annv

Hi most sinks are household size they have a large drain hole which requires a fitting to fit which has a grid in it, the easiest way is to fit a house hold one ie a u bend. They dont make a hose fitting with a grid that will fit a large house hold hole. Hence a u bend. John

I have always used a Broker he then has the expertise to get me value for money. £17=00 increase on our fully comp Accord this year. John

Hi Wooster If you drain/change the raw water in the boat there is no need to heat the engine during winter as there isn't any thing to left to freeze. So why do you need to heat it. When removing the screws on the impeller cover place a towel or similar to catch the screws if you drop them and use a perfect fitting screw driver to release the screws as they can easerly be damaged. If the impeller is a blue colour there is an argument that as it's made from neoprene you dont have to remove it to maintain it's integrity. I dont remove mine every year i just replace it when it starts to split. John

Hi Just to add why do you need all those heaters remember hot air rises and it wont stop condensation. I just drain down, flush raw water with antifreeze and as Vaughan did open drawers doors allowing air to circulate i have solar air vents in the roof with air vents front and rear at deck level so dont need to leave windows open. I only use electric while on mooring when we are there, we often just use the boat as a static caravan £25=00 last year, i have a solar panel to maintain battery's and secondary double glazing to stop widows condensing and electric under blanket's on the beds to warm up in winter before we go to bed along with a immersion heater for hot water. Keep it simple. John

Hi Wooster You wont seize or harm the engine by running it with the raw water valve/valves turned of as the engine cooling system is separate, and should have a 50/50 antifreeze mixture. Think car if you run your car engine then block/cover the radiator over it wont over heat immediately it will only overheat if left covered for quite some time. The same with your boat the raw water flow through the heat exchanger does the same as your air flow through the radiator of your car. how ever you do need to switch of immediately all the antifreeze mixture has disappeared from the raw water filter housing to prevent damage to the raw water impellor. Then as Vaughan said either remove the impeller and or tie it or a note to ignition key switch to remind you to replace the impellor AND open the hull valves before you (or perhaps someone else) uses the boat engine next. John

Hi Karizma it's good practice to grease all electrical terminals, if you dont have the correct grease (dont use ordinary grease) use Vaseline. this is the best way to connect your battery's. see diagram. John

Hi Wooster Just to add to Vaughan's comment if you have a temperature controlled shower taps, unscrew the controls to drain out the water otherwise they can be damaged if it gets cold enough, and close all hull valves, its also good to disconnect the battery leads if you dont have a battery maintainer . And can you guarantee the electric supply if relying on heaters. John

Hi Vaughan Yes i remember! it was 10p shilling coins that worked in place of marks in Germany, the joys of currency alignment. John

Just field mice, they get disturbed by harvest and as weather gets colder a boat is nice warm, dry and cover from predators, owls and such like. John

Bed bugs on boats are caused by mice, they climb/run up the mooring ropes, a easy check is to leave a small bar of kit Kat under a seat, then check to see if the foil gets nibbled. Very difficult to catch/trap as you need to check the trap very couple of days. John

Hi (OAT) antifreeze should only be used in newer engines ie Beta/Nanni Vauxhall's long life concentrate lasts 5 years or 150,000 miles £13=50 a lt.( makes two Lts) All older engines should use (IAT type) antifreezes. Antifreeze is a lubricant and corrosion inhibiter as well as a antifreeze and shouldn't be mixed. You should also use Deionized water or Rain water when diluting to 50/50% for best results. John

Hi Using FAME free fuel alleviates ad prevents much of the above perceived problems. John

How doe's a 13% increase in tolls equate to £200=00 a week increase in hire charges. John

Hi Keith To add to Grendel if a rigged panel leave a 2 inch gap on the under side between the roof and panel for cooling, you can get plastic mounts from caravan dealers that make a neat job of mounting them .And make sure you have a separate fused connection direct to live side of battery isolation switches, this will keep your battery's fully charged when moored John

Hi Mike Just had a thought you have attached the field wire to the correct terminal ! not the rev counter terminal. Just a thought. And have you checked the output voltage at the alternator terminal. John

Hi As it's not fully charging the battery's it's likely the alternator suggest you remove it unscrew the brush box and check for obverse faults (worn brushes) and/or take it to a Auto electrician to get it checked out, it might only need a new brush box. John

Hi Craig you could consider a portable fridge they run off a cigarette socket. we have one for the car dosn't have a freezer compartment but if you only sail for short periods !. this may suit you and be cheaper too and not need plumbing. John

My brother had a skip delivered to the verge in front of his house on the Friday to replace his roof over the weekend only to wake up on the Saturday morning to find it full. Nobody heard or saw anything, this meant no work over the weekend until skip emptied on Monday. skip man said this was not unusual and to sheet it over next time. John

They are often caused by lithium battery's, they dont like damp and react with water and high temperatures. John

Hi Phenics If mud weighting you will need one at each end to stop you swinging round. John

Hi I can only endorse what Chris-B said. dos it have outdrives or props? both can be used singly to save fuel, which engine charges the domestic battery bank?. John

Hi Photo electronics' are as good as any, dont know of a solar panel constructor. Get a larger controller than you need, you can then increase your size later. also get a three outlet one for same reason. You could get a suitcase solar panel to increase your power when you are on board. I have a 100w panel fixed to the roof this keeps all my battery's fully charged when not there , then when on board i have a 150w fold up panel for extra power when wild moored. John

The only really accurate test is to disconnect all the battery's then check each cell with a hydrometer! Only really practicably once a year, But accurate. checking each battery's voltage when disconnected is next best way. It also depends if your battery's are connected correctly in the right order with clean greased connections .John

The only really accurate test is to disconnect all the battery's then check each cell with a hydrometer! Only really practicably once a year, But accurate. checking each battery's voltage when disconnected is next best way. John

Hi Grendel Why not wire the next outlet to domestic battery's?, it will then keep all the battery's charged. John