Recent content by pappaecho

Cleared a blocked diesel feed pipe ( diesel bug plug) using a car tyre pump, making up a series of size increases to fit the size of the hose. Pumped until it got to 18 psi, when it magically cleared back into the diesel tank. Least your will end up in the sea

My boat has twin Mermaid diesel which have done about 4000 hours. Port engine started cutting out, even when the pump was renewed. Suggestions about worn driver cam, but not worth pulling the engine to pieces. Fitted electric lift pump and never had any more problems. Added advantage, is for...

Bought a 10 amp two battery bank from Maplin 4 years ago Cuts off at 14.2 volts and charges until second bank reaches 14.2 volts and it then goes open circuit. I think I paid about £12 . Excellent

Running 2 x 65 inch computer PSU fans from servers, both installed in sliding windows, connected to an old 20watt solar panel. No controller needed, they run in sun, still wwork in light cloud, but not when it is raining. Keeps the damp away n the winter. BTW, a human beathes out 2 litres of...

At Hardway SC we have two camps.. for and against. I took the plunge with mixed results. Some areas of the hull were only covered with sslime, whilst others ares had both barnacles and weed. Told to cut it back with sander, which is what I did, with no apparent difference. On balance it is...

With 80 watt solar panel and 2 x 2 banks of 110 amp batteries, my Maplin controller works very well for the last 3 years. It works by sending power to the first most discharged bank first, and stops charging at 14 volts. I think it cost about £12 and is very well built

If you go via the cigar lighter socket route, dont trust them. Hardware witha decent fuse

I had a E32 for 10 years. Only slight weather helm, due to slightly raked mainmast. Used a Raymarine St 2000 on the tiller, and the boat sailed or motored well with any combination of sails, except downwind, when it could bea bit erratic on a run. Dropped the 15 x15 prop for a smaller 12 x12...

Be aware that most android tablets do not have preloaded maps. I was very impressed with my Google Nexus 7 in Eastern Turkey, which once it had a wifi signal loaded the map and was spot on, even in remote rural areas. So once map is loaded it can be used offline. Probably explains why the iPad...

Have got 600 amp battery banks, with a 80 watt solar panel, and a cheapish Maplin controller, which compares two different battery banks, and send charge to the most depleted. It cuts off at 14 volts. A very well made German unit, which I think cost about £10 four years ago. In winter the...

Decided for fender socks after failed to clean the fenders. Made a complete pigs ear of measuring the lengths, having ordered from Seaflow in Cradley Heath W Midlands Contacted them, sent them back, and received correct sizes by return, even though they were more expensive, refused to take the...

I had a similar problem over the winter on two 110 amp "Leisure" batteries. The bank would not hold its charge. Separated each battery and monitored the discharge rate. One was very bad. the other OK. Replaced the bad battery and now OK. I think that the bad battery was drawing current from the...

The problem with cutting acrylic is the heat build up which causes stress cracking. I used to make solar panels using acrylic sheet, which we cut with an unset circular saw blade. If you use a jigsaw use the slowest speed and if you can get an unset blade use it. Similar for a reciprocating saw

Flash point of petrol 28 degrees C. Flash point of diesel 57 degrees C. You will be fine

I took my old Fleetguard LF598 filter to the supplier along with the Mann filter which would not seal. There was 1.5 mm difference in height after it was "used" We also measured a new Fleetguard filter and it was about 2.5 mm higher than the used one. Fitted the new filter and then took it out...