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by'eck

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Everything posted by by'eck

  1. I always have a big Maglite torch close to hand as backup, so I can reach for it in the dark. Due to a dirty switch contact I once lost my tunnel lamp 50 yds into Braunston tunnel, not the straightest. The torch got me through with the minimum of scrapes.
  2. eid, that looks like an early Sterling regulator. These didn't have automatic sensing of battery bank size. Instead they had a user adjustable timer via tiny dip switches inside to control how long it was in the higher voltage absorb charge mode. If it's already set to the max, which from distant memory is two hours, then there is nothing more to be done, unless you buy latest version. Otherwise set timer to max. Note the timer switches are a separate set from those depicted on casing which set battery type. Worth checking they are set appropriately though.
  3. The Sterling regulator is likely a smart one. Just like similar smart chargers it has multiple modes. One will be float with charge voltage dropping to just over a volt less than full when it decides batteries are near fully charged. The exact voltage will depend on settings as they cater for a range of battery types. The reason it may jump back to full (absorb charge) mode is because of a sudden load on batteries whilst cruising has caused a dip in battery voltage. Situation normal in other words. If you have two alternators charging the same battery bank it's even possible one the alternators, depending on internal regulator, to drop out altogether as indicated by charge light when batteries approach full charge. This is also an acceptable situation.
  4. Little consideration seems to be given to the latest Euro 6 approved diesel-engined cars . Our own 2015 Mini attracts just £30 a year VED, others zero in line with all electric cars. If the government holds them in such high regard aren't we on track to meet the pollution goals, especially as the next even tighter Euro 7 standards are being prepared. See below the massive advances made since 1992 when Euro 1 was introduced.
  5. by'eck

    JP/JK pulley

    14 inch pulley gives max output (240 amps) from my two alternators @ 650 engine rpm. Tested and proven using 3kW kettle as load via 3500 watt inverter whilst monitoring just a few amps drain from batteries and confirmed via clamp on ammeter. "A" groove pulley used with twin belts to larger alternator.
  6. From just outside Burnley to the outskirts of Leeds is the continuously pretty part although there is stunning scenery between some of the western towns. The locks whilst having heavy gates are generally well maintained and I wouldn't say excessively deep compared with the south. Heading east after Gargrave, the most northerly point, there are many swing bridges to operate, mostly manual which can slow you a little although a few are electrically operated. Some can be challenging solo but perfectly feasible. As suggested, Skipton is the jewel in the crown. Not rushing excessively I've cruised single handed from the bottom of the Wigan flight to Skipton in six days. With two or more, hiring in the middle and avoiding the Wigan flight you should be able to cover most the the remaining canal there and back in two weeks.
  7. Agree, it has always been a sluggish stretch for me, particularly through the heavily wooded military danger area north of Hopwas. Strangely though I found a recent journey from Fradley not an issue, maintaining reasonable speed for my 34 inch draught boat. I even considered the possibility it had already been dredged. There are certainly areas with greater need of dredging although probably with lesser traffic.
  8. which was my point, although a double edged sword I guess
  9. and won't have for many years to come if ever, not in bespoke narrowboats at least which virtually all are to some degree.
  10. Sorry, yes I was referring to the fact that in order to reach the Rochdale, I had to first travel the Calder and Hebble, and both the locks mentioned were on that of course.
  11. Took a 60ft nb up the Rochdale east to west a couple of years ago (don't do it the other way with marginal length boat). There was not an inch to spare despite all fenders removed, but I managed it and single handed! Anything less should be easy. Problem locks are top one at Salterhebble flight and Shepley bridge although that's on the Calder and Hebble.
  12. Frouds bridge marina just after Aldemaston between Reading and Newbury. Good safe place to leave boat if you need to as well.
  13. To utilise the flexibility of all electric propulsion, batteries are required. Despite being around for over 150 years with constant efforts to improve on lead/acid battery technology, there is still nothing available that provides the sort of storage capacity needed for vehicle/boat propulsion at a reasonable price, weight and longevity. There is much hype about dramatic improvements in recent times, but if so why have we still not seen an all electric vehicle (or boat ) with similar range and performance that we have come to expect from conventional propulsion. The only current viable option is a half way house with hybrid drives therefore. Solar power requires an impractical number of pv panels in most cases and still requires battery backup. I await with interest to see what the future holds but if there was a solution on the horizon offering a dramatic increase in battery storage capacity, why haven't we heard about it?
  14. by'eck

    3L3

    L2 bore and stroke 4 1/4 "x 6", L3 5 1/2" x 7 3/4" So L3 substantially bigger. 3L3 nearly twice the weight at 1.5 tons!
  15. Yes strictly speaking it is illegal but it happens. I measured 261 volts at Glascote marina some years back, causing my Sterling Combi to reject it. Turns out that suppliers had been over enthusiastic at local substation when new nearby estate was built.
  16. It's imperative you have an RCD after the inverter part of your Victron together with earth/inverter neutral strap to provide clear conditions for safety trip when AC is being provided by battery power. The latter should be provided by the Victron with automatic disconnention of this strap when shore power is passed through the Victron to your AC distribution sockets. An RCD on the shoreline feed to Victron would be optional since there would (should) be one on the shore power pedestal protecting downstream. ETA: the galvanic isolator should be fitted immediately after shore power inlet.
  17. Spoke to my local powder coating company recently regarding engine components being coated. It was explained that they normally bake at 180°C so no issues with painted items as long as they stayed below 170°C. Rocker and timing covers on a hot running air cooled V twin have been fine. Doubt very much if a chimney collar would get that hot.
  18. Another idea is to use combined switch breakers. I have various current ratings on a custom made panel to protect and control 20 circuits. Although many are used daily for switching there have been no issues in 5 years of regular use. Ones on the right are identical in function to those on left but for circuits normally permanently live.
  19. A well discussed subject but many seem to fail to grasp the large number of variables that contribute to your boat causing excessive movement to moored boats you pass. These include and where possible in order of importance: Depth of water at mooring particularly and where moving boat is How well moored boat is tied up Speed of passing boat Width of canal or river Hull shape and draught of passing boat to mention just a few. This means that a badly tied up boat can be moved around by a boat passing at little over 1 mph in some circumstances, whilst the same boat in others will have little effect travelling at 4 mph. It's definatly a case of horses for courses and common sense has to prevail rather than absolute speeds. The effect your boat has on the bankside will often give a clue.
  20. Left my boat at Frouds bridge, Devizes and Caen hill at various times last year. Caen hill the most expensive, but no problems getting into any mid season.
  21. Hi kevoisier That's not just an inverter you have but a combined battery charger and inverter traditionally known as a Combi. It's quite an old one, could be 15 years or more so little chance of finding a manual on-line although as suggested Sterling may be able to help. The info from pictures indicates the multi-stage charger can supply up to 65 amps to a 12 volt battery bank when mains/shore power is available, whilst also passing through the mains supply to your on board sockets. The inverter part produces 240 volts AC from your batteries to the same sockets. The rating converted to watts would be a max of around 1200 watts although probably not a pure sine wave so may cause hum powering a TV. Beware that most Combi's automatically switch over to inverter when the shore power is lost, to maintain the 240 volt AC supply to sockets. Sounds very convenient but if the meter runs out or the shore power is tripped the batteries will be drained providing the AC, possibly without you knowing! After buying batteries, make sure charger is set to match their type. Suggest at least three typical 105 amp hour leisure batteries wired in parallel.
  22. Would have been nice but not a volocky in sight when I dropped through the flight solo, single handed, midday and midweek a couple of weeks ago. Got the full attention of the Gongoozlers at top lock therefore. Intimidating but just got on with it - trip boat was heading the other way - just as well by the sound of it. Can't remember seeing a lock landing either, had to tie up just round the corner and fight my way through crowded market!
  23. Yes I previously had the same thoughts but equally couldn't accept that enough vacuum could be present behind piston to cause stiffness. All I know is that it was difficult to unscrew end cap and withdraw piston.
  24. As already suggested perfectly feasible. The most obvious/simplest installation would be to have the generator cooled by a closed circuit skin tank. The thermostat bypass on genny would then feed a heating coil in the calorifier before return to engine circulating pump. Since its likely your main engine is also cooled and heats the calorifier in a similar manner, the simplest solution would be to have dedicated heating coils for each. Calorifiers are available with up to three coils to save messing with complex plumbing to share a coil.
  25. Keep the greaser full. When the cylinder is less than half full, grease can creep past the piston seal and this somehow causes the operation to be very stiff I've found. Re-filling always cures the problem.
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