TeamElla

I have just sent this info to another Madeira owner, so here it is for anyone else with the same shower:- MIRA 8 Here's the full link to the bits that you need (if your shower is the same as ours):- http://showerdoc.co.uk/shower-spares/mira/mira-8.html Looking at the exploded view:- First you have to carefully prise the heat setting knob off - it just pushes on (front part of 916.92). Then a circlip must be removed to pull of the large black water flow control knob (rear of 916.92). Then you have to unscrew the cover (002.16) by rotating the nut which is part of the moulding. This exposes the innards. The service pack 935.16 includes "O" rings for the pistons, a large "O" ring for the cover, new horseshoe spring clips (that hold each piston in the yoke) and lubricating oil etc. This is all that I needed to repair our shower. , Steve p.s. I don't think that I have missed anything out

Handy site:- http://www.calor.co.uk/lpg-safety/using ... index.html EDIT:- Info on propane bottle storage is good. See "do's and don'ts" here:- http://www.calor.co.uk/downloads/lpg-sa ... aravan.pdf

Another vote for Propane. We originally had Butane and the flame on the gas hob's burners used to drop to about half it's height in a really cold mid-winter snap (although we never actually lost the flame). I swapped the cylinders to Propane, changed to a Propane regulator and since it has been good all year round. I could be wrong but my understanding is that Propane has to be stored at a higher pressure, hence the different regulator. I also understand that (shoreside) Butane bottles are allowed inside but Propane bottles have to be outside or in a suitably sited and externally vented locker (caravans always have the red Propane cylinders outside). For instance, shoreside you are NOT allowed to use Propane in one of those free standing gas heaters (that have the bottle inside a rear door) - it has to be Butane. So it could be argued that Propane is better in winter but Butane is the slightly safer option of the two, albeit with it's limitations as above. Steve

What has been going on around post 19? It looks like the authorities have been messing with the channel markers there since this file was produced (19 used to be bang on top of the post)!! Steve

thanks Brian

Hi Brian, Consider it done Steve

Thanks Jonzo. I have just tried it but I get an error message saying that files with kmz extensions are not allowed.... (I can email it wherever you like though)

I would like to share a Google Earth .kmz file that I made up quite some time ago with anyone that wants it. Short of posting it up somewhere else and providing a link to it, how can I make this available on the forum please?

That'a a tad low, but you don't have to go quite that far to find an "interesting" runway. Take a look at Jersey - I have not landed there myself but I believe that it has a sheer cliff at the end of the main runway.

Hi David, I've got to hand it to Mira. We could have bought the entire innards if necessary (instead of just the service kit). That's pretty good going for such an old piece of kit. Steve

Before you rip out that trusty old shower you may be interested in this:- We have a Mira shower that was fitted in the 70's and it's part of the "furniture," being recessed into the bulkhead. It started playing up after having little use last year and if at all possible I wanted to service it. I didn't really hold out much hope of obtaining a service kit. Oh ye of little faith - I was astounded to find exactly what I needed together with an exploded view of the innards (which helped me to positively our model number). It was all at this excellent Scottish company's website which caters for all makes and vintage of shower:- http://showerdoc.co.uk/index.html Give it a whirl Steve

My thoughts exactly Perry. The only thing that I could add to this is that it can get pretty dark on the Broads and some of us do like a bit of night time navigation. Spotlights / floodlights on the boat are essential anyway (if the boat is going to move in the dark) but a person in the water can be extremely hard to spot. We bought these too:- http://www.crewsaver.co.uk/Inflatable_L ... index.html Steve

Thanks also John, Your observations noted. We don't have a problem starting the engine, so there's no rush for us to check these (but I am concerned at how long they have remained undisturbed/unchecked). , Steve

Thanks Mark, Appreciate you taking the time to post it. At least I know what I'm dealing with now. , Steve

Hi all, Thanks for the advice. I don't know what these glow plugs look like when withdrawn (a picture would be appreciated if you have one). I imagine that the danger time is when the plug is clear of the thread but still supported within carbon build up around the element (so I'll be extra careful to keep it square until it's fully out of the head). All the best, Steve

Thanks John, I think that I'll regularly apply a tiny bit of Plus Gas throughout the season where the glow plug bodies meet the cylinder head and wait until the end of the season to try and remove them. (nothing like hedging your bets) , Steve

I hate the flippin 'orrible noise that bowthrusters make (but I want one). I would be prepared to put up with a reduction in efficiency compared with "standard" units if it was almost silent, so you can understand my interest in this:- http://www.willdo.eu/index.php?subject=178 Steve

Been wanting to do this for months now (on our BMC1500). Currently, I have been frightened off by warnings of an apparent (reported) danger of the tip of the glow plugs breaking off and falling into the cylinders when disturbed after years of neglect. My dilemma is that I have no idea when they were last removed (and we have owned Ella for 8 years now). I won't be touching them until I stand ready to take the cylinder head off if the worst happens. Am I being too cautious? Steve

It took a while for us to discover this thread. Simon you hooligan, what have you been up to? We can only try to imagine what you have been through and we're really glad to hear that you are on the mend. Here's hoping that you will transferred to the N&N soon to continue your recovery. Very best wishes to you, Susan and both your families. We're thinking of you all. Jo and Steve

And now to take this thread full circle, I've just received this from LeBoat:- http://www.leboat.co.uk/news/destinatio ... olk-Broads

Ah That explains why I hadn't seen it

Castlemoron? I didn't realise that you could also hire on the Lower Lot. I don't know how far away it is from Castlemoron, but the lock at Villeneuve-sur-Lot is 43ft deep!

Same place:-

Nice (park like) stopping spot with campsite. (It's not all steep sides upriver)

Mad fisherman