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Post by Clinton Cool on Sept 5, 2021 10:15:02 GMT
Been quite cloudy this week, but I've not needed to run the engine at all since we arrived on Wednesday lunch time. Today we want showers so have to run the engine (even though batteries don't need it) and it's the first direct sunny day we've had... Sods law Rog You've got the panels, bravo! All you need now is a Morco or similar, you'll be able to end that infernal engine running for ever.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 10:36:00 GMT
I like the engine running ... it's a big part of what I like about boating. But since having the panel installed 12 days ago I've used the engine whilst moored only twice (hot water). Seven of the days I've not used the engine at all which will save on diesel and servicing. Have to accept everyone's advice was spot on, and the panel is excellent (if ugly) and will enhance our boating ... although due to ongoing work our cruising has been significantly reduced so that has perhaps exaggerated its significance. It is jolly pleasant getting up in a morning and going about our business without concern for the fridge Rog
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Post by Mr Stabby on Sept 5, 2021 10:44:37 GMT
I like the engine running ... it's a big part of what I like about boating. But since having the panel installed 12 days ago I've used the engine whilst moored only twice (hot water). Seven of the days I've not used the engine at all which will save on diesel and servicing. Have to accept everyone's advice was spot on, and the panel is excellent (if ugly) and will enhance our boating ... although due to ongoing work our cruising has been significantly reduced so that has perhaps exaggerated its significance. It is jolly pleasant getting up in a morning and going about our business without concern for the fridge Rog This pretty much mirrors my experience, I've massively cut down my engine use, only running it when I need hot water and even then heating water doesn't take as long as fully charging the batteries did. If I keep the engine running while I'm having a shower and for a short period thereafter the water is still just about tepid enough to have a shower the following day without running the engine.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 10:53:56 GMT
I put large solar panels on top of Dulcinea last year. They fit perfectly on the top of wheelhouse.
2x325w and 1x365w to separate 60ah Lithium battery banks.
Seems to work and means I can always have my electric outboard batteries charged up for the dinghy and other one is for the coolbox and sometimes the lights.
I know 60ah is a small bank but I use very little elec on the boat and daylight always returns the next day so no need to store much.
Hazy sunshine today the 750w array is putting out about 225w which is 16a into 12v. Not bad really and they are not very clean !
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Post by Trina on Sept 5, 2021 14:10:02 GMT
Lovely and sunny in Pershore.π The river is really quiet & has been since we got onto it last week.We were expecting to see lots of local plastics burbling around in the sun today,but not many at all.Also,today is the first day we haven't seen any paddle-boarders-so where have they all gone ?π€·π»ββοΈ
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Post by Clinton Cool on Sept 5, 2021 14:54:41 GMT
I like the engine running ... it's a big part of what I like about boating. But since having the panel installed 12 days ago I've used the engine whilst moored only twice (hot water). Seven of the days I've not used the engine at all which will save on diesel and servicing. Have to accept everyone's advice was spot on, and the panel is excellent (if ugly) and will enhance our boating ... although due to ongoing work our cruising has been significantly reduced so that has perhaps exaggerated its significance. It is jolly pleasant getting up in a morning and going about our business without concern for the fridge Rog It's all excellent until around the end of October when despair sets in, as some type of engine running becomes necessary again.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:13:06 GMT
The house and working 1 October but hope to be back January 2022. The project for next year is to have the old copper pipe, radiators and Alde boiler removed to be replaced by a system that : 1 heats the water speedily without engine running 2 heats radiators if desired without engine running 3 is not prohibitively expensive to install I seek advice on what system is best from you experts Rog
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Post by Clinton Cool on Sept 5, 2021 15:18:15 GMT
The house and working 1 October but hope to be back January 2022. The project for next year is to have the old copper pipe, radiators and Alde boiler removed to be replaced by a system that : 1 heats the water speedily without engine running 2 heats radiators if desired without engine running 3 is not prohibitively expensive to install I seek advice on what system is best from you experts Rog No point asking me then I'm glad you've seen the light though. Engine running is a pain in the arse. If it isn't for you, it is for someone else.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:26:22 GMT
Why remove the copper pipes? Just replace the radiators with new ones and get the Alde fixed, anything else is going to be the wrong side of Β£2k. An Eberspacher or similar is over Β£1k before you start fitting it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:27:38 GMT
Morco instant hot water.
There is one of these on my barge which was used to accommodate a woman and two children and my good self for about ten years. Bath on the boat.
Faultless item giving as much hot water as you can eat.
Great.
Dulcinea has a Paloma which is also a great bit of kit.
Just got water no rads.
If you want both then I'd suggest a Mikuni wet heater.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:29:54 GMT
Morco instant hot water. There is one of these on my barge which was used to accommodate a woman and two children and my good self for about ten years. Bath on the boat. Faultless item giving as much hot water as you can eat. Great. Dulcinea has a Paloma which is also a great bit of kit. Just got water no rads. If you want both then I'd suggest a Mikuni wet heater. Mikuni dont supply Mikuni heaters anymore
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:34:14 GMT
The Alde is obsolete and is only a centeal heating boiler not a water heater.
I understood that modern boilers will not operate with copper pipe systems, so new boiler will mean remove copper pipe.
As I have said it's probably a next year project to source the most suitable system and an installer.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:40:57 GMT
Morco instant hot water. There is one of these on my barge which was used to accommodate a woman and two children and my good self for about ten years. Bath on the boat. Faultless item giving as much hot water as you can eat. Great. Dulcinea has a Paloma which is also a great bit of kit. Just got water no rads. If you want both then I'd suggest a Mikuni wet heater. Mikuni dont supply Mikuni heaters anymore They brand Chinese ones as far as I know. I did have a short fling with an MX40 which I actually think was a very nice item but unless they arrr used regularly and on full burn they do seem to get grumpy. I suspect with the ULSD changes they might be better of late than they used to be. Morco for dogless and do the heating another way.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:42:07 GMT
The Alde is obsolete and is only a centeal heating boiler not a water heater. I understood that modern boilers will not operate with copper pipe systems, so new boiler will mean remove copper pipe. As I have said it's probably a next year project to source the most suitable system and an installer. Rog One of my boats has an Alde (tall thin type) and it heats the calorifier. It was quite good when it worked. I imagine with a bit of tlc it could be made to work again.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 15:54:17 GMT
I'm sure if parts could be found it could be made to work again BUT it still won't, and never has heated the water, so it doesn't fulfill our needs.
We shall see what system is suggested and take it from there.
Rog
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