Bimbly1

Sorry that your time has come to leave the cut. PLenty of memories to keep you warm. Best wishes to you both.

Queues are not uncommon at Turner's Garage on the Shroppie at Wheaton Aston. Last week the base price was 56p/L and you are free to declare whatever you wish.

The bus services are excellent, with stops near most moorings around Milton Keynes.

Thanks Tony. On that thought, I bought and fitted new batteries. Still getting odd readings. 15 volts from back of alternator and at bank. Have cross checked using three different meters with same result but only have one clamp meter. At bank; range of 1.14 to 2.16 amps on neg cable; -0.5 to 0.46 amps on pos cable At alternator; 0.20 amps on neg cable; -0.14 amps on pos cable at the alternator, when I read the pos cable, no matter which way round I clamped it, I got a negative reading. Considering getting a sparks to look things over and/or taking the alternator off and letting Ken Cox & Co have a play with it.

I usually have to pay extra for the birch treatment Having fully charged the bank via the landline, when the engine was started, I got the following readings from the correct cables: Engine: 1600 rpm Alternator: 15v, +ve 0.53amps, -ve 0.99amps Battery bank: 15v, +ve 0.68amps, -ve 0.85amps. A marine engine electrician of some repute suggested that the voltage may well be just within an acceptable range, providing the amps are low. I don't want to but it may be prudent to demount the alternator again and have it checked in greater detail to see if these results can be replicated on a bench test.

Thanks for that thought. I confirm that the cable being read is in the centre of the clamp-meter and not in the jaws. However, I had a "light-bulb" moment this morning. I balanced the bank a few years ago, so the +ve & -ve feeds are at opposite ends. I have been reading the -ve from the wrong end. Shame and embarrassment , should have checked more closely. I am a complete and utter cretinous numpty and must do better. I've put the charger on to top the bank up and tomorrow I'll check the alternator output again, with the bank fully charged, the clamp meter on the right cables, (one at a time), the right way round anda post the results.

Thanks for that. I agree with Loafer's comment and need to get this sorted before a battery redistributes itself around the engine 'ole. I caught more than one wire in the clamp on the neg but unclamped it. Maybe I didn't reset the meter properly. I'll try again tomorrow and post the results. Should the readings from positive & negative be the same, regardless of whether taken from the back of the alternator or the battery bank?

I have returned from an enforced absence, (not at HM pleasure, honest) and have now let the domestic bank discharge a bit. Situation is as follows: Batts left off shoreline charge for 3 days. Reading 12.9v. Discharged to 12.6v. Engine run @ 1600rpm Alternator readings 14.4v; 4 amp on +ve lead, 0.2 amp on -ve lead. Bank readings 14.4v, 1.8 amp on +ve, 1.0 amp in -ve. After six hours cruising: Engine rpm 1000 Alternator readings 15.2v 0.5 amp +ve, 0.2 amp -ve Bank readings 15.2v 0.8 amp +ve, 0.25 amp -ve. I suspect that this may be a problem with something in the alternator, not picked up on the automotive bench test last October. Any other thoughts please?

Agreed. Pleased with mine overall. Some blind spots, often in unexpected locations but sure beats trying to line a dish up through trees, hedges, building etc.

If you go for a commercial dehumidifier, made certain that it will fit through the doorway. I nearly got caught this way a couple of years ago. Was only when I saw the size of an industrial strength one that I realised!

Road Traffic Act 1988 S192(1) defines road as "any highway and any other road to which the public has access and includes bridges over which a road passes." The Highway Code says that it is important to note that references to "road" generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land, including many car parks. No mention of waterways or boats. So the definitive answer to the OOP is no, the RTA does not cover waterways.

Yes, so long as it isn't a Brazilian puff brush.............

I had a hydraulic BT. I never used it when going ahead because it adds nothing to the turning effect of the tiller & prop. The controls were adjacent to the throttle and I only used it when reversing, ('cos it made keeping in a straight line and cornering very easy). A couple of years ago the tube leaked, so I had the ends capped. Haven't missed it.

Thanks Pete, I'll be looking further when I return. Bob.