floydraser

Bless me Forum for I have embarrassed myself within your catchment area.... Nipped in to Brian Ward's this morning (Saturday) for some Odourlos poo tank treatment. There were no cars outside and I wasn't sure where to park so I went on the Yare car park where I have parked many times before. I met Nick and told him he was recommended by this forum and quite rightly so; I was impressed with the place and will be returning, only I'll park outside the door next time.... While in the area I thought I would nip in to Brooms and see where the service point is (hard to see from the pub) just to familiarise myself for the future. So I drove out of the Yare car park, straight over one of those yellow concrete bollards. No damage to the car and no one around so I would have got away with it but.. the Corsa is front wheel drive and the NSF wheel was clear of the ground! I tried pushing it but to no avail. Somewhere else on the forum there was a discussion about car's spare wheels and lack of them, and my Corsa has no spare and no jack. I did find the towing eye though and screwed it into the socket and sat down to call the AA. At that moment a guy from NYA came along in his 4x4 truck and I waved as he must have thinking, "Look at that..." He stopped and although he had a tow rope, we manged to shove it back off the bollard with brute force and ignorance. Thankfully the bollards are not set in the ground. A public thank you to the guy from NYA, I didn't get his name as I was too busy mentally beating myself up. Am I the first person to do this? Didn't think so.

Just popped in to see who had turned 60 and it's my neighbour, Psychic! Well done mate. Welcome to the "Some things are free but not always what you need" club. Forget the bus pass; if you haven't already got one you'll probably never have one. I won't due to the curse of 1957: At 15 I was looking forward to getting a motorbike on my next birthday when they changed the law, and I could only have a moped. At 24 I was looking forward to cheap car insurance at 25, when that was abolished. At 49 I heard Tony Blair announce: "Anyone under 50 will probably have to work until they're 70". At the moment I'm due to get my bus pass at 67 which will be January 2024. So my prediction is that bus passes will be history by the Autumn of 2023 at the latest. Use the test kit; it could save your life. Last March I failed the test. I'll spare everyone the details here but I'm happy to report the result of the process showed no sign of the dreaded BC. Not only that, they'll keep an even closer eye on me from now on.

This got me thinking and in the pdf it says an additional expansion tank MAY be fitted. On the other hand, Surecal insist the expansion tank is essential. So it's my conclusion that fitting an expansion tank is highly recommended and not fitting one probably only worth the risk with a S/S calorifier. In the interest of doing a decent job as I stated earlier, I have decided to go with Surecal's calorifier along with their expansion tank. Thanks again for all the contributions, it will inevitably, be recorded for posterity in due course. But the next video will be of the items for sale as a result of the new bits. Floyd.

That's very helpful and informative thank you.

They come up on the second hand market and other places so I was wondering if it's possible to get one too big? ASAP recommend one of 8% of calorifier capacity.

This is interesting: https://www.asap-supplies.com/hotpot-accumulator-and-expansion-tank-520602 I wasn't expecting the expansion tank to be so pricey. I've seen cheaper ones around but I see differences in the max pressure and operating pressure. I've also seen some marked as being for central heating systems only, with inhibitors added. So am I right in thinking the expansion tank has to be for potable water? And does the operating pressure make a difference? The blurb for the Hotpot above mentions 12-13psi, isn't that 1 bar ish?

I think I may need it. But the price already shows 15% off, would there be more? I've almost decided to go the copper route anyway, I'll just never let Timothy West helm the boat and it should be OK. ASAP have some excellent information in the form of videos and pdf's on their website and it looks like I'll need an expansion tank as well. I already have an accumulator. Still, I'm taking swmbo to Cheshire Oaks this weekend so funds should be available after then. I'll be advertising the gas water heater and a 240 volt fridge around here soon.

Well firstly a big thank you for all the worthy contributions, and the frivolous ones! It's all looking good: I spoke to a highly respected Engineer today (with no reference to the forum) who has a lot of experience of these things and he reflected all the opinions expressed here on the forum. So it's SS for strength and copper for anti bug qualities. He also mentioned that the trend in hospitals is to replace SS door plates with copper, and some industrial calorifiers are SS with a copper lining. I only have one mixer tap and I think the thermo link would add a bit of control? A PO has already fitted an Alde bubble tester next to the gas bottles in the locker, and as soon as I've learned to read in Swedish, I'll be able to use it. What do you mean, “Turn the instruction sheet over.”? Oh yes. However, an old gas pipe to a previous fridge is capped with a flattened pipe with the end soldered! My Brother in Law, seen at the helm in one of my videos, is a retired gas fitter and has taught me enough over the years for me to do all my own plumbing. But not gas; it frightens the sh*t out of me. I get Rob to check everything gas; I find water leaks far easier to spot. Here are the competitors: https://www.brianwards.co.uk/product/15-litre-calorifier/?highlight=calorifier https://www.asap-supplies.com/domestic-water-supply/calorifiers-water-heaters-fittings/calorifiers/supa-hotpot-single-coil-calorifier-520115 15 litres big enough? The heater in our touring caravan is 13 litres and we've never found it inadequate. Floyd.

I am thinking about replacing the gas water heater with a calorifier which brought about the following contest: In the blue corner weighing in with a good reputation on this forum, is ASAP with their copper calorifier including thermostatic link. And over in the red corner is Brian Ward with a similar weigh-in and his stainless steel jobby, thermo valve extra. On paper (money) it’s a pretty even match and the only way I can separate them is by the fact that one of them is next to a pub. I would like to end up having done a decent job and added to the desirability and practicality of the boat. I want a clean fight, stay above the belt and no head clashes. Ding ding! The Cointra gas water heater was fitted for livaboard purposes by a PO with a daft looking chimney just where you don't want to see it (the boat has the chimney, not the PO). I've got the safety ticket due next year but even so, I would feel better if I stripped out the old gas piping from ex-fridges etc. and just had a straight run to the cooker. Unless someone can convince me otherwise? Floyd.

Me too, I particularly get annoyed with the profiteering and I'm afraid it'll become the trend in the aftermath of environmental protests. The difference in the toll rises (1% vs 2.9%) reflects the approach that business will take to "tackling" climate change/pollution; whack up prices for the consumer and claim to be doing something. The BA's justification is more than a little ambiguous. They have made the statement that they have the trendy view of disliking the internal combustion engine, so what, in the long term do they want and in practical terms, what do they expect? In my view none of us are going to rush out and change our propulsion systems, so the BA will enjoy the extra cash. I wonder if it will follow that powered craft will become less desirable - more hulks - less income? I remember when diesel was cheaper than petrol until John (two jags) Prescot came along and increased the duty because of "revelations" about particulates. Probably where the BA got the idea but I'm not sure they thought it through. It is my view that a substantial contribution to the environmental cause could be acheived by educating us all in better use of everyday resources. Remember when you had a bottle of Fairy Liquid and a tin of Vim? And that was all you had in the house to clean everything. I've just counted the plastic bottles under the kitchen sink, Greta Thunberg would have me shot!

I have witnessed this: 24th December a few years ago, Asda Peterborough, a lady is at the deli counter loudly stating her case to a young operative. "What do you mean, you have no pork pies left! Where am I supposed to get pork pies at 4 'o clock on Christmas Eve!?" I was tempted to tell her.

When I started looking at boats it seemed that the "normal" way to go about it was to have a professional survey done, followed by a test, followed by haggling. No, I didn't either! But your confession above would seem to put a lot of value in taking someone along who has the experience to evaluate an engine properly. This could save you a lot of cash in the long run in that you may get an old engine that doesn't acually need to be rebuilt. If it does look and sound a bit ropey your expert should be able to help you haggle the price down, thus offsetting some of the cost. And don't forget the gearbox.

Thanks for that John. I won't chuck the present chargers away too quickly then!

So to carry on then... The top poo pipe wasn't blocked after all, but there was stuff in it! Liquid stuff. Luckily the bungs I made did their job and there was no mess. The removed pipes (waste and rinse) were coiled and bagged twice for the journey home. Actually the new 5 litre bottle of polyester resin stinks more than the poo pipe and has to stay on deck! It's a lot more comfortable onboard at night now with the new saloon lights although I still cheat at the local Travelodge. And I wish that were half as filthy as it sounds. This happened again last Saturday night. On Sunday my Brother in Law came over and I was very grateful for the extra pair of hands. The 9 metre length of new pipe was coiled and cold, so when I removed cling wrap it just stayed coiled. Should have done it in the summer? This snake did not want to go through the bulkheads and under the upholstery! It was a bit more tame after I had shortened it to 4 and 5 metres but the hard work had been done by then. The 4 metres was for the “clean” bit for the pump out and the 5 metres for the mucky bit from pan to tank. You can only suggest I should have cut it first if you have NEVER cut anything the wrong size! During these operations I found that I can move the tank by hand so there's not much of anything in it, thank Goodness. I also managed to fit a couple of the plywood closing panels on the outside where I had removed rotten stuff. There was nearly quite a gathering of forumites in Brundall on Sunday! I had arranged to meet Old Berkshire Boy at the Yare to look at a cooker and fridge he has up for grabs, and while we were stood standing there London Rascal happened by. OBB introduced us but why do you always meet people when you are unshaven and scruffy? Strange they didn't hang around much after I told them I'd just changed the poo pipe? But while I was round there JanetAnne came round to the Gardens but missed me. Shame, but nice to meet OBB and LR, maybe next time for JA. The work continues, but slowly....

As promised here's some further info. I know I said Monday but it's still nearly Monday isn't it? Sorry I'm late. Further info to that in the video: Previous owners of the Owl have been pushing her towards liveaboard use, hence the mains fridge and domestic cooker. I want to bring it back towards floating caravan/practical cruiser kind of use. It's perfectly usable as it is and none of this urgent, I'm just trying to plan ahead. The video shows the present fridge in it's place and the space measures 52cm wide, 66cm high and 55cm deep. I also found the engine drives two fairly new looking alternators although I didn't check the output of them. The vetus charger: https://www.vetus.com/en/electricity-on-board/battery-chargers/battery-charger-12v-9899.html What does the team think?

This reminds me of when I used to drive artics for a famous pocket-slapping supermarket chain and occeasionally had to collect 24 pallets from BSC, Bury. One time I was being loaded I noticed the lorry in the next bay being loaded with a product called, "I can't believe it's not sugar". I couldn't stop smiling, thinking, "I can't either; this is a sugar factory!" The product didn't last I think; maybe someone blabbed. Another back load was cream cakes from a remote place near Worcester. You just had to ask, "Any spares mate?" and usually, when checking the load before sealing, there would be quite a few Tesco labelled cakes on the rear. I presume Tesco drivers went away with Asda cakes.

Well a big thanks for all the replies here! I'm sure I ticked the "notify me of replies" box but checking my email during the day made me think no-one loved me any more. The votes seem to be stacking up for 12 volt but the jury can stay out for a bit as plans proceed. I think I should share a bit more information about what the set up is currently so I'll put it on hold until Monday. I'm going over to the Owl on Sunday and I'll do a short video of the batteries, chargers and stuff, and check the model numbers; there is an inverter already on board but the manual I have covers 10 models from 150w to 1500w. It works but trips out when the fridge starts so it's probably well under the required power output. Thanks again, I'll report back here on Monday. OBB - pm sent

Firstly, apologies if I'm in the wrong area and further apologies for bringing up an old chestnut. My excuses start with the fact that I have searched around the boaty forums and I get the impression the information available is relatively old in relation to modern movements in prices and technology. The Denham Owl currently has a mains 66lt Logik fridge which came with the boat. Not a problem while we're on shore power until next year when we want to cruise further than the length of the cable. If anyone suggests a longer cable I'll chuck 'em in! I want to fit a fridge of a more practical size as part of a major electrical revamp - new consumer unit, 12v fuse boards, control panel etc. and I know it'll hurt me in the wallet. However, the difference costwise between a 12v fridge and a mains + inverter fridge doesn't appear to be great so I'm torn between the two. In particular, I wonder if an inverter would run other mains appliances at the same time? I would be interested in other's experiences. Thanks in anticipation, I'll be over on Sunday to fit a new poo pipe. Floyd.

http://www.multicell.co.uk/ These people know their stuff and I wouldn't go anywhere else. Easy for me to say because I could walk to their head office in 10 minutes from home! But they do have a branch in Norwich. I don't know how the prices compare but I've never had a dud from them. Floyd.

I need to buy something for the Denham Owl but after reading this lot I'm too scared to go in the place; goodness only knows what I might come out with! I'm all for nipping next door for the sustenance though. I've often thought about putting my name on the waiting list for the job of operating the level crossing. They give you your own little hut, some of the brightest trousers known to man and all you have to do is open the gate whenever the fancy takes you. I think I would enjoy the feeling of authority.

I'll third that (if there is such a thing?) and add that East Anglians are just about the friendliest people on this island in my experience.

This'll be great. We love Italian so we'll have a choice from the Gardens: a short walk to the Italian or a longer, healthier walk to the Yare. I guess we'll just have to do both. No, not on the same walk!

Thanks again. I've actually seen that before but it's amazing that every time I look at that page I see something "new". I'm sure mine started life as a Caterina but this time I've spotted a wash hand basin in the rear cabin. I recently found blocked off hot and cold water pipes heading towards the rear but assumed they went to the rear toilet compartment.

Thanks for that Graham. Knowing my luck, this'll be the one! Here's an old pic of her taken at Bowling, on the Forth & Clyde Canal where I found her; the evidence shows she must have been in Yarmouth for a period of time. I wonder if she would have had the rail and full davits back then.

Ricko. I would be interested in looking at that covering. I'll pm you next week. Currently aboard, finger typing on the phone! Regulo. I was going to do just that because it seems the obvious thing to, then I thought about it a bit more: I'm not sure it's blocked but it feels like it and if it is, it could cost me a pump out for nothing. Then when I remove it, it'll be wet. As it is, it's been untouched for at least 2 years and should therefore by dry. I hope! The new pipe will guarantee a good pump out and have a good slope to drain back to the tank. The present one has sagged, hence the suspected blockage.