Phew...

Just got back from a 'Weekend doing up the boat'  

Fitted the new Pioneer Radio/ CD, which, unlike the old Radio/ Cassette, has a hard wired Remote control which needed fitting.

Removed the recalcitrant Propex heater, couldn't get the fucking thing to work, although a fag lighter showed it WAS getting gas through, but not igniting. I'll send it back to Propex who will relieve me of £180  

Sorted a loose deck fitting which was dripping water onto the port berth/ shelf, easy enough for two, but a double sided job, so used a wedged screwdriver!

Polished the topside. Now I have a genny and a machine polisher, but that didn't work, so it was done by hand, and didn't look quite as lush as it would have, and my arms are falling off  

Finally, repainted the mast, strakes and bathing platform with Teak coloured varnish to smarten it up. The strakes were done a bit quickly, but they look fine from twenty feet away  

Sorted some of the endless list too, so she's ready for the TVR, although the heating would be nice if they turn it around fast enough  

I pulled the flexible fuel tank out of "Carli" today. The access panel is about the size of a shoebox!

The old tank literally smells!

Looks like I might have to go with a Plastimo 120 litre flexible tank.... fitting a solid one will need a lot of rebuilding up front, and will also be a smaller capacity.

After that we went for a quick cruise up and down the river and then changed the engine oil.

I'm probably lucky that previous owners have fitted S/S fuel tank, new Calorifier, new soft Water bag in the bows, and a new electrical system in recent years!

It's taught me how complex Boats can be, even when they are simple and old fashioned  :/

The Flexible Plastimo water tank fitted a dream in the bow where the original flexible tank was.  Sure its a very tight fit to get it all through the shoebox size access hole.  But it went in ok.

Fitted one of those Maxview Gazelle aerials to the roof last week. Got a flat screen digital telly in the boat and it can pick up all the digital channels with very little problem at all.  Very impressed at £79.  I've heard all sorts of reports about omnidirectional aerials. Not all good.

My boat number label isn't on my boat anymore. Had a good hunt for it today.  
The boats had new Carpet fitted this year The heads have now been completely redecorated so now I can have a number two in a nice light coloured cupboard    

--Last edited by flashheart on 2008-04-21 07:24:05 --

We have a clever electrical system with a diode splitter & alternator controller which was fitted by a previous owner to power the electric fridge (Euroengel). Works very well. They also installed a shower and shower tray in the heads. No redecoration though! That would also be when the calorifier went in.

I have an immersion heater to fit to the calorifier when time permits.

We have found the Status omnidirectional aerial works better with digital than with analogue.

Yes, found that with my aerial. Better with digital than analogue.

Where's your fridge fitted? Getting tired of the electric coolbox putting to much of a drain on the battery for very little cooling results.  

--Last edited by flashheart on 2008-04-21 07:28:10 --

You can just see the door in this picture. It is under the seat by the wardrobe. I think they modified the step to allow the door to open. It is a Euroengel compressor type fridge which works very well and uses less power than absorbtion type or Peltier type cooling. It does have a 240v flex, but I have not tried it on mains! No idea of cost I am afraid.

You still need an upgraded dc system to run it though!

We have a 110 AH battery just for the engine and two 110AH batteries for domestic/everything else.  

We have a 120 amp splitting diode, a 70amp alternator and an alternator controller. These were fitted in 2004 at a cost (for the kit) of £445. (This does not include fitting!).

The supplier was Ampower services http://www.ampower-services.co.uk/

They are very helpful people! They are part of Rose Narrowboats who do Narrowboat hire. Narrowboats tend to have very clever electrical systems including 240v mains for liveaboards to run their washing machines !!

Cheers for that! Very helpful and will have a look at the site now. I've just got a couple of 110 Ah batteries and not too sure about the alternator as to whether any previous owners have been kind enough to spend the money before me. Sods law says they haven't though  

The alternator is a Lucas A127 (used on Ford Transits and Land-Rovers amongst others).

The alternator controller makes the alternator output suitable for charging the battery banks. If you install the diode charge splitter without one the batteries will not charge fully.

The only modification to the alternator is a green wire running to the brush box. Ampower will sell you a ready modified brushbox to fit to your A127 alternator (about £30), or you can DIY.

Here is the info leaflet from Ampower.




I saw some fridges like mine in the chandlers today. They are made by Waeco and cost around £400 to £500.

   

Ebay, and a second hand Caravan fridge might be a good move.

They do three way versions, 12V/ 240V/ Gas.

Just a thought, I have had a few in Campers etc, and they work well.

The trouble with Absorbtion type fridges as used in Caravans is that they draw about 8amps on 12v dc. They are also uncontrolled ie no thermostat on 12v and will take 8 to 12 hours to chill down.

You will not allowed to run one on gas by the Boat Safety scheme.

I have an Electrolux absorbtion type fridge in my caravan. Its ok on gas or 240 volts, but takes far longer to cool than a compressor fridge.  :/

This portable unit from Waeco would work well on a boat though

look up 280218345496 on e-bay.co.uk on buy it now for £267.50.

NB avoid Absorbtion type, thermo-electric or Peltier type fridges.

They all draw too much current.

Well looky here,

Engel 47 litre build in fridge from force 4 chandlery £299.95.

http://www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/6069/groupID/3/categoryID/29/v/0dce0bfb-cdf4-4e84-8f4c-61a72293e357

 

Now that seems a bl*$dy good price to me. Will insert my credit card on the grill to pre heat it ready  

Can use the fridge to cool  it down again afterwards.

Many thanks again for all the info. Will help me sort it out once and for all, but now i'm torn between the portable compressor one on ebay or the fitted one on Force 4