Ratty69

Hi All Any advice/recommendations on where I can get my 60 x 10 widebeam blacked? Currently moored near Keynsham. Either a yard that would do it all for me or a dry dock and contact for someone who I could pay separately would be fantastic. thanks in advance :-)

Yes everything TBH they wouldn't be obvious to me as a new or old boater . Electrics aren't my thing (in case you hadn't guessed)

Got a neighbour to check with his clamp amp multi meter

Ok so first check shows 15amp with everything off so they are still charging

Nice analogy - I understand the premise so, what marker on the bucket should the water be sitting at to show me the batteries are fully charged? ;-)

So I've found and switched off the immersion (there was no timer switch and it wasn't labelled). Shore bollard says 5(45) amp. tocker switch is set to power saver auto and the "battery charger (shore power on)" light is on. the inverter alternates between fast charge or the fast charge light just blinks and my batteries are all fully charged showing 14.3 volts. All that's running on the boat currently is fridge, freezer. Tv on stand by and 1 socket charging my mobile. if the batteries are fully charged then why does it keep charging?

Having just had a hunt for the immersion heater (and yes I can hear you all sighing and saying "she doesn't know where it is?!") I've just discovered that the washing machine was switched on. Odd because I've never used it (but I have had 2 small boys on the boat for a day so possibly one of them was playing around) but I guess that could be a contributory factor. Yes I did try both shore breakers and both did the same. I'll see if the problem resolves itself now the washer is off. Numpty points 1 : Ratty 0 Thank you all for your advice you lovely lot :-)

Before I sign off to get some sleep here are a few pics as requested. Battery and shore power bollard to follow in the light of day ... All of the following are internal and yes I did switch from shore to domestic whilst cruising ... night night peeps :-)

Currently have a fridge, freezer (a luxury that I don't need so is soon to be gone), and a Tv on with no lights or anything else electrical running. None of which were problematic before now. As I'm not keen on crawling into the engine bay in the dark, I'll switch off the inverter for the night (I'll not sleep for worrying if I don't anyway). I take your point about a clamp meter and I'll get one toot suite together with finding someone to give me some basic tips on maintenance. I'm just particularly nervous when it comes to electrics - which isn't necessarily a bad thing is it? You're right, life's not so easy but I'm just at the bottom of that learning curve so, hopefully I'll start making my way up it in time. :-)

Hi All I'm Paula and have been living aboard my WB for about 6 weeks now. I'm slowly learning as I go and getting used to the basics that you don't even consider when you're on dry land. I've had random electrical problems, shared my bed with a dozen spiders (that I know of), have a daily chat with the local swans over my morning cuppa and occasionally do miss a bath to have a soak in ...: but I wouldn't change it :-) Apologies in advance for all the dumb questions I'm bound to ask and thanks to those patient souls who've helped me already :-)

Sorry - bad terminology. I mean it's on fast charge permanently. The inverter was (previously) silent but now sounds like a fan heater on full tilt!

Ok will post a pic in the am. i had no power to sockets - lights were ok but all sockets were dead

I guess switching the power off would be the best plan for the night? Concerned that the continuous charging could create other problems - damage to new batteries/inverter? Not to mention a big elec bill! Thanks for advice thus far guys - nice to know there are people out there willing to help :-)

I will check this in daylight and confirm ... had presumed (clearly wrongly) that all shore power would be the same

Apologies ... I'm prone to rambling so was trying to be concise ;-) Ta for the lesson - it's the MCB that's tripping (the "bollard"). Basically you all seem to be telling me that I've just spent £500 on batteries (as advised by 2 qualified bods) for no reason? Deep joy! :-(