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Ray
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Posts posted by Ray
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I find this sort of thing very interesting, I've wondered in the past why it is that using a car's aircon decreases mpg achieved... I think I have my answer 👍
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It would save a few bob that's for sure!
I think I'll experiment a bit more with our gas cooker on our next few trips before deciding!
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Having just got my gas grill working perfectly by changing the thermocouple (thanks to advice from forum members) Perhaps my thinking should come full circle and wonder if I really need an inverter at all 🙂
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I need to check more carefully whether I need such a high capacity inverter. It is going to be for the sole use of the galley and I want to be able to use a toaster, a kettle and a microwave... specifically one at a time. Perhaps a 1kw inverter would be adequate, it certainly seems to be a less complicated installation.
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That's a nice looking job 👍
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I wonder if splitting off the 2 port side domestic batteries as a discrete system just for the inverter would work. A decent pair of solar panels may be enough to keep them topped up? A second alternator is an option I hadn't thought of.
It is beginning to sound like a job that's a bit too complex for my level of experience!
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Thanks Vaughan, the 2 sets of domestic batteries are connected, this setup came with the boat so I can only guess that a previous owner wanted/needed plenty of 12v capacity?
I'm definitely feeling cautious about the water/electricity mix and have to bear in mind my ability to access everything given my size lol
As for the microwave, I believe you're right. Whether or not I fit it I was planning on a 1.5 or 2 kw inverter.
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Thanks Peter, I can now go back to the boat armed with your answer and get an idea where and how the installation would go. Then I'll have a clearer idea about whether I'm confident that I can do it properly (or not!)
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So many questions lol
Having successfully completed a few jobs that I would previously have paid to have done, thanks to advice from forum members, I'm looking into a DIY inverter installation. From the outset I am aware of safety issues and won't do it if strongly advised not to.
Below is an image of the various components of my current system, labelled to the best of my knowledge. In addition there is a galvanic isolater between the shore-power input and the consumer unit.
The questions if any of you have the time and don't mind 🙂
1. Where in this setup should the inverter be placed?
2. Where or how do you safely earth it on a boat.
3. Can the 240v output be directed to the same domestic sockets as the shore-power uses
4. I can't find where the existing solar panels enter the system or know if they even work. I'd upgrade them if I proceed.
5. The most important question... if undertaken with care after seeking advice is it a job a layman can undertake or is the only sensible course to get it done professionally.
Thanks for any advice 👍
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Strangest thing happened today. I went to the boat with two "10 minute jobs" to do.... and each one took about 10 minutes!
Never seen anything like it!
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Enjoyed your write up very much, coincidentally I only discovered. the path between the sugar factory and the river on our last trip a few weeks ago. It's a nice walk and good for us dog owners as, when we went, the walk in the other direction was a bit tricky for our dog where the ground had dried and cracked leaving dog paw sized 'traps'
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Very nice work, I've always had first class work from Rob and his guys 👍
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It's never been a cheap holiday or hobby I guess. Boat owners will hold on as long as they can if times get hard because it's a passion but if needs must some may sell, but it wouldn't be a good market.
On the other hand a year is a long time when things are volatile and the world and it's economy may be in a better place.
It's anyone's guess how some major "situations" are going to play out and some speculation may drift into the dreaded political sphere so I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hang on to my boat no matter what 👍
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Wow, like a firework then I guess!
(Edit ^ misspent youth)
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Will there be a Marine Investigation for this sort of incident or is that only for accidents? Either way I'm pretty sure the insurers will want to know what happened!
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Welcome, many happy hours afloat lie ahead 👍
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4 hours ago, Hylander said:
I am not very good at this but here goes.... Just had a week on Jade from Ferry Marina.
Jade - Never a Dull Moment.
We picked up Jade from Ferry Marina about 1.30. After a quick run through we were on our way. We decided to go down river and see what moorings were available. We popped down to South Walsham but everything nose to tail down there and so came back up and low and behold the end mooring was available next to the work boat at St Bennetts. We quickly tied up , there was a day boat in front of us, we knew they would not be there for long. Nice people except the chaps decided to get out there fishing rods. Hubby in conversation said oh dear this is the closed season; they all laughed and said we are only fun fishing. We left it there, they were soon off and we moved up towards the working boat.
Not 5 minutes later, a chap is rapping on the window and yelling something, so we flew out, a snake he shouts, on your boat, flaming norah, we have only been here 5 minutes. It was duly dispatched back into the river.
We settled down to unpacking as you do and had a cuppa. Finished unpacking and got out the wine. Sitting there minding our own as per, when we looked up and one of these drones was at the side of the boat looking into the boat. Hubby was furious. It soon went. We never saw it again. What a cheek.
All was relatively peaceful until about 9 o’clock when we could hear two boats approaching from the stern , one passed very close to us on the wrong side of the river and a small Woodie was tootling along on the other side , where he should be. Dancing Light flew passed us all and we all bounced up and down as you can imagine, when all of a sudden he totally lost control of the boat, it started to fish tail dramatically and almost went back on itself when finally and thank goodness he avoided the little Woodie (not sure if he , the woody, even realised what had happened) it smashed into the opposite bank. Someone came out of the boat and eventually they pushed themselves off and off they went. You do wonder if someone had been taken ill but obviously this was not so thank goodness. We did happen to come across this HW boat again , again passing boats at full speed.
No, the entertainment was not over and bearing in mind the day was nearing end of time for boating, at 9.30 another HW boat , a really lovely boat arrived. They went down to S Walsham and came back up and decided he would moor into the tree beyond the work boat. People did come out to help him but after faffing around for far too long and it was dusk by now, he decided to go off down the river towards the River Ant. We never saw him again, a few moments later and it was dark. Why do people leave it so late. I still wonder if they were ok.
The next morning we had a front seat watching a pair of Otters playing at the mouth of river opposite. They were so close.
Soon after a good breakfast it was down to Stracey to give the boat a run. To our delight we saw a pair of Bitterns. I did wonder what they were at first but they were Bitterns. I like Stracey, you can always get a mooring, the shop is handy and of course there is water. The people who run the shop are lovely , as are the animals. We walked down to pay our fee of £6 for the night but they do walk up if you are unable to walk to the shop.
Jade – the boat. Absolutely excellent in everyway shape and form. There are only the two of us and we had a bedroom and bathroom each. When you are getting on in your late 70s this is perfect. The galley was well appointed although I do take everything with me, including cutlery, utensils, fry pan, sharp knives and even our own pasta plates. However, there was a proper knife block with scissors which was very useful. All the pans were stainless steel including a fry pan with a glass lid. Plenty of pirex bowls with lids, sieve, in fact everything you need. There are dials are on the side of the helm telling of the state of fuel, water, and each loo separately. The fridge was perfect. I was concerned about a small box for a freezer compartment but if I told you it took a whole garlic baguette straight in , it shows you how deep it was and it held loads. The fridge itself was very large. Steering was the best we have ever had and was positive along with the bow thruster.
The main cabin had a dressing table with a stool under plenty of power points. No wardrobe just some hooks. There is a warm cupboard for storage and a cupboard below. The bed was made up of two 2’6” beds so it was 5 foot and really long. There was storage under the bed. The second cabin had a similar bed. The en suite was easy to use. We did have a pump out at Ferry half way through the holiday. Plenty of mirrors in each cabin. Nice touch was a new air freshener in each en suite. The second cabin did have a wardrobe and plenty of shelf space and cupboard space also it had power points.
The main cabin had a huge sofa big enough for both of us to stretch our legs on. There is also a good size table and two extra folding chairs, which in the good weather (what’s that when it is at home) you could sit out on the bank on.
Mind you saying that we had some youngsters in a private boat arrived behind us at Womack. Despite it blowing a force 9 gale at the time and threatening heavy rain, they decamped out on to the wet grass, sat down on the grass and had a BBQ. Music blaring. Hubby did ask politely if they would turn the music down, at which point this bearded wonder shouted to him to F… Off. The girls were very polite but not this animal. Hubby said I did ask you nicely. What a waste of breath. I certainly would not want my daughter associating with a git like that. As the heavens opened they left, thank goodness.
We also did see another private boat go down to Womack with a crew of what I can only describe The Kardashians in their night club gear and the chaps naked to the waist, tattooed all over , looked like they were part of The Chippendales. I wondered if they were some kind of strip o gram. Cannot visualise many night clubs down at Womack. Perhaps someone knows better.
All in all we had a good week. We were amazed how many boats there were about which is at a non fishing time. Dread to think what it will be like when the fishing starts. We had some really good moorings with views down the river. Some of the nights were clear and the stars were amazing. My only regret it that I did not see an owl.
Finally I would like to thank Lia and Keith from Ferry Marina who were especially helpful to us yesterday on our return home a day early, Ferry Marina was busting at the seems and yet Keith came aboard and took us around the yard to the back of the Marina and found us a safe mooring with access to the car. It was much appreciated.
Well, you started by saying that you're not very good at this and then proceeded to prove yourself wrong 🙂 A lovely holiday tale, full of interest and wry humour... loved it! 👍
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Great photos as usual Malcolm! Our best wishes for next week as well.
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Days afloat: 1
Pubs visited: 1
Number of days worth of Bonio crumbs onboard: 7
44th Wedding Anniversaries: 1 (seems like a keeper but she's still on probation)
Trouble with wind: 1 boat 1 crew
Danni's Diner Review
As usual I didn't get to choose the venue and I do think that a day out, if planned properly, could include 2 refreshment breaks, Coffee and Cake (hold the coffee) and lunch, but what do I know!
You can't get the staff, but I digress...
The King's Arms, Ludham
🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗
Well as you know I love this place, in addition to great food anf friendly staff there is carpet to lay on... although I was the only one of our party to make use of this, who knows what's going on in their minds (if anything!)
The butler and maid choose ham, egg & chips and cod and chips with a couple of pints of that fizzy foreign beer (if you can call it that!)
Ham and cod both first class, the ambiance was classic pub. My people certainly know how to go all out when celebrating 🙄
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Yes, a brave man indeed. The church is lovely! It's a great place to live especially for dogs 👍
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Winterton on Sea, we retired here 5 years ago and love it! Only 15 minutes away from our boat at Potter too win/win 🙂
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On a lighter note mother nature just treated us to one of the best rainbows I've ever seen and bathed the church in a beautiful late evening shaft of light through the clouds. Both photos taken on my phone without leaving the house!
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1 hour ago, Lulu said:
Totally agree Helen. I love reading other people’s holiday tales. Everyone has a different style. Ray’s (sorry I mean Danni Dog’s) is a wonderful new addition. I must admit I havent posted our recent trips feeling its become a bit samey and dont want to bore people but I often look back on mine as its become a diary of lovely memories for me.
Danni thanks you but also said don't stop your blogs they aren't samey and your photos are great... I agree with Danni 😉
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Totally agree, lost my dad to prostate cancer sadly.
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Understanding Boat Electrics And Installing An Inverter
in Technical Questions and Answers
Posted
I agree, not only learned a lot but potentially saved a lot too.
Over the past year I've sorted out a recurring problem with the WC, identified the cause and rectified a lack of hot water and fixed a malfunctioning gas grill.. all thanks to the members of this forum!
Thank you all for your patience and generosity in sharing your knowledge and experience 👍