Recent content by david42

Thanks for all the help on the old batteries and chargers. I'm going to replace both batteries and the charger. First off is the batteries and I'm trying to size them. The easy option would be to swap the batteries like for like - ie get some new ones from Halfords (650A @ 30 secs, 130 mins @25...

I've just realised how dumb that last post sounds.

The batteries were sizzling but the electrolyte levels were still up, is the heat and sizzling still a sign that they're overcharging?

Take Five has a simple set up with 2 x 12v batteries and a three position switch. The battery charging on shore power is via a domestic battery charger. I left the shore power disconnected for a few weeks over the winter and both batteries went flat. I topped them up with deionised water last...

I'm looking for a cradle for a 30' fin keeler, 10' 6" beam and 6' draft. Either needs to be easily transported or near to East Sussex. David

Re: Multi meter results and melted wiring Thanks Will I think I've decided that the best bet is to get an electrical engineer on the boat for an hour or so and get him to check the system out with me watching and (hopefully) learning. David

Multi meter results and melted wiring The melted insulation was the result of some idiot (me) routing the wiring over the exhaust when he put the new instruments in last winter! I've just come back from repairing all of the damaged wiring and running a multimeter over things - a £5 diigital one...

Thanks Benbow - I'm just off to get a meter and then down to the boat to check it out - I guess I need a volt meter and an ammeter - or a multimeter maybe. I've just realised that the insulation on the wiring between the masthead sensor and the wind instrument is damaged (melted) so I'm...

This season has been a hard learning curve on Take Five, it's been our firsdt full season together and I've spent almost all of it discovering her weak points. So I went down for a sail yesterday and found both batteries completely flat - couldn't even get off the pontoon. I was surprised that...

Hi Send me a picture, it sounds interesting. David

I'm looking for a paraffin cabin heater, Blakes Lavac Taylor type preferably but anything considered. David

Thanks for the link - it looks really helpful.

Thanks Dave, that helps a lot. I esoecially, like the idea of the nappy. David

I need to bleed my Yanmar because a certain marine engineer left the fuel tap turned off at the tank recently (I know I should have checked before I ran the engine but I assumed that he'd leave it 'repaired and ready to go' - my mistake). My question is - do I just need to bleed it at the...

I flatted down the precoat, used a 50/50 precoat/toplac coat and then 2 coats of Toplac. I put the gloss on with a small foam roller followed immediately (and very gently) with one of those foam pad brushes to smooth off the bubbles. Looks great. David