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Need a new starter battery in Paddington

DandV

By DandV
in General Boating

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DandV Rising Star

DandV

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Well the engine started beautifully after a six month stand-down with no shore power at the beginning of the month but yesterday when I went to start it to top up the batteries whilst mooring here in Paddington there was not enough oomph to kick Betty our Beta38 awake. Checked the connections all good and tight. Got her alight with jumpers from the leisure batteries and ran her for about two hours. Tonight retried. Virtually nothing at home. I am sure a new starter battery is now in order. We are looking departing Paddington Friday or Saturday eastbound towards the Lee. Suggestions please as how best to arrange a replacement battery and dispose of the old one. Whilst I think I can jump start it I certainly do not want to chance too many starts before a battery replacement.

NB Ara is moored not far away having not moved today but had long days away during the weekend. We could use a top up. Has anybody got their contact details.

 

Don and Val NB Whio

 

 

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junior Veteran

junior

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Is Ara now trading again? Ara is/was the butty boat for Archamedies, the coal boat run by James Bills. Last I heard (via the forum) was that they were in Harefield Marina for brokerage/safe keeping.

 

Your best bet would be BARON as I think VICTORIA has headed out of London for the summer. You could always stop at Springfield Marina on the Lee.

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DandV Rising Star

DandV

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Do you have a separate alternator charging the engines battery. If so is it charging it?

 

Yes we do have a separate alternator for the engine battery. The second question is a very good one. Once the engine is running the mechanical connection (the belt drive) can easily be verified but how can i test whether the alternator and its associated kit is actually providing charge? I do have a basic analogue multimeter.

Don

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MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

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Yes we do have a separate alternator for the engine battery. The second question is a very good one. Once the engine is running the mechanical connection (the belt drive) can easily be verified but how can i test whether the alternator and its associated kit is actually providing charge? I do have a basic analogue multimeter.

Don

 

Measure the battery voltage with the engine running at about 1500rpm. If it's charging you'll get a reading of about 13.5v or a bit more. Any less than that and the little alternator is probably kaput.

 

Or the vee belt is loose!

 

MtB

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bizzard Veteran II

bizzard

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Yes we do have a separate alternator for the engine battery. The second question is a very good one. Once the engine is running the mechanical connection (the belt drive) can easily be verified but how can i test whether the alternator and its associated kit is actually providing charge? I do have a basic analogue multimeter.

Don

A quick test is to set your multimeter to a voltage range which will cover 12dc, usually 20vdc. Start your engine and set throttle to about 1500, 2000 rpm

Stick the red +pos probe onto the +pos starter battery post and the black- neg probe onto the battery -neg post. If the battery is flat it should show 12v plus and rise very slowly, If the battery is well charged somewhere in the region of 14 plus volts. A flat battery will be about 11 volts without the engine running. Are the battery terminals clean and tight ?. If the battery is absolutely totally flat it will not excite the alternator into action, this can be done with jump leads from a cabin battery.

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DandV Rising Star

DandV

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Is Ara now trading again? Ara is/was the butty boat for Archamedies, the coal boat run by James Bills. Last I heard (via the forum) was that they were in Harefield Marina for brokerage/safe keeping.

 

Your best bet would be BARON as I think VICTORIA has headed out of London for the summer. You could always stop at Springfield Marina on the Lee.

Whoops. It is NB Ash as well as an identified second boat propelled by a pusher tug. Both boats were out on Sunday.

I think we spotted ​Archimedes tied up at Harefield when we came past last Thursday.

 

Don

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Arthur Brown Influencer

Arthur Brown

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See whether the starter alternator is working, it should output enough to recharge the battery. OR Jump start from the house battery and leave the croc lead ON to attempt to recharge all the batteries from the house alternator. Have you a DC clamp meter? One will tell you where big currents are flowing. Do you want to borrow mine?

 

Do you have the type number for the starter battery that you need -usually ensures that you get the right battery with the right connectors in the right place!

Edited by Arthur Brown
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DandV Rising Star

DandV

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Thanks for your help. Woke up Betty reluctantly this morning with a little assistance from the leisure batteries. The good news is the battery is receiving about 14v from the alternator. The battery negative terminal is in a most inaccessible place against the hull on top of the swim and does not look great, so this mornings task will be to contort myself to clean and remake this connection. This will be after the leisure batteries have received some nourishment and our water is hot. The starter battery is a 94a hr beast with both terminals on the same left side when viewing from the positive terminal end. I think the type number is visible. may poke the camera down there and take a photo.

Val says you can rely on bizzard,s advice though I had to restrain her from opening the weed hatch when we had a load of dirty washing.

 

Don NB Whio

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DandV Rising Star

DandV

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I don't think I will bother with remaking the negative terminals. i have just spoken to her previous owner who has verified that this particular battery was original equipment in 2006. Now just to arrange the logistics of obtaining and fitting a new battery and disposing responsibly of the old one.

 

Don NB Whio

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bottle Veteran II

bottle

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Just one point, you will need to check the CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) and make sure it is a 'start' battery not a leisure or deep cycle. wink.png

 

A Motor factors or battery specialist would be best and they will probably take your old battery.

 

The only problem is finding one close by, google may be your friend.

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valrene9600 Experienced

valrene9600

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http://www.yell.com/biz/shivji-s-auto-spares-london-503343/?view=map

 

back along the Padd` arm there is a footbridge it is the one before kensal green. Canal is alongside road. Over bridge turn right it`s along on the left.

Use your trolley or walk it. Turn at kensal green gasworks.


on map footbridge is opposite Second avenue


spoke to you at cassio. same boat maker

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DandV Rising Star

DandV

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Hopefully all sorted. Came across NB Ash delivering fuel yesterday and they do batteries. So have ordered a fuel delivery and a battery replacement hopefully today or tomorrow. NB Ash Watterways Fuels limited (Wakehams) 07778828565 Seems they have three operators covering the Grand Union and East London

 

Don

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DandV Rising Star

DandV

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Now have Betty growling away under the stern deck. Waterways Fuel were out of stock of batteries so it was the Halford's solution.

Was a mission to get the old one out thanks to poor location and design of the battery compartment. Obtaining the battery and getting it home was the easy part thanks to London Transport and our new folding trolley. Unfortunately the only suitable battery was configured opposite hand and yes it did make a difference. Had to contort myself into all sorts of positions to get break and remake connections to get that extra 80mm on both leads. grrrr. The battery monitor was a casualty, have to commission the soldering iron to remake a couple of the sensor connections.

All the joys of boating part 2. Thanks all for the advice and offers of assistance. NB Ash has offered to collect the old one when it refuels us.

 

Don and Val NB Whio

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