacker a genny or an inverter to do so. So I am quite interested to find out it has worked OK

Well I can guarantee you were clocked when you did the Macclesfield Canal. The Patrol Officer has been very evident over the past two or three years and the notices served are pretty obvious from time to time

I am reminded that a 550 flat development of the mid sixties was demolished ten years ago to get rid of drug and theft problems and bad tenants majoritively on benefits. Obviously, they had to be rehoused and now all the other former local authority estates gone housing trust suffer the same problem and reputation. Those being displaced by enforcement action and not tied to the area are likewise being redistributed. In that, the OP is in some ways correct

Legality would seem to be a non issue if folk are willingly buying the Roving Permits so that they are not subject to the same CaRT enfocement process as those without such permits. Where is the legal challenge coming from?

Unless they are in their home mooring. Having a home mooring does not mean you can hog any other mooring for more than two weeks

The bottom line is that Cart's radar is much improved over past years and it is no longer just monitoring honeyspots. All boats have to move every two weeks at least, end of.

Minority, Equality, Diversity and Human Rights legislation are meant to support Davids against Goliaths for the greater good. Whilst the saying that 'prison is full of innocent people' may not be an idictment of the criminal justice system it has often got things wrong and people do plead guilty as advised for lesser sentences when innocent. I do not think even the issues in this thread can be seen as black or white, an open mind is needed IMHO.

Having read the Boaters' Update then having read this thread which I had previously ignored may I commend you for doggedly taking a somewhat alternative stance and balancing the "discussion". I think the Boaters' Update article has been purposely written as a sort of warning that will backfire if it turns out to be misleading etc

For infromation Some Boat Safety Examiners cannot do Liveaboard boats unless an Bubble Tester has been fitted in the gas locker. They used to be allowed to do them with the manometer at a test point (In the last bit of equipment). I presume this is to do with Corgi training or not?

There's at least two types in each category, affordable and too bloody expensive

If there is calcium (platinum) in their construction and/or they are sealed I am sure they will be upto their nominal rating. If you only ever use 30ah out of each batt before recharging they will last at least eight years

Capacity would relate to surface area. Starter batts that have to put out large currents need thicker plates that won't distort under load. Modern batts use other metals in the lead to lighten them and to reduce gassing to permit them being sealed or low maintenance

Sounds to me as though the friidge is fine doing its job in hot weather, but the batts have little capacity and hence are reliant on the charger to augment sooner and more often.

Virgin have just mailed me their 15GBP per month sim only offer (VIP) with unlimited data, unlimited minutes and unlimited textx on a thirty day rolling contract. Sounds pretty good compared with paying Vodaphone as I once did 15 for 1gb data monthly. IIRC Virgin frowns on tethering

To be fair to the contractors/CART they get hassle from some boaters for strimming near boats at the moorings but the run up and down with a lawn mower is usually followed up with some strimming eaither side. Growth is at its maximum and is endeavouring to flower/fruit at the moment. When growth is left adjacent to my moored boat I usually get the shears out and lower it a bit. The boat ahead of me is using the nettle growth to protect his soft canopy and entrance I think so I have not extended too much beyond my boat.

It is good practice to take the power off battery banks from diametrically opposite positive and negatives of the battery bank; It better balances the discharge and charging of the batteries stopping one from doing more work basically. If that was what you were asking?

The potential to loose 30w through a 4v drop is ameliorated by MPPT but I have not found it possible to to achieve a 30% return with MPPT on a modest 12v nominal installation over MPW

My understanding is that the potential gains are lowest if you are using 12v nominal panels, better for 24v and a neccesity for anything above. The chaeper MPPT controllers usually are not so you may as well get a good spec MPW. You have to pay seriously more for a good MPPT. I prefer 12v panels for boats & sheds and am with you in thinking more panels rathen than trying to squeeze more out of the panels with an expensive MPPT. However, many do not see it that way so it's a case of personal experience/choice

It was bound to happen sooner or later and, is probably just the start of tax protectionism in an endeavour to protect 'home' industries and, prolong the euro?

Many usb suplies are only 500mv or less which sufficed to slow charge many basic phones. Smartphone & tablets are more demanding and can handel 2/3 amp of charging. If the wifi is on and its not on standy by my quess is that your phone was using more power than the electronic usb wizardry was producing.

I would have thought that it was not just local boaters who should be surveyed since others have a view and there is talk of using it as a pilot for nationally. However, I accept there has to be agreement with those directly and immediately affected first to see if it's a goer.

The other way round you want the plates just covered and plenty of space. Overwatering dilutes the electolyte too much so it is a bit of a compromise. You do not want the plates exposed next time you check them so it is about gaining the experiece at guaging it. By the time you have your panel connected you are likely to find the situation regarding the voltage at the controller reversed with an emf gradient along the cable to the batteries. Regardless, I would just keep the difference in my head. I do not think the meter is involve in the control electronics of the controller affecting its performance. It is a better indication of battery condition than the traffic light LED's of the even cheaper ones

Go on then, air your views on this Roving Permit pilot then. I have changed my mind umpteen times on whether I am for or against it mainly in trying to figure the likely outcome and affect on those not originally to be affected, etc

That combo ah meter looks pretty useful & relatively cheap dont it I think you are just tempting Gibbo back; Post the wiring diagram

I thought he was saying that though he paid for his moorings there was no permit attached which he could stick in a porthole; You only get a piece of paper when the mooring is diraectly with CaRT/BW?